Long Awaited Westview Infrastructure Projects Advance

2024 is shaping up to be a great year for infrastructure improvement projects in Westview! Two long awaited projects along Ralph David Abernathy Blvd are already underway and construction on BeltLine adjacent Enota Park are scheduled to begin later this year.

The Complete Streets project on Ralph David Abernathy Blvd dates back to 2011, when an ambitious group of neighbors worked with the City of Atlanta’s Planning Department to create the Westview Master Plan. This plan set the groundwork for the redevelopment of the Westview neighborhood, and it made projects included in the plan eligible for City infrastructure bond funds.

In 2014, a large group of neighbors wearing Westview t-shirts, attended a meeting about the upcoming Infrastructure Bond project list. They asked the City of Atlanta to include improvements to Ralph David Abernathy Blvd through Westview. Their requests were heard and $1 million was set aside for Westview infrastructure projects. After many years of delays, these improvements are now coming to fruition. Look for improved pedestrian and bike infrastructure, including wider sidewalks, bulbouts, crosswalks, pedestrian lighting, and protected bike lanes. The project will also narrow RDA in various places to help with reducing vehicle speeds through the Westview commercial district.

A separate project project happening in parallel with the RDA Complete Streets project will create a new BeltLine access point at South Gordon St. This will provide the neighborhood with a second option to hop on and off the Westside Trail. The access point will include a new ADA ramp, stairs, a small plaza, landscaping, and a much needed pedestrian crossing at South Gordon St and Ralph David Abernathy Blvd.

Later this year, the Atlanta BeltLine anticipates breaking ground on Enota Park. Enota Park will be Westview’s largest greenspace and provide neighbors with a new playground, splash pad, sports facilities, a passive nature trail, and more. The eastern edge of Enota Park is bordered by the Atlanta BeltLine Westside Trail, which opened in 2017. The visioning for Enota Park dates back to an effort by Park Pride in 2007 to transform undeveloped land into a community-oriented park. The project was later picked up by the Atlanta BeltLine and included as one of the original parks proposed along the trail.

Westview Corner Grocery Façade Renovation

Westview Corner Grocery recently completed a $90,000+ façade restoration project. This project was made possible by a 50% matching grant from the City of Atlanta.

The renovation restored the main entrance to face the sidewalk where it was historically located when the store opened as a Kroger in 1949. Additionally, during the demolition phase a historic hand-painted sign from a former grocery store called Thriftown was found. The owners opted to restore the sign to pay homage to the spaces past.

Westview Corner Grocery is a locally-owned natural food store that opened in 2018.

www.westviewgrocery.com

Slutty Vegan Grand Opening

Slutty Vegan Grand Opening

The Slutty Vegan food truck has taken the city by storm since its inception in August 2018, causing 4-5 hour lines and celebrities from near and far to flock to the vegan-based burger joint. Now the popular food truck has expanded to a brick-and-mortar location right in the middle of the Westview commercial corridor.

The grand opening was held on January 13, 2019 and created quite the buzz with closed off streets and lines down the block past Westview Corner Grocery. The restaurant reported serving 1,200 people before having an off-duty police officer turn away people from the line four hours before the intended closing time.

While it may be a while before neighbors will have the opportunity to become “#Sluttified” (many have proclaimed waiting until the crowds clear out), the Slutty Vegan is an exciting and welcome addition to the neighborhood food scene.

Westview Corner Grocery

Walkable Neighborhood Market Opens

It has been just over two months that one of Westview’s newest businesses opened its doors to residents and visitors – Westview Corner Grocery. In its most recent tenure, the space at 1562 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd had been converted to a convenience store in 2009, but had served as one of the neighborhood’s grocery stores dating back to the building’s construction 1949, when it initially housed a Kroger. Over the years different grocery stores, such as Food Town, Thrift Town, White’s, and Denny’s Super Save, called the location home, until Westview residents, Patrick Berry and Steffi Langer-Berry, revived the grocery store model in April 2018. The store now offers a range of products from natural, organic and local products, to craft beer and wine.

Read Atlanta Magazine’s recent coverage of the new store: Westview Corner Grocery brings back the walkable, neighborhood market residents missed

Westview on Cover Page of Atlanta Magazine

Westview on Cover Page of Atlanta Magazine

Westview had the honor of gracing the cover of Atlanta Magazine’s February issue. The cover story is about hot neighborhoods that are walkable and affordable.

Take a look for yourself: Where to Live Now in Atlanta 2018: Westview.

Westview Corner Grocery

Economic Development in Westview

Exciting progress is continuing to develop in Westview. Westview Corner Grocery is expected to open soon in the Westview Village at 1562 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd. The store, which is being opened by Westview residents, will feature natural and organic foods, produce, craft beer and wine, grab-and-go foods, and standard convenient food items.

Down the street at the intersection of Ralph David Abernathy Blvd and Cascade Avenue a restaurant is scheduled to start construction in the historic fire station building across from the Atlanta BeltLine’s Westside Trail. Breakfast Everyday, or “B.E.D.,” will feature breakfast foods, accompanied by espressos, lattes, and a range of alcoholic beverages.

Just next door to the soon-to-be Breakfast Everyday restaurant is the recently opened Clutch Bicycle Shop, an exciting addition for both biker’s given its location adjacent to the Atlanta BeltLine trail.