Fulton County approved a $76.8 million mixed-use development project that’s intended to spur economic growth in southwest Atlanta and address affordable housing needs.
Develop Fulton, the county’s development authority, has approved a bond resolution that will bring residential living and commercial space to 840 Woodrow Street near the Atlanta BeltLine.
Led by Woodfield Acquisitions, a subsidiary of Woodfield Development, the project will include 326 residential units, 20 percent of which will be designated as affordable housing. Five percent of the affordable housing units will be reserved for tenants with rental assistance vouchers.
Woodfield will receive tax incentives over 10 years totaling $3.5 million, according to a statement from Profile Marketing and Public Relations. The public relations firm represents Develop Fulton.
The project is expected to generate approximately $9.3 million — or nearly 58 times the current property tax that is being paid on the site — over that same ten-year period, the statement added.
The mixed-use development will include 326 residential units, with 20 percent designated to affordable rent prices. Five percent of the affordable housing units will be reserved for tenants with rental assistance vouchers.
Site preparation includes $1.5 million in brownfield remediation along with sidewalk and streetscape improvements.
“This project represents the best of what we strive for in creating workforce opportunities, needed affordable housing options, and landmark community revitalization,” said Develop Fulton Chairman Kwanza Hall. “840 Woodrow will serve as a cornerstone of equitable development in South Atlanta, catalyzing growth and supporting families, small businesses, and local artists alike.”
The redevelopment project is expected to create more than 500 construction jobs and over 40 permanent positions.
“This effort demonstrates the power of public-private partnerships to drive both growth and equity,” said Develop Fulton Executive Director Sarah-Elizabeth Langford. “What’s so exciting about this project is how many of the ideas and community benefits emerged from meaningful collaboration and dialogue with the people who live and work here.”
So that’s 65 “affordable” units and 3 units for people with housing vouchers, right? Which definition of “affordable housing” is being applied here?
This is exactly the development we wanted at Amsterdam Walk. How many acres does this have? I bet it’s more than the 10.8 acres at Amsterdam Walk that Portman and Halpern Enterprises are stuffing 1,100 apartments on. The Atlanta City Council system is broken.
When NPU votes don’t matter, Neighborhood Board Association votes don’t matter, Zoning Review Board votes don’t matter, even the local Council Members recommendations don’t matter. Master Plans don’t matter.
Developers and their money is the only thing that matters to the Atlanta City Council members. It’s abhorrent. What is the point in participating in any of these community meetings? Why ask the community for input when the plan will always be cater to the developers? Why attend another Plan A meeting? Citizens voices don’t matter to this City Council. Don’t waste your time and resources on Master Plans for your community. They mean NOTHING. The City Council will sell your community out from under you. It’s shameful.
Yes, this is quite a comparison to Amsterdam Walk – 326 units compared with 1,100 units. Jason Dozier, one of the council persons who voted FOR Amsterdam Walk shared his support for the Stitch stating that “one of the great things about this project (the Stitch) is it’s attempt to reverse — or at least repair — some of the poor decisions of Atlantans …. that worked to destroy and displace historic communities.” Jason Dozier AJC 4/25. Amsterdam Walk is certainly one of those poor decisons. Not only will the traffic increase by more than 1,400 parking spaces from a cul-de-sac onto Monroe Drive, but the impact of this massive project in the middle of a thriving historic community that is dependent on Monroe Dr to simple get around the neighborhood is obvious. Not sure if Dozier has a solution for what is the inevitable result of this poor decison making. If so, please share it with those of us trying to get the Council to realize what a terrible mistake this will be.
If this development truly captures the “affordable housing” concept, it would be a “gift” indeed for those who have “housing vouchers”. As to the “Amsterdam Walk” development this is very helpful commentary to get a grasp of the “reality” of the development and its impact on those living in the Amsterdam quadrant.
Thank you,
Dr. Jody Iodice
Former resident of of VH
Amsterdam Walk will not accept housing vouchers. Their “Affordable housing” means you must make approximately $65,000. a year. The least expensive apartment will be approx $1600 per month for a studio/ 1 bedroom apt. Don’t forget the first and last months’ rent required up front, plus pet fees, plus parking fees, plus utilities. Not really affordable on a $65,000-a-year salary.
For a year and a half neighbors from Morningside and Virginia-Highland were asking for smart, sensible development at Amsterdam Walk. And time and time again when asked what size project do you think is appropriate the answer would be “around 300 units.” All our efforts were rebuffed, and Portman kept insisting on a massive, out-of-proportion development despite the small, 10.9 acre plot. And now, just 3 days after the Atlanta City Council gave the green light to Portman Holdings here is EXACTLY the size project we were asking for. So, it is doable after all! If it is possible to develop a right-sized project on the Southside of the BeltLine with affordable housing, why not at Amsterdam Walk? It all comes down to avarice and greed. If the Portman plan for Amsterdam Walk is finally built, it will be a nightmare for the surrounding community and Monroe Drive will become more unbearable than it already is. The 8 members of the City Council that voted to approve the Portman project have turned their backs on the citizens of Atlanta.