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From WABE Local News:

The Trump administration’s proposal to cut half of federal workers at the nation’s housing agency is targeting employees who support disaster recovery, rental subsidies, discrimination investigations and first-time homebuyers, according […]

Some 'truly affordable' homes near Beltline aren't selling. What gives? Josh Green Fri, 02/21/2025 - 11:01 A townhome project billed as being “truly affordable” has taken shape with prices not seen in most other Beltline-adjacent neighborhoods in a decade. But these residences are hardly flying off the shelf, in most cases. 

Planned to be a 36-unit community eventually, Avenue at Oakland City is located off Murphy Avenue, about four blocks from the Beltline’s Westside Trail. 

Formerly called Tucker Avenue Homes, the for-sale, two-story townhouses have been billed as “truly affordable” and “affordable Beltline living” since the project’s inception nearly six years ago. The Avenue’s broader goal is to push back against gentrification growing pains in Southwest Atlanta. 

According to Zillow, four homes in the 15-unit first phase have sold to date, with prices from $186,000 to $369,000, and two others are under contract. So as walkable Beltline lifestyles go, relative affordability does seem to apply. 

But other Avenue offerings have been on the market for up to eight months. 

Are high interest rates to blame? The project’s unique resale structure, in some cases? Something else?

Finished phase one facades of the Avenue at Oakland City project. GAMLS/Keller Williams Realty; photography by Home Tours of America

Model living and kitchen space for a $425,000 unit at the Avenue at Oakland City. GAMLS/Keller Williams Realty; photography by Home Tours of America

According to listing agent LaCressa Morrow of Keller Williams Realty Intown Atlanta, eight townhomes deemed affordable are still available, each with two or three bedrooms and between 1,086 and 1,532 square feet. 

The project’s market-rate homes—all three bedroom, three and ½ bathroom options with between 1,532 and 1,676 square feet—start at 399,000. 

Another category, the “permanently affordable” townhomes, range from $210,000 to $296,000. But according to Morrow, buyers must qualify for a conventional loan with a preferred lender, based on 80 percent and 100 percent of the area’s median income. 

Designed by the Xmetrical firm, the Avenue is being developed by Atlanta Land Trust and Intown Builders, with $1.7 million in grant financing contributed by Invest Atlanta. 

ALT officials have said the majority of townhomes—29 of 36 units—will remain permanently affordable through use of the community land trust model. 

That means the trust will own and maintain the land it secured from the real estate market, and when it comes time to move, the homeowner agrees to resell the residence at restricted, affordable pricing to another lower-income buyer, with the price determined by an Atlanta-specific formula, officials have said. 

Some Avenue buyers can qualify for down payment assistance through Invest Atlanta, Atlanta Housing, and Atlanta Neighborhood Development Partnership. But those buyers must finance through one of ALT’s preferred lenders.

The 1095 Tucker Ave. site in relation to the Beltline, downtown Atlanta, and other landmarks. Google Maps

GAMLS/Keller Williams Realty; photography by Home Tours of America

As for location, the Beltline’s Murphy Crossing redevelopment site—where a planned housing and jobs hub called Murphy Crossing by Culdesac recently fell apart—is located just over the MARTA tracks. The Oakland City MARTA station is roughly a half-mile south. (The infill MARTA station announced last year for Murphy Crossing, however, would be much closer, should that come to fruition.) 

Walkability to the Westside Trail and the Lee + White retail district—both about a half-mile away, to the north—is cited as a perk.

Initial community meetings for the townhome project were held back in 2019. 

The project’s broader goal, as ALT officials said when construction kicked off in late 2022, is to help “mitigate gentrification resulting from public investments in the area” by using a “comprehensive, equity-driven approach that connects people, places, and quality of life.” 

Site plans indicate five, two-story residential buildings will eventually rise around a surface parking lot when the Avenue is complete. A similar ALT project called The Trust at Oakland City is under construction a few block away in the same neighborhood. 

