Blank:

Continued from Page 8 personal passions.”

In addition to running the family foundation, Twersky sits on the leadership team of Blank’s various for-profit businesses, which include events during the year. The city has pledged $1 million from its general fund to match the Spruill Center’s own contribution to the project.

“The Spruill Center for Arts is an integral part of service delivery in Dunwoody to our residents. Without a strong partner we would not have the many art courses and art camps available for residents in our community,” Dunwoody Mayor Lynn Deutsch said at the groundbreaking. “Not only do you serve people from Dunwoody, but we also attract people into our community who then invest, as well.”

In addition to the seven new classrooms, Mothner said plans call for a community room in the center’s main courtyard, which will allow them to “activate” the space and open up the opportunity to hold large classes and lectures.

“This is a beautiful courtyard space and we’re looking forward to having this open to the community as we celebrate the arts and continue to grow arts and culture here in our city,” he said.

To learn more about the Spruill Center for the Arts, visit spruillarts.org.

Funding the arts

The Roswell Arts Fund presented a budget request of $465,000 to fund public art projects across the city. In 2022, the organization created a “public art master plan” to be executed in the next four years.

Roswell Arts Fund Program Director Elan Buchen said the first year focused on building from the past. In the coming year, she said, the group hopes to refine and expand on the master plan. The most expensive project is ArtAround Roswell, a series of art activations across the city. Artist stipends and installation costs total $120,000.

The Arts Fund also proposed a $30,000 project centered in the Roswell trail systems called “Discovery of the Hidden,” which would create a series of temporary installations embedded into Roswell’s nature. Along with various other projects and an operations cost of $75,000 the organization requested just under half the Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta United, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Mountain Sky Guest Ranch in Montana, PGA TOUR Superstore and AMBSE Ventures.

In her role, Twersky has been impressed with the corporate, civic and philanthropic communities in Atlanta.

“There’s a lot of terrific corporate a million dollars.

Dunwoody City Council Members and local leaders break ground for an expansion project at the Spruill Center for the Arts in Dunwoody April 3. Officials said the expansion project will add seven new classrooms and a large community space to the growing arts center.

Two other groups, the Roswell Historical Society and the Historic Roswell Beautification Project also presented their budget requests for 2024. The Roswell Historical Society, with a newly opened museum in the Cultural Arts Center is seeking $69,500 in archivist, guest services coordinator and assistant salaries.

Historic Roswell Beautification requested budget allocations for two components: $39,259 in flower installation and maintenance and $26,000 in general maintenance around downtown Roswell. The group also asked for general “assistance from the city” on maintaining the city’s landscape.

Bond issuance

At the City Council meeting that followed the work session, Roswell Finance Director Ryan Luckett presented a resolution to declare the city’s intent to move for - giving in Atlanta,” she said. “It’s quite stunning to me. It’s different than any other city I’ve ever lived in. I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s an important part of the tapestry of Atlanta.” ward with the first issuance of the $179.6 million general obligation bonds voters approved in November 2022.

And Blank has been among Atlanta’s top philanthropic leaders for decades.

“The act of giving itself brings so much purpose to my life,” Blank said.

The bonds include three parts, $20 million for a downtown public parking deck, a $52 million bond for public safety capital projects and a $107.6 million bond for recreation and parks.

“The voters have unanimously voted for these projects, and we’re excited to get these rolling and the staff has been working so hard on it,” Councilman Peter Vanstrom said.

The first issuance of bond funds totals $86.2 million. Once the first bond issuance is completed, the city’s debt payments will begin in February 2024. Once the amount of money issued is determined, the city will also decide on the estimated millage rate increase to cover the debt.

The actual sale of bonds will occur on May 22 and the sale will close by June 8.

“You always get more than you give, and it’s infectious. I’m inspired when others around me join in, and when I see our businesses and foundation coming together to bring more value to philanthropy and community service.”

This story originally appeared on SaportaReport.com.