Chattahoochee Brick Co. and Atlanta RiverLands Community Conversations

Meet the consultant team, learn about the project, get updates on the archaeological process, and share your insights into this site and Atlanta's trail network along the Chattahoochee River.

The Chattahoochee Brick Company, owned by former Atlanta Mayor James W. English, supplied bricks for the construction of industrial buildings and city of Atlanta infrastructure, such as roads and sewers starting in 1885. The factory used leased convict labor, forcing primarily African American men, who were often arrested under petty or dubious charges, to work under brutal, sometimes fatal, conditions to produce a profit for the company’s owners. The Chattahoochee Brick Company ceased operations in 1972 and General Shale Brick, its successor, demolished all of the buildings in 2011.

The City purchased the site of the former factory in August of 2022 with the intent to create a public greenspace and memorial to those who labored and died here. The planning for the use and design of the site will be a public process with all welcome to participate.

While the Chattahoochee RiverLands Study presents a regional vision, significant work remains to advance this vision locally. There are approximately 7 miles of Chattahoochee riverfront along the western edge of the City of Atlanta. Approximately four miles of that riverfront, dubbed the ‘Atlanta Reach’ will be activated as part of the Chattahoochee RiverLands.

This stretch of the river will be one the most accessible in the region, with up to 3 potential water access points along the Blueway Paddle trail, 5 proposed greenway trailheads, 4 future regional trail connections, and 15 existing bus stops within a 15-minute walk. This segment of the RiverLands will also complete connections with many regional trails including the Atlanta BeltLine, the Silver Comet Trail, the Whetstone Creek Trail, and the Proctor Creek Greenway as well as a RiverLands trail segment being advanced on the Cobb County side of the river.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

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