Direct Invest Development is proposing to build several high-rise buildings on 12 acres of land along Martin Luther King Jr. Drive owned by Clark Atlanta University. 

Atlanta City Councilman Byron Amos has introduced legislation to rezone the property so Direct Invest will be able to build multiple towers, two that could be as high as 22 to 24 stories; seven 16-story buildings; six 10-story buildings; and five 7-story buildings. The rest of land – eight parcels – would keep the zoning at five stories, which is what is currently allowed in the city’s zoning ordinance for those 12 acres.

But the rezoning proposal, publicly released in the last two weeks, is dramatically different than what Westside communities envisioned for the area. Led by the Westside Future Fund, the community underwent a two-year planning process that resulted in the Westside Land Use Framework Plan, which was unanimously approved by Atlanta City Council on Dec. 4, 2017. Then the city changed the zoning for the area to conform with the community vision.

“It’s a big departure,” acknowledged Carlton Brown, principal of New York-based Direct Invest, about how the rezoning proposal compares to the community’s vision. He then said the rollout of the current rezoning proposal was not handled in the best way, acknowledging many Vine City and English Avenue residents were upset when they saw the proposal.

Brown added that he does believe the building heights will exceed 18 stories, and most will likely be between eight and 12 stories.

Direct Invest has a 99-year lease agreement with CAU to develop the land. 

The property – known as Diamond Hill – also is one of the most historically significant areas in Atlanta. Standing at the crest is Gaines Hall, which was built in 1869 as part of Atlanta University. It is where W.E.B. Dubois…