Atlanta BeltLine Inc. is getting the wheels turning on the redevelopment of a large swath of Westside property that’s been called not just important but of “regional significance.”
BeltLine officials plan to begin the community engagement process this month for turning an empty, 31-acre site at 425 Chappell Road into a more active use—one that’s expected to significantly bolster the agency’s efforts toward creating fresh affordable housing options intown.
The BeltLine acquired the property in Bankhead’s Historic Westin Heights neighborhood two years ago as part of its land-acquisition strategy to support more equitable development near the 22-mile loop.
At one and ½ times the size of Centennial Olympic Park, the property was previously home to Chappell Forest Apartments, which had been shuttered for several years before being demolished.
The BeltLine's 425 Chappell Road site's context near MARTA's Bankhead station, the Maddox Park greenspace, and the last unbuilt Westside Trail corridor. Google Maps/Urbanize
The 425 Chappell Road site's conditions today. Atlanta BeltLine Inc.
The land is adjacent to Grove Park, near the Maddox Park greenspace, directly south of sprawling Westside Park and 90 acres owned by Microsoft. One significant driver for investment, the Westside Trail corridor’s final unbuilt section, is now under construction, just to the east. MARTA is also taking steps toward redeveloping its Bankhead station into a mixed-use hub about a half-mile away.
As a first step toward redevelopment, the BeltLine has scheduled an April 24 public study group for the Chappell Road property. Planned discussion topics include current development conditions, a review of the BeltLine Subarea 10 Master Plan, and next steps toward creating a master redevelopment plan for the site and adjacent properties owned by the city, the BeltLine announced this week.
When the BeltLine purchased the Bankhead property in 2021, it was called the agency’s largest commitment toward creating long-term affordable housing to date. Clyde Higgs, BeltLine president and CEO, predicted that whatever would be built there “will have a profound positive impact on the affordability and job creation promises” of the BeltLine overall.
The seller, active Westside homebuilder Brock Built Homes, made $26.5 million in the deal—an amount that was 30 percent below the property’s most recent appraised value, per the BeltLine. Agency leaders called the discount “a donation from the Brocks to further the goal of an affordable and inclusive Atlanta” at the time.
Located within the BeltLine Tax Allocation District, the site is bounded by Chappell Road, North Avenue, Mayson Turner Road, and a CSX rail line. BeltLine officials have said the existing Proctor Creek Trail could conceivably be extended to the site and on to Washington Park.
The 60-acre combined site's location west of downtown. Google Maps
Atlanta BeltLine Inc.
The Bankhead purchase brought the BeltLine’s total assemblage of land meant for affordable housing and job-creation to 65 acres around Atlanta, according to 2021 tallies. Other sites include 20-acre Murphy Crossing in Oakland City (where the Murphy Crossing by Culdesac project is planned), a 3-acre property on Garson Road in south Buckhead, and a site of roughly 9 acres on Avon Avenue in southwest Atlanta.
The BeltLine’s Westside study group meeting regarding the Chappell Road property is scheduled from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Monday, April 24. Details for attending online can be found here. To attend by phone, dial 929-205-6099 (Webinar ID: 835 6777 8753).
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