In the gallery above, find more context and a closer look at the Avenue today. Morrow noted that open houses are held at the Avenue from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Saturday. (More details here.)

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1091 Tucker Avenue Avenue at Oakland City Keller Williams Realty Intown Atlanta Xmetrical Affordable Housing Affordability Beltline Westside Trail Murphy Crossing Atlanta BeltLine Avenue @ Oakland City Atlanta Land Trust Intown Builders Oakland City MARTA station Invest Atlanta Atlanta Housing Atlanta Neighborhood Development Partnership Tucker Avenue Homes Southwest Atlanta Ypiretis Keller Williams LaCressa Morrow Keller Williams Intown Atlanta Keller Williams Realty Intown ATL

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The 1095 Tucker Ave. site in relation to the Beltline, downtown Atlanta, and other landmarks. Google Maps

Finished phase one facades of the Avenue at Oakland City project. GAMLS/Keller Williams Realty; photography by Home Tours of America

Model living and kitchen space for a $425,000 unit at the Avenue at Oakland City. GAMLS/Keller Williams Realty; photography by Home Tours of America

GAMLS/Keller Williams Realty; photography by Home Tours of America

GAMLS/Keller Williams Realty; photography by Home Tours of America

GAMLS/Keller Williams Realty; photography by Home Tours of America

Layout of the initial site plan (at left) on Tucker Avenue. Avenue at Oakland City; Xmetrical

GAMLS/Keller Williams Realty

As seen last year, brightly colored facades of Avenue at Oakland City's initial phase along Tucker Avenue in Southwest Atlanta. GAMLS/Keller Williams Realty; photography by Home Tours of America

GAMLS/Keller Williams Realty

GAMLS/Keller Williams Realty

GAMLS/Keller Williams Realty

Each Avenue home is bookended by porches. GAMLS/Keller Williams Realty

Proximity to the nearby MARTA line and Beltline's Westside Trail. GAMLS/Keller Williams Realty

The smallest floorplan offered in the project's first phase. Avenue at Oakland City; Xmetrical

Avenue at Oakland City; Xmetrical

The largest floorplan currently on tap. Avenue at Oakland City; Xmetrical

Subtitle Where prices start in low-$200Ks for new townhomes a few blocks from Westside Trail

Neighborhood Oakland City

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Avenue at Oakland City

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Arts Atlanta:

There are a lot of wildly inventive twists, strong performances and beautiful design elements in the Alliance Theatre’s world premiere of Bust, onstage through March 16. Its heart is in the right place, exploring surreal ways in which Black people might escape the crushing circumstances of this world. But the script by Zora Howard underdevelops...

From WABE Local News:

Last year, voters approved a referendum on House Bill 581, establishing a new statewide floating homestead tax exemption. The bill also changed other tax procedures, which could put DeKalb’s sales […]

Arts Atlanta:

Jazz is on the upswing in Atlanta, and the Levison Family Music Series at the The Breman is the city’s most recent addition. Pianist Joe Alterman is up first with his trio and guest violinist Aaron Weinstein. :: A few years ago, the board of trustees of the William Breman Jewish Heritage Museum decided to...

From WABE Politics News:

Georgia state lawmakers are now halfway through the 40-day legislative session. Between former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral, the presidential inauguration and a snow storm, the session got of to a […]

From the Saporta Report:

During the Holocaust, a man in a concentration camp attempts to distract a child from the horrors surrounding them through humor.  You probably clocked this logline as the plot of 1997’s “Life is Beautiful.” Directed by and starring Roberto Benigni, “Life is Beautiful” was one of the most lauded films of that awards season, winning […]

The post ‘From Darkness to Light’ examines Jerry Lewis’ biggest failure appeared first on SaportaReport.

