Hazardous Substance Research Centers/South & Southwest

Site description
The communities of Boulevard Heights, Ormewood Park, Woodland Hills, Sloan Circle, and Benteen (hereafter collectively referred to as Boulevard Heights) are located in southeast Atlanta adjacent to the city's Empowerment Zone. Each community comprises an eclectic mix of ethnic and cultural backgrounds, but all share a common problem -- the difficulty of achieving much needed neighborhood revitalization in light of environmental contamination of surrounding property.

Approximately 42 homes are within close proximity to the Lester Avenue Landfill and the Intrenchment Creek Combined Sewer Overflow, both of which have had serious detrimental effects on home prices and community redevelopment efforts. The City of Atlanta has reduced the volume of the landfill and capped it, but problems exist with the material still in the landfill and continuing sewer overflows during significant rain events.

Within the past ten years, many areas surrounding these communities have experienced a rebound of their communities and economies, and Boulevard Heights is anxious to benefit from the redevelopment occurring in these neighborhoods.

Organization requesting assistance
Communities of Boulevard Heights, Ormewood Park, Woodland Hills, Sloan Circle, and Benteen

Summary of TOSC assistance
TOSC has been providing technical assistance to the community in the form of information regarding CSOs and has assisted in seeking out funding opportunities for revitalization of the area.