The groundbreaking for the redevelopment of Bedford-Pines began July 26, 1970. 259 Funded by a $250 million grant, the project was divided into two parts, which aimed to redirect the land to new owners. 260 City leaders called the Bedford Pines redevelopment a complex, “social pioneering” project as the vision was to build an economically inclusive community. 261 The first deal allocated 78 acres of land from the Atlanta Housing Authority to Park Central Communities, Inc. (PCC), which planned to build 20 projects; including 3,000 residential apartment units, and a shopping center. 262 PCC, was a consortium of the six largest banks and several real estate firms who were redeveloping the Bedford-Pine community. The second deal involved redistributing 17.5 acres of land from PCC to Georgia Power. The completed redevelopment included a total of 353 new apartments; two high-rise buildings for elderly residents with 284 one-room apartments, and 70 low-rise family units beside North Avenue between Nutting and Hunt Streets, NE, on seven acres of land. 263 Sheetz and Bradfield were the architects, and Alodex Corporation were the contractors who completed the project. 264 Mayor Jackson stated, “This in-town community will be instrumental in restoring the balance to the housing pattern of Atlanta.” 265 The Bedford Pines community was described as a “modern village” that included a park, new school, and “modernized” apartments. 266 The Atlanta Housing Authority developed a rigorous process for prospective residents to move into the new community. Each potential new household met with a Family Service Consultant to instruct them maintaining their homes and keep the neighborhood “clean and attractive”. 267 The Bedford Pines redevelopment was the result of a hard-won agreement requiring an extended period of negotiations. 268 Mayor Jackson played a crucial role in resolving conflicts and establishing a framework for the project. 269 One of the outcomes, was that through a court order, the citizen group was granted the authority to approve the future development. 270 This process emerged from the U- RESCUE’s committee work with Atlanta Housing Authority. Through this collaborative effort, former Buttermilk Bottom residents finally had “right of return” into the new housing. 271 The U-RESCUE Villa and Cosby Spear Memorial Towers, stood at 355 North 259 Lester Persells, Letter to Edward H. Baxter, US Department of Housing and Urban Development, “Announcing Groundbreaking,” July 20, 1970, 260 Steven A. Holmes, “Renewal Project Moving Forward.” 261 Thomas, “Apartment”. 262 Holmes, “Renewal Project Moving Forward”. 263 Lester H. Persells, Executive Director for Rev. E.H. Dorsey, “Letter to Mr. Edward H. Baxter, Regional Administrator with Department of Housing and Urban Development,” July 20, 1970. 264 Persells, “Letter to Mr. Edward H. Baxter”. 265 Calimee L. Thomas. “Bedford - Pine Area Development Gets Underway with New Georgia Power Tower.” Atlanta Daily World, May 11, 1978. 266 “70 Apartment Village Replaces “Buttermilk Bottom”.” Atlanta Daily World, July 6, 1972. 267 “70 Apartment Village”. 268 Claudia Townsend, “Jackson Arranges Talks on Bedford”, The Atlanta Constitution, November 2, 1974.
269 Townsend, “Jackson Arranges Talks on Bedford”. 270 Townsend, “Jackson Arranges Talks on Bedford”. 271 “70 Apartment Village”.
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