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Summerhill neighbors urge APS to pause Atlanta Track Club plan for Cheney Field
Summary
Multiple Summerhill residents told the board the Atlanta Track Club proposal for a 3,250-seat indoor track and associated parking would remove public green space, worsen traffic and flooding risks, and proceeded with insufficient community engagement; they asked APS to pause the project and align any lease with board surplus-land priorities.
Several Summerhill residents pressed the Atlanta Board of Education to pause consideration of a proposed lease with the Atlanta Track Club to build a large indoor track facility and parking on Cheney Field, describing the site as a heavily used community green space and saying neighbors learned of the project only recently.
Tim Resider said the proposed deal covers 15 acres and would convert green space used for soccer, football and youth recreation; he noted an apparent letter of intent had been signed and asked the board to reiterate its stated surplus-land priorities (affordable housing, community resources, early learning, green space) and direct staff to pause the project pending community input. "It is that lack of community input that has done so much damage to the neighborhood over the year," Resider said.
Residents raised technical concerns: Andrew Kyler said club representatives admitted to doing no traffic or flood-impact studies and warned a proposed 45-foot building would block sunlight and change neighborhood character. Chloe and others emphasized that Cheney Field currently supports youth leagues, cross-country meets and informal recreation and urged APS not to treat publicly held school land primarily as a real-estate opportunity.
Speakers asked the board to require fuller community engagement, pause negotiations until studies and community review are complete, and ensure any reuse of surplus property aligns with district priorities and preserves student access to outdoor recreation.
