City Beginnings

Happy Anniversary

to the City of Brookhaven on its 10th Anniversary thank you for great leadership and progress

DENNIS WILLIAMS President & Ceo

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2022 Board Chairman

of the Brookhaven Chamber of Commerce

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It almost wasn’t called ‘Brookhaven.’

When legislation to create a new city south of Dunwoody was debated in the state Capitol, not everyone liked the idea of calling it “Brookhaven.” There already was an established neighborhood with that name and part of that neighborhood was within the city of Atlanta.

So, when a committee of state lawmakers considered an early version of the bill creating Brookhaven, the name was changed to ‘Ashford,’ supposedly to avoid confusion. The change didn’t last long. Within a few weeks, the name was changed back to Brookhaven.

In the decade since, Brookhaven has carved its own place into the map of metro Atlanta. Residents elected newly minted city officials who created a police department and other city operations from scratch, took control of the community’s parks, fought a strip club and late-night bars in court, and expanded the city to include new areas, including one where medical towers now rise.

The Brookhaven Reporter asked some of the city’s founders and others who have been active in building the new community what they thought of Brookhaven as it approaches its 10th birthday. We also asked current City Council members to look ahead at the city’s next decade.

Here’s a look at Brookhaven at 10. Just don’t call it “Ashford.”

For more content, visit reporternewspapers.net/brookhaven-at-10.

BY JOE EARLE Editor’s Note

When I look back after a decade at the controversy over cityhood , I laugh a little. Of course, there were some valid concerns expressed. However, the hyperbolic “You’ll be bankrupt in a year, they’ll raise your taxes, and you won’t have enough police” was just bad politics. It came from an inefficient county government that desperately wanted to keep hold of our uneven tax burden. “Police, Parks and Paving” was the mantra for Brookhaven Yes and I am proud that our city continues to do a great job with our original mission. However, the recent “nondiscrimination ordinance,” which can shut down a business for ‘misgendering’ customers, is over the top and patently unconstitutional. We could also do a better job really listening to our constituents on neighborhood issues. On balance, Brookhaven still does most things very well and I am extremely proud to have been the first mayor of Georgia’s best place to live. J. Max Davis | Brookhaven’s first mayor

It has been exciting to see the many things that have been accomplished since our founding on Dec. 17, 2012. I am especially proud of our police department. The partnerships with the diverse areas of Brookhaven as well as the leadership and quality of our officers is truly the gold standard. As with any new venture or new city, we have hit a few bumps in the road. But the city of Brookhaven will continue on a positive trajectory. Brookhaven has active, engaged residents, a proactive Chamber of Commerce and wonderful organizations like The Latin American Association, The Peachtree Creek Greenway, numerous civic associations, Murphey Candler groups and the Brookhaven Police Foundation. We also have a thriving, engaged small business community and the Cherry Blossom Festival, both of which make Brookhaven a destination to live and play. I am proud to be a part of this great city.

J.D. Clockadale | Co-founder and president of the Brookhaven Police Foundation, and commissioner on the Governor’s Commission on Brookhaven, which helped set up city institutions before the first election of City Council members

July 31 Voters approve creation of new city of Brookhaven. Nov. 6 City holds first election for mayor and City Council. More than two dozen candidates seeks office. Dec. 4 In runoff, voters choose J. Max Davis mayor and elect Rebecca Chase Williams, Bates Mattison and Joe Gebbia to join Jim Eyre on the first City Council. Dec. 17 City of Brookhaven opens for business.

2012

A Place Where You Belong

Happy 10th Anniversary, Brookhaven!

Spend the day or evening on the Town!

