Atlanta, Georgia – A long-empty structure in Atlanta’s Pittsburgh neighborhood may soon begin a new chapter. Mayor Andre Dickens, the City Housing Innovation Lab, and Invest Atlanta officially started a Request for Proposals (RFP) to redevelop the property at 1029 McDaniel Street. The announcement is a hint that the City wants to bring life back to a facility that has been empty since it bought it in 2017.
The building used to be a historic pharmacy and then the “Pink Store” corner shop. It has significant roots in the neighborhood, but over the years it has fallen into disrepair. The City now wants to change that by asking qualified development partners to come up with suggestions for how to change the property in a way that honors its history and helps the area.
Mayor Dickens, who is also the head of the Invest Atlanta board, stressed how important it is to remember the past while planning for the future.
“1029 McDaniel has a deep legacy in Pittsburgh and deserves to be honored with thoughtful, inclusive reinvestment,” said Mayor Dickens, who also serves as Board Chair of Invest Atlanta. “This RFP invites partners to help us transform this property to advance affordability, walkability and neighborhood retail in one of Atlanta’s most historic communities.”
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The Housing Innovation Lab and Invest Atlanta spearheaded a long process of getting the community involved and making plans. The site was rezoned so that it may be developed for mixed use and “missing middle” housing. This type of housing is smaller and more affordable than single-family houses and larger apartment buildings.
The RFP makes it clear that keeping the original Pink Store structure is very important. Proposals should focus on adapting the current building for new uses, such as retail on the ground floor that serves the neighborhood and office or communal space above. There is also the chance to create new, affordable housing behind the existing building. The goal is to give low- and moderate-income residents greater options.
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Other goals for the rehabilitation include making stores or services that meet the requirements of the community and building a public area where people may gather that will be a permanent part of community life. The site’s closeness to the BeltLine Southside Trail and Pittsburgh Yards gives it even more opportunities to connect with other places and help the neighborhood grow.
Dr. Eloisa Klementich, the president and CEO of Invest Atlanta, said that the initiative was a chance to improve the area’s historic character through “a community-led vision centered on affordable housing, small business activation, and neighborhood character.”
Developers that are interested have until July 25, 2025, to send in their ideas. Invest Atlanta’s website has all the information and instructions you need. After the deadline for proposals, Invest Atlanta will look over the applications and work with the teams that are most suited to help the City reach its goals for the site.
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This is part of Mayor Dickens’s larger plan to increase affordable housing and promote inclusive economic growth across Atlanta. The city is always looking for innovative ways to connect its past with its future.
