Take a bow, Decatur.

Despite the challenges of a global pandemic and the limitations on in-person meetings that the crisis requires, hundreds of residents have kept the conversation going, setting the stage for the next phase of our Strategic Plan process. Here’s where we are in that process:

On Thursday, November 19, from 4 to 5:30 p.m., everyone’s invited to the first of four virtual sessions designed to narrow in on priorities for the Plan. We’re calling these sessions Decatur 202s, since they’re part info sharing and part community discussion...

Let’s keep the discussion going.

As the stresses of the COVID-19 pandemic persist, Decatur’s Destination: 2030 strategic planning process remains committed to capturing the full range of ideas and opinions held by Decatur residents.

That’s why we’re rolling out the Strategic Plan Virtual Forums, an online meeting place where those who live here, work here, worship, play or shop here can add to or comment on the topics raised during the recently completed Citizen Roundtables — or put something new on the table. And it can all be done at your own convenience via a smartphone or a home computer...

It may seem like another era when we all gathered — IN PERSON! — for a boisterous kick-off of the Citizen Roundtables conversations back in January. The global pandemic intruded, forcing restrictions on how many people could physically gather in close proximity. But the work-around worked.

“I think we can all be proud of the way citizens adapted to the COVID emergency,” says Decatur Mayor Patti Garrett. “It says a lot about Decatur’s tradition of collaboration on issues important to the community’s future...”

It was a classic Decatur moment.

What’s likely to go down as the largest community engagement event in local memory unfolded Thursday evening, January 23, 2020, at the Marriott Courtyard’s Decatur Conference Center.

“I’m amazed at the turnout,” said Decatur Mayor Patti Garrett, as she opened the night’s program before a standing-room-only crowd of more than 600 that included all five members of the City Commission and senior City staff...

Just over a week out from our Thursday, January 23 Strategic Plan Kick-Off and hundreds of Decatur neighbors have registered to participate in the Citizen Roundtables that will fuel the process. Are you among them?

It's not too late...

Back from the holidays and planning for 2020? Joining your neighbors for Decatur’s most important planning effort should be on your resolutions list.

Specifically, we’re updating Decatur’s Strategic Plan, which will establish the priorities, policies and projects we pursue over the next decade. Go here to sign up for the Citizen Roundtable discussions that will help shape it...

Many of you were among the nearly 1,500 Decatur residents of all ages and backgrounds who contributed time and ideas to the Strategic Plan that has guided City policy, planning, projects and budgets since 2010. Now it’s time to look towards our next ten years with Destination:2030...