Atlanta Beltline, Inc. Seeks Developer for Innovative Mixed-Use Project in Buckhead near Lindbergh to Support Affordable Housing, Commercial Affordability and Economic Development Goals

Request for Proposals open for Garson Drive site to include affordable workforce housing, restaurant and retail space close to the Northeast Trail

579 Garson Road is located on the north side of Peachtree Creek, pictured to the right. Photo by Erin Sintos.

Atlanta Beltline, Inc. (ABI) has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the development of a 2.68-acre site at 579 Garson Drive, a unique opportunity for development in Buckhead located on the future Atlanta Beltline Northeast Trail.

The Beltline is seeking a developer for the site that will share its vision for affordable housing and economic development goals. A key element to the RFP will be the development of a mixed-income, multi-family development.  Located at the intersection of Garson Drive and Piedmont Road near the Lindbergh MARTA station and Lindbergh City Center, the site is situated on the banks of Peachtree Creek with direct water access and picturesque views. In addition to the Beltline’s Northeast Trail, the site is near the growing regional trail network of PATH400, South Fork Confluence Trail and the Peachtree Creek Greenway.

“The development of our Garson Drive site presents a unique opportunity to bring housing units that will be affordable for a mix of incomes to Buckhead,” said Clyde Higgs, president and CEO of Atlanta Beltline, Inc. “The site represents the intersection of our goals to tackle overall affordability in Atlanta Beltline neighborhoods and open economic development to all.”

The Beltline purchased the Garson site from Wells Fargo with the aim to create more affordable housing along the Beltline’s Northeast Trail. The Beltline’s Housing Policy and Development department is working with partners such as Invest Atlanta, the City of Atlanta, and the Georgia Department of Community Affairs to create or preserve 5,600 units of affordable housing within the Beltline Tax Allocation District (TAD). Currently the Beltline has met 56 percent of that goal. Since 2006, the Beltline has assisted in the creation or preservation of 3,148 units of affordable housing within the Beltline TAD.

“Strategic land acquisitions by the Atlanta Beltline, such as the 579 Garson Drive site, are vitally important to ensuring equitable development is occurring in Beltline neighborhoods” added Dennis Richards, the Beltline’s Vice President of Housing Policy and Development. “This development opportunity has the potential offer its future residents affordable and market rate housing as well as access to transit, green space, an expansive regional trail network, and nearby job opportunities.”

Proposals for the redevelopment are due May 1, 2023 at 3 p.m. The RFP and all supporting documentation can be viewed here. More information can be found here about the Garson Drive site.

Developers interested in learning more about this opportunity are encouraged to do the following:

• Register your business at beltline.org/procurement/.

• Prepare for upcoming procurement opportunities.

• Participate in the Beltline’s Procurement Process.

• Bid as a prime or subcontractor.

• Read and adhere to bidding and submission requirements.

• Complete all required documents.

• Learn more about Atlanta Beltline Inc. by accessing the website at: beltline.org and www.beltline.org/procurement.