Revitalizing Lakewood Heights: A Developer’s Vision For Community Transformation

Omar Ali, a former steel fabrication executive turned real estate developer, is reshaping Atlanta’s Lakewood Heights through strategic community investment. After conducting an extensive neighborhood study that revealed a 67% vacancy rate within a two-mile radius, Ali transformed a former church into a $12 million business hub supporting Black entrepreneurship.

The Development Journey:
– Converted historic church into Ali at Lakewood
– Houses Black-owned businesses including coffee shop, wellness centers, and event space
– Represents first major investment in area’s revitalization

Key Challenges:
– Property ownership concentrated among inactive investors
– Tax delinquencies and probate issues
– Construction costs hampering affordable housing goals
– Lack of essential amenities like grocery stores

Vision for Growth:
Ali emphasizes economic development as the foundation for community revival. His approach focuses on:
– Creating mixed-income housing opportunities
– Attracting essential businesses and services
– Supporting local entrepreneurship through direct investment
– Building sustainable community infrastructure

“The people in Lakewood are such great people, and they’ve been fighting for so long,” says Ali. His development strategy aims to transform Lakewood Heights into a thriving, diverse neighborhood while preserving its character and supporting existing residents.

Originally reported by Canopy Atlanta. Read the full article here.