The Stitch Master Plan Appendices 1&2

Appendices of the Stitch Master Plan

APPENDICES TABLE OF CONTENTS Appendix A Stakeholder and Community Engagement Plan ............... A-1 Appendix B Buttermilk Bottom Community History Report ................. B-1 Appendix C Equity Guidebook ........................................................... C-1 Appendix D Fatal Flaw Evaluation of Previous Infrastructure Analysis .. D-1 Appendix E Streetlight Methodology and Results ............................... E-1 Appendix F Travel Demand Modeling Existing Conditions ................... F-1 Appendix G Planned Transportation Improvements Around the Stitch . G-1 Appendix H Review of Previous Planning Documents ......................... H-1 Appendix I Known Environmentally Sensistive Areas ........................... I-1 Appendix J Phase 1 Multimodal Street Project Details .......................... J-1 Appendix K Stitch Business Case ....................................................... K-1

APPENDIX A STAKEHOLDER AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PLAN

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INTRODUCTION The Stitch is an ambitious civic infrastructure investment project led by the Atlanta Downtown Improvement District (ADID) with the goal of reuniting Downtown and Midtown Atlanta. Through its implementation, the Stitch will have a transformative impact by creating approximately 14 acres of vibrant urban greenspace and introducing transportation enhancements atop a new, 3/4-mile platform that spans the Downtown Connector, connecting Ted Turner Drive and Piedmont Avenue. The primary objective of the Stitch is to drive the equitable revitalization of Downtown Atlanta by providing improved access to crucial resources such as affordable housing, low-cost transportation options, employment opportunities, and community amenities. By effectively bridging the gap between neighborhoods and fostering connectivity, the Stitch aims to create a more inclusive and thriving urban environment for metro-Atlanta. ENGAGEMENT PURPOSE The Stakeholder and Community Engagement Plan (SCEP) for The Stitch Master Plan embodies a comprehensive engagement strategy that will be employed throughout the master planning process. This strategy aims to gain a deep understanding of the existing landscape within the study area and to address the needs of stakeholders, with particular emphasis on communities of color and underserved communities. By adopting an inclusive approach and streamlining our efforts, this engagement plan provides a robust framework that identifies key stakeholder groups, implements inclusive outreach initiatives, and establishes an effective workflow. Key Features of the Engagement Plan: 1. Thorough Stakeholder Identification: The engagement team places great importance on identifying and involving all relevant stakeholders. The team will work with ADID to actively seek input from community leaders, residents, businesses, organizations, and local government representatives to ensure diverse perspectives are included in the plan's development. 2. Inclusive Outreach Efforts: The team will prioritize outreach efforts that foster broad participation. The team will employ various communication channels to ensure accessibility and involve individuals from different backgrounds and communities. 3. Culturally Sensitive Approach: Recognizing the significance of addressing the needs of communities of color and underserved communities, the engagement team will implement a culturally sensitive approach throughout the engagement process. By actively seeking input and valuing the lived experiences of these communities, the team aims to create an equitable plan. 4. Regular Plan Updates: To ensure the engagement plan remains responsive to evolving project needs, we will undertake quarterly updates. These updates will

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incorporate feedback and insights gathered from stakeholders, allowing us to adapt our approach and refine strategies as necessary.

ENGAGEMENT OBJECTIVES The engagement team utilizes concepts from the IAP2 Spectrum of Public Participation to guide engagement objectives for this study. IAP2 is the leading organization for public participation practitioners globally. As members of IAP2, our team is held to a higher code of ethics to guide our practice and ultimately enhance integrity in the public participation process. Engagement objectives for this study are defined below. EVALUATE: ESTABLISH A BASELINE To create a baseline understanding of community and stakeholder knowledge and perception, engagement will seek answers to the following questions and more: • •What are the current and future desired roles of various current stakeholders in the project area?

• What projects are they implementing adjacent to the project area?

• What data do they possess or are they collecting?

• •What are the current goals that stakeholders want to accomplish that can be achieved with The Stitch?

INFORM: PROVIDE ACCESSIBLE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS MASTER PLANNING PROCESS Access to information must be intentional to create equitable opportunities for participation in public engagement processes. Our team will create diverse ways by which the community can learn about this planning process and the benefits of the project. INVOLVE: CREATE AVENUES FOR STAKEHOLDER AND COMMUNITY INPUT With engagement as the foundation of this work, the plan will actively seek feedback from key stakeholders by offering various means, times, and levels of effort by which people can participate. This feedback will include finalizing design options based on the needs of the stakeholders and community members. COLLABORATE: UNITE LEADERSHIP TO BUILD CONSENSUS AROUND THE PLAN AND SET UP PARTNERSHIPS TO SUPPORT IMPLEMENTATION Potential partners will be identified to establish relationships and collaboration as information is distributed and collected. Key partnerships will be developed to create momentum toward realization.

