Serving DeKalb & Metro Atlanta Volume 17 Number 13
www.ocgnews.com OCTOBER 1, 2011
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Conyers seeks to rezone Atlanta names downtown street, park massive tract, attract plaza for Xernona Clayton new businesses
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By Valerie J. Morgan
he gateway to the city of Conyers would get a fresh, new look—one that would spur economic development— if plans to amend the city’s Comprehensive Land Use Plan are approved. The city is seeking to create a Mixed-Use Development (MxD) District for the Central Conyers Activity Center—424 acres of land located south of Olde Town. By changing the zoning, officials say the city would eliminate blighted areas and establish architectural and landscaping requirements for businesses that move to the area and others that plan to renovate. “Since we began studying this area, we’ve determined the Central Conyers Activity Center is essentially the front door to Conyers, but it’s not the welcoming, well-kept entrance we’d like portrayed,” said Director of Planning and Inspections Marvin Flanigan. “By rezoning the multitude of various uses within the activity center, we will be able to improve its appearance, encourage new development, connectivity and hopefully, stimulate economic activity within the area.” The Central Conyers Activity Center was identified in a 2009 study as part of the city’s participation in the Atlanta Regional Commission’s Livable Centers Initiative (LCI) program. The massive tract is located south of Olde Town adjacent to Interstate 20 between the West Avenue and Georgia Highway 138 interchanges. The area borders Dogwood Drive and Green Street and includes older neighborhoods of modest homes and retail areas that have not seen any major redevelopment in years. Officials say the recent economic downturn has added to blight in some parts of the area. “Years ago, we had a lot of owneroccupied buildings. Now, we have a lot of renters in that area and the properties have declined,” Flanigan said. “We want to turn those non-conforming properties into attractive properties. It’s going to take some time, but we think that over time, investors will want to come because of the zoning in place to ensure that the area will remain an attractive one.” The city of Conyers Department of Planning and Inspections will conduct See May, page 7 INSIDE
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L-R: Dr. Erieka Bennett, Ambassador, African Union Diaspora, Accra. Ghana; Georgia Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle; Xernona Clayton, honoree; Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed; Atlanta City Council member C.T. Martin; and Ambassador Andrew Young
ATLANTA— Civil rights activist and broadcasting pioneer Xernona Clayton is officially one of the city’s living legends. City officials and others recently recognized Clayton with the dedication of a downtown street and park plaza named in her honor. Baker Street, N.W. between Piedmont Avenue, N.W. and Centennial Olympic Park Drive, N.W., was named Xernona Clayton Way; and the plaza at Hardy Ivy Park was named Xernona Clayton Plaza in September.
Clayton is only the second woman and the first African-American woman to have a downtown street named after her, following legendary author Margaret Mitchell. She was lauded for a lifetime of contributions to the community. “I am extremely honored by this gesture from the Mayor and the City Council. To have a street and a park dedicated in my name give me joy beyond See Clayton, page 6
DeKalb vows to push for I-20 rail line, show force at the ballot box
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By Valerie J. Morgan and Joshua Smith
eKalb County has waged a campaign to fight for the MARTA I-20 East rail line and officials say they will work to kill a 1 cent sales tax if they don’t get what they want. The board of commissioners unanimously approved an amendment for the Atlanta Regional Transportation Roundtable to increase funding for the I-20 project from $225 million to $522 million. “We invested for 30 years—$6 billion—paid the penny tax faithfully. We don’t have to settle for what they are offering,” said DeKalb Commissioner Larry Johnson, presiding officer for the Board of Commissioners. The I-20 rail project See Citizen, page 6
Photo by Joshua Smith/OCG News
Commissioner Larry Johnson (middle) is joined by other representatives fighting for the I-20 rail line in DeKalb.