It was a dramatic moment.
During an interview at his official residence on Monday, Clark Atlanta University President George T. French Jr. was asked about the status of a structural engineering report on the historic Gaines Hall — one of the most significant and oldest buildings in the city.
In real-time, French called Bonita Dukes, CAU’s vice president of facilities management, who told him the report was complete and that she would call back to share the executive summary.
A few minutes later, French’s phone rang, and the president put Dukes on speakerphone.
“The executive summary says it’s their opinion that the existing brick wall structure appears to have enough structural integrity for repair and reuse,” Dukes said. “Is that good?”
“Thank you. That’s the bottom line,” French said. “That’s great news!”
Gaines Hall, which has been damaged by several fires in the past decade, has been the focus of preservationists, who have worried about the future of the 1869 structure that served as the first permanent building on the Atlanta University campus. It also was where W.E.B. DuBois, a scholar and historian, was living when he wrote the “Souls of Black Folk.”
Gaines Hall is perched on one of Atlanta’s highest peaks, Diamond Hill, a place that also houses the neighboring Morris Brown’s Fountain Hall (formerly Stone Hall) and CAU’s Furber Cottage, where home economics was first taught to African Americans.
Diamond Hill is now in the spotlight. Direct Invest, a developer from New York, signed a 99-year lease with Clark Atlanta to redevelop about 10 acres the university owns, including. Furber Cottage, which also has been damaged by fires, and the Herndon/Morris Brown Stadium in the Vine City community. Direct Invest’s 10 acres does not include Gaines Hall, which is under CAU’s control.
Carlton Brown, president of Direct Invest, envisions a $2 billion development with eight buildings. Atlanta City Councilman Byron Amos has introduced legislation to have the entire site up-zoned from the current height limit of five stories to as high as 22 stories. Amos said the Neighborhood Planning Unit supports the rezoning.
Jabari Simama, Direct Invest’s representative in Atlanta, said in a column that none of the buildings would be higher than 18 stories.
President French agreed to sit down for an extensive interview to provide CAU’s point of view on the Diamond Hill development, Gaines Hall and historic preservation.
The lease agreement with Direct Invest was made about five years ago before French became CAU’s president in 2019. Still, French said he sees the proposed Diamond Hill development as part of the evolution of the community — a project that would add affordable housing to the area.
“We have a major housing crisis,” said French, adding it’s an issue Mayor Andre Dickens and the Atlanta City Council are working to solve. “We want to do our part.”
Eventually, French would like the area to have a grocery store and other neighborhood amenities within walking distance of the university and the Vine City community.
“First of all, we want to make sure that we are good community citizens of our real estate,” French said. “We are one of the largest holders of real estate in the west end of Atlanta. But we haven’t we haven’t always been in the strong financial position as we are now.”
In addition to Diamond Hill, French said the university is engaged in a feasibility study with a development team about the possible renovation of the historic Paschal’s Motor Hotel and Restaurant on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. Stay tuned.
When it comes to Diamond Hill, French said CAU is providing the ground lease to Direct Invest, and the university is also an equity partner — 25 percent — in the proposed development.
“I have confidence they have the experience to get this done,” French said. “It’s not a final deal yet. Financing is not [yet secured]. So, I have measured confidence because I haven’t heard enough. I’m encouraged by what I’ve heard from the community thus far. And I’m thinking they’ll have additional weigh-in once they see the actual schematics and drawings. I have to really listen to the community. And that’s real.”
But French made it clear Direct Invest is leading the redevelopment and that Clark Atlanta has no control on certain decisions – such as the possible demolition of the Herndon Stadium or Furber Cottage.
That said, French hopes CAU will have a voice.
“I’m a historic preservationist myself,” French said. “If there’s any way we can save [Furber Cottage], I’m in favor of that. It’s still beautiful, even in the condition it’s in.”
But Clark Atlanta does have control of Gaines Hall. The structural engineering report has been “the elephant in the room,” said Sam Burston, vice president of university relations and external affairs, because it’s been a priority of preservationists.
French said he would be willing to share the report with the preservation community and to work on a plan and capital campaign to restore Gaines Hall.
“I am 100 percent in favor of restoring Gaines Hall without equivocation,” French said.
Although Clark Atlanta is working on a capital campaign, French said it does not include restoring Gaines Hall.
French believes it would be more successful for Gaines Hall to be part of a focused campaign that would involve the preservation community.
Then, he circled back to the positive Gaines Hall structural engineering report. “That is great news,” he said. “We can use that to really pique the interest of individuals who were asking, is it worth it?”
A similar structural report has not been done on Furber Cottage, but French said he “would not be opposed” to a development that brought together both Furber Cottage and Gaines Hall.
“It does give you that quad-type feel,” French said of the green oasis that’s now Diamond Hill.
But he does not want to do anything to slow down efforts to restore Gaines Hall.“Demolition, for me, it’s not an option for that historic building. It just isn’t,” French said. “If it takes $8 million or $50 million, and if we can get the right partners, we can still solve it. It’s not an impossibility.”
He don’t care what it costs cause it ain’t his money. If a choice between low cost community housing and his building he’ll choose his building. That a problem!
I am told that Clark owns Fountain Hall. Can it be sold or leased back to Morris Brown. What is the plan for it?
I am told that CAU owns Fountain Hall where the clock is located. Can it be sold back to Morris Brown or leased back to it for a period of years to handle its new student population? What is the status of that building?