By Kristina Torres and Christian Boone
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
In little more than two weeks, demolition at Cross Keys High School will begin. It will erase decades of decline at the DeKalb County campus, transforming brick and mortar literally coming apart at the seams into a newly modern school building.
But the renovation -- which months ago suffered an ill start when the first architect quit, among other delays -- seems unlikely to address a deeper concern among some advocates about Cross Keys’ future as a traditional neighborhood high school.
“I feel like a vibrant community, which has a vibrant commercial life and a vibrant identity, also has a vibrant public school community,” said Kim Gokce, who lives with his family in the Brookhaven area around Cross Keys and is president of the local HillsDale Neighborhood Association. He is also active with the Brookhaven Community Connection, the local business league.
“In this community,” Gokce said, “people see Cross Keys and roll their eyes.”
Built in the 1950s on North Druid Hills Road, the campus sits on about 40 acres just west of I-85. The city of Atlanta’s glitzy Buckhead business district is just around the corner. DeKalb school board member Don McChesney, who represents Cross Keys, said the site “is worth more money than any school property in the county.”
ajc story
