Atlanta BeltLine Inc. is seeking a developer for a multifamily project with a significant affordable-housing component on a prime spot along the future Northeast Trail in Buckhead. 

The request for proposal calls for a mixed-income community that creates “as much density as possible, while maximizing affordable units across diverse income levels.”  

The wooded site is located at the intersection of Garson Drive and Piedmont Road. Courtesy of Atlanta BeltLine Inc.

The 2.68-acre site is located at the intersection of Garson Drive and Piedmont Road and has direct water access to Peachtree Creek. The wooded parcel, at 579 Garson Drive, is near the Lindbergh MARTA station and Lindbergh City Center. Besides the future BeltLine, the site is also near a growing regional trail network, which includes the PATH400, South Fork Confluence Trail and Peachtree Creek Greenway. 

At least 30% of the units must meet workforce-affordability requirements of 80% area-median-income or below and 10% at or below 60% AMI. At least 15% of the units must be market rate. The affordability requirements will remain in place for 20 years. 

“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,” Atlanta BeltLine President and CEO Clyde Higgs said in a press release. “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 site from Wells Fargo with the aim adding affordable housing to the Northeast Trail. The BeltLine’s Housing Policy and Development department is working with partners like Invest Atlanta, the City of Atlanta and the Georgia Department of Community Affairs to create or preserve 5,600 affordable-housing units within the BeltLine Tax Allocation District. Since 2006, the BeltLine has met about 56% of that goal, or 3,148 units.  

“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,” Vice President of Housing Policy and Development Dennis Richards said. “This development opportunity has the potential to 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.