The Walmart shopping center was removed from Avondale Estates’ annexation resolution — approved earlier this week — after a phone call from State Representative Karla Drenner (D-Avondale Estates) to Acting Mayor Terry Giager.

Drenner said the center was also on a map drawn by the proposed city of South DeKalb.

“I’m glad it’s removed,” said Commissioner Randy Beebe. ”It would’ve been a lot of trouble.”

It was estimated the center could generate $100,000 annually in property taxes. But Giager said that during a 12-month stretch in 2013-14 Walmart had 850 crime calls, which would require the city to hire two full-time police officers, essentially wiping out the tax revenue.

About the Author

Featured

The DeKalb school district is suing to recover money spent on cellphone lockers, plus money spent on implementing social media guidelines and hosting associated events, lost teaching time and to hire extra school counselors. (The New York Times file)

Credit: NYT