Bekki Fox and Molly Majestic presented a proposed Community Development 5-year 2024-2028 Consolidated Plan for the commissioners consideration. As part of the development of the plan a survey was conducted that drew 181 responses.
The primary needs could be blocked into four categories, housing, public services, public facilities and economic development. Affordable single family housing was at the top of the housing category, mental health services at the top of the public services category, clearance and demolition of dilapidated structures at the top of public facilities and small business development assistance at the top of the economic development category..
Based on the results of the surveys, Community Development intends to continue its focus on housing rehabilitation efforts, sidewalk improvements, public facilities and neighborhood park improvements and small business assistance. Community Development Director Bekki Fox said these are pretty much the same priorities that were identified five years ago and the five years before that. “It’s not changing, it's very consistent,” Fox said. Public hearings on the plan will be held before it is submitted to HUD sometime next spring.
City Manager Sammy Rich reported that public hearings for the new Mount Berry and North Rome redevelopment districts will be conducted sometime prior to January 1 to nail down the specific districts which could become designated for Tax Allocation District redevelopment assistance.
The committee also discussed plans for a Pocket Park at 216 East 20th, adjacent (some day) to the new Lindale Trail. The Land Bank Authority has assembled some land and will work with TRED on the project in addition to undertaking perhaps as many as four new home projects in the immediate area of the park.
For questions about the Community Development 5-year 2024-2028 Consolidated Plan, contact Community Development at 706-236-4477