Atlanta Officials Broke Ground on Bowen Homes Redevelopment
Construction has begun on the second phase of a large-scale project aiming to rebuild the historic Atlanta site.
Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Construction
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Should redevelopment projects prioritize returning housing opportunities to former community residents?
Atlanta housing officials and developers have officially broken ground on the second phase of the Bowen Homes redevelopment. The 74-acre project aims to revitalize the area with 112 new housing units and 151 additional apartments.
Why it matters
The massive project is designed to provide more than just residential space, including plans for a new school, a protected forest, and a grocery store. It specifically prioritizes former residents, offering them the first opportunity to return to the community.
The master plan covers 74 acres and calls for 2,000 total units to be built across 12 phases. The second phase introduces 112 new housing units, while 151 nearly finished apartments are currently moving toward completion.
The players
Brenda Holiday
She is a former resident who moved into the original Bowen Homes complex in 2002.
Ariel Bowen
He was an educator and administrator who worked at the Tuskegee Institute.
The details
The redevelopment project at the site near Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway represents a significant effort to replace the original complex, which was completed in 1964 and demolished in 2009. The initiative seeks to rebuild the neighborhood infrastructure with modern amenities.
Timeline
The original Bowen Homes complex was completed in March 1964.
Brenda Holiday moved into the original Bowen Homes in 2002.
The original complex was demolished in 2009.
Groundbreaking for the second phase of the project occurred on October 8, 2026.
Market Landscape
This project represents a significant shift from the cleared site created by the 2009 demolition of the original Bowen Homes complex. It follows the pattern set by the 2009 demolition by attempting to transform a previously stagnant 74-acre parcel into a new, multi-use residential community.
Former Bowen Homes residents are being given priority access to the new housing units as they become available. Prospective tenants and local neighbors may see increased activity at the site near Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway as construction on the 12-phase master plan progresses.
The takeaway
This redevelopment effort underscores the importance of community-led planning by prioritizing the return of long-term former residents. Residents who are displaced by large-scale urban projects should track local authority updates to ensure they receive notice of available housing opportunities.
Further reading
Learn more about local development updates in our Atlanta Construction section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Axios.
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Should redevelopment projects prioritize returning housing opportunities to former community residents?
