Old Fourth Ward residents help shape vision for former Atlanta Medical Center site
By Adrianne Murchison
Publish Date: June 23, 2025
The closure of Atlanta Medical Center in 2022 left more than a gap in emergency care – it sparked questions and concerns among Old Fourth Ward residents about the site’s future. Would the 22-acre property remain vacant, or could it become a reflection of the community’s heart and aspirations?
Today, a new chapter is unfolding as demolition begins, setting the stage for a community-centered transformation driven by The Integral Group and Wellstar Health System. The former 460-bed hospital is being reimagined as a vibrant, mixed-use destination that embraces the community’s vision while honoring its historic legacy.
In early May, neighborhood resident Darin Givens told FOX 5 Atlanta that while the hospital’s closure was a major loss, he found hope in the signs of progress.
“I will just appreciate the neighbors and the eyes on the street and the vibrancy, because, I mean, that’s what you want in a city neighborhood,” Givens said.
From the outset, Integral and Wellstar have focused on listening to the people who live and work nearby. In response to the hospital’s closure, the City of Atlanta enacted a zoning moratorium in 2022, later extended three times to allow for meaningful community engagement and planning.
After months of public meetings and stakeholder discussions, the city approved a land use plan in September 2024 that reflects community priorities.
In some of those community meetings, residents wrote their hopes for the site on sticky notes and placed them on boards.
Residents have expressed a desire for a balanced mix of affordable housing options for local business owners, educators, and first responders, alongside accessible green spaces, gathering places, and community oriented businesses within walking distance.
The boards filled quickly, reflecting not just needs, but a shared vision for a neighborhood that feels inclusive, alive, and artistically connected.
As Eric Pinckney, President of Program Management at The Integral Group, notes, “This project is about more than demolition – it’s about building trust with the community and ensuring their voices are integral to every stage of the redevelopment process.”
The redevelopment plans include approximately 2.6 million square feet of residential space, 120,000 square feet of retail and dining, and 240,000 square feet of office space – all designed to support local businesses and create a vibrant community hub. A health and wellness component will also be integrated.
According to the Atlanta Department of City Planning, the site’s legacy dates back to 1901, when it opened as Tabernacle Baptist Infirmary. It became Georgia Baptist Hospital in 1917, relocating to the Old Fourth Ward after the Great Atlanta Fire, and later evolved into Atlanta Medical Center under Tenet Healthcare in 1997 before Wellstar acquired it in 2016. But by 2022, aging infrastructure and deep financial losses made continued operations unsustainable.
Now, the future of this historic site is no longer in limbo. It’s being shaped by the people who call the Old Fourth Ward home.
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