Near East Point, former school to be core of larger redevelopment

Adaptive-reuse can take many forms, and while Ponce City Market may be the redevelopment poster child in the mind of Atlantans, smaller projects reusing less historic structures can still be impactful.

Developers say a long-abandoned, derelict midcentury school building at the edge of Atlanta and East Point will see new life as a self-storage facility, according to What Now Atlanta.

While the use may not qualify as sexy (or good urbanism on its own), the repurposing of the nearly windowless building is a good fit for a space that would otherwise be torn down.

Beyond the reuse of the 100,000-square-foot school facility, plans call for the acres of parking surrounding the building to be redeveloped into retail and restaurant spaces. Two representative site plans by developer Eden Rock show a restaurant and coffee shop or restaurant and oil change retail space.

Eden Rock

While far from urban proposals, the two plans, drawing development toward the street and replacing asphalt with retail spaces, would be a welcome improvement along Cleveland Avenue, near Interstate 85.

The project will rise across from a new development that features a Walmart and various retail outparcels.

Conversion of the former elementary school is slated to begin soon.

• FORMER FULTON COUNTY SCHOOLS ADMIN CENTER SITE SET FOR COMMERCIAL CONVERSION [What Now Atlanta]
• 786 Cleveland Avenue [Eden Rock]