The Atlanta Urban Development Corporation (AUD) has launched a search for developers to help transform the former Lakewood Heights Elementary School into a mixed-use community featuring affordable housing and neighborhood retail.
Located at 335 Sawtell Road SE, the 2.15-acre site is owned by Atlanta Public Schools, which shuttered the building in 2004. Plans to demolish the school in 2022 were met with resistance from local preservationists. The historic school building, constructed in 1932, is expected to be preserved as part of the redevelopment.
The vision for the site includes about 55 rental units—mainly two- and three-bedroom apartments—and 8,000 square feet of commercial space.
“The redevelopment of Lakewood Heights Elementary is a crucial step in our efforts to expand affordable housing opportunities in Atlanta,” Mayor Andre Dickens said in a press release. “This project reflects our commitment to building a city where everyone has access to quality housing and essential services.”
John Majors, CEO of AUD, said the goal is to create a community hub that not only meets housing needs but also boosts the local economy and strengthens the neighborhood.
Developers must submit their proposals by Aug. 25 at 11:59 PM ET. Details and submission instructions can be found at atlurbdevco.com.
A Q&A and bus tour of the site is scheduled for Thursday, July 16, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Focus Community Strategies. Registration is available in person or online via Eventbrite.
Atlanta Preservation Center Executive Director David Y. Mitchell applauded the adaptive reuse of the school building.
“The Lakewood Heights School was designed by the Atlanta firm of Edwards and Sayward. The cornerstone puts the construction date at 1932, and the Colonial Revival-style school is a two-story brick building with a stone belt course above the second story windows,” Mitchell said in a statement. “The inclusion of this school in the development illustrates how Historic Preservation sets vibe and tone. What the Atlanta Public Schools has done is set the bar for others to be visionary and exemplify what thinking can create. This is very good for Lakewood Heights and Atlanta.”
This story was updated to correct the date of construction for the school building and to add a quote from David Y. Mitchell.