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STAKEHOLDER ANALYSIS This section provides comprehensive analysis on the stakeholders that will be engaged through the lifecycle of this project and the stakeholder mapping process. STAKEHOLDER GROUPS The following stakeholder groups will be actively engaged when appropriate throughout the lifecycle of this project. ARTS AND CULTURE Arts and culture play a significant role in shaping the essence and character of this project. Recognizing the importance of this theme, stakeholders from the arts and cultural sphere are actively engaged in the project's development. This stakeholder group comprises a diverse range of participants, including local art galleries, theaters, artists, and influential figures within Atlanta's cultural landscape. COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS The project encompasses a diverse community of residents and neighborhood organizations within its footprint. This stakeholder group contains active community organizations that represent the interests and aspirations of their respective neighborhoods. Within this stakeholder group, there are various neighborhood organizations that play key roles in community development and advocacy. CORPORATE AND MULTI-TENANT OFFICE BUILDINGS The project area is home to several corporate offices and multi-tenant office buildings, which contribute to the economic vitality and employment opportunities within the region. This stakeholder group includes corporate office management, employees, property managers, and building staff. DISPLACED COMMUNITY MEMBERS This stakeholder group includes residents of Buttermilk Bottom and Butler Street, communities that no longer exist in the project area due to highway construction and urban renewal and their descendants. The unsheltered community will also be included as a key stakeholder within this group. GOVERNMENT AND ELECTED OFFICIALS This stakeholder group encompasses representatives from local government organizations such as the City of Atlanta, Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC), Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), and Fulton County. Within this group, key stakeholders include high-ranking officials, city council members, county commission members, and leaders of various City departments. Their involvement and perspectives are crucial in shaping the project's outcomes and ensuring effective coordination and decision-making.

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HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY The project area encompasses a vibrant hospitality industry with numerous hotels and restaurants. This stakeholder group comprises management and staff, who play a pivotal role in shaping the culinary landscape and visitor experience within the project area. MEDIA This stakeholder group refers to professionals and organizations involved in the communication, reporting, and dissemination of information to the public. This group includes journalists, reporters, editors, bloggers, social media influencers, broadcasters, and various media outlets such as newspapers, television stations, radio stations, online news platforms, and magazines. NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS Nonprofit partners play a crucial role in supporting and enriching the project’s goals and outcomes. This stakeholder group consists of a diverse array of organizations, including local universities, health organizations, equity and housing initiatives, park and greenspace advocates, places of worship, history and historic preservation advocates, and foundations. Engaging with these nonprofit partners can create opportunities for collaborations, potential sponsorships, and shared expertise. PROPERTY OWNERS This stakeholder group is composed of property owners who hold interests within the project area. Their involvement is critical as they have a direct stake in the project's outcomes and its impact on their properties. Within this group, various types of property owners can be represented, including individual landowners, commercial property owners, residential property owners (and renters), and institutional property owners. Each of these stakeholders brings different perspectives, priorities, and interests related to their properties and the surrounding community. REAL ESTATE DEVELOPERS AND BROKERS This stakeholder group comprises a diverse range of participants involved in the commercial real estate sector within the Atlanta market. It includes real estate developers, brokers, and investors who play crucial roles in shaping the city’s built environment and driving economic growth. STUDENTS This stakeholder group refers to individuals who are currently enrolled in educational institutions and could be directly or indirectly affected by the project. This group may include students from nearby schools, colleges, or universities. Involving students in the engagement process will provide valuable insights into their preferences and expectations, contributing to more student-friendly and sustainable planning decisions.

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TRANSIT OPERATORS This stakeholder group consists of regional transit operators, including notable organizations such as MARTA, The ATL, CobbLinc, and Gwinnett County Transit. Engaging with this stakeholder group is crucial as their expertise and perspectives contribute to the development and implementation of effective transportation strategies within the project. Within this stakeholder group, representatives from key positions, such as executive leadership, planning departments, and operational teams, are included. Their involvement ensures comprehensive input from transit operators. VULNERABLE POPULATIONS Vulnerable populations, as a stakeholder group for this project, encompass segments of the community that face heightened social, economic, or environmental challenges. These groups confront obstacles to accessing vital resources, services, and/or opportunities, leading to disparities and limited agency to express their concerns or advocate for their unique needs. This stakeholder group includes, but is not limited to, aging adult populations, low-income individuals, people with disabilities, minority and ethnic groups, immigrants and refugees, and people with limited English proficiency. GENERAL PUBLIC The "general public" refers to a broad and diverse group of individuals who are not specifically categorized into distinct stakeholder groups but encompass the wider community and population. This includes people who visit and/or commute through the project area. The general public represents individuals from various backgrounds, demographics, and interests. STAKEHOLDER MAPPING The engagement team has conducted a rigorous stakeholder mapping process to identify and categorize key stakeholder groups for the project. This mapping process is dynamic and adaptive, evolving in tandem with ongoing interactions with stakeholders. Recognizing the potential for shifting needs and expectations, the team is committed to a structured review and revision of the stakeholder mapping. This assessment will occur on a quarterly basis or in response to the initiation of each new task order, ensuring the ongoing alignment of our engagement strategies with the project's objectives and the ever-changing landscape of stakeholder dynamics.

