148 Edgewood Avenue SE
Story
Built in 1926 by the Georgia Railway and Power Company, this substation played a crucial role in powering downtown Atlanta. In 1966, it was acquired by Georgia State University (GSU), which repurposed the building for various uses, including as a workspace for the university’s photography department. The structure is a key part of both the local Martin Luther King, Jr. Landmark District and the national Martin Luther King, Jr. Preservation District, underscoring its historic significance.
Threat
Despite its self-evident connection to the locality, GSU has proposed demolishing the building to create a surface parking lot. The university, along with the Georgia Board of Regents, asserts sovereign immunity, exempting it from the historic preservation zoning ordinances that would typically protect the site from demolition. With a demolition permit signed by Governor Kemp, GSU continues discussions about the destruction of this contributing building in an already threatened National Register District.
Disclaimer: The Georgia Trust does not own nor has any direct involvement with this historic site. The Trust’s involvement is limited to listing it on our Places in Peril list to bring awareness to it.
