Initial Cultural Resources Impact Prediction, McConnell Drive Properties, Decatur, Dekalb County, Georgia

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) proposes to acquire real property for the construction of a Fisher House on McConnell Drive in Decatur DeKalb County Georgia. As part of the pre-acquisition due diligence review of the properties, the VA requested an initial cultural resources impact prediction (ICRIP). Mabbett & Associates Inc. (Mabbett) the lead environmental firm, contracted with Commonwealth Heritage Group Inc. (Commonwealth) to complete the ICRIP.

The undertaking is defined as the potential acquisition of a property on McConnell Drive in Decatur for construction of a Fisher House. Through the Fisher House program veterans and service members their families and caregivers are provided with no cost accommodations while seeking treatment at larger military and VA medical facilities. The VA acquires the property, the Fisher House foundation builds the structure, and then the foundation donates it to the VA. After the donation the Fisher House becomes a federal building. The entire process is considered to be a federal undertaking that requires NHPA S106 compliance.

Commonwealth completed a review of background information on the properties including a search of the Georgia site file record DeKalb County property records, historic and modern maps and aerial photographs and previous cultural resource studies in the general area. Commonwealth's architectural historian completed a site visit which included photographic documentation of the five existing residences in the APE. This report is based on the background research and the site documentation.

There were no previous cultural resource surveys in proximity to the APE and there are no previously recorded archaeological or historic resources within or near the properties. The five lots under consideration contain brick residences constructed between 1948 and 1951. The houses are standard forms which in most cases have had numerous alterations which impact their integrity of design, construction and materials. None of the five houses meet the criteria for eligibility to the National Register of Historic Places. There are no National Register listed resources within the viewshed of the McConnell Drive property, and the proposed two-story Fisher House will be compatible with other structures on McConnell Drive. As a result, there are no adverse visual impacts. No information was found on possible historic activity in the APE. Due to the extensive existing development it is unlikely that the properties contain intact archaeological remains. In addition, most of the known sites in the general area are adjacent to water sources or in the case of historic sites, major transportation routes. Neither of these conditions exist in proximity to the APE. Based on the environmental conditions the extensive disturbance and the site pattern in the area, the AP has a low potential for archaeological or historical sites.

Based upon the fieldwork and research completed in June and July 2022, Commonwealth finds that development of a Fisher House on McConnell Drive will not impact archaeological or historic resource which may be potentially eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.