Wellstar announces what it will do with the old Atlanta Medical Center

On Thursday, Wellstar Health System announced that the former Atlanta Medical Center campus will be redeveloped.

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The announcement comes almost two years after the hospital closed and the building sat empty. The Atlanta City Council, along with Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, unanimously approved the land use plan in September.

The renovation will be led by The Integral Group, an Atlanta-based company specializing in creating spaces that reflect the needs, character and history of its community.

“We will work closely with the city to develop its revitalization plan and bring to life our shared vision of a thriving, healthy addition to the Old Fourth Ward,” said Candice L. Saunders, president and CEO of Wellstar Health System.

WellStar Health System closed the hospital in 2022, prompting city leaders to implement zoning moratoriums to examine the long-term impacts of its closure.

Developers plan to transform the 22-acre campus into a neighborhood with affordable housing, residential properties, community and public green spaces, neighborhood-level retail, new street access, commercial uses and health and wellness features.

“At Integral, we believe that transforming a community requires more than just development – ​​it requires a commitment to understanding and meeting the basic needs of the people who live there,” said Egbert Perry, president of Grupo Integral. “This project is a tremendous opportunity to create a lasting impact. It will honor the region’s history while shaping a vibrant and sustainable future.”

The revitalization will occur in phases over several years, with community input at each stage.

Integral expects to apply for permits soon to begin demolition of certain older structures in early 2025.

“This is a long-awaited new beginning for the Old Fourth Ward community,” said Atlanta City Councilman Amir Farokhi. “These properties have enormous potential to meet our city and neighborhood’s needs for denser, mixed-use development, including, hopefully, new housing.”

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