Summerhill Atlanta, Georgia: A Local Guide to One of the City’s Oldest Neighborhoods

Summerhill is one of Atlanta’s oldest in-town neighborhoods, sitting just south of Downtown Atlanta and immediately east of the Mercedes‑Benz Stadium and Georgia State University’s Center Parc Stadium. If you live in Atlanta, are thinking about moving in-town, or you’re visiting and want to understand this fast-changing area, Summerhill is worth a closer look.

This guide focuses on how Summerhill works in real life for Atlanta residents and visitors: housing, things to do, transportation, schools, safety context, and local services.

Where Exactly Is Summerhill in Atlanta?

Summerhill is in southeast Atlanta, in the 30312 ZIP code. It’s part of Neighborhood Planning Unit (NPU) V.

You’ll typically see its boundaries described roughly as:

• North: I‑20
• West: Capitol Gateway and the Georgia State Stadium area (Center Parc Stadium)
• South: The neighborhoods of Peoplestown and Chosewood Park
• East: The BeltLine-adjacent areas toward Grant Park

Summerhill is directly adjacent to:

• Downtown Atlanta (a short drive or bus ride)
• Grant Park & Zoo Atlanta (east)
• Peoplestown (south)
• Capitol Gateway & Georgia State facilities (northwest)

For anyone who wants in-town access without being right in the busiest part of Downtown or Midtown, Summerhill’s location is a key draw.

A Quick Look at Summerhill’s History and Character

Summerhill is one of Atlanta’s post–Civil War neighborhoods, historically home to a large Black community and several waves of growth, decline, and renewal. Over the years, it has been shaped by:

• The former Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium and later Turner Field
• Highway construction (especially I‑20)
• Public housing and later redevelopment efforts
• Georgia State University’s expansion around the old stadium site

Today, Summerhill is known for:

• Historic homes (especially early 20th-century bungalows and cottages)
• New townhomes and infill construction
• A growing restaurant and retail district along Georgia Avenue SE
• Ongoing redevelopment around the former Turner Field, now Center Parc Stadium

You will notice a mix of old and new—longtime residents alongside students, young professionals, and families moving into renovated or newly built homes.

What It’s Like to Live in Summerhill

Housing Types and Feel

Summerhill offers a mix of:

• Single-family homes (older bungalows, renovated houses, and new-builds)
• Townhomes and small condo buildings
• Duplexes and small multifamily properties

The neighborhood has a residential feel on side streets, with bigger development and more activity near Georgia Avenue SE, Hank Aaron Drive SE, and the stadium area.

People who choose Summerhill tend to value:

• Proximity to Downtown, Midtown, and major job centers
• Being close to I‑20, I‑75/85, and Memorial Drive
• Walkable or bikeable access to nearby neighborhoods like Grant Park and Peoplestown
• The feeling of a historic neighborhood that’s still evolving

If you’re considering living in Summerhill, it helps to walk the streets at different times of day—commute hours, evenings, and weekends—to understand the noise, traffic, and activity levels near the stadium and Georgia Avenue corridor.

Things to Do in Summerhill and Nearby

The Georgia Avenue Restaurant & Retail Corridor

The heart of modern Summerhill activity is along Georgia Avenue SE near Hank Aaron Drive SE. This corridor has been redeveloped with:

• Restaurants and cafés (fast-casual to sit-down dining)
• Small local shops and services
• Outdoor seating and sidewalk activity, especially on weekends and game days

If you live nearby, this can serve as your neighborhood “main street” for grabbing coffee, meeting friends, or picking up a casual meal.

Center Parc Stadium and the Stadium District

The former Turner Field site is now Center Parc Stadium, mainly used for Georgia State University football and other events. For residents, this brings:

• Occasional game-day crowds and traffic
• Extra activity on surrounding streets during events
• Seasonal energy and sometimes parking demand on nearby blocks

If you’re visiting, you can plan around stadium events by checking schedules in advance so you know what traffic and parking to expect.

Parks and Green Space Nearby

While Summerhill itself is fairly dense and urban, several green spaces are easy to reach:

• Phoenix II Park (within or near Summerhill, small neighborhood park)
• Grant Park – One of Atlanta’s largest and oldest parks, just east of Summerhill
• Zoo Atlanta – Located within Grant Park, a short drive or bike ride away
• Planned and existing BeltLine connections to the south and east

Residents often combine these with local streets for walking, jogging, or biking loops including Grant Park, Summerhill, and nearby neighborhoods.

Getting Around Summerhill: Transportation & Commutes

Driving and Major Roads

Summerhill sits near several major Atlanta routes:

• I‑20 (to the north) connects to I‑75/85 and the rest of the metro
• Hank Aaron Drive SE and Capitol Avenue SE connect to Downtown
• Memorial Drive SE (just to the north) runs east–west across intown neighborhoods

For drivers, this can mean:

• Quick highway access for commuting to Midtown, Buckhead, or the suburbs
• Congestion during peak rush hours and around major events

Parking is a mix of on-street parking and driveways/garages depending on the home or building.

