Virginia-Highland Pool

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1. Who is behind the pool association?

We’re a small group of neighbors — volunteers, not developers or investors — who care deeply about this community. This started with the simple belief that we could transform an underused space into something beautiful and lasting. The group includes parents, longtime residents, and civic leaders who want to create a shared neighborhood amenity, modeled after successful efforts like Garden Hills and Brookwood Hills.We’re doing this because we love this place — and we want to make it even better for the next generation of families and neighbors.

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2. What are we asking for right now?

We’re asking for support to move into the pre-development phase — a defined period where we can do the real work: gather input, study parking and traffic, develop designs, and see if we can create something that works with the neighborhood, not just in it.

Nothing is being built yet. This phase is about testing ideas, identifying challenges, and collaborating with the community to decide whether this is something we should move forward with — and if so, how to do it responsibly.

3. What is the pre-development phase?

It’s a structured planning window — not approval to build. Think of it as the “can we do this well?” stage. During pre-development, we’ll explore design options, conduct parking and traffic studies, and hold more community conversations. It’s the only way we can responsibly and transparently evaluate whether this pool is viable and aligned with neighborhood priorities.

4. Is this the last time the neighborhood gets to weigh in?

Not at all. One of the goals of pre-development is to surface the very questions we’ve been hearing — about parking, access, hours, design, and more — and to work together on answers.

We’re also planning future community engagement sessions, and before anything moves forward, there will be formal opportunities for review and input from the VHCA, the NPU, and neighbors. No lease can be signed without those approvals.

5. Why haven’t you shared a site design, parking study, or financial model?

We’ve tried to answer what we can — but many of the big questions (like site design, traffic impact, or cost estimates) require expert input, legal access to the property, and insurance. The VHPA doesn’t have authorization to access the site or hire those professionals without a pre-development agreement in place.

We’re not holding anything back — we’re simply not yet in a position to do that work. That’s what this next phase is for.

6. What is APS’s role in this?

Atlanta Public Schools (APS) owns the land and has agreed to explore this project through a formal pre-development agreement. They’re not funding the pool — but they are giving us the opportunity to try. It’s a generous gesture, and it gives the neighborhood a rare chance to help shape the future of a publicly owned but underused property.

7. Could APS build something else on this land?

Should the pool not be pursued or built, APS has shared that other uses for the site may be under consideration, including bringing it back to consideration for APS' own purposes such as an auxiliary athletic field for Midtown HS (e.g., ultimate frisbee team) or a softball practice field for Howard MS.

If APS decides not to use it for its own athletic purposes, this property will then revert back to the "hold" excess property status.   At the APS Board Retreat on September 19, 2023, four (4) Board priorities for "hold" excess properties (including the Field of Dreams property) were outlined:  (1) community resource (arts, non-profit, etc.), (2) early learning, (3) workforce development, (4) greenspace.   If the Board decides to declare this property as surplus, it could be used for affordable housing and the other 4 uses and/or commercial/retail, if appropriate.

8. What about traffic, noise, or parking concerns?

That’s exactly what this pre-development phase is for. We’ve already heard feedback about the need to look at parking — whether spaces can be added, how we manage peak hours, and how to minimize impact. Those are not afterthoughts — they’re core design priorities. If we can’t come up with a plan that works for the community, the project won’t move forward.

9. Does the Virginia-Highland Pool Association have the expertise needed to design & manage a pool of this scale?

We’re passionate volunteers, not pool builders — and that’s exactly why we’ll be working with experienced professionals every step of the way. If this project moves forward, the pool will be professionally designed, engineered, and managed. We’ll partner with landscape architects, pool designers, construction firms, and experienced operators who’ve done this before — often for projects much larger than this one. Our volunteer role is to act as a force to make this a reality and assuming we can, reflect what this community cares about and make sure this space is shaped with neighbors in mind — not to go it alone.

10. If the pre-development agreement is signed, will the site definitely become a pool?

No. The pre-development agreement is just a planning phase, not a green light for construction. This is how we find out if the pool is possible — and if we can do it in a way that’s financially sustainable, neighborhood-supported, and aligned with APS guidelines. There are still lots of steps to go, including formal votes from the VHCA, the NPU, and APS.

If we can’t build something that works for the neighborhood, it won’t move forward.