A groundbreaking celebration took place at Piedmont Senior Tower on December 12 to celebrate the beginning of extensive renovations and upgrades to the complex. Once complete, the building will be fully rehabilitated, preserving more than 200 affordable units for the elderly and disabled.
“I believe housing is about people,” said Councilmember Andre Dickens. “That’s what this is all about. We have to preserve the opportunity to be in this area, with wonderful access to Buckhead. With AHA, with Invest Atlanta, and with everyone else, we will make sure there’s opportunity to live everywhere in this city at all income bands.”
Invest Atlanta has been working on this project for more than two years with the Michaels Development Company, the Atlanta Housing Authority, and other financial partners.
“This project is a long time coming,” said Dr. Eloisa Klementich. “It’s with immense pride that I’m here today to help break ground on Piedmont Senior Tower and ensure more of our seniors live and thrive here in Atlanta.”
The families living in the complex will to continue living in in the Buckhead Forest neighborhood, where they’ll be near the amenities like grocery stores and a MARTA bus stop—complete with a new shelter—right outside their door. They’ll receive new countertops and flooring within their units, as well as upgraded HVAC and water systems throughout.
But most importantly, the upgrades will mean families will be able live here affordably for many years to come.
“I love living here,” said Alice Gailes, a two-year resident of Piedmont Senior Tower. “I love everything about this tower. We have everything we need here, and we can live carefree.”
Invest Atlanta continues to work with public and private partners to invest in senior housing developments like this one throughout the City of Atlanta. Some of the more recent projects include the Reynoldstown Senior Residences, City Lights in the Old Fourth Ward, The Remington in Carey Park, Abernathy Towers in the West End, and the Oasis of Vine City.
These efforts are part of a larger affordability strategy Invest Atlanta, under the leadership of Mayor Reed, has implemented with our partners to serve families across the income and age spectrums. These policies have created more than 4,000 affordable units during Mayor Reed’s administration.
Piedmont Senior Tower is the first Rental Assistance Demonstration, or RAD, project in the City of Atlanta. More of these types of innovative solutions as our senior population grows. One forecast found that by the year 2035, one out of 5 Americans will be over the age of 65. And the need for more affordable living options will continue to increase.
Ensuring more of our seniors live and thrive here in Atlanta also has benefits for Atlanta’s economy. In fact, the Atlanta Regional Commission recently found that for every 1,000 new residents over the age of 65 the city welcomes, the region’s GDP increases by $7.8 billion.