The neighborhood just south of downtown is writing a new chapter in its story.
ATLANTA — Just over two miles south of downtown, Atlanta's Pittsburgh neighborhood is writing a new chapter in its story — one of revitalization, growth, and opportunity.
Vibrant murals welcome visitors into the community, and new homes and apartment complexes are beginning to line the streets. Even more development is on the horizon, with hundreds of new units planned for a vacant site near the Atlanta BeltLine.
Stephanie Flowers, a lifelong resident, has seen the changes firsthand.
"I think people are moving here because the Pittsburgh community is still affordable and they know it's a change that's happening in the community," Flowers said.
Credit: Darrell Pryor
It’s a major shift from Pittsburgh’s past, when crime and foreclosures once defined the landscape.
"It was a bad neighborhood. You had people selling drugs, prostitution - you name it," Flowers said. "But as of today, that reputation is changing because you have a lot of things that are happening here that are positive for our neighborhood."
At the heart of this transformation is Pittsburgh Yards, a community-led development designed to spark job growth and entrepreneurship. The 31-acre project features more than 100 affordable office spaces, giving small businesses a place to grow without being priced out.
Credit: Adrian P. Guerra
"Affordability of commercial space is an issue," said Chantell Glenn of Pittsburgh Yards. "We speak of housing affordability, but we have to recognize that our legacy businesses are being pushed out of the community."
Pittsburgh’s rebirth didn't happen overnight.
After the 2008 foreclosure crisis devastated the area, nonprofits like the Atlanta Land Trust and the Annie E. Casey Foundation stepped in to help rebuild.
"There was a 33 percent vacancy rate within this neighborhood," said Amanda Jaquez with the Annie E. Casey Foundation. "The foundation purchased 53 homes and spent the better part of 15 years working with nonprofit developers to rehabilitate or, in some cases, construct new homes sold at affordable price points."
These days, the average home value in Pittsburgh stands just under $260,000, according to Zillow. But that’s quickly changing, as half-million-dollar home sales are becoming more common.
Credit: Adrian P. Guerra
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Flowers said that young professionals and middle-aged people are moving to the area, with seniors finding comfort in some of the housing options there, too.
"They see the potential of the neighborhood," she explained. "They're moving here so they can be a part of the change."
While many residents welcome the new investment and energy, there is also concern about gentrification and the risk of longtime neighbors being priced out.
"I think change happened so fast that with the revitalization that's happened that it's going to price out the residents," Flowers said in part.
She added that the goal is intentional development, pointing out that vacant homes and blighted properties have been rezoned for new affordable housing. Glenn said intentional development is at the heart of the neighborhood's revitalization.
"Responsible is the word," Glenn said. "Working with the residents and making sure they (understand) what was about to come in terms of what does development mean."
Watch below: 11Alive's Jonathan Martin's previews his Affording Atlanta piece on 11Alive News: The Take, a streaming show that connects with journalists, meteorologists, news makers and experts to get their “take” on news of the day.
