Well on its way to completing a banner year in 2022, the Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. (ABI) recently unveiled the finalist of its Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Murphy Crossing redevelopment project, moving the organization closer to realizing the 20-acre venture. Situated at 1050 Murphy Avenue, Murphy Crossing is a highly anticipated project in the southwest corner of Atlanta.
A real estate development company, Culdesac, Inc. is reimagining the Oakland City space bordered by the Capitol View and Adair Parks neighborhoods thanks to the support of Urban Oasis Development, T. Dallas Smith and Co., LDG Consulting and Kronberg Urbanists + Architects.
“The revitalization of Murphy Crossing has long been a part of the vision of Atlanta BeltLine and represents many of the aspirations we have for sustainable, equitable redevelopment along our 22-mile corridor,” said Clyde Higgs, president and CEO of Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. “We believe the Culdesac team, which includes members of one of the very neighborhoods this project will impact, will be great stewards of the community’s desires and great partners to our Atlanta BeltLine team.”
By connecting civilians to reliable means of public transportation as well as preserving outdoor spaces protected from automobiles for pedestrians and bicyclists, Murphy Crossing prioritizes new and existing construction while adding to the city’s inventory of affordable residential and commercial spaces. Connectivity to the surrounding neighborhood and its history is fostered by the existence of a farmers’ market, retail and dining opportunities, a grocery store, arts and culture programming as well as co-working spaces, all within walking distance.
The newest investment of Murphy Crossing is a part of an $800 million private investment less than a mile from the site. The overarching development project includes completed, in progress or pipeline new construction, all settled within the heart of Pittsburgh Yards®, Lee + White, West End Mall and the MET.
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“Culdesac, Inc. designs welcoming and locally connected neighborhoods that offer a walkable lifestyle. We build mixed-use developments that embrace community, open space, and mobility, and we’re excited to have the opportunity to bring our next neighborhood to Murphy Crossing,” said Jeff Berens, Culdesac Co-Founder and COO. “We look forward to working with our partners in the development of a project that reflects the BeltLine’s commitment to tie the people of Atlanta together and create a more livable and geographically integrated city.”
The Prioritization of Affordable Housing, Accessibility at Murphy Crossing
Soon to be known as Murphy Crossing by Culdesac, the proposed development supports the ABI affordability, equity and inclusion goals through employment, housing opportunities, intentional development and transit connectivity.
Murphy Crossing sits adjacent to the ABI Westside Trial as well as West End MARTA stations and Oakland City, allowing for future development and connectivity in southwest Atlanta.
A shining recommendation for the project proposal is its commitment to the ABI Affordable Housing goal. A quarter of all residential units at Murphy Crossing will be permanently affordable options, with an additional 5% required to remain economical for the next 30 years. The project’s target AMI sits between 60 and 80%, encouraged by the goal of providing 30% of all retail and light industrial spaces at an affordable rate to small businesses in the neighborhood.
Intentional Design Centered Around Community, History
The original site of the Georgia State Farmers Market, the site’s location was an integral portion of the 2005 ABI foundational Atlanta BeltLine Redevelopment Plan. In 2014, ABI successfully obtained 16 acres of the 20-acre property, its first portion of the future Murphy Crossing location.
Two years later, the well-known organization invited the community to determine the best uses of the future site by surveying the needs of historic preservation, economic development, affordability and transportation accessibility. ABI completed the transaction in 2018 and commenced the RFP for the development and sale of the site.
The RFP was unfortunately put on hold until 2021 due to the international COVID crisis. When it was officially re-initiated, ABI directly engaged stakeholders and the broader community to help develop the scope of the RFP. The result introduced a brand-new RFP hyper-focused on producing green space, sustainable living-wage jobs, affordable housing and much more to act as a catalyst for inclusive economic development for the surrounding community.
ABI expressed wishes to foster local minority entrepreneurs and businesses through the project’s existence to preserve commercial affordability for neighborhood residents.
“Murphy Crossing is important to my community as a model of economic inclusion, jobs, affordable housing, commercial spaces and walkable retail that has been absent for decades,” said Joel Dixon, principal of Urban Oasis Development. “Furthermore, this is a watershed moment to have a current Black resident as a joint venture developer for a publicly-owned redevelopment site. The fact that I’m also a legacy resident, who was raised minutes from this site, is a first in the history of a public Atlanta RFP and speaks to the sincerity of ABI to listen to the neighborhood’s voice. It’s a legacy our team intends to honor and hope will extend as the new normal going forward.”
Located in the Atlanta BeltLine Tax Allocation District (TAD), Murphy Crossing is in the early stages of design and development, receiving critical feedback from the local community for refinement. On September 26, ABI invites residents to participate in a public meeting to discuss the project’s features, neighborhood contributions and more.
The meeting is available via phone, Zoom and Facebook Live recordings. Visit the ABI Facebook page to view the live recording or dial 929-205-6099 and enter webinar ID: 894 7766 2279 to join the meeting by phone.
Please visit www.Culdesac.com/Atlanta/Murphy-Crossing for additional project information and updates.
About Atlanta BeltLine, Inc.
With the sole purpose to transform Atlanta into a global beacon, Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. (ABI) is one of the most significant redevelopment programs in the United States. By promoting inclusive, sustainable and equitable city life, ABI is one step closer to creating a socially and economically resilient Atlanta through affordable housing, public green spaces, job creation and inclusive transportation systems. Visit www.BeltLine.org for more information on current projects.