by TOA Admin | April 30, 2025 | Research & Stats
Introduction
The Draft Stitch Master Plan, spearheaded by Central Atlanta Progress and the Atlanta Downtown Improvement District, proposes capping the Downtown Connector (I-75/85) to create a continuous civic platform above the highway. Spanning approximately three-quarters of a mile and delivering nearly 17 acres of new park space between Ted Turner Drive and Piedmont Avenue, the initiative aims to stitch together Downtown, Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, English Avenue, and Vine City.
Strategic Location
By decking over the highway from Ted Turner Drive to Piedmont Avenue, the Stitch will reconnect key districts that have long been severed by the interchange. Its central location restores pedestrian and bicycle access across the corridor, providing a vital link between major employment hubs, historic neighborhoods, and existing park networks.
Surrounding Area Analysis
Westside neighborhoods such as English Avenue and Vine City have struggled with disinvestment for decades. According to the Georgia Tech Center for Urban Research, as of 2022, roughly 12% of homes in Vine City were vacant, compared to the statewide rate of 0.8%. This high vacancy undermines property values and community health, yet it also signals significant redevelopment potential (Vine City data PDF).
Redevelopment Opportunities
Several infill and rehabilitation projects are already underway in the Stitch’s immediate vicinity:
- ARRC Capital Partners Redevelopment
ARRC Capital Partners and Fifteen70 Development are converting the long-vacant apartments at 385 Joseph E. Lowery Boulevard into 32 studio, one-, and two-bedroom units, with rents starting at $537 per month. Learn more. - Westside Future Fund Blight Remediation
Since 2018, the Westside Future Fund has acquired and remediated over 50 blighted structures in English Avenue and Vine City, investing more than $20 million in rehabilitation and demolition to make way for mixed-income infill housing. Read the press release. - Community-Driven Affordable Housing
In September 2024, WFF and city leaders celebrated new affordable housing on land owned by WFF, marking the completion of 646 multifamily units (214 owned by WFF), with another 121 units under development and homeownership assistance for over 45 families. See details.
Community-Led Development
Invest Atlanta and the Westside Future Fund have collaborated on a competitive RFP to redevelop a 7.5-acre site in Vine City, integrating commercial space, diverse housing types, and the Westside PATH multiuse trail. Stakeholders are positioned to leverage existing MARTA stations and community assets to maximize impact (Invest Atlanta RFP PDF).
Investment Outlook
With a $1.1 million USDOT Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program grant awarded in FY 2022 to fund the planning study, the Stitch Master Plan provides a clear framework for land use, real estate redevelopment, and community programming—de-risking private investment and inviting developers to participate in a once-in-a-generation transformation (RCP Fact Sheet PDF).
Ready to explore development and investment opportunities along the Stitch corridor? Contact our team today to discover how you can contribute to and benefit from Atlanta’s Westside revitalization.