The '96 Olympics: Techwood and the New Face of Public Housing

Posted July 15, 2016

External Article: 90.1 WABE

Sam Nunn School of International Affairs Professor Thomas "Danny" Boston was quoted in “The '96 Olympics: Techwood and the New Face of Public Housing” for 90.1 WABE.

Excerpt:

‘The Old Bad History’

“Techwood Homes was a place you would not drive through,” said Thomas Boston, a professor of economics at Georgia Tech.

Where Centennial Place is now was the nation’s oldest public housing, Techwood Homes. Boston said on his regular commutes from the Atlanta University Center he steered clear from the area.

Like many public housing projects around the country, Techwood (seen here to the right of the interstate) grappled with drug violence and units in disrepair. 

“It was just such a distressed and troubled and violent neighborhood that you avoided it,” he said.

For the full article, read here.