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Figure A-1: Latest stakeholder mapping result

ENGAGEMENT METHODS The following section presents an extensive collection of engagement methods proposed for entire lifecycle of The Stitch project. These methods have been carefully organized into three distinct groups following the IAP2 standards: Inform, Engage, and Collaborate. Furthermore, they have been further categorized based on their method types, including Communications, Print Materials, and Outreach. ADID, in collaboration with the plan engagement team, will play a crucial role in identifying and selecting the specific methods to be included in each task order for the study. The chosen methods will be comprehensively outlined in a subsequent section, providing detailed information and guidance on their implementation. INFORM The goal for activities in this category is to provide accessible information about the project across the metro Atlanta area. Category Method Description

Webpage Updates

Quarterly updates to the project webpage to share the latest information, process, and announcements related to The Stitch. Provide digital content to be included on digital kiosks around the city. Digital content could lead to the project webpage or include interactive activities. This can provide

Communications

Digital Kiosks

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Category

Method

Description

Stakeholder Advisory Working Groups The Stitch Walking/Bike Tours

Establish working groups in various areas of interest, such as transportation, zoning and affordable housing, sustainability, and park design. Conduct regular meetings to involve stakeholders in planning, implementation, and maintenance stages. Collaborate with Nedra Deadwyler, an experienced tour guide, to organize quarterly stitch walking or biking tours. These tours will allow community members to explore the project area, learn about its history and significance, and provide feedback on specific aspects of the project. Recruit community members to act as liaisons between the project team and the local community. Develop a training session to equip the community liaisons with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively communicate project updates, gather feedback, and address community concerns. Create, distribute, and analyze a digital survey (also available in print and/or intercept interviews as needed) to a sample of the population to learn about the wants/needs of the larger community. One-on-one meetings or small-group focused discussions with key stakeholder groups such as residents,

Outreach

Community Liaison Program

Survey

One-on-One Stakeholder Interviews

employers/employees, descendants of disrupted former communities, nonprofit groups, schools, and others — designed for a specific objective, such as learning about their current issues and/or desires for a new park. Focus Groups Small group facilitated discussions with carefully selected group of individuals belonging to key stakeholder groups to receive project feedback. Public

Open inviting the community to learn more about the project, meet the project team, and provide input.

Information Open House (PIOH)

COLLABORATE The goal for activities in this category is to create the opportunity for collaboration to build consensus with key stakeholders over certain aspects of the project. Category Method Description Outreach Steering Committee Establish a steering committee consisting of key

stakeholders representing various community groups, organizations, and interests. Hold quarterly meetings to provide updates, discuss project decisions, and empower the committee members with decision-making authority over certain aspects of the project. Organize a design charrette, focusing on architects and urban designers of color, to gather input and ideas on the design of The Stitch. This charrette can help shape the design direction of the project and ensure diverse perspectives are considered.

Design Charrette

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ENGAGEMENT GUIDELINES AND TOOLS This section includes an overview of the guidelines that will be used to engage participants during the planning process and help ensure that diverse voices are heard. MEETING MATERIALS Engagement and outreach activities will include the following materials: • Meeting agendas that include the event name, date, time, location (virtual or physical), invitees, objectives, and high-level information on engagement exercises. • Meeting materials such as a PowerPoint presentation and interactive activities (when applicable) • Meeting summary memos A draft meeting agenda and supplemental materials will be delivered to ADID two weeks prior to the engagement activity. All materials will be finalized one week prior to the meeting date. A dry run of presentations can be conducted one week prior to engagement activities at the request of ADID. ACCESSIBILITY This section provides comprehensive information on the engagement accessibility standards for the project. It encompasses two key components: the accessibility protocols and the burden reduction. ACCESSIBILITY PROTOCOLS The accessibility protocols outline the specific guidelines that all engagement activities will adhere to in compliance with federal regulations. These protocols serve as a framework to ensure that every aspect of the project's engagement process is designed and executed with accessibility in mind. • Large print typeface on all printed materials for individuals with visual impairments • Translation of engagement materials and interpretation services as needed. • Distribution of public study activities to minority media outlets and small community newspapers

• ADA accessible meeting locations

• Transit accessible meeting locations

• All reports and materials will meet federally-required accessibility and inclusion requirements.

