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Brookhaven Development Authority reviews lease changes, outlines redevelopment goals for Buford Highway parcels
Summary
Staff told the Brookhaven Development Authority that a tenant will terminate the lease at 2677 Buford Highway (vacant Aug. 1) while AMR signed a five-year market-rate lease at 3292 Buford Highway; board members discussed strategic property acquisitions and using the WSP building for workforce housing.
The Brookhaven Development Authority on May 14 was told a tenant at 2677 Buford Highway will terminate its lease effective July 31, leaving the building vacant on Aug. 1, and heard that 3292 Buford Highway (the old QT building) now has a new five-year, market-rate lease with AMR.
"Early May, we received a letter from the tenant at 2677 Buford Highway indicating that they were planning on terminating their lease, effective July 31," said Mr. Sarawitz, the staff member presenting the lease updates. He told the board the authority has no immediate plan for the vacant building and will pursue next steps.
Board members asked for location and ownership clarifications. Staff said the QT property had been held by the city but will be transferred to the Development Authority once the AMR lease transaction is complete. A staff member clarified that DeKalb County is no longer associated with the AMR lease and the authority will deal directly with the ambulatory-service tenant.
Board members and staff outlined the authority's acquisition strategy along Buford Highway, emphasizing targeted purchases intended to support redevelopment rather than speculative holdings. Staff described three key properties the authority now owns and the strategic role they play for future projects, including frontage and easement control near the Peachtree Creek Greenway.
The authority identified the WSP building as a redevelopment priority. "The ultimate goal for that property is to redevelop that into affordable workforce housing," the chair said during discussion about long-term plans. Staff and board members gave examples of how the authority has previously acquired property—sometimes by exercising a first-right-of-refusal, sometimes by negotiating directly with owners—to meet redevelopment, stormwater or public-access objectives.
The board discussed marketing approaches for vacant properties. Staff said the authority typically engages professional brokers to market properties unless an existing tenant seeks an extension or the authority has a direct relationship with an owner. In some cases the city or authority has first rights or negotiates directly to avoid a public sale process.
The discussion closed with staff saying they would present strategies for any available property and solicit board input on redevelopment options.
The meeting agenda did not include final decisions on redevelopment projects; the conversation identified priorities and directed staff to return with formal proposals if and when staff prepares acquisition or redevelopment actions.