From the Atlanta Daily World:

The City of South Fulton County, located just 20 miles east of Atlanta is taking action against its beleaguered mayor, Khalid Kamau who became one of the city’s first city council members when it was incorporated in 2017, and was later elected mayor in 2021, has been barred from municipal properties and business as city officials … Continued

The post City of South Fulton Mayor Khalid Kamau Faces More Charges of Abuse of Office appeared first on Atlanta Daily World.

From the Atlanta Daily World:

Atlanta’s creative community came together in full force for “Tattoos, Booze, Art & Shoes”, a one-of-a-kind counter-culture art experience and fundraiser in support of Affirmations Across Atlanta. Held at Monday Night Garage, hosted by Lex the Visionary, the event fused tattoo artistry, live painting, sneaker culture, and craft cocktails to create an electrifying atmosphere where self-expression and community impact took center … Continued

The post Atlanta Creatives Celebrate ‘Tattoos, Booze, Art & Shoes’ appeared first on Atlanta Daily World.

From WABE Politics News:

Gov. Brian Kemp kicked off his penultimate year in office in January with the threat of a special session if “meaningful, impactful” limits on lawsuits are not passed by the […]

From the Saporta Report:

A recent gift to Emory’s Candler School of Theology can be traced to rural North Georgia a century ago. O. Wayne Rollins sat in the pews, sang from the songbooks, and took communion at Smith Chapel United Methodist Church near Ringgold—the church where his parents and grandparents were founding members. An expression of their faith, […]

The post Rollins Family Honors Roots with $20 Million Gift for Theological Education appeared first on SaportaReport.

Swanky ‘Ronara’ to continue downtown Alpharetta densification Josh Green Thu, 02/20/2025 - 17:04 The densification of blocks around Alpharetta City Center is set to continue with housing that starts at a couple of million bucks. 

Infrastructure work and street installation is finished for a residential project called “Ronara” that will take shape between 236 and 244 N. Main St., a few blocks north of downtown Alpharetta’s main hub of shopping and dining. 

According to Ronara joint venture partners Monte Hewett and Atlanta-based Kingdom Estates, vertical construction is scheduled to begin at the 1.61-acre site next month. 

Ronara is replacing two single-family houses perched above North Main Street with 11 luxury, detached homes that will feature side courtyards instead of sprawling, suburban yards. 

Expect prices of $2 million—and up—for Ronara homes.  

Overview of Ronara plans along North Main Street. Courtesy of Monte Hewett/Kingdom Estates

The 244 to 236 N. Main St. sites in relation to the bulk of downtown Alpharetta, located just to the south. Google Maps

Home sizes haven’t been specified, but selling points are expected to include walkability to nearby businesses and design that “will redefine luxury living in downtown Alpharetta, offering the perfect balance of privacy, style and convenience,” as Monte Hewett, president of Monte Hewett Homes, put it in an announcement. 

Just beyond the Ronara front stoops, Georgia Department of Transportation is deep into the $50-million reconstruction of North Main Street/Ga. Highway 9. 

That project is widening the corridor to four lanes for 3.6 miles between Upper Hembree Road and Windward Parkway, while also installing bike lanes, 10-foot sidewalks, on-street parking in places, ADA-friendly sidewalks, pedestrian lighting, and other features. 

Courtesy of Monte Hewett/Kingdom Estates

The North Main Street parcels in question in May 2022. Google Maps

Monte Hewett has built more than 35 neighborhoods in Atlanta and places such as Halcyon since its founding in the early 2000s. Recent intown ventures include The Harman near East Atlanta Village and the townhome component at West Midtown’s growing The Interlock district.

Elsewhere in Alpharetta, the developer started bringing condo project Findley Row to market last summer, just north of Ga. Highway 400 between North Point Mall and Avalon. That’s one residential component of a new mixed-use enclave called Northwinds Summit.

Swing up to the gallery for more Ronara context and images.

