A woman wrestles the sideways wheel of her walker onto the cracked sidewalk of Boulevard. It scrapes against the pavement, joining the clatter of children’s scooters and bikes; noises that are set to get a little quieter with the expansion of Georgia Power’s Old Fourth Ward substation.
Georgia Power first promised to involve the neighborhood in the exterior design of the expanded substation in May 2023. Now, neighborhood voices say the utility is backpedalling with an additional expansion and altered designs.
Dr. Samuel Shapero has lived in the Old Fourth Ward since 2009. He has a PhD in electrical engineering and believes the shortening of the substation walls compared to the original plans is cause for concern.
“No child should have to see and listen to a high-power transformer every time they have to step into their front yard,” Shapero said. “If you go to the gate of the existing substation, you can see and hear what I’m talking about. Unfortunately, Georgia Power made their new wall too short.”
John Kraft is a Georgia Power spokesman. He believes Georgia Power’s expansions, specifically those in Vine City, are necessary.
“At the end of the day, we know most people don’t want electrical infrastructure in their yards – but everyone wants and appreciates reliable and affordable energy,” Kraft said. “This project helps us deliver on that commitment to thousands of customers in this area.”
Shapero said he was surprised by the magnitude of the expansion and lost many neighbors and friends to Georgia Power’s purchasing of land.
“Georgia Power really tried to keep the expansion hidden and downplayed as long as possible,” Shapero said. “The initial expansion plan kept growing as they secured more and more of the residential properties.”
Terry McColl is the vice president of the Old Fourth Ward’s neighborhood association. He believes that regardless of any efforts, Georgia Power will proceed with the expansion.
“I hoped we were successful in our last discussions, but the matter is, the purchase of property is done,” McColl said. “They will be moving forward and this is going to look like a server farm along Boulevard, where there are 500 kids that live across the street. It’s not my favorite.”
Shapero believes the strongest incentive for expansion is financial.
“I believe it’s just money,” Shapero said. “As a state-regulated monopoly, Georgia Power has a perverse incentive to buy up as much land as they can since it allows them to increase the rates they charge us.”
Dr. Mila Turner is an environmental sociologist living in Vine City, where Georgia Power is making similar substation additions. Vine City is also similar to the Old Fourth Ward in its history, with both being home to historic figures like Martin Luther King, Jr.
“[Georgia Power] executives say they assessed several sites, including their culture and history, yet they still decided that Vine City, with all of its rich history, was the best location,” Turner said. “That doesn’t seem right. Instead, I believe they looked at the demographics of our community and assumed we either wouldn’t fight this project or we wouldn’t have the resources to resist.”
Kraft said the project is a response to growing demand.
“This project is designed to improve electric service reliability, resiliency and efficiency and accommodate rising energy demand from all customers in the area, including existing homes and businesses and new developments that are bringing jobs and investment to this part of Atlanta,” Kraft said. “Georgia Power goes above and beyond to minimize impact to communities.”
Turner said plans for Vine City to support two substations are unfair.
“We’re expected to host the infrastructure like parking lots and substations so that people can enjoy the downtown amenities without truly having to engage with the neighborhood,” Turner said. “Downtown entertainment is as attractive as it is because Vine City is carrying the burden.”
Both the Old Fourth Ward and Vine City have concerns over the environmental impacts of the substations. Turner emphasized the risks to children and elders, but Georgia Power denied Vine City an environmental risk assessment earlier this year.
Kraft said the company is working to ensure the safety and satisfaction of the neighborhood.
“We would not compromise public health and safety and all plans are specifically designed to supply reliable electric service and comply with environmental and safety regulations,” Kraft said. “To be a good neighbor in the communities we serve, the company will engage with a neighborhood that has questions about a project.”
Shapero said previous efforts to work with Georgia Power representatives were not successful.
“The lesson I quickly learned was that oral promises from Georgia Power’s representatives were worthless,” Shapero said. “Georgia Power’s representatives had zero interest in actually accommodating our neighborhood until we went above their heads to the press, the city council and the Public Service Commission.”
McColl believes the best and only option for the Old Fourth Ward is to work with Georgia Power.
“I’m a pragmatist at heart,” McColl said. “Georgia Power is going to go forward and build this. Our job now is to engage with them and make sure we get the best product for the Old Fourth Ward, period.”
