On newest Atlanta Beltline section, big development ideas sought

The pavement is barely dry on the Atlanta Beltline’s newest segment to open, and an intown college is aiming to capitalize on proximity to it.

Beulah Heights University—founded in 1918 and considered one of the Southeast’s oldest Bible colleges—has issued a call for development proposals for its current campus and adjacent property along Berne Street in Ormewood Park.

The acreage includes 400 feet of frontage on the Beltline’s newly opened Southeast Trail, along a section of the 22-mile, loop corridor that currently lacks retail.

The potential mixed-use deal could include up to 4.3 acres of land and five contiguous parcels, representing “one of the last remaining Beltline-fronting development sites in the Ormewood Park [and] Grant Park submarket,” according to brokers Adams Commercial Real Estate.

All offers from developers are due May 30. The purchase price for the entire site or a piecemeal deal isn’t publicly listed.

Looking north toward Glenwood Park, the recently opened, 1.2-mile Southeast Trail segment in question, and where potential development would front it. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta

Overview of the full 4.3-acre Beulah Heights University campus properties today. Adams Commercial Real Estate

BHU intends to remain onsite in some capacity, though all current buildings could be scrapped for redevelopment in one scenario that includes all acreage.

The scenario involving the least amount of land would see just 1 acre redeveloped along the Beltline.

The university “remains flexible on redevelopment concepts, provided [it] maintains an ongoing institutional presence onsite and any demolished BHU buildings or parking are replaced as a condo within the new development,” reads the listing.

Currently, BHU counts 25 full-time staff at the 882/892 Berne St. campus. Buildings include a library, a chapel, 11 classrooms, and roughly 80 parking spaces.

The acreage is described as mostly flat and developed, apart from a sloped, woodsy section along the Beltline at the property’s western rim. The school operates from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and could share parking with commercial and multifamily spaces, per marketing materials.

Potential redevelopment scenarios being floated for the college campus in Ormewood Park. Adams Commercial Real Estate

Adams Commercial Real Estate

The sellers are encouraging would-be developers to include ground-floor restaurant and retail space fronting the Beltline, along with multifamily apartments.

The four buildings onsite now total just over 31,000 square feet. Rezoning to a mixed-use designation would be required, as all parcels are currently zoned for either industrial or residential uses, per sellers.

Which begs the eternal question in Atlanta: any big ideas?

Adams Commercial Real Estate