After many starts and stops, East Point’s downtown could soon see new signs of life.
Officials announced the city received a $40,000 Livable Centers Initiative from the Atlanta Regional Commission. The city will match the funds and commission a study focusing on two areas -- the central business district on U.S. 29 and the area that abuts the soon to be shuttered Fort McPherson.
Jennifer Fine, the city's economic development director, said the study piggybacks on another study done in 2004, but will provide the city with more accurate marketing concepts for the city.
“It will help us decide what makes sense for future redevelopment,” she said.
The development plan will provide the detail necessary for the city to actively pursue and recruit signature mixed-use projects that capitalize on the area’s strengths, including existing affordable housing, access to MARTA and major employment centers, Fine added.
City leaders are also waiting for the results of a study from the Urban Land Institute that also focused on downtown redevelopment.
“When we have the results of both studies, we hope to create a synergy for redeveloping the area,” said Fine.
The ARC study will offer suggestions for zoning and land use for the area and aid the city in dealing with potential developers. Additionally, it will address market feasibility, connectivity, parking, affordable housing, signage and lifelong communities.
East Point’s grant is one of 14 awarded to communities in the region.
“Communities are eager to revitalize their town centers and underutilized properties to create places that foster a neighborhood feel and environment,” said Dan Reuter, ARC’s land use division chief in a news release. “LCI grants have helped communities re-imagine what their communities can be and then helped them make those plans a reality.”
Since the first LCI grants were awarded in 2000, more than 84,000 residential units, 20 million square feet of commercial space and 35 million square feet of office space are either planned, under construction or complete in the grant areas, ARC officials said.
City officials hope to get the study underway in May and have results by next February.
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