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BURDEN REDUCTION Burden reduction highlights the project's commitment to going above and beyond the standard accessibility requirements. It describes the additional measures that will be implemented whenever feasible, with the primary goal of fostering greater community involvement. These measures aim to minimize barriers and create an inclusive environment that encourages participation from all members of the community, regardless of their individual accessibility needs. Level of burden reduction will ultimately be dictated by ADID direction and budget constraints. • Flexible scheduling: The engagement team will provide a range of dates, times, and locations for project activities, such as meetings, workshops, or public meetings. When possible, this allows community members to choose the option that best suits their availability and reduces scheduling conflicts. • Multiple engagement channels: The engagement team will utilize diverse engagement channels to accommodate different preferences and accessibility needs. This can include in-person meetings, virtual meetings or webinars, online surveys, social media platforms, dedicated project websites, or even telephone hotlines. By offering various channels, community members can select the method that is most convenient for them. • Language accessibility: The engagement team will ensure that project materials, including communication and engagement tools, are available in multiple languages, particularly if the community has a diverse linguistic background. Translation services or interpreters can be provided to facilitate understanding and encourage participation from non-English speakers. • Food and beverage provisions: The engagement team will ensure food and beverage options are provided to meeting and event attendees when feasible and appropriate. • Transportation and childcare support: The project team will provide transportation assistance, such ride-share discount codes and transit passes, to make it easier for community members to attend in-person meetings or events when feasible. Additionally, if needed, arrange for childcare options during project activities to alleviate the burden for parents or caregivers. • Compensation: The engagement team will work with ADID to provide compensation/incentives in line with federal requirements for participation in select outreach activities such as focus groups, interviews, and survey participation when appropriate and applicable.

ENGAGEMENT EVALUATION According to the Transportation Research Board (TRB) there are six key indicators important to the success of community engagement:

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1. Influence and Impact: Public feedback has an impact on the project decisions and ensures that organizations are not just eliciting feedback from the public as part of a “checklist.” 2. Transparency and Clarity: Trust of government agencies has increased or improved as a result of the engagement processes, and agencies were appropriately transparent about the project. 3. Timing: Community engagement started early enough and was of sufficient length and frequency to be valuable. 4. Inclusion: Community engagement was inclusive and representative of all targeted and affected populations. 5. Targeted Engagement: Community engagement included locations relevant to the targeted and affected populations. 6. Accessibility: Engagement activities used multiple methods for participation With these indicators in mind, the engagement team will use several tools to track and evaluate the effectiveness of community participation for The Stitch Master Plan. The following tools and evaluation analytics help the engagement team to continually improve participation. Based on the gauge of interest and digital impression, the engagement team can identify ineffective strategies and look for new areas of opportunity to reach targeted and underserved populations. 1. Summary Reports: Summary reports will detail community participation activities at each stage of the study and outline the methods used, the comments received, and the number of participants. Summary reports will also detail any complaints received and outline necessary resolutions when applicable. 2. Digital Tools Analytics: For online community engagement activities, electronic tracking can be used to track digital reach, impressions, website visits, and views. Digital tool analytic information will be provided to the engagement team by ADID for analysis. For participation tools, such as press releases, engagement team members will be assigned to monitor activity. 3. Stakeholder Database: The stakeholder database will be a repository to house information on stakeholders involved throughout the study process by track their name, email, phone number, agency, and level of participation.

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APPENDIX B BUTTERMILK BOTTOM COMMUNITY HISTORY REPORT

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“this is about more than color. It is about how we learn to see ourselves. it is about geography and memory.” ~Lucille Clifton, “the river between us” in Mercy

Figure B-1: Southern sharecroppers Courtesy of Atlanta Black Star

ABSTRACT Community history highlights the achievements and values of residents, validates lived experiences, emphasizes intergenerational connections and social cohesion, and provides broader context to both local and national histories. Community history projects aim to foster a strong sense of identity and pride among residents, preserve local heritage, and most importantly, use the information as a resource for building civic consciousness. This report centers the Black experience of Buttermilk Bottom and Butler Street through stories of resilience and community such that even through the process of urban renewal the cultural significance of these neighborhoods shines through. Bedford Pines included several neighborhoods, the best known is Buttermilk Bottom, and others include Butler Street, Chestnut Way, Irwin Street, and Angier Avenue, among others. All these neighborhoods were extremely significant in fortifying the Black main street, Auburn Avenue, as the richest “Negro” street in the United States in 1956. Despite the many challenges, including biased media portrayals and the displacement caused by urban renewal policies, the spirit and legacies of these neighborhoods endures. This document is written to give an account of primarily the Buttermilk Bottom community’s history and is a testament to the strength and determination of its residents, whose efforts to secure better living conditions and preserve their cultural heritage continue to inspire. A network of neighborhoods is mentioned to create a whole picture of the landscape in which Buttermilk Bottom existed. As Atlanta moves forward with new redevelopment projects like the Stitch, it is crucial to honor the memory of all the neighborhoods of Bedford Pines and ensure that Descendent voices are included in shaping the future of the city. To repair the harm left by past

