ATLANTA — Three affordable housing projects are coming to the City of Atlanta. The projects will stretch across English Avenue, Downtown and the West End. It will total nearly 350 housing units.
However, some residents and business owners worry this is yet another attempt to revitalize the West End that won't come to fruition.
But the people behind the project say it will be different this time.
Kevin is a manager at The Burning Sands in The Mall West End. The mall is set to provide housing and commercial use. The area has been due for a facelift for a long time.
"Something might happen -- the physical building being, the mall, takes the bad reputation for it," Kevin said.
Kevin said he's worked there for 20 years and has lived in the West End all his life. The Black neighborhood is historic and cultural. He's watched it change over the years. Nowadays, Kevin said when people talk about the West End area, they tend to mention crime and dilapidated buildings. He said every few years, some developer tries to change things. He's heard it all before.
"It's disheartening in a sense. You see people that you've grown with over time shutting down for what appears to be no reason at all," Kevin said. "It's almost like we were being forced out politely. And that's where we are with it now. That's why, if you look around, most of the stores are gone, because we've been told for years after years that you're not going to have a business open if you don't relocate it."
Non-profit Atlanta Urban Development's CEO John Majors shared why he's confident this project will work out.
"Timing is always the critical factor in any real estate development," Majors said.
Plus, Majors said leadership is critical, too.
"What we have that I don't think any of the other developments have had is leadership at the caliber of Mayor Dickens," Majors said.
Majors said he has a special connection to the mall. It's a place he used to frequent while studying at Morehouse. In addition to housing, he said the neighborhood will see a grocery store, restaurants and community amenities such as a pool and fitness center.
Kevin admitted that this gives him hope.
"It definitely comes across as a lot more solid," Kevin said.
Many residents wondered what "affordable housing" means.
"A one-bedroom will be right around $1,000 a month," Majors said. "A two-bedroom will be about $1,200."
Kevin said he expected his store will have to relocate, but wonders if costs will go up if he wants his spot back.
Majors promised to protect affordability for mall businesses too. He said the reshaping will need to be a group project -- a collaboration with the city, public and neighborhood for the West End to prosper.
"It's going bring some new life into the neighborhoods, give us stores, give us some more opportunities," Kevin said.
The downtown project is set to begin leasing in mid-2025. The construction of The Mall West End and English Avenue projects are expected to start sometime in 2025 as well.