Our Lady of Lourdes Plans Expansion to Address Parking Needs

Editor's note: The author of this report is a parishioner of Our Lady of Lourdes.

OLD FOURTH WARD — Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, which is planning a long-term expansion that included the acquisition of an adjacent property to build a new, larger sanctuary is adding another parcel for parking.

The land the church is looking to convert for parking is a 1.36-acre tract bordered by Boulevard and Daniel and Gartrell streets.

It doesn't currently own the parcel, but has it under contract with an anticipated closing in September.

The purchase is contingent on a series of approvals and community input in the coming weeks, including the Fourth Ward Neighbors community association, which meets May 21, Neighborhood Planning Unit-M and the Atlanta Zoning Review Board.

The 100-year-old church needs the lot because when the new santurary is constructed, it will take all of its existing parking with exception handicapped spots, church member David Patton explained to East Atlanta Patch.

The $1.5 million proposed parking site includes two abandoned houses which would be torn down according to Loudes' plans.

An existing business on the site would remain, as would a rental home.

The church's landscaping plans for the streetscape around the lot include improving the lighting, adding and widening sidewalks and putting in tree medians and buffers.

The church, which also will meet with the newly formed Old Fourth Ward Business Association, plans to develop a plan with neighboring businesses that would allow them to use the lot as well.