Established in 1865, Summerhill started as one of the first African-American and Jewish communities post-civil war. For years, the neighborhood prospered and local businesses thrived until the 50’s when political and economic pressures afflicted the area. With the addition of Turner field in ‘97, Summerhill saw more activity, but after only two decades, the field was permanently closed. After the closing, the neighborhood organization jumped at the opportunity to bring back life to the community.
The revitalization of Summerhill is in full swing: Walking down the streets, you can see preserved architecture with modern murals, allusions to original establishments such as Wood’s Chapel BBQ, named after one of the first churches established after the war, and most importantly, the emphasis on a home for local businesses.
Transwestern handles the leasing while Carter is on the development side. There are a few phases; the current one is all about pioneer establishments, which we can expect to see fully operating by the fall of 2019. On Georgia Avenue, new retail shops are popping up while Georgia State takes over Turner Field for a new Football and Athletics field.
The next few years will be focused on larger projects such as a hotel and multifamily housing. There will also be more retail projects, like restaurants, shops, and a grocery store, making this a truly versatile district.
In the future we can expect 15,000 SF of office and retail spaces, along with further university expansions and a baseball field for GSU.
The growth of Summerhill adds to the connectivity of the city, as it is blocks away from Grant park and Downtown and will be a source of innovation for GSU. It is exciting to see new growth that maintains local culture and sense of community in this historic neighborhood.
The future of Summerhill
