Atlanta Beltline, Inc. Selects Developer Finalist to Fulfill Affordable Mixed-Use Vision for Buckhead Site Near Lindbergh MARTA Station

Nearly Three-Acre Site on Garson Drive at Piedmont Road Connects to Future Northeast Trail, Expands Beltline’s Commitment to Equitable Development

The Beltline-owned parcel in southern Buckhead sits at the intersection of Garson Drive and Piedmont Road.

ATLANTA (August 14, 2023) – Atlanta Beltline, Inc., has selected Pennrose and affordable housing specialists Radiant Development Partners, LLC as the developer finalist of a new mixed-use development in South Buckhead focused on equitable residential and commercial space. The nearly three-acre site at 579 Garson Drive will connect to the regional trail network and the Lindbergh MARTA station. It represents another milestone in the Beltline’s goal to deliver 5,600 affordable housing units by 2030.

Situated near the intersection of Garson Drive and Piedmont Road, the site sits on the future Atlanta Beltline Northeast Trail and connector trails, with quick access to the growing regional trail network of PATH400, South Fork Confluence Trail, and the Peachtree Creek Greenway. The proposed mixed-use development will feature a range of affordable housing options with access to public transit, grocery stores, retail, restaurants, and area amenities of one of Atlanta’s premier communities.

“This development is the latest example of the Atlanta Beltline’s commitment to controlling and guiding land use around our 22-mile trail system in an effort to increase the supply of affordable housing and affordable commercial space in Beltline communities,” said Dennis Richards, Vice President of Housing Policy and Development, Atlanta Beltline, Inc. “We diligently selected a developer finalist that shares our priorities around equitable economic development for all, and we are excited to see this development move forward.”

Pennrose, a national multifamily developer with projects in the Southeast, including mixed-used development Haven in South Atlanta, is partnering with minority-owned firm Radiant Development Partners, LLC on the Garson Drive development. Radiant specializes in affordable housing developments.

“We are extremely excited to be partnering with the Atlanta Beltline on this affordable and workforce housing project,” said Amon Martin, SE Regional Vice President for Pennrose. “We are especially proud to be working with our development partner Radiant Development Partners, LLC to implement this transformative housing project for the Lindberg Community and City of Atlanta.  We look forward to immediately engaging with the community and moving this project forward.”

“We are excited to work with the Atlanta Beltline to provide affordable housing options to the Lindbergh area,” said Sharon D. Guest, Principal of Radiant Development Partners, LLC. “With our development partners Penrose, we are committed to developing an equitable housing community that can serve as a catalyst to transform lives.”

Commercial space on the site will include the development of micro-units ideal for small businesses. The developer finalist also intends to partner with the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs to source and support small, local businesses. The spaces will take advantage of views to Peachtree Creek and that will directly front the Beltline connector trail to be constructed along the rear of the development.

The development is expected to create over 200 new construction jobs with approximately 25 new hires from the community.

The Beltline, Pennrose, and Radiant Development Partners, LLC will continue to engage community members throughout the process, just as the Beltline has done since purchasing the property.

The Beltline purchased the Garson site from Wells Fargo with the aim to create more affordable housing in the Lindbergh area and 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 is almost 57 percent of the way toward that goal. Since 2006, the Beltline has assisted in the creation and/or preservation of 3,181 units of affordable housing within the Beltline Tax Allocation District (TAD).