Atlanta Mission cancels plan for large homeless service hub near Beltline's Westside Trail
A service hub for Atlanta's unhoused population planned near the Beltline's Westside Trail is going back to the drawing board.
The over-15-acre site on Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway was set to be home to a large Atlanta Mission campus, designed to offer resources to those in the city who are unhoused.
The project would have brought multiple services to one location, consolidating much of what the city's largest provider of unhoused services does.
From the start, some residents and businesses pushed back on the plan, saying that the development disrupted their community and left them concerned over safety.
"I'm not against helping people. I just want to make sure it's done in a way that's safe for everyone," said homeowner Peter Adediran.
Adediran said he and his neighbors opposed the project after Atlanta Mission did not give them specific details about a security plan.
"I'm worried about what this is going to mean for my neighborhood and for the value of my home," said Adediran.
In May, the Atlanta City Council passed a resolution temporarily putting the project on hold, citing concerns about land use, zoning, and community concerns. That pause was set to expire in August.
Now the Atlanta Mission says that it is withdrawing from building the campus on the Westside site.
In a statement, the organization said it made the decision after speaking with community members and local leaders.
"Atlanta Mission remains committed to building a purpose-built, trauma-informed campus that delivers wraparound care with excellence, compassion, and dignity. Throughout this process, we've listened to community members, engaged local leaders, and worked to balance the urgency of our mission with the long-term interests of the neighborhood," the statement read. "After much prayer and thoughtful consideration, we've determined the best path forward is to pursue another location where this vision can best succeed for those we serve and the surrounding community."
Greg Antoine with WS4EJ, a resident-run organization which represents people living in Bankhead, Washington Park, Powell Station, Hunter Hills, Mosby Park and Grove Park, held a press conference Tuesday in response to news of Atlanta Mission's decision not to use the property on Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway.
"Our position has always been about the location and the long-term future of this property," said Antoine.
He said his community should not have to choose between helping vulnerable populations and creating economic opportunities.
"The West Side has carried more than its fair share of facilities that serve regional social service needs. At the same time, our community continues to lack its fair share of basic amenities like a full-service supermarket and other neighborhood-serving businesses," said Antoine.
The Atlanta Mission did not say where they may be looking to build the campus now that the plan has changed.
CBS News Atlanta has reached out to Allen Morris Company, which owns the property, to ask about the site's future. We'll update this story if we receive a response.
