On Thursday, Microsoft Corp. announced the planning team that will help ensure community feedback is incorporated at the start of the company’s 90-acre land development on the west side of Atlanta. As part of the company’s commitment to building enduring foundations in the region, this is the next step in a multiyear project that will generate sustainable, positive impact through the creation of new office space, public amenities and infrastructure.
Microsoft will partner with local architecture firm Cooper Carry in conjunction with urban planning consulting firm APD Urban Planning and Management, sustainability consultants Transsolar, and market research consultants Noell Consulting Group. Community developers at the Integral Group will consult on real estate impact projects for the community, and JLL will lead program management. To ensure the plan addresses business and community needs while still aligning with the local culture, Microsoft will also stand up a community advisory council alongside its planning team. This group will be engaged at regular planning milestones and represent the following local stakeholder groups:
- Center Hill Neighborhood Association
- Councilmember Dustin Hillis
- Councilmember Byron Amos
- Local Education Partners
- Grove Park Community Church
- Grove Park Foundation
- Grove Park Neighborhood Association
- Grove Park Renewal
- Bankhead/Historic Westin Heights Neighborhood
- Historic Howell Station Neighborhood Association
- Northwest Business Association (NWBA)
- NPU-J
- NPU-K
- Paradise Baptist Church
- PAWKids
“Our priority is positive, local impact. From the inclusive hiring of local vendors to jobs and affordable housing created for the region, sustainable building solutions, and much more,” said Michael Lawings, senior director of Americas Real Estate Operations for Microsoft. “We are excited at the opportunity ahead of us and look forward to playing a larger role in empowering the local community and growing with the city of Atlanta.”
The project planning team will conduct community listening and visioning sessions starting in April, and will be joining the meetings of local neighborhood associations (Grove Park, Center Hill, Howell Station, etc.) and Neighborhood Planning Unit (D, G, J, K, etc.) meetings to connect with residents to create an informed site design. Microsoft will host three open town hall events this year for residents to help ensure transparency and understanding around how feedback is being used to inform campus plans. The first town hall will be held in June. Additional details will be made available at https://news.microsoft.com/Microsoft-Atlanta/.
