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From the Northside Neighbor newspaper...

Historic Brookhaven Neighborhood Celebrates Centennial

By Laura Braddick
lbraddick@neighbornewspapers.com

In 1910, a group of investors purchased land about 11 miles north of Atlanta to build what would become the state’s first planned golf course community.

Originally called Brookhaven Estates, the neighborhood just east of Buckhead, off Peachtree Road and now known as Historic Brookhaven celebrated its 100th anniversary this month.

“I think many people may not know Brookhaven may have been the first planned golf course community in the entire Southeast,” said Elsie Thompson, who has lived in the neighborhood for more than 40 years.

Since 1900, prominent Atlantans had been building summer cottages on the land that was once home to Creek Indians before it was settled as a plantation in the early 1800s.

The developers, which were form the Mechanical and Manufacturers Club, opened the Brookhaven Country Cub as Atlanta’s second golf course in 1912 after East Lake, which opened six years earlier.

Capital City Club in downtown Atlanta leased the country club in 1911 and sealed a purchase in 1915, expanding the original nine-hole course to 18 holes.

Homes continued to be developed first along the boundaries of the course then eventually spreading farther onto the land, which was owned by the Stovall family.

The neighborhood association formed in 1974 and in 1985 the community was listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. In 1986, the National Park Service deemed it the Brookhaven Historic District.

Straddling both Fulton and DeKalb counties with 46 streets, the neighborhood boasts 900 homes, which include some original structures designed by Atlanta architects Neel Reid and Hal Hentz.

With a central location in the metro area, the neighborhood has watched the city grow up around it.

Resident Holden Thompson was raised in the neighborhood and remembers when the trolley stopped at Club Drive and Peachtree Road was unpaved.

“I would ride my bike to Bagley Park (now known as Frankie Allen Park) through a sugar cane field that eventually became Lenox (Square) mall,” he said.

But despite the growth and evolution of the community over the years, residents said the spirit remains the same.

“The atmosphere is one of a true community,” said longtime resident and Realtor Cathy Boston. “Brookhaven’s one of four or five neighborhoods in the whole city that has its own personality.”

Click here to link to the original article on the Northside Neighbor web site.

Hollywood Comes to Brookhaven

Brookhaven has become a regular Hollywood. Last year neighbors were excited to see all the action on Club Drive when Life as We Know It starring Katherine Heigl was filming. This year, a new Farrelly Brothers film, Hall Pass, brought some well-known names to our neighborhood. Owen Wilson, Alyssa Milano, & Christina Applegate were among the stars practicing their craft in Historic Brookhaven.

Georgia is now in the top five movie-making states in the US, and industry experts say we will see more and more films coming to Georgia. Tax incentives and a commitment by Gov. Sonny Perdue are paying off for the state. There is a deal in the works to turn the old Lakewood flea-market into a top-of-the-line production studio that would bring many more jobs and lots of movie clout to Atlanta.

At the HBNA General Meeting on May 11, two women from Warner Brothers Studios were very gracious as they addressed the neighbors, commenting on the charm of the neighborhood and the kindness & generosity of the neighbors. Hall Pass stars Owen Wilson (Wedding Crashers, Marley & Me) and Jason Sudeikis (Saturday Night Live, What Happens in Vegas) as Rick and Fred, best friends who share the common bond of being married for many years. When the pair begin to show signs of restlessness at home, their wives take a bold approach to revitalize their marriages by granting them a "hall pass", one week of freedom to do whatever they want, no questions asked. At first, it sounds like a dream come true for Rick and Fred, but they quickly discover that their expectations of the single life—and themselves—are completely and hilariously out of sync with reality.

HBNA President Frank Clementi commented on the effect Hall Pass had on the neighborhood. "The effect it had on us was that Club Dr was down to one lane, detours were up around the hood. They did filming one night until 3AM. Many neighbors came out to watch the filming and star gazing." Frank had a chance to mingle with the actors and crew. "I went one night and was treated as royalty with much respect and able to hang with the actors, directors, etc,. This job does have its benefits." Clementi said. Hall Pass will film entirely on location in Atlanta and is set for release in 2011.

Street Party 2009

Well we can’t say this party went off without a hitch! It almost didn’t happen at all. At 4:00 pm on September 26th, it wasn't clear that we had made the right decision to reschedule to the following Saturday, but by 4:30 there was no doubt that the right call had been made.

And the following week, we couldn’t have asked for more perfect weather. We had a great turnout, and like all parties we remember, there was a little something for everyone!

Since we had to reschedule to a weekend with the Georgia/LSU game, Que-N-View provided us with more TV’s so the fans wouldn’t miss it.  Barbeque, keg beer, and football…the look on the guys’ faces were priceless.

The older kids had a great time on the Slide and the Dunk Tank. And Rikki, the dance instructor entertained them until the very end, and played some great music for everyone.

Once again, The Brookhaven Mom’s Group did an amazing job with the Kids’ Zone. Susan Kelly and Diane Jarrell really gave the kids a great time, and it was precious to see the older kids in the neighborhood help with the younger ones. It definitely speaks volumes to the neighborhood, and the people that live in this community.

Letter from Mayor Shirley Franklin re Property Tax Increase

Mayor Shirley Franklin has proposed a property tax increase to close the budget gap in the City of Atlanta.  An open letter to NPU Chairpersons regarding this proposal can be viewed here.

Watershed Update

An update on water conservation efforts and usage restrictions can be found here.

Capital City Club Project - Supplemental Tree Information

The Capital City Club has applied for an additional permit for removal of trees around the Clubhouse, tennis courts and parking lot.  In relation to this application, a new sign will be going up in front of the club regarding the tree removal.  Please note that this is different than the Golf Course permit already in place.  For specific information on the trees to be removed and how they will be replaced, click here.

3630 Peachtree Information

Click here to view details on the 34 story mixed use retail, office and residential tower going up at the corner of Peachtree-Dunwoody Road and Peachtree Road adjacent to the Wieuca Baptist Church.

Capital City Club Project - Notice of Withdrawal of Appeal

Letter withdrawing an appeal to the preliminary approval for removal of trees granted by the City of Atlanta relating to the Capital City Club ("CCC") project.  The letter cited "CCC’s willingness to be sensitive to restoring native habitat" and "the resources that they can bring to bear to restore the greenspace for humans and wildlife as quickly as possible" as primary reasons for the withdrawal.  A copy of the appeal withdrawal letter can be found here.

Capital City Club Project - Estimated Tree Impact

Estimates provided by the Capital City Club to HBNA show that there will be a net loss of 335 trees as a result of the Capital City Club renovation project - a 13.4% loss in the total number of trees.  However, all of the new trees to be planted are hardwoods, while only 35% of the trees to be removed are hardwoods (65% are pines).  Click here to view a PDF that has more details.

Conditions for Capital City Club Permit

HBNA has obtained a copy of the Conditions for Special Use Permit for the Capital City Club's development project, including noise, traffic, parking and lighting restrictions.  To view a PDF copy of the Permit, click here.

News Submissions

Do you have something newsworthy regarding our neighborhood or community that HBNA members should know about?  A new zoning ordinance?  A doubling of sanitation rates?  A cut in property taxes?  Click here to submit your item by e-mail, and we'll review for posting on the web site.

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