A long-envisioned project in southwest Atlanta has a new developer.
Atlanta BeltLine Inc. announced Thursday they have a finalist to develop the 20-acre Murphy Crossing site, which sits along the Westside Trail. It was once home to the Georgia State Farmers Market.
The selected finalist is Arizona-based Culdesac Inc., according to a press release. The real estate development firm with partner with Urban Oasis Development, Kronberg Urbanists + Architects, LDG Consulting and T. Dallas Smith and Co.
The proposed development, dubbed Murphy Crossing by Culdesac, will include residential and commercial space, a percentage of which will be offered at affordable rates. BeltLine officials say the commercial uses will include a grocery store, retail and dining options, co-working spaces, arts and culture programming, and a farmers’ market.
“The revitalization of Murphy Crossing has long been a part of the vision of Atlanta BeltLine and represents many of the aspirations we have for sustainable, equitable redevelopment along our 22-mile corridor,” Clyde Higgs, president and CEO of Atlanta BeltLine, Inc., said in the press release.
Jeff Berens, Culdesac co-founder and COO, said the company builds “mixed-use developments that embrace community, open space, and mobility.”
Murphy Crossing is located in the Oakland City neighborhood, bordering Adair Park and Capitol View. It’s near the Oakland City and West End MARTA stations, which the BeltLine says makes it a “critical conduit for connectivity and development within southwest Atlanta.”
The BeltLine first identified Murphy Crossing as a key redevelopment site back in 2005. By 2014, it had acquired about 16 acres of the property, and in 2016, embarked on a study to determine its best use.
In 2018, the BeltLine completed its purchase of Murphy Crossing and initiated a RFP process for its sale and redevelopment.
A previous deal to develop the property fell apart in 2020 during the pandemic.
“Murphy Crossing is important to my community as a model of economic inclusion, jobs, affordable housing, commercial spaces and walkable retail that has been absent for decades,” Joel Dixon, principal of Urban Oasis Development, said in the press release. “Furthermore, this is a watershed moment to have a current Black resident as a joint venture developer for a publicly-owned redevelopment site.”
A public meeting about the project is set for Sept. 26. More information is available online.
3 Responses
How much is “a percentage”? Keeping it vague like that concerns me that its not going to actually be enough affordable housing for the area.
Hi, this is the information the BeltLine released about the affordable housing and commercial space: “Twenty-five percent (25%) of the residential units will be designated permanently affordable with an additional five percent (5%) deemed affordable for at least the next 30 years. The target AMI is between 60 and 80 percent. Additionally, Culdesac intends to offer 30% of all retail and light industrial spaces at an affordable rate to small businesses in the area.”
Thanks for the info!