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decisions and actions, the City of Atlanta must take decided actions. First, acknowledging past injustices instituted by exclusionary laws, land use regulations, and the urban renewal program in the creation of unfair and unsafe housing for Black communities. Second, addressing the experiences and ongoing losses had by former residents and their descendants that precipitated loss of wealth, health, and access to opportunity. And third, a strategy for inclusive development to remediate the past. To effectuate reparative development and land use policies, the Stitch will foster a more equitable and connected community for all. The Introduction provides a general overview of the history of the area renamed Bedford Pines. It discusses the Black Bottom as a Black cultural landscape indicating the “bottom” as one example of landscape typologies of Black identity. During the area’s most vibrant period, media coverage was biased and often contradicted the historical recollections of residents in the close-knit community. This section also outlines the transfer of land from property owners to the Atlanta Housing Authority, with the aid of funding from the federal Department of Urban Renewal. Early Urban Renewal in Atlanta seeks to pinpoint a first instance of using land use and the development of a city park for White Atlantans only as a model for the removal of the presence Black Atlantans from the landscape and recasting the character of a place and who the place is for. The Beginning of Buttermilk Bottom explores the migration of Black people from rural Georgia to Atlanta in search of opportunities following the cotton crop failure of 1915. It examines how this area got its name (Buttermilk Bottom and the main street, Forrest Avenue), and how The Great Fire of 1917 impacted the community. It goes on to describe the business development along Forrest and Auburn Avenues, as well as the blossoming of the local economy and cultural life of the community that emerged following the fire. Community Life describes a rich picture of life in Buttermilk Bottom under segregation, including the interactions and relationships between the Black community and Jewish shop owners and their families. This section concludes with a discussion of the activism and advocacy initiatives organized to support residents’ rights to housing, highlighting both the significant reduction in the number of Black community residents during that period and the drastic loss of housing. The Spatial Realities of Buttermilk Bottom exemplifies the level of disregard and extent of neglect experienced by this community from the city of Atlanta. Buttermilk Bottom was not developed for over 50 years despite the promise to build standardized, safe housing, and offering former residents the right of return.

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The Decision to Demolish provides clarity to why urban renewal was a policy utilized in Atlanta to redesign the city and what were the mechanisms city leaders employed, including slum clearance, the creation of the urban renewal and housing authority offices, and public-private partnerships, to plan and demolish sections of the Fourth Ward neighborhoods. Where Did People Go details the documented experiences and outcomes of the former residents of Buttermilk Bottom including the process, activism, and collaboration conducted to rehouse residents in Bowen Homes, the redeveloped Bedford Pines, and other locations.

Figure B-2: Entering Buttermilk Bottom – REPO History, Arts Festival of Atlanta (1995) Courtesy of Auburn Avenue Research Library, James Malone Collection

This community history offers historical context to frame the neighborhood as a cultural landscape requiring deeper study, analysis, and preservation. The conditions residents of Buttermilk Bottom and Butler Street lived in were not unique to their communities. Urban renewal was a strategy designed to redevelop urban areas and create newly-funded public housing for Black and poor White residents. The double application of two federally-funded and legislated programs, urban renewal and the Interstate highway system, facilitated the physical and economical destruction of the social fabric of Black communities across the United States. Now is an opportune time to for the City of Atlanta to fulfill promises of equitable development; to justly extend

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full, quality city services to all neighborhoods, provide safe, healty housing for individuals and families with low to moderate incomes, and to institute policies and practices that will prevent the destruction of neighborhoods in the future. The report also creates an opportunity to bring visibility to a Legacy and Descendant community that have gone unacknowledged and undervalued, by recognizing their contribution to the City of Atlanta and the future residents of this city. INTRODUCTION “The Downtown Connector – a 12-to-14-lane mega-highway that in theory connects the city’s north to its south – regularly has three-mile-long traffic jams that last four hours or more. Commuters might assume they’re stuck there because some city planner made a mistake, but the heavy congestion actually stems from a great success. In Atlanta, as in dozens of cities across America, daily congestion is a direct consequence of a century-long effort to segregate the races.” 1 ~Kevin Kruse “Our slum clearance program will take no note of race or creed or color,” he stated in his address to millions throughout the United States. We are particularly glad that the requests from Atlanta for slum clearance have called for benefits for the entire population. Atlanta has been a pioneer along many progressive lines, and it is only fitting that the city which has been a leader in interracial cooperation should insist that all parts of its population should benefit from this new venture.” 2 "Transportation should never divide communities – its purpose is to connect people to jobs, schools, housing, groceries, family, places of worship, and more. That's what the Reconnecting Communities program and the Neighborhood Access and Equity program are designed to ensure." 3 ~Secretary Buttigieg The landscape discussed in this manuscript was inhabited by two Indigenous Confederacies; the Muskogee and Cherokee, who spent their summers along Chattahoochee, Coosa, and Tallapoosa Rivers for summertime respite before the area was annexed into the City of Atlanta and White Settlers received land lots. Primarily, the Cherokee lived in North Georgia in the Appalachian Mountain region and the Muskogee lived Middle and South Georgia and the springs of this area provided fertile grounds to hunt and gather. During the Revolutionary War era, in 1777, Georgia first opened for White settlement. 4 After numerous wars, battles, and treaties, all Native 1 Kevin Kruse, “What does a highway have to do with segregation? Quite a lot.”, The 1619 Project. The New York Times, August 14, 2019. 2 “First Slum Clearance and Low -Cost Housing Project Opened on 18- acre Tract,” “New Deal” Supplement , October 4, 1934. 3 U.S. Department of Transportation, “Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods: Repairing the Harm Caused by Infrastructure in the Past.”, https://www.transportation.gov/reconnecting 4 Eugene M. Mitchell, “The Indians of Georgia . ” The Atlanta Historical Bulletin , Volume II, Number 11, September 1937. p. 23.

