Gentrifying Neighborhood Qualifies as a Federal 'Opportunity Zone'

The state of Georgia's Opportunity Zones designations included one choice that raised questions about the purpose of the new federal program.

1 minute read

June 5, 2018, 8:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Atlanta, Gergia

sevenMaps7 / Shutterstock

"Georgia recently unveiled its 260 'Opportunity Zones'  — designations included in a new federal program, aimed at spurring investment in struggling areas," reports Stephannie Stokes.

The state's choice of Opportunity Zones has raised some eyebrows, however, as the list includes the neighborhood of Edgewood on Atlanta’s eastside. According to Stokes, Edgewood "might not fit many people’s image of struggling," as homes are selling for $900,000 and new apartment buildings open around MARTA transit stops.

Similar questions about designating gentrifying areas as Opportunity Zones have also been raised in Portland, Oregon.

Tuesday, May 29, 2018 in WABE

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Wastewater pouring out from a pipe.

Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage

Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”

April 13, 2025 - Inside Climate News

High-rise apartment buildings in Waikiki, Hawaii with steep green mountains in background.

Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss

The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.

April 6, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

7 hours ago - Diana Ionescu

Streetcar and bus stopped at station on Market Street in San Francisco with Ferry Building visible in background.

Waymo Gets Permission to Map SF’s Market Street

If allowed to operate on the traffic-restricted street, Waymo’s autonomous taxis would have a leg up over ride-hailing competitors — and counter the city’s efforts to grow bike and pedestrian on the thoroughfare.

4 hours ago - San Francisco Examiner

Parklet with wooden benches and flower boxes on street in Ireland.

Parklet Symposium Highlights the Success of Shared Spaces

Parklets got a boost during the Covid-19 pandemic, when the concept was translated to outdoor dining programs that offered restaurants a lifeline during the shutdown.

5 hours ago - Streetsblog San Francisco

Bronze statue of homeless man (Jesus) with head down and arm outstretched in front of St. Matthew Cathedral in Washington D.C.

Federal Homelessness Agency Places Entire Staff on Leave

The U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness is the only federal agency dedicated to preventing and ending homelessness.

6 hours ago - The New York Times