December 16, 2024
The area has been home to historic businesses and will be again.
The building that Atlanta’s first black-owned bankat 229 Auburn Ave., will be overhauled and rebuilt in accordance with Atlanta Voice. Auburn Avenue will also be getting an upgrade in the near future.
The building, also the first black-owned bank in Georgia, will now be a mixed-use building.
229 Auburn Avenue is an Atlanta landmark.The building’s renaissance is the result of developer Gorman & Co.’s partnership with the Butler Street Community Development Corporation for the Sweet Auburn Grande initiative.
The redevelopment project is part of a larger initiative called Sweet Auburn Grande, a revitalization effort for the historic property block led by developer Gorman & Co in partnership with the Butler Street Community Development Corporation.
Auburn Avenue in Atlanta was a staple of black American culture, home to historically black businesses and institutions.
The Rucker Building
Reportedly the first black-owned office building, the building was built in 1904.
Bethel AME Church
Founded in 1847, Bethel AME is the first major African-American church in Atlanta.
BECOME Atlanta!
The first black radio station operates in the city Atlanta.
Morris Brown College/University
Morris Brown is the first HBCU owned and operated by black Americans in the state of Georgia.
The future of Auburn Avenue
The Sweet Auburn Grand Initiative isn’t the only organization working to revitalize the area.
Sweet Auburn Works is also taking steps to restore the site to its former glory.The organization is dedicated to preserving the area’s history. The aim is to uplift local residents and provide an economic injection to the local economy.
The declared mission of the organization is “Towards Preserve, revive and promote Commercial and Cultural Heritage of the Sweet Auburn Historic District.”
Sweet Auburn Works has unveiled its newest project, Ignite Sweet Auburn Innovation, at 228 Auburn Avenue with the studio to help bring the revival to life.
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