via Commissioner Rader...
Decatur, Ga. DeKalb Commissioners Kathie Gannon and Jeff
Rader are pleased to announce that DeKalb County has been awarded a Livable
Centers Initiative (LCI) planning grant by the Atlanta Regional Commission for
the area surrounding Suburban Plaza. The planning study will bring together
citizens, businesses and property owners to reach a consensus on future
developments and public improvements in the area. The study area includes
portions of Scott Boulevard and North Decatur Roads from Medlock to DeKalb
Industrial Way, as well as Church Street.
The study area includes the campus of DeKalb Medical,
Suburban Plaza, Patel Plaza and nearly 30 acres of vacant car lots. “This
location is excellent and it is vastly underutilized,” said Gannon. “I believe
this area can be successfully redeveloped for mixed-use developments that will
bring new vibrancy and improve the quality of life for the surrounding
residential areas.”
“This area developed as one of the regions first suburban
commercial corridors in the early 1970’s,” said Rader. “The character of the area has changed and it
is time to re-imagine and plan for the future development in this important
gateway to Decatur and DeKalb.”
The study area is near several large employment centers and
is served by MARTA and the Cliff shuttle buses that run to the Clifton
Corridor. In addition the area could serve as a magnet for senior housing with
its close proximity to DeKalb Medical, the VA Hospital, and Emory University
Hospital. “We believe the area can be a solid location for housing,” said
Gannon. “The challenge will be bringing employers and creating an environment
that is more pedestrian oriented.”
“The redevelopment of Suburban Plaza proves there is a good
demand for retail space,” said Rader. “The LCI planning process will ensure
that the surrounding communities can have some input in how the area develops
in the future.”
Gannon and Rader have been working on this project for more than
two years and had filed for an LCI before Wal-Mart announced their intentions
to locate in Suburban Plaza. The study will have little if any impact on
Wal-Mart, but the redevelopment of Suburban Plaza will likely encourage
additional retailers to be interested in the area. In addition there are
numerous vacant car lots that need redevelopment. A number of local businesses
pledged to support the LCI study: DeKalb County Hospital Authority, DeKalb
Medical, Selig Enterprises, Patel Brothers and the City of Decatur.
The next step will be for DeKalb County to request proposals
for consultants to conduct the study, which will review future land use and
transportation opportunities. LCI studies often result in new zoning
regulations and transportation improvements. The nationally recognized ARC
program is intended to create developments that reduce the Atlanta region’s
dependence upon automobiles. Studies usually require 9-12 months to complete.
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