ATLANTA—Mayor Andre Dickens, the City’s Housing Innovation Lab and Invest Atlanta announced the release of a Request for Proposal (RFP) to identify qualified development partners to redevelop the 1029 McDaniel Street property—a vacant City-owned property with deep historic significance located in the heart of the Pittsburgh neighborhood.
Previously the site of a historic pharmacy and, later, a beleaguered corner store known as the “Pink Store,” the 1029 McDaniel building has remained vacant since being acquired by the City in 2017. The release of this RFP marks a significant milestone in the City’s ongoing efforts to return vacant parcels to productive use through equitable, community-centered redevelopment.
“1029 McDaniel has a deep legacy in Pittsburgh and deserves to be honored with thoughtful, inclusive reinvestment,” said Mayor Dickens, who also serves as Board Chair of Invest Atlanta. “This RFP invites partners to help us transform this property to advance affordability, walkability and neighborhood retail in one of Atlanta’s most historic communities.”
This initiative is the result of a multi-year collaboration between the Housing Innovation Lab and Invest Atlanta. The Lab spearheaded a robust community engagement process, conducted due diligence, and successfully rezoned the site to allow for mixed-use, missing middle development.
The RFP prioritizes a redevelopment approach that preserves and adaptively reuses the historic “Pink Store” building, with the potential to incorporate neighborhood retail at the ground floor and office or community-serving space above. In addition, the RFP calls for new construction in the rear of the site to deliver affordable “missing middle” housing.
The City and Invest Atlanta seek a development partner who can deliver a neighborhood-scale, mixed-use project that includes:
- Preservation and reuse of the existing structure with its distinctive character,
- Retail and services tailored to local needs,
- Long-term affordable housing options for low and moderate-income families, and
- Public gathering space that anchors the development in community life.
Located near the BeltLine Southside Trail and Pittsburgh Yards, the property is ideally suited for a community-driven project that supports Pittsburgh residents through new investment in the neighborhood.
“Invest Atlanta is proud to lead this redevelopment process in collaboration with the City of Atlanta and the community,” said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. “The 1029 McDaniel project represents a chance to uplift the historic significance of an important property through a community-led vision centered on affordable housing, small business activation, and neighborhood character.”
The RFP is now live, and submissions are due by July 25, 2025, at 11:59 PM ET. The RFP and full submission instructions can be found at https://www.investatlanta.com/about-us/invest-atlanta-rfps. Completed responses in accordance with the requirements of the RFP should be submitted via email to 1029mcdanielrfp@investatlanta.com.
Following the RFP deadline, Invest Atlanta will evaluate submissions and engage with the most qualified respondents to fulfill the City’s vision.
Learn more about Mayor Dickens’ affordable housing agenda, click here.