An Atlanta-based consortium of developers is partnering with Morris Brown College to transform a long-vacant site in Vine City into a community hub and education space, complete with a hotel and grocery space.
On Mar. 2, Resurgence Commercial Partners announced it had received unanimous procurement approval from the Invest Atlanta Board of Directors to advance the mixed-use redevelopment. The consortium includes ImpactData, Gibraltar Capital Partners and The Miles Development Group.
It will overhaul the long-vacant historic 8-acre site at 50 Sunset Avenue and 41 Griffin Street into a “community-focused destination,” right near the historic Sunset Avenue corridor that’s home to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Atlanta Mayor Maynard Jackson’s homes.
Early plans call for major development: A 100-room boutique hotel, structured parking and a mix of retail uses, including a small footprint fresh grocery store, nonprofit and mission-driven businesses, “neighborhood services,” and retail.
It also includes a planned 30,000 square foot learning and innovation facility for neighboring Morris Brown College that will host conferences, run workforce development and support business and technology incubation.
“We want this project to enforce Morris Brown’s role as a storied community anchor for economic and cultural vitality,” Resurgence Commercial Partners Principal Ashley Thompson said.
Invest Atlanta originally acquired the property in 2014, then spent years working with public and private partners to assemble the site for redevelopment. It fits into the city’s ongoing effort to revitalize a depopulated and disinvested neighborhood that was once the site of a bustling Black community.
“The redevelopment of 50 Sunset Avenue and 41 Griffin Street is an opportunity to honor the legacy of these historic properties while positioning them to serve the community for generations to come,” Invest Atlanta President and CEO Dr. Eloisa Klementich said. “By preserving the site’s cultural significance and pairing it with affordable housing, support for local businesses, and thoughtful design, we’re ensuring that revitalization in Vine City continues to build on its rich history and creates pathways to opportunity for residents here.”
The Resurgence consortium said in a press release that it is “aligned on delivering long-term, inclusive revitalization through strategic investment and amenities that serve the community.”
If all goes to plan, it will be a true mixed-use hub. Prestwick Companies, Mercy Housing and Cityscape Housing will develop more than 200 mixed-income rental units and 15 for-sale homes with green space. As planning continues, Resurgence Commercial Partners will release more details.
