Atlanta Beltline has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to redevelop 13.7 acres at 356 University Avenue in Atlanta’s Pittsburgh neighborhood. The site sits beside Pittsburgh Yards and the Southside Trail and is planned for a mix of housing, commercial, light industrial, and community spaces shaped by resident input.
Highlights
- Atlanta Beltline is expecting proposals for redevelopment at 356 University Avenue to build a mixed-use and mixed-income development.
- Project requirements include affordable housing, light industrial space, and community partnerships.
- The development supports the Beltline’s mission of equitable growth and long-term affordability.
Atlanta Beltline Launches RFP for a Community Development Project
Atlanta Beltline released an RFP for a mixed-use redevelopment next to Pittsburgh Yards and the Southside Trail. The project will introduce mixed-use development with an affordable housing component, which will be community-oriented and comprise a residential, commercial, light industrial, cultural component, and green spaces.
The 13.7-acre site will feature both market-rate and affordable housing, along with commercial and light industrial space to support local businesses and jobs.
Since spring 2024, Atlanta Beltline has held public meetings, advisory sessions, and planning workshops to prioritize community needs in Pittsburgh.
“The 356 University site represents our unwavering commitment to equitable investment in communities that have long deserved it,” said Dennis Richards, Vice President of Housing Policy and Development at the Atlanta Beltline. “We’re approaching every aspect of this development with deliberate intention, ensuring it honors the community voices, providing residents with affordable housing options and affordable commercial space that defines this neighborhood and creates meaningful economic opportunities that will endure for generations.”
Aim and Requirements of the New Project
Community input and a master plan completed in July led to the Request for Proposals (RFP) release by the Atlanta Beltline to search for competent developers. The RFP outlines several key requirements, including:
- Set aside at least 30% of the housing as permanently affordable, including 10% at or below 80% area median income (AMI) and 20% at or below 50% AMI.
- Minimum 30% of the floor space in light industrial use.
- Providing at least 20% of floor space at 30% or more discount compared with market rents over 10 years and above for commercial use.
- Collaboration with an arts, cultural, or community organization on providing on-site programming.
- Creating accessible green spaces with ADA pathways and direct connections to the Beltline.
“This is a chance to build on the rich legacy of Pittsburgh Yards by creating a place that reflects the values, culture, and aspirations of Southwest Atlanta,” said Kelvin Collins, Vice President of Economic Development at the Atlanta Beltline. “Our goal is to foster a destination where residents and small businesses can thrive and where arts, commerce, and equity converge.”
The Beltline formed an advisory committee of residents and community leaders to ensure the project reflects neighborhood priorities. A copy of the full RFP documents and other details are available on the website, and those who want to submit their proposals can register through the Bonfire Procurement Portal.
Purpose of Atlanta Beltline
For the development of Atlanta, Beltline has taken the position of a master planner, known for acquiring land, working with developers to maintain long-term affordability and equitable growth. The entity has since purchased close to 90 acres to conserve land in residential and commercial sectors that benefit both population and small enterprises.
The 356 University initiative is also part of the larger Beltline goal to invest in underserved, historically disinvested communities to empower residents to access affordable housing, business and commercial opportunities, and green space. The project fits within other Beltline developments happening throughout Atlanta, including Murphy Crossing and a variety of other locations on Chappell Road.
The project aims to expand affordable housing, strengthen cultural partnerships, and deliver lasting benefits for Pittsburgh residents while enhancing access along the Southside Trail.
