Slow economic growth and lack of market potential will provide challenges at one of the latest sites Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. hopes to develop.

ABI is working to finalize a 140-page report on the Murphy Crossing site development in southwest Atlanta. That report has not been made public yet, but ABI staff presented a preview at their board meeting on Aug. 10.

This area is near Murphy Avenue Southwest and Warner Street Southwest.  ABI has had several meetings with community members in the area and is mapping out goals for the next five years.

They will hold a community meeting on Sept. 19 to further discuss the plans for the Murphy Crossing site. Additional details about the meeting will be available soon on ABI’s events calendar, according to Jenny Odom, spokesperson for ABI.

At the board meeting, ABI CEO Paul Morris noted they would need to work to create a market at the site.

In a Powerpoint presented to the ABI board, staff members said the area has a challenging economic profile as well as slow population, income and rent growth. It may be difficult to attract interest from outside investors and markets. Positive aspects for the site include its location near downtown Atlanta and a diverse building portfolio. The area is also close to the portion of the Atlanta BeltLine Westside Trail that is scheduled to be completed sometime in 2017.

In the next five years, ABI will focus on preparing the site for public use and creating an identity for the Murphy Crossing area. It will also work on developing and expanding green space in the area and developing partnerships with government, non-profit and for profit groups who might be interested in the area.

ABI will hold two community meetings this week about various Beltline projects.

Westside + Southeast Study Group Meeting:

Monday, August 22, 2016

6:30 – 7:30 p.m.

KIPP STRIVE Academy, 1444 Lucile Avenue SW, Atlanta, GA 30310

Southwest Study Group Meeting:

Thursday, August 25, 2016

6:30 – 8:00 p.m.

James Orange Recreation Center, 1305 Oakland Drive, SE, Atlanta, GA 30310