Decatur Next

Our Commitment

A Decades-Long Work in Progress

Marta Opens Decatur Station

Completed 1979

Marta Opens Decatur Station
As proposals emerge for massive redevelopment, citizen concerns generate creation of the Downtown Redevelopment Task Force.
Redevelopment Task Force

1980-1982

Redevelopment Task Force
Public input sessions propel new visioning effort and result in creation of the Town Center Plan.
Town Center Plan

Adopted 1982

Town Center Plan
With formal adoption, the Town Center Plan charts a new course for downtown, becoming the basis for Decatur's renaissance.
One Town Center Comes Online

Completed 1985

One Town Center Comes Online
The Town Center Plan's first tangible outcome emerges with construction of a new downtown office building.
Restaurant Renaissance

Beginning 1987

Restaurant Renaissance
Entrepreneurial investment in downtown establishes the local business community as key implementation partners.
Downtown Hotel and Convention Center

Completed 1988

Downtown Hotel and Convention Center
Unique public-private partnership makes good on key Town Center Plan directive.
Ponce Plaza Offices Open

Completed 1991

Ponce Plaza Offices Open
Deft negotiating by the DDA finds a common ground solution with developer.
Streetscape Enhancements

Funded 1993

Streetscape Enhancements
New sources of funding launches years of downtown streetscape improvements.
Bus Relocation and Bandstand

Completed 1996

Bus Relocation and Bandstand
Livability takes a big step forward with key enhancements to the downtown Marta station and surrounding area.
CVS Development Challenges Assumptions

Completed 1998

CVS Development Challenges Assumptions
Development proposal reveals weaknesses in the city's downtown vision and spurs revisions for more predictable results.
Ice House Lofts Open

Completed 1999

Ice House Lofts Open
Creative design overcomes an ideological impasse with the U.S. Department of the Interior and brings the city's first new apartments in ten years online.
2000’s Ten Year Strategic Plan

1999-2000

2000’s Ten Year Strategic Plan
Residents and businesses unite to address conflict and chart a new course forward.
Towne Square Condos Open

Completed 2000

Towne Square Condos Open
Downtown's first residential development sets the standard for a whole new neighborhood.
Title Acquired to Depot

Acquired 2001

Title Acquired to Depot
Creative partnering saves a community landmark, then slowly brings it back to life.
Avondale Station Area Plan

Completed 2002

Avondale Station Area Plan
Transit-oriented neighborhood master plan builds upon the success of the city’s on-going revitalization efforts
SunTrust Building Replaces Parking Lot

Completed 2004

SunTrust Building Replaces Parking Lot
A willingness to compromise on both sides fosters redevelopment of key downtown parcel.
Renaissance Condos Open

Completed 2005

Renaissance Condos Open
Innovative structural design transforms existing parking deck into new, mixed-use building.
Comprehensive Plan

Updated 2005

Comprehensive Plan
State mandated policy document provides for a midterm check-up of our larger strategic goals and accomplishments.
335 W. Ponce Condos Open

Completed 2005

335 W. Ponce Condos Open
West Ponce's Deco/Modern past is augmented with a new, mixed-use, postmodern project.
Artisan Condos Open

Completed 2006

Artisan Condos Open
Signature project furthers downtown housing through redevelopment of surface parking lot at key intersection.
2007 Transportation Plan

Completed 2007

2007 Transportation Plan
Ambitious 2007 plan gets Decatur on the move, with equal focus on mobility, access, choice, and health.
Cultural Arts Master Plan

Completed 2010

Cultural Arts Master Plan
Arts-minded residents work with city to examine and leverage assets citywide.
2010’s Ten Year Strategic Plan

2010-2011

2010’s Ten Year Strategic Plan
City residents and businesses repeat and build upon the success of 2000's Strategic Plan, completing a new blueprint for the coming decade.
Zoning Task Force

Convened 2011

Zoning Task Force
Resident-led committee addresses areas where city ordinances fail to support the Strategic Plan.
Environmental Sustainability Plan

Adopted 2012

Environmental Sustainability Plan
Decatur gets green with a hard look at sustainability goals.
Unified Development Ordinance

2013-2015

Unified Development Ordinance
Extensive community process picks up where Zoning Task Force left off.
Place on Ponce Opens

