How Low Can We Go? Working Together to Conserve Water
The Atlanta Civic Center – a City owned and operated facility – has put several water-saving measures in place that are drastically reducing consumption to conserve the state’s water resources.
The Civic Center boasts 350,000 – 450,000 visitors annually. To reduce the amount of water visitors consume, the Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs (DPRCA) put the following conservation measures in place.
- Replaced 94 faucet vales to reducing flow for a savings of 2 gallons per minute. Replaced 11 slop sink valves to reduce water flow to ½ gallon per minute. Prior to this change, slop sinks were not controlled.
- Replaced 28 shower heads to reduce water flow for a savings of ½ gallon per minute.
- Replaced 103 toilet valves to reduce water usage for a savings of one gallon every flush.
- Replaced valves on 20 urinals to reduce water flow for a savings of 2.9 gallons per flush.
- The Civic Center fountain has been turned off.
- Fall seasonal planting was cancelled to reduce watering by a professional landscaper.
What will this save? Here are some examples:
- Each sink is used an average of 2 minutes to wash. 2 gallons saved per minute is 4 gallons x 94 sinks (based on an average use of 5 times per show) = 1880 gallons saved per show.
- Each toilet is used an average of 5 times a show. 103 toilets x a savings of 1 gallon = 515 gallons saved per show.
- Each urinal saves 2.9 gallons per flush. Based on an average of 4 flushes per show x 20 urinals = 232 gallons saves per show.
Is There More You Can Be Doing to Conserve Water? Need Help Figuring Out The Best Way To Conserve Water at Home or Work? Visit www.atlantawatershed.org For Step-by-Step Tips and More.
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New Downtown Parking Deck Convenient to City Hall
Beginning Monday December 3, visitors to downtown Atlanta will find parking much more convenient thanks to the new Government Center Parking Deck to open on Central Avenue, near City Hall and the Municipal Court of Atlanta.
The new 24-hour-lot is convenient to facilities on Government Walk. It is across the street from City Hall and the Municipal Court of Atlanta, and within close proximity to the State Capitol, the Fulton County Government Complex and several federal buildings. There will be 855 spaces (25 handicapped) to be shared between the public and City Hall employees, with three separate entrances on Central Avenue, Washington Street and Memorial Drive.
Weekday parking prices range from $2 for ½ hour of parking to $10 for 3 hours or more; after 6 p.m. and all day weekend prices are $4. The deck was funded with bonds issued by the Atlanta Development Authority (ADA).
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Job Readiness Courses Prepare Residents for Long Term Employment
The Atlanta Workforce Development Agency (AWDA) offers a series of free career-oriented courses in Industrial Maintenance, Computer Training, GED preparation, ISI Training and Resume Writing.
The courses are designed to prepare Atlanta residents for meaningful, long-term employment. Course descriptions include:
- Industrial Maintenance – This is a basic construction course which includes carpentry, plumbing, masonry, electrical, and safety training.
- Computer Training – This is a six-week basic computer training and skill-builder course. Internet access for job searches and Microsoft Office programs for employment and school projects will also be available.
- ISI Training – This is a computerized, occupation-specific, skills program designed to provide interactive self-paced courses for AWDA customers preparing for entry-level employment in high-demand occupations.
- Resume Writing and Workforce Readiness courses will be available for AWDA customers. The course includes different types of resume styles; the “do’s” and “don’ts” of interviewing; work ethic; punctuality; appropriate attire; and the concept of teamwork.
- GED courses – This is being provided in partnership with the Atlanta Public Schools (APS) for residents who have not yet earned a high school diploma.
Atlanta residents who are interested in participating in any of these free courses should visit the AWDA offices at 818 Pollard Boulevard, Atlanta, 30315; or call 404.658.9675; or visit www.atlantaworkforce.org.
An AWDA customer participates in the Industrial Maintenance training course. |
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Grow Your Business: Tools from the Atlanta Development Authority
The Atlanta Development Authority (ADA) – the City of Atlanta’s economic development agency – has a variety of incentive-based programs designed to support business growth in diverse industries across the city.
- The City of Atlanta Economic Opportunity Fund – ADA administers this fund as a tool to win major job-creation projects within the city. This is a grant program that can be applied based on project needs.
- Financing Programs –ADA manages a variety of financing programs including taxable and tax-exempt industrial revenue bonds and direct loan programs that can be used toward working capital, real estate and equipment.
- Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ) – The City of Atlanta administers several UEZs and has the ability to create new ones. The City’s program offers a 10-year-abatement on real and personal property for improvements and new equipment which declines over the term of the program.
- Private Activity Bonds – With these taxable bonds, ADA can pass along ad valorem tax relief to clients in the form of an abatement from real and personal property taxes over a 10-year period, starting with a 50 percent abatement in year one and adding 5 percent annually until the end of the term.
- Employee Recruitment and Training Assistance – The Atlanta Workforce Development Agency brings businesses, job seekers and training providers together so that every business can be staffed with skilled workers. AWDA can assist with employee recruitment, job fairs and customized and on-the-job training.
- Renewal Community – Certain areas of the City of Atlanta have been designated as renewal communities. Federal tax incentives for these areas include a commercial revitalization deduction to developers, a wage tax credit to the employer, a deduction up to $143,000 for equipment expenses and a 100 percent capital gains exclusion for RC assets held for a minimum of five years.
- Hubzone – Certain areas of the City of Atlanta have been designated federal hubzones. The Hubzone program provides federal contracting opportunities for qualified small businesses located in distressed areas.
For more information about these programs, contact Gregg Simon at 404.614-8301.
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Imagine being rewarded for recycling? Well, this best-in-class concept is coming to Atlanta. Mayor Shirley Franklin recently announced an incentivized recycling pilot program and several other recycling initiatives during the first ever Atlanta Recycles Day. Click here to learn more about these initiatives.
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Rave Reviews!
- The City Office of Cultural Affairs has dedicated new art in the recently renovated Dunbar Neighborhood Center, created through the City’s Percent for Art initiative. This initiative provides funds for the acquisition and maintenance of artwork from 1.5 percent of new construction projects. Dunbar is located at 477 Windsor Street, Atlanta in NPU V. Titled the “NPU V Seedling Project,” this initiative paired Atlanta artist Lisa Tuttle with citizens from NPU V including youth from the City’s Camp Best Friends program. Tuttle created artwork that represents Atlanta’s “past, present and future.” For more information on this program, contact Dorian McDuffie, Public Art Administrator, at dmcduffie@atlantaga.gov.
Youth from the NPU V community partnered with Atlanta artist Lisa Tuttle to create public art to be displayed at the recently renovated Dunbar Recreation Center. The partnership was created through the Office of Cultural Affairs (OCA) Percent for Art Initiative. |
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Upcoming Events & Volunteer Opportunities
- In Atlanta, Every Day is An Opening Day … Holiday Lights, Southern Nights! Every year this time, the city of Atlanta turns into a playground for the young and the old with a variety of holiday-themed events. Ever seen a gorilla wrap a gift? On Saturday December 15, Zoo Atlanta morphs into the North Pole from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Zoo members enjoy complimentary hot cocoa, cider, cappuccino, coffee and tea. Take in a showing of The Atlanta Ballet’s Nutcracker from December 1 – 30, and keep your ticket stubs for $3 off regular admission to Zoo Atlanta. Atlanta tradition – A Christmas Carol, playing at the Tony Award Winning Alliance Theatre – returns Friday November 30 – December 24. For more holiday events, visit www.atlanta.net.
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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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