A new mixed-use district is in the works that hopes to capitalize on an influx of investment, population, and future transportation alternatives in a post-industrial district south of downtown Atlanta.

Called Terminal South, the adaptive-reuse proposal aims to become a new commercial and social hub for Peoplestown. The location is expected to be the final stop on MARTA’s first bus-rapid transit route—a 4.8-mile connection to downtown—and the Atlanta BeltLine’s unbuilt Southside Trail corridor is basically across the street, to the south.

Another component will be a food hall called Switchman Hall, which would remake one of two former warehouse structures along dead-end Ridge Avenue today.

Terminal South/Stratford Properties

As What Now Atlanta first reported, Stratford Properties has submitted permitting paperwork to the city to move Terminal South forward, with the company’s lone female developer, Melissa Ahrendt, at the helm. Plans call for opening the new Peoplestown destination in summer 2024.

Switchman Hall would see a dozen food stalls (340 to 520 square feet) installed alongside offices or retail space in a 15,400-square-foot building with a loading dock that would function as an expansive outdoor terrace.

Stratford’s plans call for remaking the smaller building across the street into retail spaces or offices, with two more traditional restaurant spaces included, each with a patio.  

The Ridge Avenue buildings targeted for redevelopment, at left and right, as part of Terminal South. Google Maps

Terminal South's location near the BeltLine's Southside Trail corridor. Google Maps

The developer’s marketing materials note that almost 5,000 new residences have recently delivered, or are under development now, within a 15-minute walk of the Terminal South site.

Future tenants at Terminal South’s buildings will be required to contribute annually to a scholarship fund that benefits Peoplestown students, with the landlord matching all contributions, according to Stratford officials.

“At Terminal South,” reads a marketing flyer, “we are cultivating a collection of businesses that want to serve the community as a whole and add tangible value to the lives of Peoplestown residents.”

Have a closer look in the gallery above. 

• Peoplestown news, discussion (Urbanize Atlanta)