Completed 2015

Place on Ponce Opens
Long pursued project leads the pack in new, downtown rental housing.
Better Together

Accepted 2015

Better Together
Expansive community conversation generates ideas for making Decatur a more fair, welcoming, and inclusive city.
Alexan 1133 Opens

Completed 2016

Alexan 1133 Opens
Residential building fills key hole in Commerce Drive streetscape.
The ARLO Opens

Completed 2016

The ARLO Opens
For-rent trend continues, adding to the diversity of the city’s residential offerings.
Comprehensive Plan

Updated 2016

Comprehensive Plan
State mandated policy document provides for a midterm check-up of our larger strategic goals and accomplishments.
PATH Connectivity Plan

Adopted 2016

PATH Connectivity Plan
Collaborative plan sets out to improve walking and biking as viable modes of transportation citywide.
E. Decatur Mixed-Use Zoning

Passed 2018

E. Decatur Mixed-Use Zoning
As market pressure intensifies in East Decatur, new zoning rules ensure compatible development.
2018 Transportation Plan

Adopted 2018

2018 Transportation Plan
Keeping Decatur mobile in an era of growth and change.
East Lake MARTA Master Plan

ADOPTED 2018

East Lake MARTA Master Plan
Transformative, transit-oriented plan for long underutilized station area emerges from lengthy community process.
Decatur Housing Summit

CONVENED 2018

Decatur Housing Summit
Day-long event, months in the planning, puts focus on housing affordability.
Legacy Park Master Plan

Adopted 2018

Legacy Park Master Plan
Community participation lays out long-term goals for the city's new, 77-acre green jewel.
Cortland Decatur East Opens

Completed 2019

Cortland Decatur East Opens
Decatur welcomes its first transit-oriented development outside of downtown.
Hampton Inn + Suites Opens

Completed 2019

Hampton Inn + Suites Opens
New hotel expands lodging options and conference possibilities in downtown Decatur.
AMLI Infill Block Opens

Completed 2019

AMLI Infill Block Opens
Mixed uses put key downtown site back on the city's tax rolls.
Legacy Park Housing Plan

Adopted 2019

Legacy Park Housing Plan
Additional efforts put finer point on Legacy Park affordability ambitions.
Affordable Housing Task Force

Accepted 2020

Affordable Housing Task Force
Citizen task force report gets tactical with affordable housing recommendations
Arcadia Decatur Opens

Completed 2020

Arcadia Decatur Opens
Three story apartment complex continues trend in transit-oriented development.
Inclusionary Zoning Enacted

Passed 2020

Inclusionary Zoning Enacted
City Commission takes swift action following release of Affordable Housing Task Force Report.
Stormwater Master Plan

Adopted 2020

Stormwater Master Plan
Decatur gets serious about the challenges of urban stormwater with this extensive community process.
2020 Strategic Plan

Adopted 2021

2020 Strategic Plan
A community-driven opportunity to map out priorities, policies, and projects for the next ten years.
Publix + Notion Project Opens

Completed 2021

Publix + Notion Project Opens
Mix of uses brings walkable retail, including grocery, to eastside residents.
Clean Energy Plan

Adopted 2022

Clean Energy Plan
Decatur offers regional leadership on local climate action via clean energy.
Missing Middle Housing

Passed 2023

Missing Middle Housing
Decatur creates a pathway for more middle income earners to find housing within city neighborhoods.
Recreatur Plan

Adopted 2023

Recreatur Plan
Decatur works out its parks and recreation master plan.
Modera Decatur Opens

Completed 2023

Modera Decatur Opens
Mixed use project replaces suburban-style, automobile-focused bank branch.

Decatur Diary | January 30, 2024

S. McDonough Traffic Calming Set for Commission Review

After two community workshops and a trial slip lane closure last Fall, final designs for the S. McDonough Street traffic calming project will be presented for City Commission review on Tuesday, February 20 at their regularly scheduled 7:30pm meeting...

Decatur Diary | December 13, 2023

Legacy Park Circulation Plan Discussed, Share Your Opinions Now

Interested residents gathered Wednesday, December 6 at Legacy Park to discuss a new circulation plan addressing roads, pathways, permeable parking areas, grass-structured on-street parking, and more. The effort is among the goals of the Legacy Park master plan...

