A new Change.org petition that’s gathered hundreds of signatures is demanding transparency and action at Dewberry Capital’s long-stalled high-rise redevelopment in the middle of Midtown. 

The petition was started Friday by Midtown resident Gary Freedman, who lives in a condo across the street from the former Campanile building (long stripped to its concrete bones) and has grown frustrated with lack of development progress alongside many neighbors. As of this writing, it had gathered 766 verified signatures. 

The petition demands public disclosures from City of Atlanta and Fulton County officials pertaining to corrective actions and inspections at the 1155 Peachtree St. site, where “[f]or more than five years, Midtown residents have lived beneath a long-idle crane towering over our homes and community.” 

It also calls for an independent review of the tower site, more communication from government officials, and immediate repair of adjacent sidewalks, roads, and pedestrian routes around the 21-story deconstruction project that began more than six years ago. 

The former Campanile tower at 1155 Peachtree St. NE in Midtown, as seen Monday. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta

Regarding Dewberry’s construction crane, the petition calls for “a public timeline for stabilization, remediation, redevelopment, or removal activities.” (A Dewberry construction official told Urbanize Atlanta earlier this month the crane is currently in “weathervane position,” allowing it to move with the wind, and is “maintained in accordance with applicable standards.” The project, now dubbed The Midtowne, continues to make progress, per that development official.)   

Interesting early input in the petition’s comments section came from “Caroline” of Buford, who offered this: “This site prevented me from buying in Mayfair [Tower Condominiums]. I found the perfect unit, perfect location, perfect price, and, unfortunately, the perfect view of this monstrosity.”

Dewberry’s Midtown endeavor has made headlines recently following neighbor safety complaints, District 2 Atlanta City Council member Kelsea Bond’s discovery that the project’s building permits have expired, and the Department of City Planning’s declaring the site “dangerous and unsafe,” with warning signs posted along sidewalks. 

Hazards at the “abandoned” site are related to a construction barrier that allows for pedestrian access, according to the city’s May 19 posting.  

The tower's eastern face, as seen in February 2024. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta

Dewberry Capital officials pushed back against claims of a hazardous situation in a statement last week provided to Atlanta News First. 

The company claims the site is monitored around the clock by a Dewberry Ambassadors security team and has no openings in the perimeter. “Otherwise, sadly,” the statement reads, “we suspect the citation is politically motivated and completely counterproductive to achieving the goal of completion, which no one wants more than Mr. Dewberry, as he has $150,000,000 of personal cash invested.”

In his own statement to the news station, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said the situation is “likely to result in litigation,” adding: “We expect all property owners in the City of Atlanta to follow the law. There is state law, there is city law, but there is no John Dewberry law.”

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