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Nations were forcibly removed from the southeastern corner of the United States as “[t]he Federal government covenanted that it would extinguish the Indian title” from the lands known as Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia. 5 What became Atlanta was included in the land cession of 1821. 6 In the end by 1838, all Native peoples were forcibly removed to Oklahoma where new lands became the designated home for the Muskogee and Cherokee Nations. Lee Fuse Wood, a social worker and historian who worked with Central Atlanta Progress, wrote an excellent document about the neighborhood that became known as Bedford Pine in 1960. Wood interviewed former residents whose voices enrichened the document. Reportedly, by 1870, the destiny for the area was decided and the landscape was annexed into the growing city of Atlanta, land lots were plotted for White settlers, and the area was named “The Fourth Ward”. 7 The area becoming Butler Street became home to some of the earliest settlers. The Williams Family, including W.F. Williams, J.E. Williams, James F. Williams (who became Mayor of Atlanta from 1866 to 1868) and W.M. Williams, lived here. 8 Fort Street began to populate around 1900. 9 White families in the Angier Avenue section of Bedford Pines began to move out when the first Black family, the Millers, moved into a single-family house in 1938. 10 Land Lot #50 became Buttermilk Bottom and in 1871 it was land lotted and subdivided without streets to several individuals: R.D. Bolton, T.R. Ripley, Mrs. White, F. Brown, Mrs. Gabbell, and John Rice. 11 The one “structure” located in the area was “likely owned by” A. J. Bell, wild land agent, describes Lee Fuse Wood. 12 In the earliest decades of development, the sections of Fourth Ward were sold resident-owner to resident-owner. 13 The racial identity of the neighborhood changed over time. There was a long-time Jewish community located in Buttermilk Bottom and throughout the Fourth Ward. This is evidenced by oral histories and the presence of Jewish-owned businesses and synagogues. In the early 1940s, Beth Jacob Synagogue was at 562 Boulevard and later moved to 475 Boulevard; once the synagogue moved out the building became home to Tabernacle Baptist Church. 14 Herman Dziewinski, a Holocaust survivor, immigrated to America with the sponsorship of the Atlanta Jewish Federation. 15 He was employed at Tennanbaum Groceries, located at Maple and Magnolia Streets, and managed to save enough 5 Mitchell, “The Indians of Georgia”, p. 24. 6 Mitchell, “The Indians of Georgia”, The Atlanta Historical Bulletin, p. 25. 7 Lee Fuse Wood, “The Bedford Pine Neighborhood, 1871 - 1987.”, Ditto Press, East Point, Georgia, 1988. 8 Wood, “The Bedford Pine Neighborhood.” p.25. 9 Wood, “The Bedford Pine Neighborhood.” p.25. 10 Wood, “The Bedford Pine Neighborhood.” p. 9. 11 Wood, “The Bedford Pine Neighborhood.” p.27. 12 Wood, “The Bedford Pine Neighborhood.” p.27. 13 Wood, “The Bedford Pine Neighborhood.” p.8 14 Wood, “The Bedford Pine Neighborhood.” p.20. 15 "Obituary Herman Dziewinski, Holocaust Survivor." The Atlanta Journal- Constitution , April 19, 1997.

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money to buy a grocery store of his own. 16 The grocery store was located at Maple and Magnolia Streets and he and his family lived above the store. 17

The names given to places and streets are important as they connote what is valued in a place’s history and its story. The Battle of Atlanta took place July 22, 1864, during the Atlanta Campaign of the Civil War. 18 Interestingly, the Confederacy’s defensive line was to traverse across Butler Steet and Buttermilk Bottom; however, they routed north across the ridgeline where Boulevard is today to North Avenue and Ponce de Leon Avenue; then west to arrive at Fort K which was at where the intersection of Peachtree Street and Ponce de Leon is today. 19 The main street that ran through Buttermilk Bottom was named Forrest Avenue to memorialize Nathan Bedford Forrest, a prominent figure in the Civil War. Forrest was born July 13, 1821, he had a hard scrabble life, becoming the breadwinner of his family after his father’s death. Much of Forrest's work centered on enslaved Africans; he worked in law enforcement and engaged in the buying and selling of enslaved people. By 1850, he bought cotton plantations in Mississippi, making him one of the wealthiest men in the South. 20 He later lost his wealth and worked as a manager of a prison farm. 21 Forrest Avenue was renamed Ralph McGill Boulevard in honor of the Editor of The Atlanta Constitution , who wrote a column challenging the status quo and advocating for a better South. The renaming of the street to Ralph McGill Boulevard reflected a more progressive mindset occurring in Atlanta during the 1980s. However, this interest to call forth a new narrative was juxtaposed over a failed and forgotten neighborhood, which was razed as part of Atlanta’s plan toward the progress and modernization of the city.

