AFCRA details Johnny White center schedule, grant expansion and Fanplex sale recommendation
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Summary
The Atlanta'Fulton County Recreation Authority updated the committee on Oct. 28 about the Johnny White Golf & Senior Activity Center construction, grant-making plans and facility operations.
Carey Stewart, executive director of the Atlanta'Fulton County Recreation Authority, gave a verbal update to the Community Development and Human Services Committee on Oct. 28 that covered construction timelines, grant programs and several facility matters.
Stewart said the Johnny White Golf & Senior Activity Center is funded through a $25 million bond and is being built in two phases. Phase 1 site work is nearly complete, he said, with retaining walls for a parking lot being installed and expected to finish by mid-December. The RFP for vertical construction was issued in September; a contractor selection is expected in November with vertical construction to begin in January.
'Phase 1 is site work, and it is almost complete,' Stewart said, describing the construction schedule.
Stewart reported the AFCRA Play It Forward grants program awarded roughly $460,000 to 60 grantees in 2024 and that the authority expects the program to grow to about $1 million in 2025. The grants support sports, recreation, arts and culture organizations. He also described a city-funded feasibility study for an LGBTQ cultural center being conducted out of AFCRA's office; the survey effort has yielded about 3,000 responses and 97% positive feedback so far, with a feasibility report due to city officials in December.
On venue operations, Stewart said State Farm Arena's season opener was Oct. 22, that the Hawks recently completed capital improvements including about 70 expanded parking spaces, and that he monitors the Hawks's debt-service-coverage ratio (required minimum 1.5 times); the Hawks reported a 6.0 ratio in the most recent quarter. Stewart also said zoo and parking assets have seen recent capital activity: Zoo Atlanta opened an animal-health center and is building a panda habitat; Centennial Deck (the Ruby Lot) was sold to a private firm but remains available for event parking; Gateway parking deck repairs and camera replacements are being scheduled.
Stewart said an ad hoc committee recommended sending Fanplex to market; that recommendation will go to the AFCRA full board on Nov. 10.
Committee members asked whether World Cup-related activity or MARTA station work would impede access or AFCRA operations; Stewart said MARTA-owned platforms are separate and that the Hawks appear to be planning their own activations for the World Cup timeframe.
Stewart closed by noting grant application details (www.afcragrant.com and social media at afcragrant) and answering questions about site repairs and Fanplex sale timing.
Provenance: Topic introduction: Carey Stewart remarks begin at 00:13:01 (transcript block starting 781.745). Topic finish: AFCRA Q&A and close around 00:22:56 (transcript block ending 1377.315).
