The idea stretches to the space itself as well. That difficult topography offers a few gifts to design and development. Land owner The Atlanta Housing Authority has requested a number of attributes be present on the property. Green roofs were part of the ask and have the potential to house community gardens. The steep site allows the complex to be “stepped”, creating walk-out access to rooftop terraces that would normally have required a ladder to reach. The city agency also requires strong community connection be a focus of the development. Phase 1 will include about 30,000 square feet of retail space, but even better, COG’s work will plan for a pocket park placed so the neighborhood can actually walk through the building’s footprint. “It’s our goal to be neighborhood friendly,” adds Ota, “but we’re just now discussing the open access with the community. We’ll see how it all turns out.”
This is just the beginning. We’ll follow this “tremendous” project helping define housing along the southern portion of Atlanta’s Beltline regularly here, with unique behind-the-scenes peeks at a truly community-oriented project, so come back to our blog for updates as the year – and the work – progresses.