Atlanta Habitat's $12 Million Move to Reynoldstown

For years, Atlanta Habitat for Humanity has been based in Grant Park.

The agency helps put families into their own homes that they, along with the help of volunteers and home-building professionals construct.

But Atlanta Habitat, which has built some 1,200 homes across Atlanta and surrounding Fulton County since its founding in 1983, hasn't had a home of its own. (Atlanta Habitat is a separate affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, which has its operational headquarters in Americus and administrative offices in Downtown.)

It has outgrown its current rented headquarters at 519 Memorial Drive, necessitating a push for new digs. The current lease expires at the end 2014.

It explains the agency's $12 million campaign that includes the purchase of a graffiti-covered cluster of buildings in Reynoldstown, at 824 Memorial Drive, at the northwest corner of Chester Avenue.

Larrie Del Martin, Atlanta Habitat's president and chief executive, said the property was in foreclosure and it was too good a deal to reject.

What's more, its location in the city, access to MARTA's transit network and major roadways and interstates, fits the criteria they sought, she said.

The new space will be owned as opposed to rented and will have better configurations for meetings and classes and workshops for clients.

The ReStore, which sells new and gently used home improvement materials, also will relocate to the Reynoldstown site but be in a freestanding facility.

Martin spoke with East Atlanta Patch this week to discuss the project and the long-term vision for the new site.

Please click on the video to hear our interview.