16 "Obituary Dziewinski”

17 "Obituary Dziewinski”

18 Battle of Atlanta Facts”, American History Central. https://www.americanhistorycentral.com/entries/battle-of- atlanta-1864-facts/ 19 Wood, “The Bedford Pine Neighborhood.” p.2. 20 "Nathan Bedford Forest," American History Central . https://www.americanhistorycentral.com/entries/nathan- bedford-forrest/ 21 "Nathan Bedford Forest," American History Central . https://www.americanhistorycentral.com/entries/nathan- bedford-forrest/

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Figure B-3: Buttermilk Bottoms, North Avenue and Bedford-Pine Urban Redevelopment Area (1959) Planning Atlanta: A New City in the Making, 1930s-1990s, City of Atlanta. Courtesy of Special Collections and Archives, Georgia State University Library

Buttermilk Bottom shares its history with other Fourth Ward neighborhoods; Butler Street, Crescent Way, Irwin Street, and Auburn Avenue. These neighborhoods epitomize intersectional Black History: residential history, urban renewal policies, urban development, and race in Atlanta. Black neighborhoods east of the central business district were once bourgeoning over with residential properties and thriving businesses. The most heralded neighborhood and main street was Auburn Avenue. Auburn Avenue became the richest “Negro” Street in 1956 United States. Much of the neighborhood wealth was generated through the monetary reinvestments of the individuals and families who lived in the Fourth Ward neighborhoods, including the ones north of Auburn Avenue, Buttermilk Bottom, Butler Street, Crescent Way, and Irwin Street. The Fourth Ward was part of a former political system during the Aldermanic period in Atlanta’s government. Neighborhoods on the north side of the Fourth Ward, Buttermilk Bottom or Dark Town, Butler Street, Crescent Way, Irwin Street, made up what was recast as Bedford Pines in the 1960s during a grant application for federal redevelopment funding. 22 During the mid-20th century, as urban renewal policies began reshaping the spatial landscape of the United States, the expansion of highways, the development of new municipal buildings, and other infrastructural changes, led to the formation of new Black communities. Urban renewal displaced hundreds of thousands of predominantly Black people due to racism in housing and land use policies and embedded in planning. “Thousands of families were forcibly displaced, many without proper compensation, to erect loud, dangerous concrete barriers in the middle of neighborhoods. The result was a loss of cultural heritage, increased poverty, negative health outcomes, and heightened social inequality. The negative consequences of

22 Wood, “The Bedford Pine Neighborhood.” p. ii

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these decisions continue to be felt today, underscoring the importance of prioritizing social equity in future infrastructure planning and development.” 23 In Atlanta, one of the areas razed during urban renewal were ‘The Bottom’. ‘The Bottom’ is a geographic identifier and a Black cultural landscape typology. 24 The term “The Black Bottom” is an eponym which emerged in the 20 th century and represents either the soil classification or land of poor value in a low-lying area. 25 Buttermilk Bottom, a neighborhood at the lowest part of the Peachtree Ridge east of Atlanta’s central business district (CBD), is one example of The Black Bottom. 26 A cultural narrative reveals in part where the name ‘Buttermilk Bottom’ originated from and is inseparable from the Black experience. Cassandra Huff, a descendant of William Huff, a former Buttermilk Bottom resident, shared that the name ‘Buttermilk Bottom’ derived from the state of poverty many residents lived in, and in this condition could only afford older, ‘cultured’ milk or ‘buttermilk. 27 Cassandra Huff also shared one of her dad’s memories, “A short bow-legged Jewish man by the name of Israel owned a store where he sold buttermilk, cornmeal, collard greens, ham hocks, canned goods, and cigarettes to Black [people].” The community of people took their cornmeal home, and preparing their meal, would make cornbread. After the cornbread was cooked, they would crumble it in a bowl and then pour buttermilk in the bowl. Hence, a buttermilk bottom .” 28 From this remembrance Cassandra Huff reveals how Black people lay claim to a place, distinguishing a specific area in a way that references the specific people who reside there by their practices.

23 “Reconnecting Communities”, https://www.transportation.gov/reconnecting 24 Jared Green, “Kofi Boone: Designing a Black Common” The Dirt, ASLA, February 21, 2023. https://dirt.asla.org/2023/02/21/kofi-boone-designing-a-black-commons/ Last accessed April 4, 2024.

25 Davis, Ujijji. "The Bottom: The Emergence and Erasure of Black American Urban Landscapes."

26 Steven A. Holmes, “Renewal Project Moving Forward.” The Atlanta Constitution, May 16, 1978.

27 Cassandra Huff, DD, PhD, JD, “We Would be Descendants of Buttermilk Bottom, Atlanta, Georgia: As Told by U.S. Army Retired CSM William H. Huff”, Author House: Indiana, 2019. 28 Cassandra Huff, “We Would be Descendants.”

