What's next for Campbellton Road? Southwest Atlanta residents weigh in

The scent of hope mingled with a touch of frustration filled the gymnasium at Daniel McLaughlin Therrell High School Tuesday evening. Residents, business owners, and community leaders gathered for an Invest Atlanta meeting focused on the Campbellton Road Tax Allocation District (TAD) Redevelopment, a chance to once again shape the future of a corridor that has long promised revitalization. For many in Southwest Atlanta, the meeting wasn’t just about planning; it was about seeing long-held aspirations for their community finally take root – a desire for grocery stores, restaurants, and a renewed sense of vibrancy along Campbellton Road. Invest Atlanta leaders emphasized a commitment to community-driven development, aiming to ensure the area’s future reflects the needs and desires of its residents.

What Happened

The meeting was part of an ongoing effort to update redevelopment plans stretching from Greenbriar Mall to Fort McPherson, a region vital to Atlanta’s southwest side. Invest Atlanta’s goal, as stated by President and COO Dr. Eloisa Klementich, is to gather direct feedback on desired projects and investments, including housing, retail, business development, parks, sidewalks, and infrastructure improvements. The Campbellton TAD redevelopment effort began in 2006, and the current meeting signifies a renewed push to realize the area’s potential. Dr. Klementich stressed that the redevelopment strategy will be “community-driven,” ensuring residents have a voice in shaping the future of their neighborhoods. She highlighted existing successes, such as redevelopment at Fort McPherson and increased affordable housing options around Greenbriar Mall, as models for future growth. City of Atlanta Planning Commission work by reinvesting tax revenue into projects within the designated area; the base amount of taxes is returned to the taxing jurisdictions, with any remaining funds allocated to specific projects.

Dr. Klementich explained the process: “All it does is once you submit your taxes, we send back the base amount to the taxing jurisdictions, but the remaining amount goes into the fund that then allows us to invest in specific projects.” The meeting served as a platform for residents to express their hopes and concerns, many of which echoed priorities identified years ago. While Invest Atlanta has previously highlighted successes, residents emphasized that more needs to be done to address the persistent challenges along Campbellton Road, particularly on the east side where vacant properties remain a concern.

Community Reaction

Jerilyn Lewis, president of the West Ridge Sandtown Community Organization, voiced a sentiment shared by many: a desire for development mirroring the progress seen in areas like West End and Oakland City. “We’d like to see a continuation of what they are building in the West End and Oakland City going up Campbellton Road,” Lewis stated. She expressed frustration that previous comprehensive development plans, particularly one from 2012, haven’t been fully implemented, suggesting a recurring cycle of restarting the planning process. “I think it was 2012 when we did a comprehensive development plan of what we wanted to see along Campbellton Road. They keep coming up with new ideas of what we want done on Campbellton Road, but what we really want done is what was in that original plan.”

Resident Priorities

Lewis emphasized the community’s consistent desire for essential amenities. “We have got enough gas stations and convenience stores. We wanted restaurants, we wanted grocery stores, good streets and good places to shop,” she explained. She acknowledged the importance of community engagement, stating, “I appreciate them having those meetings because I know what I want, but what I want is not necessarily what the community wants. It’s not about an 'I,' it's about a 'we.' Even if your voice is not the one they select, at least you know you were heard.” Lewis conveyed cautious optimism that this latest effort could lead to tangible improvements, hoping that the city is genuinely committed to pushing the redevelopment forward this time.

Rebecca's Take

Campbellton Road’s story is a familiar one in many Atlanta neighborhoods – a promise of revitalization that has lingered for years. While Invest Atlanta’s commitment to a community-driven approach is encouraging, the repeated cycles of planning and re-planning highlight a deeper challenge: translating aspirations into action. The residents’ desire for basic amenities – a grocery store, a decent restaurant – speaks to fundamental needs that have been unmet for too long. It's easy to get caught up in grand development schemes, but the most impactful improvements often come from addressing these everyday necessities that foster a sense of stability and pride within a community. The focus on affordability is also critical; ensuring that as Campbellton Road transforms, existing residents aren’t priced out of their homes and neighborhoods. We need to ask ourselves: are we truly listening to the community’s voice, or are we simply checking boxes on a planning agenda? The success of this redevelopment hinges not just on investment, but on sustained commitment and a genuine partnership between city leaders and the people who call Campbellton Road home.

What's Next

Following the meeting, Invest Atlanta encourages residents who were unable to attend to participate through online engagement opportunities available on their website. Dr. Klementich reiterated the importance of community input, stating, “We’d like to hear them all because all of that information feeds into the plan and that means the community's fingerprints are going to be all over this plan. We want to ensure that as we set the future for the area together, it really reflects what the community wants and needs.” The next steps involve incorporating feedback from the meeting and ongoing engagement into a revised redevelopment plan. The city’s commitment to finally seeing tangible improvements along Campbellton Road remains to be seen, but the residents' persistent voice and renewed optimism offer a glimmer of hope for a brighter future.

Resources

For more information on the Campbellton Road Tax Allocation District Redevelopment, residents can visit the Invest Atlanta website. The City of Atlanta’s Planning Commission also provides information on Tax Allocation Districts: City of Atlanta Planning Commission. Those seeking assistance with housing options in Atlanta can explore resources offered by the City of Atlanta’s Department of Housing and Community Development: City of Atlanta Housing and Community Development.

The revitalization of Campbellton Road is a testament to the enduring spirit of Southwest Atlanta and the unwavering hope for a more prosperous future. As plans move forward, it’s crucial that community voices remain at the forefront, ensuring that the final outcome reflects the collective vision of those who call this vibrant corridor home. The commitment to strong families and stable neighborhoods is vital as this area moves forward, and it's encouraging to see residents so invested in shaping their community's destiny.