Techwood Homes, Historic public housing district in Downtown Atlanta, United States
Techwood Homes was a residential district with brick buildings containing around 600 apartments, many equipped with bathtubs, electric ranges, and central laundry access. The site also included a kindergarten, library, and numerous garages, making it a self-contained housing community.
The site opened in 1936 as America's first public housing project, following President Franklin D. Roosevelt's dedication ceremony in November 1935. It was built on land that had previously been occupied by a shantytown called Tanyard Bottom.
The site operated under segregation policies until 1968, initially housing only white families before demographic shifts transformed the community. Visitors can see how the design and use of the space reflected and eventually challenged these divisions.
The area can be explored on foot using the walkways that offer views of the buildings and layout. It helps to learn about the site's history beforehand to better understand the transformations that occurred here.
The site was later redeveloped as Centennial Place and connected to Atlanta's 1996 Olympic Games. This transformation shows how places with complicated histories can take on new purpose and meaning.
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