By Eric Curl
Oct. 1, 2023 – The building that previously housed an elementary school at Hull Park may be rezoned from single-family to multi-family use to accommodate apartments.
“The range of uses permitted in the proposed zoning district is more suitable than the current zoning, which would restrict the current large building for use a single family home,” the application submitted by Austin Hill’s Bludworth Holdings, LLC states. “The rezoning will provide needed housing for the City and will not adversely impact adjacent properties (and will likely have less of an impact than the educational uses).”
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Located at 505 East 54th St., the 1.37-acre site is located across from Hull Park. The building at the site was previously used by the Habersham School, a Pre-K4–12 Classical Christian private school, soon after its founding in 2012. The building is now vacant after the school announced plans earlier this year to relocate the school’s two campuses to the former Bible Baptist School at 4700 Skidaway Road. A 2-story cottage is also located on the site behind the former school building.
Constructed in the 1930s, the former school building, known as the Gould Cottage, was a refuge for orphaned children for decades, according to the Metropolitan Planning Commission.
The property is owned by The Gould Cottage LLC, which acquired the property for $425,000 in 2013 according to the property record.
The zoning map amendment and future land use map amendment for the project was scheduled to go before the Metropolitan Planning Commission on Sept. 26, but was removed from the final agenda at the developer’s request. Hill, as well as Attorney Joshua Yellin, who was listed did as the project’s agent, did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent Sept. 19.
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