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Figure B-4: Advertisement, Atlanta Daily World Courtesy of Auburn Avenue Research Library

Inside of Buttermilk Bottom, the arts were common and were utilized to depict the social, political, spiritual, and temporal experiences and for practicality purposes. Atlanta has a history of being home to stand-out artists in literature, music, photography, crafts, and visual arts. There were artists who contributed to the rich tapestry of Buttermilk Bottom, showcasing the area’s artistic diversity and creative spirit. The Atlanta City Directory identifies skilled craft-people, seamstresses, dress makers, chefs, barbers, building trades (tile, building), architects, and restaurateurs. The Forrest Arms Hotel on Forrest Avenue was one of the three main hotels, along with the Savoy Hotel and the Royal Hotel, that served Black clientele during Jim Crow segregation. 29 Black artists playing on the Chitlin Circuit, such as “W.C. Handy, Bessie Smith, Ma Rainey, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, the Nicholas Brothers, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Jackie Wilson, Dinah Washington,” and others would have stayed at one of these hotels. 30 Ellie Lee Weems was a prominent photographer and studied under C. M. Battey at Tuskegee Institute. 31 Weems resided at 137 Baker Street and partnered with Paul Poole in the Paul Poole Studio on Auburn Avenue in 1928. 32 The Grand United Order of Oddfellows named Thomas Askew, "Atlanta's oldest and most efficient photographer". Askew died in 1914, and the Great Fire of 1917 destroyed his studio burning all evidence of his work. 33 And the photographer Charles Lowe

29 Herman “Skip” Mason, Jr., “Images of America: African - American Entertainment in Atlanta.”, Arcadia Publishing, 1998.

30 Mason, Jr., “African - American Entertainment in Atlanta.” 31 Mason, Jr., “African - American Entertainment in Atlanta.” 32 Mason, Jr., “African - American Entertainment in Atlanta.” 33 Mason, Jr., “African - American Entertainment in Atlanta.”

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attended First Congregational Church. Other type of cultural makers lived and worked in Buttermilk Bottom included: distillers, soft drink makers, crafts, industrial trades, and athletes. Racial segregation enacted by exclusionary zoning laws made Black settlements distinctive places within cities. The high density of people living in neighborhoods were commonplace. The 1950 Census indicated a total of 3,066 dwelling units were in Buttermilk Bottom: 86.1 percent were Black Atlantans, and 87.8 percent were renters (12.2 percent owned their property). 34 The presence of these residents contributed to supporting the commercial districts, small businesses, and entrepreneurs allowing them to flourish. In oral histories, people recount the significance of going into one of the Bailey Theaters for them, the role Black banks and insurance companies played in helping families, the role of restaurants as places of strategizing during the Civil Rights Movement, and the unmatchable nighttime entertainment district in Auburn Avenue. These ‘contained communities’ served as incubators for businesses, leadership development, and centers of cultural legacies. Contained communities subverted racial oppression by forming internal systems that offer connection, validation of one interiority and joy, sense of identity, power, and a shared sense of purpose. This is why when people respond to community life during Jim Crow and legal segregation, the post-Reconstruction period up to the Civil Right Acts in 1960s, the response singly identified the power of community in their lives. Being isolated from White society offered these communities autonomy to build neighborhoods that reflected their traditions and offered protection from surveillance. A specific Southern Black culture took root in which people incubated in shared experiences and the ingenuity of a largely rural and agrarian people seeking a better life, education, and the American Dream developed. In neighborhoods like Buttermilk Bottom and Butler Street, not only did Black people create a new life, but some also formed new identities. A cultural landscape feature were the house typologies in Buttermilk Bottom and Butler Street, the ‘shotgun’ house type. The shotgun house type has its roots in African architecture and is part of the material cultural heritage of the African Diaspora and more specifically Black people in the US South. 35 The shotgun is described as a small narrow house, usually one room wide and one to three rooms deep, a gable front roof, and either a front porch and/ or a rear porch. There are a number of configurations that are visible; double-shotgun (two rooms wide), camel-back (two-stories over the rear room). Some shotgun houses are of high design with embellishments on the front façade and porch railings. The linkages to the West Coast of Africa are complex. Due to the enslavement of African peoples, the cultural connection traveled through Haiti where shotgun houses were named “ caille”, traveled to New Orleans with the 34 Letter from R.A. Thompson, Housing Secretary, Atlanta Urban League to Atlanta Urban League Board of Directors, and Grace Towns Hamilton, Executive Director, The Atlanta Urban League Collection, Atlanta University Center Robert W. Woodruff Library and Archives Research Center. 35 John Michael Vlach, “The Shotgun House: And African Architectural Legacy”, Common Places: Readings in American Vernacular Architecture, Eds. Dell Upton and John Michael Vlach, University of Georgia Press, Athens, 1986, p.58.

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