Atlanta opens community input on seven redevelopment districts

The City of Atlanta and Invest Atlanta will host a virtual community meeting Oct. 8 to gather feedback on updated redevelopment plans for seven Tax Allocation Districts. The plans will guide future investment, infrastructure and development priorities across neighborhoods on Atlanta’s east, west and south sides.

Why it matters: - The updated redevelopment plans will steer future public and private investment in seven Atlanta Tax Allocation Districts. - The process could influence infrastructure upgrades, affordable housing, job creation and other community benefits tied to redevelopment funding. - Residents, business owners and property owners are being asked to help define neighborhood priorities before the plans are finalized.

What happened: - The City of Atlanta and Invest Atlanta are inviting people with ties to seven TAD communities to join a virtual community meeting on Thursday, Oct. 8, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. - The meeting is designed to collect input on updates to the districts’ Redevelopment Plans. - Eligible communities include Eastside, Westside, Campbellton Road, Metropolitan Parkway, Hollowell/MLK, Stadium Neighborhoods and Perry Bolton. - Mayor Andre Dickens, who also serves as board chair of Invest Atlanta, said the city wants residents and other stakeholders involved early in the planning process. - Dr. Eloisa Klementich, president and CEO of Invest Atlanta, said the update is meant to align future investments with community needs and priorities.

The details: - The virtual meeting will explain the redevelopment planning process and how TAD investments can support Atlanta communities. - Participants will be able to share priorities for future investment and learn how to stay engaged as planning continues. - The meeting is online and registration is available through the meeting page. - The Oct. 8 session marks the start of a broader community engagement process. - Several in-person meetings are planned in the coming weeks. - Community members are encouraged to keep submitting feedback as the Redevelopment Plans are updated. - Tax Allocation Districts are an economic development tool used to finance improvements in areas where development or redevelopment is needed. - TAD financing can support community revitalization, infrastructure improvements, affordable housing, job creation and other public benefits. - The updated plans will create a framework for future investments within the seven districts and guide projects and initiatives that advance redevelopment goals.

Between the lines: - Atlanta is signaling that neighborhood input will shape how redevelopment dollars are prioritized, not just how projects are presented to the public. - The focus on seven districts suggests the city is using a citywide planning update to align multiple communities under one engagement process. - The early outreach also gives the city and Invest Atlanta a way to test priorities before more specific project decisions are made.

What's next: - City officials and Invest Atlanta will hold additional in-person meetings over the next several weeks. - Community feedback gathered this fall will inform revisions to the Redevelopment Plans. - The final plans are expected to guide future investment and development decisions across the seven TADs.