Brookhaven City Council Approves Plans For MCP Lake House And Parking

From the City of Brookhaven:

April 29, 2021

At its regular business meeting on April 27, the Brookhaven City Council approved the Murphey Candler Lake House Concept Plan and Murphey Candler Lake House Parking Lot Expansion Concept Plan after extensive public input.

“The public input process was key to prioritizing the amenities responsive to the needs of the community and to create the concept plan which will guide the eventual construction of the new Murphey Candler Park Lake House,” said Lee Croy, Brookhaven’s Park Bond manager.

On November 6, 2018, voters overwhelmingly approved a referendum which dedicated $40 million for improvement projects identified in the 2016 Parks Master Plans. Of this, approximately $1.25 million was earmarked for a community center for Murphey Candler Park. However, with detailed input from the community on the prioritization of amenities, the Lake House concept was chosen, rather than a full-fledged community center, that is more appropriately scaled and programmed for the citizens’ needs and preferences.

From November 2019 through September 2020, more than 400 responses were received from residents, business owners, and other stakeholders through an outreach process. Following the successful culmination of public input for the Murphey Candler Park Lake House itself, Brookhaven sought public input regarding several options for the parking lot to be located near the new Murphey Candler Park Lake House. After a careful review and deliberation of 183 responses on the parking options, the council chose the option which provided 100 spaces, as well as preserved two older trees near the entrance of the current parking lot located at the Scout Hut.

“The extraordinary feedback was essential in creating the best project possible that addresses the concerns of all members of the community, balancing the need to accommodate visitors of Murphey Candler Park with the need for the preservation of this natural wonder,” said District 1 Councilmember Linley Jones. “I want to thank everyone who made the investment of time and energy to ensure a successful project.”

The entire Murphey Candler Park Lake House Public Input Report can be viewed here:https://www.brookhavenga.gov/parksrec/page/hundreds-weigh-mcp-community-center

All of the options for the Murphey Candler Park Lake House Public parking options can be viewed here: https://www.brookhavenga.gov/parksrec/page/brookhaven-seeks-public-input-mcp-lake-house-parking-options

This press release was produced by the City of Brookhaven. The views expressed here are the author’s own.