BeltLine Vision Moves Closer in Northeast Corridor
Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. and NE BeltLine, LLC have negotiated a public-private partnership to jointly own and develop the northeast (NE) corridor of the BeltLine property currently owned by Wayne and Keith Mason, pending final negotiations.
This public-private partnership is the first of many successful collaborations that Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. will initiate to bring the visionary 25-year project to fruition. “This is a tremendous step forward for the BeltLine,” said Mayor Shirley Franklin.
Once the acquisition is complete, Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. will control 20 percent of the BeltLine right-of-way, positioning the City of Atlanta to control the right-of-way and manage future development along the northeast corridor. Negotiations for acquisition of the remaining right-of-way, currently owned by GDOT (Georgia Department of Transportation) and private rail companies, have been initiated.
The NE Corridor represents the third major acquisition for the BeltLine. In 2006, the City purchased the Bellwood Quarry, to be transformed into a 351-acre park and 45-acre drinking water reservoir. In June 2007, the City purchased Boulevard Crossing, a 21-acre industrial area, for $9 million from the Trust for Public Land. Boulevard Crossing will be transformed into one of the nine park “jewels” identified in renowned urban designer Alex Garvin’s “Emerald Necklace” study.
To date, the BeltLine project has acquired more than $1.5 billion in new investment and has more than 60 projects underway within its Tax Allocation District (TAD), stimulating job and economic development within the city.
For More on the NE Corridor and Other BeltLine Updates, Visit here.
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Mayor, Police Chief Host Public Safety Forum
On Saturday August 11 from 8:30 – 11 a.m., Mayor Shirley Franklin and Atlanta Police Chief Richard Pennington will host a Public Safety Forum, free and open to the public.
The Public Forum will be held in the Georgia Power Corporate Headquarters Auditorium, located at 241 Ralph McGill Boulevard, Atlanta, 30308. A light breakfast will be served at 8:30 a.m. The forum will begin at 9 a.m. and will include a question-and-answer session.
For more information, contact Catherine Woodling at cwoodling@atlantaga.gov or call 404.330.6763 or Judy Pal at jpal@atlantaga.gov or call 404.817.6906.
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Award-winning Conservation Workshops Help Residents Save Water, Reduce Bills
The Department of Watershed Management (DWM) “U-Fix-It” workshops show Atlanta water customers how to conserve water – and reduce bills! – by installing simple devices in their toilets, faucets and showers.
With "U-Fix-It", DWM customers can save up to hundreds of dollars per year. Workshops employ actual plumbing fixtures like a toilet tank, shower head and faucet attached to pieces of plywood where attendees learn how to install the various components of a water-saver kit (provided by DWM) as well as which tools to use.
“It’s one thing to hand somebody a package with a low-flow shower head, a couple of sink aerators, and a toilet bladder; it’s another to show people how to use all these things,” said Marilyn Johnson and Diane Badger, “U-Fix-It” co-creators.
Since 2004, DWM has hosted 18 workshops. In April, “U-Fix-It” earned an “Honorable Mention” at the 2007 GAWP (Georgia Association of Water Professionals) Conference in Macon, Ga. Since its inception, other municipalities – including the City of Gainesville and Cobb County – have created similar workshops.
For more information on U-Fix-It workshops, contact Nettie Douglass at 404-589-2684. For additional water conservation tips, view this slideshow.
DWM employee Daphne Rackley demonstrates how to install water-conservation devices to water customers at City Hall. |
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Community Festival Gathers Residents, City Officials to Stop Crime
Tonight, the City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Weed and Seed and the Atlanta Police Department (APD) will join local communities to host a community festival in support of the 24th Annual National Night Out anti-crime campaign.
National Night Out is one of the country’s most successful crime prevention initiatives. This community-policing program partners public safety officials with community members to organize drug prevention, youth programs and neighborhood watches to stymie crime growth.
Hundreds of residents and activists will converge on the Mechanicsville Community’s Rosa Burney Park and Dunbar Recreation Center, located at 447 Windsor Street, Atlanta, 30312. Activities include public safety clinics, a cookout, back-to-school giveaways and more.
Last year, the Mayor’s Office of Weed and Seed received the 2006 National Night Out “Rookie of the Year” Award. To rally community support, Atlanta’s Mechanicsville, Pittsburgh and Vine City neighborhoods renamed themselves the “Weed and Seed Communities of Atlanta.”
Join a National Night Out Program in Your Neighborhood. For more information about Atlanta’s Weed and Seed Initiative, visit here.
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Did you know that storm drains have a direct link to our creeks, streams and rivers? What's more, water that goes into the drains isn't treated before it's released. That's why it's critical that we pay attention to what ends up on our streets. If it ends up in the street, it will find its way into a storm drain. Click here to go to the VOD page where you can watch a video to learn more.
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Rave Reviews!
- Yesterday, Mayor Shirley Franklin joined former President Bill Clinton and civil rights activists and luminaries to celebrate the Southern Christian Leadership Conference’s (SCLC) 50th anniversary and announce its new Atlanta headquarters. The new headquarters will be located within the Auburn Avenue Historic District, former home to SCLC co-founder Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. SCLC has a distinguished history in Atlanta and the country, working to overcome racial, social and economic prejudice. For more information about this venerable institution, visit www.sclcnational.org.
Mayor Shirley Franklin joined luminaries like former President Bill Clinton at the ribbon cutting for the new SCLC Headquarters in Atlanta. |
- Congratulations to the Office of Cultural Affairs (OCA) for the stunning finale of its summer programs and activities including ARTSCooL, Summer Murals, Public Art and Chastain Arts Center programming. After eight (8) weeks of instruction from professional artists, ARSTCooL students learned new talents. The ninth annual Summer Murals program concluded with four new murals in Atlanta neighborhoods. The Public Art program completed the restoration of “Spirit Bench,” a gem that has been part of Atlanta’s public art collection since the 1970s. Students at Chastain Arts Center are preparing to close out the Summer Solstice session, which included drawing and jewelry making classes. OCA summer programming was made possible through DPRCA (Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs) and AWDA (Atlanta Development Workforce Agency). For more information, visit www.ocaatlanta.com.
This mural was completed as part of the OCA 2007 Summer Murals Program. |
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Upcoming Events & Volunteer Opportunities
- The Atlanta Women’s Agenda (AWA) will host “Hidden in Plain Sight: Two Years Later,” at the City Council Chambers on Tuesday August 21 from 7:30 – 9 a.m. This will be an update on strategies and solutions to end child prostitution. This event is a quarterly Mayor’s Breakfast Roundtable and is FREE and open to the public. Reservations are requested. To RSVP, email RSVP@womensagenda.com.
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Job Announcements
With the City of Atlanta’s online application system, you are able to create an account and select a Username and Password and then log in to your account.
After your account has been established, you can create an application by clicking on the “Build Job Application” link. Once your application is completed, it will be stored in the system and can be used to apply for future job openings. To get started by viewing current open positions, click here.
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Weekly Features
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