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244 N. Main Street 236 N. Main Street Alpharetta Ronara Monte Hewett Kingdom Estates Downtown Alpharetta North Main Street Alpharetta Construction Alpharetta Development OTP Atlanta Suburbs Alpharetta Homes for Sale Alpharetta Housing Monte Hewett Homes

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The 244 to 236 N. Main St. sites in relation to the bulk of downtown Alpharetta, located just to the south. Google Maps

The North Main Street parcels in question in May 2022. Google Maps

The Ronara site last summer, as seen next to the Ga. Highway 9/North Main Street road-widening project. Google Maps

Overview of Ronara plans along North Main Street. Courtesy of Monte Hewett/Kingdom Estates

Courtesy of Monte Hewett/Kingdom Estates

Courtesy of Monte Hewett/Kingdom Estates

Subtitle North Main Street project is bringing 11 residences in place of two

Neighborhood Alpharetta

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From WABE Politics News:

A lawsuit challenging Georgia’s near-ban on abortion is headed back to a trial court to decide if the people who want to overturn the law have legal standing to sue. […]

Near Decatur Square, 2 old motels, more floated for redevelopment Josh Green Thu, 02/20/2025 - 15:11 A unique palette for potential redevelopment has recently hit the market near downtown Decatur’s bustling food, drink, and retail blocks. 

The assemblage of three contiguous properties on Church Street—two 1960s motels and a brick single-family home structure—is being marketed as a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to develop a landmark project” within a quick walk of Historic Decatur Square, according to the Keller Williams Realty Intown ATL listing. 

The three properties totaling .62 acres were listed last week for $10.5 million. 

Situated about three blocks north of popular Decatur establishments such as Leon’s Full Service restaurant, the addresses span from 909 to 921 Church St. 

Today they’re home to the standalone house, Super 8 by Wyndham Decatur, and at the north edge, the Decatur Inn. 

The Super 8 motel and, at right, the single-family home structure included in the $10.5-million sale. Google Maps

Decatur Inn, the northernmost property for sale, today. Google Maps

Immediately to the east are the pretty, historic grounds of Decatur Cemetery. The site being relatively flat and rectangular is called a selling point. 

The strong Walk Score (86/100) and Transit Score (85) can’t hurt, but the Bike Score (55) could seem weirdly low, especially with Decatur’s new Church Street cycle track at the doorstep. 

According to listings, the site’s current zoning would support a variety of redevelopments; larger-scale projects would require a zoning change. 

Possibilities could include condos over commercial spaces, or a luxury condo project with walkability and scenic views over the graveyard and DeKalb County’s county seat, per sellers.  

Looking east across the three properties in question, with the historic graveyard next door. Google Maps

The Church Street properties in relation to the bulk of downtown Decatur, located a few blocks to the south.Google Maps

Another option could be a high-end retirement community within a short walk of leisure and healthcare perks around downtown, per Keller Williams.

“Whether you're considering a luxury townhome community, mixed-use residential/retail project, or a specialized development like a retirement home,” reads the spiel, “this prime site offers the foundation for extraordinary returns and community impact.”

Note: The assemblage is being offered only as a package deal and won’t be sold piecemeal, per sellers. 

Which begs the age-old question: What should go here? 

Overview of the three contiguous properties in question, with Historic Decatur Cemetery at right. Keller Williams Realty Intown ATL

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909 Church St. Decatur Super 8 Hotel Decatur Inn Historic Decatur Cemetery Decatur Development Decatur Construction Decatur Hotels Decatur Land Glendale Pool Atlanta Redevelopment Decatur Infill Downtown Decatur Historic Decatur Square Glenlake Park Super 8 by Wyndham Decatur OneHome Keller Knapp Commercial Keller Williams Keller Williams Realty Intown Atlanta Decatur Cemetery

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The Church Street properties in relation to the bulk of downtown Decatur, located a few blocks to the south.Google Maps

Looking east across the three properties in question, with the historic graveyard next door. Google Maps

The Super 8 motel and, at right, the single-family home structure included in the $10.5-million sale. Google Maps

Decatur Inn, the northernmost property for sale, today. Google Maps

Overview of the three contiguous properties in question, with Historic Decatur Cemetery at right. Keller Williams Realty Intown ATL

Subtitle Assemblage called "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity." Any big ideas?

