Today, the area is the focus of a massive redevelopment venture that began when Georgia State set out to transform Turner Field into the university’s new football stadium and teamed up with private developers led by Carter to breathe new life into the surrounding parking lots and bereft buildings. At the heart of the mixed-use metamorphosis is Georgia Avenue.

Just over two years into the dramatic adaptive-reuse project, the vision for Summerhill’s return to a vibrant, sustainable community is starting to take shape.

A handful of the crumbling early 20th-century low-rises lining the main thoroughfare have been rehabilitated by Carter as retail units. The Little Tart Bakeshop has been pouring lattes and plating pastries since January. Next door, Big Softie is filling waffle cones with soft serve and frozen treats while its neighbor, Halfway Crooks Beer, slings cold suds. Across the street, droves of patrons are piling into Junior’s Pizza for savory pies and Wood’s Chapel BBQ — whose name pays homage to one of the neighborhood’s first churches — for the already-famous smoky brisket and downhome sides.

Nearly a dozen more eateries are on deck to open their doors in the coming months, including Hot Dog Pete’s, Hero Doughnuts, Little Bear (farm-to-table fare), Talat Market (Thai food), Concept (American menu) and D Boca N Boca (Mexican dishes). Joining them soon nearby are Redacted, a cocktail lounge, and a third location of Krystle Rodriguez’s (B.A. ’06) java haunt Hodgepodge Coffeehouse.

Just across from the stadium, Georgia State students have started moving into the apartments at Aspen Heights, whose 220 units opened in time for the start of the fall semester.

Under the Georgia State Stadium spotlight, historic Summerhill is beginning its next evolution.

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By Torie Robinette, Georgia State University Magazine

Two photos at top by Carolyn Richardson
Bottom photo by Steven Thackston

Full article.