Icing the cake at Pullman Yard

What else can this be but a hockey barn?!

A reader writes regarding our idea to convert one of the Pullman Yard buildings into a first-rate hockey and figure skating complex (link here):

What a great idea! Combined with the AYSA soccer complex off of Arizona, you'd have a mecca for youth sports in town. I hope whoever builds on that space is creative and insightful, using the large space to generate economic impact, green space, residential and something unique we Kirkwoodians can hang our hats on. If they did it nice enough, I'm sure they could get the Thrashers to practice there because the rink where they practice now is not that impressive.

The bid process is slated to begin this month. Please forward this link to anyone you know who is involved on either the political or development fronts. Let's forecheck this thing and make it happen. It could be really huge!

Pullman Yard kicks up dust

As Georgia Power moves forward with building the substation by the tracks at Pullman Yard, neighborhood tension is building.

The project, for one, is kicking up a lot of dust.

And the folks down at the end of Warren Street are realizing just how close that thing is going to be.

The good news is that preservation experts are on the site, and bricks are being collected from the necessary demolition of one of the buildings to rebuild it later.

Along with the revival of Memorial Drive and the coming of East Lake Corner, the renovation of Pullman Yard is going to be a centerpiece of the Southeast Atlanta resurgence -- and will pay off for everybody in the end. In fact, it may be our greatest asset.

But I sympathize with those not just being affected by the construction, but by the looming reality of living with a power substation just through the woods.

There's so much potential, but this should be a reminder that it can go awry, too, depending on what's finally decided on as far as what goes in there.

Check back here for updates on meetings, plans and construction updates.

K-wood: The next Hockey Town?

Okay, hear me out.

Whoever redevelops the old Pullman Yard buildings needs a marquee tenant to be housed in the historically protected brick caverns, right?

Ever since I first saw those grand old buildings I've had only one thought: hockey rink!

Stay with me. The fact is, Atlanta is woefully short on hockey rinks, and the three active ones are all far from intown -- Duluth, Alpharetta and Kennesaw, respectively. (Tiny Raleigh has five busy rinks all within 20 minutes of its downtown.)

With all the Yankee expats moving intown -- and even for those coming in from the burbs -- a highquality rink featuring adult and kid's leagues, figureskating, camps, and public skating would be a huge draw.

Combined with a shopping center, a bar and some restaurants, it would be a top-shelf shot for the entire East Atlanta area.

I'll be writing more about Pullman Yards -- both the possibilities and realities -- so stay tuned!