Neighborhood Decatur

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From WABE Local News:

Dr. Terri McFadden says it’s never too early to encourage children to read. She wants parents to not only read to their children, but to also sing and talk to […]

From the Saporta Report:

A special Black History Month event was held Wednesday by the British Consulate General Atlanta and The Empowerment Workshop. British Consul General Rachel Galloway hosted an intimate setting of more than 60 guests at her residence. The evening featured Rita Daniels, the great-great-great grandniece of Harriet Tubman. Tenor soloist Timothy Miller, who has performed with […]

The post Political figures turnout for British Consulate General’s Black History event appeared first on SaportaReport.

From the Saporta Report:

The Invest Atlanta board addressed a list of concerns at a Feb. 20 meeting, including a roster of restaurant closures in West Midtown, funding fears for the Beltline and transparency on an upcoming Amsterdam Walk development.  More than a dozen restaurants in West Midtown have shuttered in recent months. In January, eight establishments shut their […]

The post Invest Atlanta meeting tackles West Midtown closures, Beltline fears and Amsterdam Walk appeared first on SaportaReport.

From the Atlanta Daily World:

FEBRUARY 19   1919—The “first” Pan African Congress is held bringing together prominent Blacks from throughout the world to chart a program for Black unity and betterment. African American scholar and activist W.E.B. DuBois was the chief organizer. The gathering was held in Paris, France, and drew 57 distinguished delegates including 16 from the United … Continued

The post This Week In Black History Feb 19-25, 2025 appeared first on Atlanta Daily World.

From the Saporta Report:

Hundreds convened at Georgia International Convention Center on Feb. 19 for the 23rd annual South Metro Development Outlook Conference, where industry and political leaders dive into regional challenges like transportation. The day-long conference focused largely on Metro Atlanta’s quickly growing population. The Atlanta Regional Commission predicts an additional 1.8 million people coming to the metro […]

The post Transportation leaders look to driverless transit and airport expansion as millions head to metro appeared first on SaportaReport.

From the Saporta Report:

Toni winner Anika Noni Rose joins SCAD BAM! Showcase On Thurs., Feb. 27, the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) Atlanta campus will have its annual Black History Month performance BAM! (Black Artists in Music) concert at the SCAD Show Theater. Toni award-winning actress Anika Noni Rose and Broadway actor Avery Wilson will be […]

The post Reporter’s Notebook: Anika Noni Rose at SCAD, Midtown High students academic teams advance, Steamhouse Lounge Oysterfest this weeked appeared first on SaportaReport.

From WABE Local News:

Jude Hiley knows something about pushing through adversity. He fought cancer when he was 11. He played baseball after he had a leg amputation. His competitive spirit took him places […]

Development overlooking strip club, Beltline shows signs of life Josh Green Thu, 02/20/2025 - 12:40 A mixed-use development that would cast a literal shadow over an under-construction Atlanta Beltline section and popular strip club is showing signs of life. 

Project leaders with 1283 West filed paperwork this week with Atlanta’s Department of City Planning to bring the proposal before the department’s Concept Review Committee. 

The project by Atlanta-based Five Points Development would continue the groundswell of new housing that’s recently popped up in Blandtown as the Beltline carves its path around the neighborhood. 

Plans call for 200 residential units and 7,000 square feet of commercial space rising from what’s currently a vacant lot at 1283 Marietta Boulevard, about two miles west of Atlantic Station. 

The site is bordered by Elaine Avenue to the north, Marietta Boulevard to the west, a small office complex to the east, and Vivide strip club to the south.

Recent filings with the city indicate the project would stand 14 stories—or slightly shorter (roughly two stories) than what renderings released last year showed. 