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ANCHORS • Costco • LA Fitness • LOOK Dine-In Cinema Marshalls • Publix APPAREL & ACCESSORIES • Dress Up • Vestique SHOES & BICYCLES • Big Peach Ride + Run HEALTH, WELLNESS & BEAUTY • 18|8 Fine Men’s Salon • Atlanta Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery & Dental Implant Center • Benchmark Physical Therapy • Brookhaven Orthodontics • Emory Clinic • European Wax Center • GNC (General Nutrition Center) • Intown Pediatrics • The Joint - The Chiropractic Place • Massage Heights • Nail Talk & Tan • Saks Salon • Salon Red • Town Dentistry • Vein Clinics of America • Vida-Flo: The Hydration Station DINING • 26 Thai Sushi & Bar • Crumbl Cookies • The Flying Biscuit Café • HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern • Kilwins • Lucky’s Burger & Brew • Moe’s Southwest Grill Newk’s Express Café • Red Pepper Taqueria There Restaurant and Bar • Tropical Smoothie Café Urban Wok • The Wing Guru (Opening Soon) HOME FURNISHINGS & DÉCOR • Redefined Home Boutique SERVICES • Brookhaven Alterations • Brookhaven Animal Hospital • Corporate America Family Credit Union • FBC Mortgage • Keller Williams • Reflections Eyecare • Town Cleaners ELECTRONICS, MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT • AT&T TRAVEL & TOURISM • Explore Brookhaven

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Brookhaven has changed a lot under the new officers in place. There has been construction all around the street where I live. Water saturation is awful -- no drainage -- so the water on heavy rainy days remains in our yards until the ground dries. It’s a main street, so no one has made any attempt to correct the drainage unless there’s a complaint. Several of my neighbors complain to each other, but hardly none attend the council meetings. I am not a jolly citizen right now. I assume that we have to complain a lot to get things done. There have been several meetings concerning our neighborhood, but most are delayed or placed on a back burner. We have been waiting several years for one. Certain events gets the city’s full support and some partial or maybe none. Why? It’s our neighborhood. Why are we still waiting? We had a large amount of funding, but a very slow completion. I have lived here seen the changes, but very slow action of completion. Barbara Shaw | Long-time Lynwood resident and neighborhood activist

As a 30-year member of the Brookhaven business community, I witnessed the formation of a unique city. Brookhaven maintains the small town charm of quiet residential enclaves with nearby exciting shopping destinations and night life. Brookhaven attracts a wide variety of residents and patrons but unique as it retains and celebrates its diversity. Brookhaven’s leadership since its formation through innovation and determination has established Brookhaven as a leader in the metro Atlanta business market place. Its leadership has been comprehensive and compelling towards economic growth and development. Over the last 10 years, commercial, residential, health care and it’s chef-driven hospitality industry has blossomed. The Brookhaven Chamber of Commerce has played a vital role in advocating independently owned businesses. With a stellar Brookhaven Police Department, neighborhood parks and green-space, and conservancy services, Brookhaven has evolved as a great place to work and play. If a neon sign hung over the city it would shine “welcome!” Dennis Williams | Chairman, Brookhaven Chamber of Commerce

The Peachtree Creek Greenway opened its first mile in 2019, only six years into its short history. Amazing and incredible! The work began when the stars aligned, and the city was new. The mayor, council members, and the community recognized the value that a multi-use trail would bring to the underserved corridor alongside Buford Highway and I-85. Over time, the PCG will connect Atlanta, Brookhaven, Chamblee, Doraville, and unincorporated DeKalb County to the BeltLine. But without the City of Brookhaven, the plan still would be languishing on dusty shelves. I’m proud to live in Brookhaven and to have founded the advocacy nonprofit, the Peachtree Creek Greenway, Inc. The work is a marathon, and not a sprint. Betsy Eggers | Founder of the Peachtree Creek Greenway

‘They’ say that the older you get, the faster the time goes. Even so, it’s hard to believe that 2022 will mark my 69th year of living along a 3-mile stretch of the Nancy Creek basin, and my 10th year of living in the city of Brookhaven. The city that I helped found builds on a heritage of ancient foothills, forests, creeks, and wildlife. As suburbs gave way to cities, it became increasingly apparent that the only road open to us was to move forward by working together. That goal has been realized. Our ancient forests are thriving. Our zoning regulations assure that our homes and workplaces complement their natural landscape. Our commitment to partner as public as public servants with our residents assures our further progress towards a fully realized urban life which keeps past, present, and future in balance. Tom Reilly | Volunteer for the National Wildlife Federation and member of Brookhaven Tree Conservancy

The year of three mayors

In June, J. Max Davis resigns to run unsuccessfully for a seat in the state Legislature. On June 9, Councilmember Rebecca Chase Williams takes over as mayor. In September, Williams announces she won’t run again because of family health issues. On Nov. 3, John Ernst is elected mayor, the city’s third.

2015