The Atlanta City Council approved funding for a plan to curb homelessness in the inner city. A $26 million bond for housing, shelter space and other resources to help the homeless population will be added to $25 million already promised by the United Way. About $7.6 million in funding from the Homeless Oppportunity bond will be used for the acquisition and rennovation of shelters over the next three years.
Although specific facilites haven’t been determined, there are facilities in downtown Atlanta that could work.
Peachtree-Pine, currently the city’s biggest shelter will be shutting down in August. After years of rows with nearby landowners, grossly past-due utility bills, high crime rates, an outbreak of tuberculosis and other woes, the near misses have finally become a direct hit.
The nearly century-old former car dealership was shelter to nearly 500 people who had nowhere else to go.
Do the funds and promised professional help seem like they will turn the tide that has seemingly been growing for decades? Send comments to communitynews@ajc.com. Responses may be published in print or other formats and may be edited for length and/or clarity.
AT ISSUE: SHOULD MARIETTA USE EMINENT DOMAIN TO TURN A VIABLE BUSINESS INTO A PARK?
Is it right for Marietta to force Ray Summerour to sell his Brenda’s Grocery, an independent neighborhood store, so the city can build a children’s park in its place? The eminent domain case is pending before the Georgia Supreme Court.
Here’s what some readers had to say:
Where's the outrage? Marietta residents should demand that city officials play by the rules. What message does it send when government officials get to interpret the law as they choose? Ironically, the 2006 Landowner's Bill of Rights was revised with provisions, policies and procedures to avoid litigation. I would encourage the city of Marietta to create a separate web portal that defines the eminent domain process and provides property owners with electronic access to property value appraisals and other needed information. Transparency is much more than a buzzword. It should be an everyday practice for Marietta leaders. — Suzanne Forte
Because many parks include a concession stand for beverages and snacks, why not include Brenda's Grocery as one of the park's amenities? Allowing Mr. Summerour to continue to provide groceries to the community would increase the value of the park and encourage more people to use it. If his grocery store needs upgrading in order to meet current building codes, perhaps a community event such as a foot race or festival could raise the necessary funds. — Sandy Golden
A person should not give up his livelihood to create a park without the owner being fully OK with the plan. Don't be a bully; if you want it, get the proper people on board – owners, neighbors and city! Can't we all just get along? — Christine LaTour
I happen to live around the corner from the grocery store in question and see a real simple solution to this problem. Why can't the city of Marietta buy the property and rebuild the store with five-year free rent? If they are building a park, wouldn't it be nice to get something to drink or eat at the new store? The gentleman that owns it is correct that there is NOT a grocery store in walking distance. The government just wants to bully everybody instead of working with an old-time true Marietta businessman. It's only a matter of time until Baptist Town is gone to new homes; it's already happening. Let's grow up and be real, people. — Maurice Levitt
No, government should not force a man to give up his livelihood, and a neighborhood to give up its only grocery store, for a children's park. A children's park is not a "worthy purpose." Any time government wants to do something it should not be doing, it drags out that tired old irksome phrase, "Let's do it for the children," and somehow that is supposed to make it right. — John Wells
Regarding the potential eminent domain proceeding by Marietta against Brenda's Grocery, I do not think it is right for the city to force him to give up his store and deprive the local population of the only grocery many of them use. The "worthy purpose" statement regarding the children's park is debatable as well. — Claude Williams Jr.
(A park) would be nice for the kids, but not if it puts people who can't afford a car and have no public transportation with no way to get groceries. I'm sure there must be an alternative for the city of Marietta. There is no alternative for the people who walk to this store, nor for Ray Summerour who would lose his livelihood. I hope Mr. Summerour wins this, because it would be not only a win him, but for his customers as well. — Reba Nyen
David Ibata for the AJC
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