CCI Policy Updates: March 11, 2022
The Center for Civic Innovation's mission is to increase civic participation and elevate more effective solutions in Atlanta by inspiring people to take action, investing in the work of local community leaders, and advocating for policy change. We believe that informed and civically-engaged residents are the key to making Atlanta the city we all know it can be.
We started this Weekly Policy Update series to provide our community with important and relevant policy updates. Each post recaps the past week and provides a look ahead at what's on the agenda next week, including opportunities for everyone to engage within the community. We hope you’re inspired to take action, support and invest in local community leaders, and advocate for public policy that reflects the needs and voices of everyone who calls Atlanta home.
Policy Update – March 11, 2022
Future of Shared Peachtree Questioned
The City of Atlanta suddenly announced the removal of the Peachtree Shared Space project designed to make the street friendlier to people outside their cars. In spite of data showing the project’s positive impact and secured funding for future phases, opponents have persuaded officials to discontinue the project, at least temporarily.
City of Atlanta Wraps Up Peachtree Shared Space Demonstration Project (press release)
City plans to remove people-friendly project on Peachtree Street (Urbanize)
More Parks
A portion of the City’s waterworks along Howell Mill Road has reopened to the public as a park after being “temporarily” closed off for security ahead of the 1996 Olympics. The City also announced it has acquired property that will provide the city’s first public access to the Chattahoochee River and a planned 53-mile corridor of parks and paths.
Park closed since the 1996 Olympics reopens in Northwest Atlanta (WABE)
City Hall Federal Corruption Trial Underway
The trial of Mitzi Bickers in the federal investigation into corruption at Atlanta City Hall got underway following pandemic-related delays. The City placed a Deputy Commissioner in the Department of Transporation on leave following allegations emerged in court that she’d accepted $30,000 from Bickers to steer million-dollar contracts to particular contractors.
Atlanta employee on administrative leave over ties to bribery trial (AJC)
Election Qualifying
Candidates for Congress, statewide office, the General Assembly, and certain county offices qualified to run in this May’s primary election ahead of the general election this November.
Candidates confirmed for 2022 election in Georgia as qualifying ends (WABE)
Opportunities to Engage Next Week:
Monday, March 14
10:00am – Atlanta Housing Commission Meeting
2:00pm – Atlanta City Council Public Safety & Legal Administration Committee Meeting
3:00pm – Invest Atlanta, URFA, and DDA Finance Committees Meeting
Tuesday, March 15
10:00am – Atlanta City Council City Utilities Committee Meeting
1:30pm – Atlanta City Council Community Development & Human Services Committee Meeting
6:30pm – NPU K
Wednesday, March 16
9:30am – Atlanta City Council Transportation Committee Meeting
1:30pm – Atlanta City Council Finance & Executive Commitee Meeting
6:00pm – Atlanta Alcohol Technical Advisory Group III Meeting
6:30pm – Atlanta Tree Conservation Commission Appeal Hearing
7:00pm – NPU I
Thursday, March 17
12:15pm – Atlanta Board of Education Budget Commission Meeting
6:00pm – Governing Board of the Office of the Inspector General Board Meeting
Friday, March 18
Saturday, March 19
Upcoming and Other Opportunities to Engage:
Thursday, March 24, 6:00pm – NPU University: Housing Security Series | Avoiding Housing Scams & Reducing Property Taxes
Are you aware of the pitfalls and scams to avoid in homeownership? This course provides information on property tax exemptions that can help homeowners lower their property tax bills as well as information on how to appeal property tax assessments before the annual April 1 deadline.
Thursday, April 7, 6:00pm – NPU University: Introduction to Invest Atlanta
In this introductory course, participants will learn about programs offered by the City of Atlanta’s economic development agency.
What We’re Reading:
What makes this era of Atlanta's gentrification different? (Atlanta Civic Circle)
NPU system's open-meeting issues should get clarity in new reforms (SaportaReport)
New leadership installed at the Atlanta Regional Commission (SaportaReport)
Atlanta city leader points to Knoxville policy to combat loud cars (Fox 5)
What the heck is going on in Georgia higher ed? (Atlanta Magazine)
To make these updates better, we need your input! What was most informative or helpful? What did we miss? Please email us at policy@civicatlanta.org.