MARTA Buses and Rail

Summerhill does not have a MARTA rail station within the neighborhood, but several options are nearby:

• MARTA Rail (closest stations):

  • Georgia State Station (Blue/Green Line) – north of I‑20
  • King Memorial Station (Blue/Green Line) – northeast of Summerhill
  • Garnett Station (Red/Gold Line) – southwest of the Capitol area

• MARTA Bus Service:
  Bus routes typically run along major corridors leading into or near Summerhill, such as:

  • Capitol Avenue / Hank Aaron Drive
  • Memorial Drive
  • Connections to Downtown, Five Points, and the State Capitol area

If transit access is important to you, confirm current routes and schedules and consider how far you’re willing to walk to the nearest frequent bus stop or rail station.

Walking and Biking

On many streets, Summerhill can feel walkable for everyday errands, particularly if you live near:

• Georgia Avenue SE (restaurants and services)
• Bus stops on main roads

For biking:

• Some residents bike into Downtown, Grant Park, or along nearby routes that connect to the Atlanta BeltLine.
• As in much of Atlanta, biking conditions vary by street—some offer quieter residential routes, while others have heavier traffic.

Schools and Education in and Around Summerhill

Summerhill is within the Atlanta Public Schools (APS) system. School zoning can change, so it’s important to verify current attendance zones by address, but you’ll likely see references to:

• Elementary: A nearby APS elementary school serving the area, often shared with adjacent neighborhoods
• Middle and High: Zoned APS middle and high schools that draw from multiple southeast Atlanta neighborhoods

Because of Summerhill’s proximity to other established neighborhoods, families sometimes consider:

• Charter schools within APS
• Magnet and specialized programs that require applications
• Nearby private or parochial schools in southeast and intown Atlanta

Summerhill is also very close to several higher education campuses, including:

• Georgia State University (GSU) – especially with its expanded presence around Center Parc Stadium
• Easy transit or driving distance to Atlanta Metropolitan State College, Morehouse, Spelman, and Clark Atlanta University to the southwest

Everyday Services and Local Resources in Summerhill

Groceries, Pharmacies, and Essentials

Residents typically rely on a mix of nearby and short-drive options for daily needs:

• Neighborhood convenience stores for basics
• Larger grocery stores a short drive away on Memorial Drive, Moreland Avenue, or in nearby Grant Park and Southeast Atlanta corridors
• Pharmacies located along major roads and in adjacent neighborhoods

Because Summerhill is compact, many residents combine errands with drives to Grant Park, Edgewood, or Downtown where there are more full-size retailers.

Government and Public Services

Living in Summerhill, you’re part of the City of Atlanta within Fulton County (and close to the DeKalb County line to the east).

Key local contacts include:

• City of Atlanta – City Hall
  55 Trinity Ave SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
  Main information line: (404) 330‑6000
  Useful for: city services, water billing, permitting, code enforcement questions.

• Atlanta Police Department – Zone 3
  (Summerhill is typically within the APD Zone 3 coverage area.)
  Non-emergency line (Atlanta Police): (404) 658‑6666
  Emergency: 911

• Fulton County Government Center
  141 Pryor St SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
  Main line: (404) 612‑4000
  Useful for: property tax questions, some court services, county-level records.

Community and Neighborhood Involvement

Summerhill participates in Atlanta’s Neighborhood Planning Unit (NPU) system. Residents can attend meetings to:

• Hear about zoning and development proposals
• Share feedback on transportation, public safety, and parks
• Stay informed on city initiatives affecting Summerhill

Summerhill falls under NPU-V, which also covers nearby neighborhoods like Peoplestown and Mechanicsville.

NPU meetings are open to the public and typically held monthly. The City of Atlanta’s NPU office can provide:

• Current meeting locations and times
• Agenda topics and how to participate

City of Atlanta NPU Office (Department of City Planning)
Phone (main planning line): (404) 330‑6070

Safety and Noise Considerations

As with many intown Atlanta neighborhoods experiencing redevelopment, Summerhill has:

• Active construction in some areas
• Event-related traffic, parking, and noise near Center Parc Stadium
• The usual urban considerations—lighting, foot traffic, and property upkeep vary by block

Residents often pay attention to:

• Block-by-block differences: Some streets are quieter and more residential, others are busier near the commercial corridors.
• Neighborhood watch and community groups: Many intown communities use online and in-person channels to share updates and coordinate with APD.

Before renting or buying, it can be helpful to:

• Visit the area at night and on weekends
• Drive through during a stadium event to see traffic and parking patterns
• Talk to current residents about their experiences on specific streets

Quick Reference: Summerhill at a Glance

How to Decide if Summerhill Fits Your Needs

If you’re living in Atlanta and considering Summerhill, or you’re exploring in-town neighborhoods, you might:

• 🚶‍♂️ Walk Georgia Avenue SE to get a feel for the commercial core
• 🚗 Test your commute to your job or school at rush hour
• 📍 Check your specific address for current school zoning and MARTA access
• 🏘️ Attend an NPU-V meeting or neighborhood gathering to hear directly from residents

For visitors, Summerhill is a simple add-on to a day in Downtown or Grant Park—you can:

• Stop by for a meal or coffee on Georgia Avenue
• Walk around the former stadium area and note how it’s being repurposed
• Combine it with a visit to Zoo Atlanta, Oakland Cemetery, or the State Capitol nearby

Understanding Summerhill in the context of Atlanta’s larger in-town landscape helps you see why it attracts people who want historic character, in-town access, and a front-row seat to a rapidly changing part of the city.