Mechanicsville (Atlanta)

Mechanicsville is a neighborhood of Atlanta, Georgia. It sits in the shadow of both downtown Atlanta and Turner Field. The neighborhood is bounded by:

• I-20 on the north, across which is Castleberry Hill and Downtown Atlanta
• the I-75/I-85 Downtown Connector on the east, across which are Summerhill and Peoplestown
• the Southern Railway lines on the southwest, across which is Pittsburgh

Mechanicsville is in NPU V.^[1]

History

Mechanicsville is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Atlanta. The neighborhood sprang up in the late 19th century, adjacent to several railroad lines just south of downtown. The name "Mechanicsville" comes from the "mechanics" that worked on the railway lines. It was once a vibrant multiethnic community with working class blacks and middle class whites, and home to several prominent merchant families, including the Rich family, of department store fame.

Its decline was caused by urban renewal, migration to the suburbs, and the construction of Atlanta Fulton County Stadium and the nearby interstate highways. The city of Atlanta has targeted the area for revitalization.

The movie ATL was filmed here. Big Gee of Boyz n da Hood was born and lives there.

Education

Atlanta Public Schools serves Mechanicsville.

Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System operates the Mechanicsville Branch.^[2]

Neighborhood associations

The primary neighborhood organization is the Mechanicsville Civic Association. This group works closely with SUMMECH, the local CDC, to develop and implement strategies for revitalization of the neighborhood.

In popular culture

In the film ATL, the main characters, Rashad (played by rapper T.I.) and Ant (played by actor Evan Ross), both lived in Mechanicsville.

References

External Links

• SUMMECH CDC
• Mechanicsville Report, Community Development Plan Update 2004