Implementing the Atlanta BeltLine

February 5, 2013

Date: Thursday, February 7, 3012
Time: 6:30pm to 8:00pm
Location: Atlanta Metropolitan College, Dennard Center, 1630 Metropolitan Parkway SW, Atlanta, GA 30310

Details: Join Atlanta City Councilmembers Joyce Sheperd, Carla Smith and Cleta Winslow for a community meeting:

What are the next steps for the Atlanta BeltLine?

The Atlanta BeltLine is a massive, comprehensive project that touches more than 45 neighborhoods. While a great deal of work has been accomplished in the past six years, there is much more to do. We must answer important questions about how we build the rest of the project – and we can only do that with your help.

We need your help to help inform the priorities of the project moving forward. The upcoming meeting is your opportunity to hear about how we are shaping this plan, and what criteria we will use to prioritize projects. Most importantly, it is an opportunity to provide your input on how we move projects forward using these criteria.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Beth McMillan, Director of Community Engagement at 404-477-3550 or bmcmillan@atlbeltline.org
Lynnette Reid, Atlanta Beltline Community Engagement at 404-477-3551 or lreid@atlbeltline.org

Sad House Turns Community Park

March 31, 2012

Stokes Avenue Park Before

Sometimes progress appears slow, but patience and hard work show that good things come to those who wait.

A property at 1556 Stokes Avenue, commonly referred to by neighbors as “the blue box,” was an eyesore for years. The 1980s infill construction was a bland looking two story box with a faux roof, siding falling off the walls, and overgrown grass. As with many code enforcement issues, the owner of the property was hard to track down, but was eventually found and a court date was set for March 2010.

The story turns out to be quite a bizarre one. When members of the community showed up in court to fight against the owner it became known that the property, among others, had been left in the woman’s name by her estranged husband. Only recently being made aware of the properties she was quick to come to an agreement of signing the property over to the community so the house could be torn down and turned into a pocket park.

With the help of the University Community Development Corporation (UCDC) the property was demolished in October 2011 and turned over to the community. And thanks to two grants, the “NPU-T” grant and the “Love Your Block” grant, the land will be turned into a pocket park for neighbors to enjoy!

Stay tuned for updates on how this sad house will be turned into a community spot.