Old Fourth Ward: Defining the boundaries
By Adrianne Murchison
Publish Date: July 29, 2025
For nearly a decade, Juan Mendoza has been immersed in Atlanta’s Old Fourth Ward. As president of the Old Fourth Ward Business Association for the past five years, he’s witnessed firsthand how development and civic advocacy have reshaped the neighborhood.
The community will always be recognized for its rich history and cultural landmarks — but its boundaries are not always clearly understood. Mendoza recently outlined a loop of the physical footprint.
- Beginning at Piedmont Avenue on the community’s eastern edge, the boundary stretches north to North Avenue, then turns west. At Argonne Avenue, it pivots south toward Ponce de Leon Avenue.
- From there, it follows Ponce before running south along the Atlanta BeltLine, continuing past Highland Avenue.
- The boundary then turns left onto Edgewood Avenue, makes a quick right onto Decatur Street, and a left onto Boulevard. At John Lewis Freedom Parkway, it turns right and curves northeast, completing the loop back at Piedmont Avenue.
Enclosed within this loop are touchstones of national and cultural history — among them, the birth home of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Nearby, the historic Sweet Auburn district hosts the King Center, the Auburn Avenue Research Library, and the former Royal Peacock nightclub.
While honoring the surrounding legacy, community leaders in Old Fourth Ward are working to guide its continued growth.
The Old Fourth Ward Business Association centers its work on economic development, neighborhood advocacy, and the kinds of urban design strategies that help a community grow with intention, Mendoza said.
Wellstar Health System’s plan to redevelop the former Atlanta Medical Center campus into a mixed-use district has the potential to benefit not only Old Fourth Ward, but the city of Atlanta as whole, he said.
“For such a large plot of land, to do something that big, it could really change that area over there,” Mendoza said. “It can just be such a huge anchor for new things.”
He added that major change brings challenges to address such as support for displaced businesses.
Mendoza recalls early meetings with Wellstar representatives, where residents, and members of the the business association, the Old Fourth Ward Neighborhood Association, and the Neighborhood Planning Unit were able to share their input on the vision for the 22-acre site.
“They were very approachable and answered questions,” he said. “I think they were trying to incorporate what people wanted: Green space, mixed-use development, [housing] affordability, office space, and if possible affordable commercial space … That’s really what we’re really excited for.”
Let’s Connect
Have questions about BLVDNEXT? Want to learn more about opportunities for residents or businesses? Need to share your thoughts about the project? We’re here to listen.