This is a weekly feature called Community Notebook, filled with snippets of information, conversations, and reporting about the communities where we work. Canopy Atlanta Fellows and other community residents may contribute to this weekly reporting. The Community Notebook is featured in our newsletter Voices — sign up to find this in your inbox every week.
Historic school redevelopment moves to next phase
The Lakewood Elementary School redevelopment project wrapped the first phase of community engagement with stakeholder meetings, two public meetings, and an online survey. In the next phase—scheduled to run March through June—Atlanta Public Schools, NPU-J, and Lakewood Heights Community Association will review and vote on the master plan. If approved, the project will move to the procurement phase to select a developer for the property.
The long-vacant, historic school has been the center of extensive discussion and community tension in recent years. In 2022, Atlanta Public Schools proposed demolishing it, but reconsidered after public pushback. Last year, APS, Atlanta Urban Development, and the City of Atlanta partnered to redevelop the property into a mixed-income housing community.
In a January public meeting presentation in Lakewood Heights, the partners said 67 people participated in the online survey. The slides below show some of the survey results.
You can participate in the survey here, and see the full presentation with draft plans, survey results, and next steps here.
Calling all artists
Main Street Hapeville has announced a new Artist Residency Program, with applications open through April 15. The residency will provide free studio space to artists while they are working on a specific body of work to exhibit at the end of the residency. It will also require public engagement with the community.
“This residency is ideal for artists who are outgoing and enjoy engaging with the community,” their website says.
For more information and to apply, visit the Main Street Hapeville website here.
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