Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. (ABI) and Invest Atlanta have chosen Culdesac, Inc. and Urban Oasis Development to develop the Murphy Crossing mixed-use redevelopment project in the Oakland City neighborhood.
The revitalization of the 20-acre site will create a high-density, transit-oriented community with long-term, affordable housing, affordable commercial spaces and new amenities adjacent to the BeltLine’s Westside trail.
The design includes open plazas, courtyards, green space, paths and bike lanes. A community garden, rotating public art exhibitions and interpretive signage designed by local artists, and a dog park will be included in the project as well. Digital connectivity plans for Murphy Crossing include providing high-speed public Wi-Fi throughout the entire property. The developers also intend to pursue a green building certification.
The Murphy Crossing site is adjacent to the BeltLine’s Westside Trail and in close proximity to the Oakland City and West End MARTA stations.
Plans for the Murphy Crossing redevelopment, located at 1050 Murphy Ave. in southwest Atlanta, prioritize the preservation of land for a pedestrian and bicycle-friendly neighborhood and easy access to public transit and the BeltLine corridor.
The proposed development plan will include residential units, commercial space and amenities offering potential for job creation. The next phase for the project will include ongoing planning, entitlement and development, and community engagement.
“The Murphy Crossing development will bring new mixed-income housing options to the heart of our city, create a walkable district with access to transit and the BeltLine, and provide affordable commercial space to support entrepreneurship and businesses in Southwest Atlanta,” Mayor Andre Dickens said in a press release. “We appreciate all of the community members, as well as public and private partners who helped guide the creation of an affordable, accessible development.”
As part of a public private partnership, the development will deliver approximately 1,100 new housing units, including affordable housing offerings. A key component of the project is its contribution to ABI’s affordable housing goal to create or preserve 5,600 units of affordable housing by 2030.
Of the new housing units, 30% of the rental product will be affordable between 60% to 80% of AMI (Area Median Income) for a period of no less than 30 years. There may also be an affordable for-sale component which would be accessible for households and individuals up to 120% of AMI. At least 5% of the affordable housing units will be permanently affordable.
Culdesac also intends to market a portion of the retail and light industrial spaces at an affordable rate to small businesses in the area for a period of 30 years. Inaugural small businesses occupying the affordable commercial spaces will receive one-time business grants.
“We know we share the community’s excitement in seeing this project get to the next phase. We will have more community engagement opportunities as the vision for this transit-oriented, accessibility-focused neighborhood comes to life,” Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. President and CEO Clyde Higgs said in the press release. “The revitalization of Murphy Crossing is only possible because the BeltLine controls the land, helping us secure long-term commercial and residential affordability within a walkable, transit-oriented development. This is a great example of public private partnership.”
