Georgia Power eyes 100-year-old houses in Old Fourth Ward for substation expansion

ATLANTA — Georgia Energy desires to take away some 100-year-old houses within the historic Previous Fourth Ward neighborhood so as to increase a substation; it might use eminent area to do it.

The corporate has been quietly attempting to accumulate plenty of single-family houses so as to implement an improve plan it mentioned continues to be incomplete.

“I’ve lived on this property since 1993,” mentioned Derek Martory. He mentioned his home on Wabash Ave. NE is 102 years outdated. 

It’s not on the market, however he mentioned Georgia Energy actually desires to purchase it.

“They’ve provided the truthful market worth of the home,” which he mentioned he has declined. 

Adjoining to Martory’s home, there’s a Georgia Energy substation.  The ability firm has mentioned it desires to increase the footprint of the substation so as to modernize it.

“We completely have to make it possible for our infrastructure stays modernized and stays dependable,” mentioned Misty Fernandez, Georgia Energy’s regional director for Atlanta and Metro South.

Fernandez mentioned the plan to improve the substation continues to be a piece in progress. 

Whereas the Previous Fourth Ward is a neighborhood stuffed with historic houses, it is also dwelling to Ponce Metropolis Market and the wildly widespread eastside BeltLine.

“There may be lots of group right here within the Previous Fourth Ward. And I feel it’s incorrect for Georgia Energy to bulldoze single-family residences,” Martory mentioned.  

If he bought his home on Wabash Ave., Martory mentioned skyrocketing actual property costs would preclude him from shopping for a substitute property close by.

“I’d have to maneuver out. That’s simply the best way it’s,” Martory mentioned.

He mentioned a Georgia Energy legal professional reminded him that Georgia Energy can use the ability of eminent area to take his dwelling with out his settlement. 

Fernandez mentioned the utility desires to keep away from that.  

“That has not been a part of the dialog or a part of the planning thus far,” she mentioned.

“Now we have a legacy of working with our prospects, with our communities to reduce these impacts and work with them in a approach that’s delicate to their wants,” Fernandez mentioned.

The improve Georgia Energy is speaking about within the Previous Fourth Ward would happen in two years – and the utility mentioned it would maintain the neighborhood within the loop as soon as the plans are finalized.