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 18, 2022

Shared Space Removed from Peachtree Street

On Monday, protesters gathered on Peachtree Street in Downtown ahead of the Atlanta Department of Transportation’s removal of the pedestrian improvements starting on Tuesday.

Advocates protest removal of project to protect lanes on Peachtree St. (AJC)

Atlanta's Peachtree Street traffic program to shut down (Axios)

Sam Massell

The life of former mayor Sam Massell was celebrated on Wednesday. Massell served on the old board of alderman before being elected Atlanta’s first Jewish mayor in 1969.

Sam Massell, progressive Atlanta mayor, has died (Axios)

Remembering Mayor Sam Massell (Atlanta History Center)

Competition or Conflict for County Commissioners

The Fulton County Board of Commissioners passed a resolution requiring any county employee to resign in order to run for a seat on the commission. Two staff members of a current commissioner who had qualified to run were told to resign or withdraw by Friday, but a Superior Court judge ruled for them to be placed on paid administrative leave until the matter can be resolved.

Judge blocks Fulton rule requiring candidates to quit county jobs (AJC)

Opportunities to Engage Next Week:

Monday, March 21

11:00am – Atlanta City Council Committee on Council Meeting
1:00pm – Atlanta City Council Meeting
7:00pm – NPU F and NPU Y

Tuesday, March 22

9:00am – DeKalb County Board of Commissioners Meeting
9:00am – Atlanta City Council Work Session: Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS (HOPWA)
2:00pm – Development Authority of Fulton County Board Meeting
6:30pm – Atlanta BeltLine Northeast Study Group Virtual Public Meeting Subarea 6 Master Plan Update
6:30pm – NPU O
7:00pm – NPU J
7:30pm – NPU D

Wednesday, March 23

9:00am – Development Authority of Fulton County Strategic Initiative Committee Meeting
3:00pm – Atlanta Housing Board of Commissioners
7:30pm – NPU W

Thursday, March 24

9:00am – Atlanta Board of Education Policy Review Committee Meeting
10:00am – MARTA Board of Directors Audit Committee & External Affairs Meetings

7:00pm – NPU N

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:

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.

CCI Policy Updates: March 18, 2022