Render courtesy of the Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks were feeling a little left out watching their sister-teams the Braves and Falcons get new stadiums, so they decided to make a move of their own alongside Emory Healthcare. It’s not a new arena, (though Philips is getting a face-lift in the next couple of years) but rather a new practice facility/sports medicine center off of I-85 near North Druid Hills Rd.
At an impressive 90,000 square feet, the facility will provide an upgrade to the drab practice courts under Philips Arena currently used by the team. New weight rooms, training and rehabilitation areas, and top of the line amenities promise to give the team a world-class off-the-court home. The sports medicine component, which will partner with world-renowned Emory Healthcare, is what really makes the building stand out. With access to top of the line equipment as well as medical professionals, Hawks players will have at their disposal what amounts to a full hospital at their fingertips. Said Emory in a press release, “The entire roster of doctors, surgeons and specialists from Emory’s current Sports Medicine Center will also make Brookhaven its permanent home and treat patients inside the new facility”.
A win for the Hawks and for Emory, but maybe an even bigger one for Brookhaven and new Mayor John Ernst.
Looking at a map, the area slated for construction should logically be a part of Druid Hills. However, in late 2014 Brookhaven smartly incorporated the executive office park and surrounding area, predicting that it would be re-developed and that likely Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta would at some point build an out-patient facility there. Earlier on Tuesday Emory announced it had purchased 60 acres of property in the Executive Park, and already an apartment complex is underway nearby. Pair those investments with this massive project from the Hawks and Emory and it doesn’t look like it’s going to take long for Brookhaven to start reaping the rewards via those sweet sweet tax dollars.