Retail and a plaza would face Marietta Boulevard, while amenities including a pool would be situated near the base, per renderings.

Aerial 1283 West rendering, looking east over Marietta Boulevard toward Midtown. Picard Associates; courtesy of Five Points Development

The 1283 Marietta Boulevard site in question (middle) in relation to the Beltline section opened in 2022. Google Maps

Cassius Coleman, a Five Points Development principal, told Urbanize Atlanta last year his company closed a deal with Capital Impact Partners in January on the land required to build 1283 West. 

Twenty-five percent of the apartments would rent for prices reserved for residents earning 80 percent of the area median income or less, while 3,000 square feet of the retail and restaurant space would be leased to underserved tenants, according to Coleman. 

Beyond the pool and retail, amenities will include a fitness room, indoor lounge, common-area seating throughout the building, and an outdoor skyline view lounge up top, per Coleman. 

We’ve reached out to Coleman for an outlook on 1283 West’s potential groundbreaking and other details and will update this story should further information come. The developer forecasted last year a construction loan could close toward the end of 2024. 

According to Fulton County property records, the roughly 1.5-acre corner site sold for $6 million in early 2024 and still carries an industrial zoning designation. 

Picard Associates; courtesy of Five Points Development

Five Points Development's previous work includes the Legacy at Vine City project and two housing ventures near Greenbriar Mall, among other projects.

Four years ago, a different, shorter concept called RYM BeltLine was pitched for the Marietta Boulevard site. That called for 200 units of co-living housing geared toward students and recent graduates.

Should 1283 West come to fruition as planned, it would overlook walkers, joggers, and bicyclists on the Beltline west of Midtown. 

Construction on the first segment of the Northwest Trail began in May and is scheduled to deliver this year, according to Beltline officials. 

That .7 mile segment—one of five Northwest Trail sections that will eventually connect the West Midtown area to Buckhead—would pass directly in front of the 1283 West apartments on Marietta Boulevard and Elaine Avenue. 

Some aspects of the project on Elaine Avenue are on hold as a surprise utility is relocated by the city, but Segment 5 is on pace to deliver this fall, per the Beltline. 

Meanwhile, across the street, the northernmost section of the Beltline’s Westside Trail opened less than a block south of the site in 2022.  

The vacant property in question in 2022, with Vivide's parking lot located at right. Google Maps

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1283 Marietta Boulevard 1283 West Capital Impact Partners Five Points Development Cassius Coleman Affordable Housing Commercial Space Atlanta Mixed-Use Mixed-Use Development Atlanta Development Atlanta Construction Vivide Picard Associates AEC Atlanta Strip Clubs

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The 1283 Marietta Boulevard site in question (middle) in relation to the Beltline section opened in 2022. Google Maps

The vacant property in question in 2022, with Vivide's parking lot located at right. Google Maps

Aerial 1283 West rendering, looking east over Marietta Boulevard toward Midtown. Picard Associates; courtesy of Five Points Development

Picard Associates; courtesy of Five Points Development

Subtitle Marietta Boulevard build would bring retail, apartments to doorstep of Northwest Trail

Neighborhood Blandtown

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1283 West

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From WABE Arts and Culture News:

Legendary pop and soul act the Righteous Brothers have been soundtracking our lives since the ’60s with one of the most-played songs on classic radio ever – “You’ve Lost That […]

From WABE Arts and Culture News:

On the “City Lights” series “Speaking of Comedy,” Atlanta’s funniest locals share insights on the perks and perils of their profession. This edition features Atlanta-based comedian, producer, and tour guide […]

Arts Atlanta:

At one point in True Colors’ sublime production of Jocelyn Bioh’s Jaja’s African Hair Braiding, which runs through March 9, two characters have this exchange: “It will all be OK.” “What if it is not?” “Then it will not be. And after that, it will be OK.” These realistic yet oddly reassuring words have been...