Eminent Domain Sparks Protest in Atlanta

Atlanta's worsening housing affordability set the stage for a controversy over the city's use of eminent domain to build a new park and stormwater retention facility.

1 minute read

December 17, 2019, 11:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


About 50 protestors held a sit-in outside the office of Atlanta Mayor Keisha Bottoms to protest the use of eminent domain for the development of a new park and stormwater retention pond.

"Seven years ago, Atlanta ordered dozens of Peoplestown residents to leave their homes to make way for the flood control project," according to Habersham. "Now, Washington and Darden are among only four people who still live on the block. While their neighbors took deals from the city to sell and leave, they refused and stayed, waging a legal battle with the city to keep their homes. The residents are still fighting to keep their homes."

The protestors, led by the Housing Justice League, "an organization that works to preserve affordable housing and prevent gentrification," have connected the current controversy over the Peoplestown park development with the larger issue of affordable housing in the city, and a lack of action by the city to achieve the ambitious goals set forth by Mayor Bottoms.

Monday, December 16, 2019 in Atlanta Journal-Constitution

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

The Seat of Government

Good Planning Under Bad Leadership

Planners must sometimes work under bad leadership. Here are suggestions for responsive planning in challenging political environments.

February 3, 2025 - Todd Litman

Close-up of Donald Shoup during interview.

Legendary Parking Guru Donald Shoup Dies at 86

Urbanists are mourning the loss of a dynamic voice for parking reform and walkable cities.

February 10, 2025 - StreetsBlog NYC

Amtrak train with downtown Seattle in background.

Amtrak Cascades Line Breaks Ridership Record

The route linking Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver, BC served nearly one million riders in 2024.

February 2, 2025 - Daily Hive

Vacant interior of open plan office with large buildings and stacked wood planks on floor.

Over 71K Office-to-Apartment Units in the Pipeline for 2025

Adaptive reuse projects are continuing to bring thousands of new housing units onto the market as demand for office space remains low.

5 hours ago - RentCafé

Crane and construction on multi-story buildings in downtown Houston, Texas.

How Houston Can Be a Model for Housing Reform

The city builds more new housing than almost any other and has dramatically reduced homelessness, yet low-income families struggle to find affordable housing.

6 hours ago - Urban Edge

Small rural USPS post office in manufactured one-story grey building with American flag in front.

Delivering for America Plan Will Downgrade Mail Service in at Least 49.5 Percent of Zip Codes

Republican and Democrat lawmakers criticize the plan for its disproportionate negative impact on rural communities.

7 hours ago - Cowboy State Daily