Decatur Diary | November 28, 2023

Help Improve Circulation and Parking at Legacy Park

The Legacy Park Master Plan recommends a variety of infrastructure initiatives to improve circulation and parking across the 77 acre site — new roads, pathways, permeable parking areas, and grass-structured on-street parking among them. Now, we’re putting a finer point on those broad ambitions with the creation of a detailed Circulation and Parking Plan. You can help...

Decatur Diary | November 14, 2023

Derrydown Way Sidewalk Designs Presented; Review Now and Take the Survey

On November 9, area neighbors gathered to review and comment on proposed sidewalk designs for the southeast side of Derrydown Way between South Columbia Drive and Craigie Avenue. The designs build upon a concept originally presented in 2020.

Modifications to yards, trees, driveways, curbs, on-street parking and other features will likely be necessary...

Decatur Diary | November 13, 2023

Revised Designs Presented for South McDonough Traffic Calming; Still Time to Comment

Residents, commuters, College Heights ECLC parents, and others gathered November 8 to review the latest round of design options for the S. McDonough Street traffic calming project. The meeting continued discussions begun in September seeking balance between city transportation policy, resident advocacy for safety improvements, and neighboring desires to maintain the convenience of established traffic patterns...

Decatur Diary | November 8, 2023

Modified Coventry Road Traffic Calming Designs Ready for City Commission Review

When Coventry Road from Scott Boulevard north to the railroad tracks was added to the city’s yearly repaving schedule, public works staff recognized it as a cost-effective opportunity to improve local safety and quality of life conditions at the same time. Subsequent community meetings and surveys helped clarify the needs of local residents, commuter users, and school buses to find complementary solutions tailored to all.

Those solutions will now be presented for City Commission review on Monday, November 27 at their regularly scheduled 7:30pm meeting...

Decatur Diary | November 7, 2023

Residents Provide Input on South Columbia Multi-Use Path; Still Time to Take the Survey

In late October, interested Decatur residents attended a preliminary open house to share thoughts on the final phase of the multi-use path connecting Talley Street Upper Elementary with the East Decatur Greenway. The forthcoming work will extend the path from its current end at Legacy Park’s north entrance south to Katie Kerr Drive.

For those unable to attend, there is now an online survey where you can chime in on how the project should be designed...

Decatur Diary | October 26, 2023

Chime In November 9 on Derrydown Way Sidewalk Plans

Progress on neighborhood safety improvements continues with the planning of a new sidewalk on the southeast side of Derrydown Way between South Columbia Drive and Craigie Avenue. Join us for an open house on Thursday, November 9, between 6 and 8pm at Legacy Park’s Hawkins Dining Hall, 500 S. Columbia Drive to help guide the design.

The design will build upon a concept originally presented in 2020. Modifications to yards, trees, driveways, curbs, on-street parking and other features will likely be necessary.

Make plans now to attend, get up to speed on work to date, and make your mark …

Decatur Diary | October 25, 2023

S. McDonough Traffic Calming Discussion Continues Nov. 8

Residents, commuters, College Heights ECLC parents, and others are encouraged to join us, Wednesday, Nov. 8, between 6-8pm for an open house conversation on proposed S. McDonough Street traffic calming. The gathering takes place in the cafeteria of the College Heights Early Childhood Learning Center.

The meeting continues discussions begun September 27 seeking balance between city transportation policy, resident advocacy for safety improvements, and neighboring desires to maintain the convenience of established traffic patterns...

Decatur Diary | October 18, 2023

Help Shape Final Phase of South Columbia Multi-Use Path, Oct. 26

Now that work on the multi-use path connecting Talley Street Upper Elementary with the north entrance of Legacy Park is generally complete, we're moving forward with the project's final phase: extending the path south to the East Decatur Greenway at Katie Kerr Drive.

Decatur residents are invited to a preliminary open house, Thursday, October 26 from 6-8pm, to share thoughts on the path's design and landscaping as it travels along Legacy Park's frontage on South Columbia Drive. Find us in the park's Hawkins Dining Hall, 500 South Columbia Drive...
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