Atlanta — Oct 27, 2023
2023 Regional Excellence Award Winners Recognized at State of the Region
Today, the Atlanta Regional Commission’s Regional Excellence Awards recognized projects in metro Atlanta that exemplify cutting-edge, livable design that enhances the surrounding community and that support the goals and policies of the Atlanta Region’s Plan.
This year, we awarded four categories and an honorable mention.
Visionary Planning
Moving Fayetteville Forward
City of Fayetteville and HKS
Moving Fayetteville Forward is a long-range plan that envisions a vibrant downtown that is more pedestrian friendly, safer for bicycling, with new parks and green spaces, and architecture that honors the city’s rich history while also looking to the future.
This vision grew out of an ARC Livable Centers Initiative planning process that featured online surveys, virtual community meetings, and a digital ‘scavenger hunt’ where residents submitted photos of what they liked best about their city. The plan will serve as a guide for developers looking to invest in the community ensuring that Fayetteville remains a great place to live.
Innovative Development
12 Hundred Studios
ARRC Capital Partners, Alexander Goshen, and Tenth Street Ventures
12 Hundred Studios, a renovated apartment complex in the city of Atlanta’s Historic Hunter Hills neighborhood, offers an innovative solution to one of metro Atlanta’s most pressing challenges – affordable housing.
The project was financed privately. The development team was able to keep rents low by converting the building’s 20 vacant units into 40 micro apartments, 10 of which were reserved for people experiencing homelessness.
Great Place
Pittsburgh Yards
Annie E. Casey Foundation
Pittsburgh Yards is an innovative co-working space that has quickly become an economic hub for South Atlanta. The project’s first phase, the Nia Building, is a renovated 61,000 square foot building offering 101 affordable workspaces … along with shared amenities including a conference center, rooftop terrace, amphitheater, and commercial kitchen.
The development of Pittsburgh Yards was community driven. Recognizing the site’s potential, the Annie E. Casey Foundation purchased the property in 2006 and collaborated with area residents on a long-range plan that best meets the needs of the community.
Livable Center
The Lawn and Lawrenceville South Lawn
City of Lawrenceville and the Novare Group
The Lawn, a 5 ½ acre city of Lawrenceville park, and the adjacent Lawrenceville South Lawn mixed-use development, brings new green space, housing, and shops to the city’s vibrant downtown.
The Lawn features a volleyball court, dog park, and amphitheater which boasts an exciting schedule of events. Neighboring Lawrenceville South Lawn is a live-work-play community that includes 15,000 square feet of retail, 159 single family homes, and 426 apartments and townhomes.
This ambitious public-private project fulfills the community’s long-range vision developed almost 20 years ago through ARC’s Livable Centers Initiative.
Honorable Mention
South Park Cottages
Booker Washington
South Park Cottages, a tiny-home community in College Park, makes homeownership affordable in a part of town that is heavily dominated by renters. The 29 homes range from 330 to 600 square feet and amenities include high ceilings, rooftop solar panels, thoughtfully designed outdoor spaces, and a walking trail.
Developer Booker Washington raised much of the capital by crowdfunding, demonstrating how thinking outside the box can bring about meaningful change.
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Contact Name: Sheryl Merritt
Contact Phone: 470-757-3799
Contact Email: smerritt@atlantaregional.org
ARC’s Strategic Partners are committed to fostering collaborative regional approaches that improve quality of life in metro Atlanta. Their support elevates ARC leadership programs, research and events throughout the year. Learn more.
