The Atlanta City Council unanimously approved the creation of an oversight commission for Mayor Andre Dickens’ $5 billion plan to encourage development in historically neglected neighborhoods in south and west Atlanta.
The resolution passed at the Nov. 17 meeting establishes a 13-member Neighborhood Reinvestment Initiative Commission consisting of representatives of civic institutions, foundations, nonprofits, and government officials to provide advice and recommendations on improving redevelopment efforts in economically depressed, underutilized, or strategically significant areas.
The body will consider legislation to extend eight active tax allocation districts (TADs), which are set to expire in the next five to 13 years, until 2055.
The Neighborhood Reinvestment Initiative is a key pillar of Mayor Dicken’s Moving Atlanta Forward agenda. The initiative seeks to use the TADs to raise money for major investment projects along the Beltline, Perry Bolton, Hollowell/MLK, Eastside, Westside, Stadium, Campbellton, and Metropolitan to strength affordable housing, public safety, public spaces, health, wellness, and dependable government.
Plans for the $5.1 billion worth of investment include $1.9 million for expanded transit networks; $1.5 billion in trails and greenspace; $1.3 billion in single- and multi-family affordable housing projects; $170 million supporting health centers, recreation, and grocery; $88 million reserved for small business and commercial development, and $81 million in public infrastructure.
“We are working to ensure that every Atlantan lives in a healthy, whole, safe neighborhood where they can work their way up the economic ladder and ultimately live a choice-filled life,” said City of Atlanta Chief of Staff Courtney English, who is leading the effort. “We will build parks, trails, and green spaces. We’re going to increase access to transit. We’re going to make sure that we have enough high quality and reliable infrastructure. We’re going to build affordable housing, grocery stores and childhood education centers in these specific neighborhoods.”
The approved resolution included two changes introduced at Nov. 17’s meeting: the commission will deliver its findings by March 31 instead of by June 30, and specific groups were identified in the legislation that were previously unspecified.
The city council also rejected a proposed ban on short-term rentals in Northeast Atlanta, including Buckhead and Lindbergh.
Dist. 7 City Council member Howard Shook introduced the legislation, stating that the “proliferation of the use of property for short-term rentals in and near residential zoning districts has impacted the quality of life for residents and threatens to disrupt the distinctive character of neighborhoods within northeast Atlanta.”
The council had previously approved a short-term rental ban in the Home Park neighborhood adjacent to Georgia Tech.
Other approved legislation on Monday included ordinances authorizing the acquisition of 17.6 acres of the Conservation Fund for $221,000 for the expansion of Riverwalk Park and 2.5 acres for $351,000 for the expansion of the City’s outdoor activity center in southwest Atlanta; a resolution allowing the issuance of $35 million in revenue bonds to finance a portion of the costs of acquisition, construction, and equipping of the 218-bed multi-family rental facility, Trinity Central Flats; a resolution urging the Department of City Planning to remove all of-street parking minimum requirements citywide; and resolutions requesting that the Georgia General Assembly explore the establishment of statewide free or reduced-rate parking for vehicles displaying valid disabled person parking placards or license plates and the feasibility of increasing funding for transit systems.
The city council also honored outgoing Council President Doug Shipman, who will be handing the position off to President-elect Marci Collier Overstreet. Overstreet presented Shipman with the Spirit of Atlanta Award.
“I’ve tried to meet the expectations of our bosses: each of you who live in the city of Atlanta,” Shipman said. “Every day, you’ve been the reason that I’ve gotten up, you’ve been the reason I’ve come to the office, and you’ve been the reason why I’ve tried to bring my best to this position. Thank you for welcoming me to this role. Thank you for letting me serve you for a few years, it has been the honor of my life. Godspeed to this city.”
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This article was updated on Nov. 18 to include other passed legislation at the Nov. 17 Atlanta City Council meeting.