Preserving History, Building Community: How 220 Sunset Ave. Honors Atlanta’s Civil Rights Legacy

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Westside Future Fund (WFF) is a nonprofit organization committed to helping Atlanta’s historic Westside neighborhoods revitalize and develop. Formed by public, private and philanthropic partners, WFF’s mission is to advance a compassionate approach to neighborhood revitalization that creates a diverse, mixed-income community, improves the quality of life for current and future residents and elevates the Westside’s unique history and culture.

WFF serves five historic Westside neighborhoods – Vine City, English Avenue, Ashview Heights, Atlanta University Center and Just Us. WFF’s signature program, Home on the Westside, enables the development of high-quality, permanently affordable multi-family housing, property tax assistance for legacy residents, and new or renovated single-family homes and provides a pathway to homeownership through financial education, counseling and down payment assistance.

In 2022, the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation granted WFF $1,040,000 to support the development of two multi-family rental properties in Atlanta’s Westside neighborhoods of Vine City and English Avenue, not only providing affordable housing but also limiting community displacement and supporting the preservation of the community. Grant funds are being utilized for construction and related costs for the renovation of properties at 646 Echo St. and 220 Sunset Ave., providing 29 units of permanent affordable housing for Westside residents.

220 Sunset Ave. is one of Atlanta’s most historically significant properties that once served as the temporary home of the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change. Once completed, the reimagined property will serve as affordable housing for faculty and staff affiliated with Spelman College.

We recently had the pleasure of speaking with John Ahmann, president/CEO of WFF, to learn more about the history and future of 220 Sunset Ave.

Q: What are the vision and goals behind the restoration of 220 Sunset Ave.? How does this project align with WFF’s broader mission to revitalize the historic Westside?

A: The restoration of 220 Sunset Ave. is central to our vision of preserving the cultural and historical fabric of Atlanta’s Westside while addressing pressing community needs. The preservation of this property demonstrates our commitment to protecting the authentic character and cultural heritage of Atlanta’s Westside neighborhoods while creating new opportunities that serve the community.

Q: 220 Sunset Ave. has a profound historical legacy. What does it mean to preserve a home associated with the Maynard Jackson family and other key civil rights figures?

A: Preserving 220 Sunset Ave. is about honoring its role as a sanctuary for leadership, activism and progress across multiple dimensions of Atlanta’s history. The home stands as a testament to the lives and contributions of the entire Jackson family. Rev. Maynard Jackson, Sr. served as pastor of the historic Friendship Baptist Church while Dr. Irene Dobbs Jackson broke racial barriers as a respected Spelman College professor and the first African American to receive a library card from Atlanta’s public library system. Their son, Maynard Jackson, Jr. spent his formative years there before becoming Atlanta’s first Black mayor. This property represents a pivotal chapter in Atlanta’s civic, religious and educational leadership during a transformative period in our city’s history. Restoring this space ensures that the legacy of these leaders continues to inspire and empower the community for generations to come.

Q: With plans to provide affordable housing for Spelman College faculty and students at 220 Sunset Ave., how do you see this honoring Dr. Irene Dobbs Jackson’s legacy and connection to the college?

A: Dr. Irene Dobbs Jackson’s legacy is deeply intertwined with education and empowerment. Under this innovative partnership, WFF will partner with Spelman College to lease units to its faculty and staff. The residents will also have the opportunity to participate in our Home on the Westside program. This unique collaboration creates a bridge between the property’s educational heritage and our mission to build long-term community wealth. This approach ensures the building’s preservation while creating meaningful opportunities for Spelman’s community members to establish permanent roots in the historic Westside.

Q: How does this development address the pressing issues of housing affordability and community displacement on Atlanta’s Westside?

A: Through our partnership with Spelman College, we’re creating an innovative model that supports housing access while preserving an irreplaceable piece of neighborhood history. The focus on supporting Spelman faculty and staff through a pathway to homeownership program aligns with our broader strategy of strengthening institutional connections to the neighborhood while creating opportunities for long-term community investment.

Q: Beyond affordable housing, how do you see this project contributing to preserving and elevating the Westside’s unique culture and history?

A: This project is deeply rooted in preserving and celebrating multiple facets of the Westside’s history. Vine City, where 220 Sunset Ave. is located, has historically been home to influential leaders, educators and advocates. The preservation of this property and its proximity to the King family home at 234 Sunset Ave. helps tell the story of how Atlanta’s civic, educational and religious leaders shaped our city’s history. By restoring it, we’re preserving an irreplaceable part of Atlanta’s story while uplifting the cultural pride of the community.

Q: Will this development serve as a model for combining historical preservation with modern community needs? If so, how?

A: This development sets a precedent for how historical preservation can serve community needs while maintaining historical authenticity. The restoration of 220 Sunset Ave. demonstrates that we can honor the past while creating new opportunities for community connection. The partnership with Spelman College shows how institutional relationships can support preservation while creating meaningful pathways for community investment. While the substantial costs of historic preservation make this specific model difficult to replicate widely, it provides valuable lessons about creative partnerships and the importance of preserving key historic properties that tell the story of our community.

Q: How does this project contribute to the celebration of Black history and Atlanta’s legacy as the cradle of the Civil Rights Movement?

A: 220 Sunset Ave. is a living symbol of Atlanta’s multifaceted Black history, representing excellence in education, groundbreaking political leadership and social progress. Its preservation celebrates the contributions of the Jackson family, and the property’s proximity to the King family home represents the remarkable convergence of transformative leadership that helped shape Atlanta’s progress. By restoring the property and giving it new purpose, we ensure these stories remain alive and relevant for future generations.

Q: Looking ahead, how do you see this project and others like it shaping the future of Atlanta’s historic Westside and fulfilling the vision of a community Dr. King would be proud to call home?

A: Projects like 220 Sunset Ave. are foundational to fulfilling Dr. King’s vision of the beloved community – one that honors its history while creating new opportunities for connection and growth. The preservation of 220 Sunset Ave. creates a powerful reminder of the transformative leaders who shaped our city’s history. This project ensures that the Westside remains a place of pride, resilience and inspiration – a community Dr. King would indeed be proud to call home.

As part of Black History Month, the foundation celebrates Atlanta’s Westside as the home of the Civil Rights Movement and a leading example of Black excellence. Through our Westside grant portfolio, we strive to make it possible for residents in this vibrant community to have the choice to stay and build a future in these historic neighborhoods.