New soccer field at Holmes MARTA station is World Cup legacy project

The Holmes station is named after Hamilton E. Holmes who, along with fellow student Charlayne Hunter-Gault, made history as the first Black students to integrate the University of Georgia in 1961. Holmes was also the first Black student admitted to Emory University School of Medicine and, years later, became the first African American to be on the UGA board of trustees.

Holmes had a long career as a highly respected orthopedic surgeon.

FIFA will provide a grant for programming at the Holmes station for things like community gardens, farmers markets, mobile health clinics and viewing platforms, although no specific plans have been set, said Sanjay Patel, director of strategic partnerships at StationSoccer.

Credit: Unknown

Credit: Unknown

The fields will sit near the iVillage, a 6,500-foot transit-oriented development made out of 14 repurposed shipping containers, which is home to local businesses, food trucks and grocery stores.

The project fulfills a long-standing vision between StationSoccer and developer HKS that began at H.E. Holmes station in 2019, and the project expands the partnership beyond just soccer fields.

“For us going back to 2014, the idea was just around soccer fields at train stations, there was never any other thought or afterthought,” Patel said. “By working with groups like HKS and the City Design Studio, the narrative (became how) can we be more thoughtful about these spaces and what more can we do?”

Sheba Ross, a director at HKS, said having fields at train stations makes it easier for kids to play. Offering other services, such as healthy food options nearby, can is also a big benefit.

“This is where the community life comes into play,” Ross said. “We wanted to think a little bit bigger and talk about what are complementary uses.”

Nearly 3,000 kids play at StationSoccer facilities, and there are waiting lists at most locations.

Kwame Abernathy, a lifetime resident of Collier Heights whose parents built their home there in 1966, said he thinks the development will have a significant impact on the community and will make it more attractive to outsiders.

“When we’re talking about doing something legacy-wise in this area that’s unique: One, the area deserves it; and two, ... we need this new development and construction and influx of capital to bring new people and energy over here to the area,” Abernathy said.

Patel, the director of partnerships for StationSoccer, said West End residents he approached were skeptical about whether the development would ever happen.

“I went to see MARTA first, and their first question about this was: `Does the community even want this?’” Patel said. “I went to see the community, and the folks in the church said to me: `Will MARTA even let you do this?’

“So, here’s the disconnect. There’s historical distrust.”

Michael Sena, a designer with HKS, began studying the Holmes station for other amenities that could enhance the soccer field in 2019. Sena said there is power in seemingly small changes, like building community gardens around soccer fields at MARTA Stations.

“Working at this scale to make a difference across the city is not about building things that are at a city scale, but it’s about doing the very small things that are replicable,” Sena said. “I think there’s a bit of humility in that: doing something seemingly small, but (then) you realize when you’re in this space with the kids and the families that the small thing is just enormous.”

The World Cup’s final match in Atlanta is July 15th.

HKS and StationSoccer officials say the Holmes development is a long-term project that will enhance the lives of community members for years to come.

“We’re starting after the World Cup and that’s the legacy,” Patel said.