April 30, 2025
The constructing will now home six to eight Spelman staffers and college
Within the coronary heart of Atlanta, a brand new reasonably priced housing undertaking comes from one of many metropolis’s legendary figures.
The childhood residence of the town’s first Black mayor, Maynard Jackson Jr., will now function an reasonably priced housing facility for Spelman workers and college. The constructing held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on April 28 with present Mayor Andre Dickens and different metropolis leaders in attendance, Axios reviews.
The house, as soon as owned by Jackson Jr.’s father, Rev. Maynard Jackson, sits near Spelman’s campus within the Atlanta neighborhood of Vine Metropolis. Now, it can assist these working on the HBCU as they pursue homeownership. 11Alive Information shared footage of the constructing.
With rising rents limiting many from dwelling within the metropolis, the chance will decrease prices for the educators and workers. One of many constructing’s first tenants, Michele Ogden, stated her goals of proudly owning a house may now come to fruition.
“In my earlier residence, the lease jumped to $2,250 a month, which was utterly unaffordable for me in my present area,” Ogden stated. “I actually have been dreaming of proudly owning a house for perpetually.”
The house has larger historic significance resulting from its location. In-built 1949, it sits throughout from Dr. Martin Luther King’s childhood residence. The house additionally served as housing for Black co-eds in the course of the Fifties and ’60s.
The Westside Future Fund led the restoration of the house by way of two years of revitalization efforts. “Protect the legacy, return it to service and to make it a spot that’s match for the following generations of leaders,” stated Westside Future Fund Board Chair T. Dallas Smith.
Jackson served three phrases as mayor, from 1974 to 1982, after which from 1990 to 1994. Born to a household of civil rights leaders, he sought to assist his marginalized constituents and soothe race relations whereas in workplace.
Throughout his tenure, he championed affirmative motion applications that helped minority- and women-owned companies. Jackson additionally opposed the creation of freeways by way of in-town neighborhoods. One in all his most notable impacts, nevertheless, lies within the vital upgrades made to Atlanta’s airport. The airport and its worldwide terminal had been ultimately named in his honor.
“I do know that Maynard could be so happy with this home being renovated and standing once more to serve the neighborhood,” stated Valerie Jackson, the mayor’s widow.
Furthermore, the fund hopes the renovation will encourage others in Atlanta to show outdated properties into fashionable, reasonably priced models. With many calls to handle the housing affordability and homelessness disaster, the restoration of the Jackson residence goals to assist treatment this concern.
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