600 Plus Residents Kicked Off Decatur's 2020 Strategic Plan

DECATUR, GA — More than 600 Decatur residents gathered together Thursday evening at the Marriott Courtyard’s Decatur Conference Center to kick off the city’s 2020 strategic planning process. The last plan was released in 2010. Mayor Patti Garrett opened up the night saying that she was delighted to see so many people in the audience.

“Tonight’s turnout gives me hope,” she said, adding that past initiatives started with the community coming together first. “I have high confidence in this process.”

Garrett was joined by Mayor Pro Tem Tony Powers, Commissioner Kelly Walsh (District 1), and newly elected Commissioner Lesa Mayer (District 2) and Commissioner George Dusenbury (District 1).

The process is designed to be community-driven so that residents have the opportunity to map out the city’s priorities, policies, and projects for the next decade, city officials said.

Thursday’s meeting launched the first phase of that process, the “Citizen Roundtables,” which is a series of small group discussions for community members to discuss their concerns.

One diverse group of seven spent an hour doing introductions and touching on what attracted them to the City of Decatur. The “family-feel” came up, as well as the arts and culture scene. Others appreciated the school system, saying its top ranking makes it a coveted place to be.

When it came to areas they’d like to see improved, affordable housing was one issue. Others suggested infrastructure and transportation.

Tynesha Haynes, a resident and parent of a 16-year-old daughter, said they moved from the Lithonia area to Decatur for the school district.

“We did research, came across Decatur and loved it,” said Haynes. “She’s had more opportunities here than she would have had in other places.”

This was Haynes first planning meeting and she came in with no expectations, she said.

“It makes me happy to see that so many people want to get together and ensure that Decatur remains a place that is welcoming and inviting to everyone,” she said.

Affordable housing is an issue Haynes said she wants to see addressed, adding that there are limited options for those in the middle class.

For Meredith Swartz, a parent of a kindergartener and second-grader, she said the school system and walkability of Decatur attracted her family.

“We really love the feel of Decatur,” she said. “I love that it is a collection of small businesses and diversity. It’s not a cookie cutter community with every house that looks the same and a chain restaurant on every corner.”

Swartz volunteered to be a group facilitator for the discussion and said her group is diverse and shares a common ground.

“As we get further into the conversations, though, the tradeoffs will become more apparent,” she said. “I think finding that balance between what we want to do and what we are able to do, given that we exist in a larger ecosystem, will be an interesting path to navigate.”

She also added that she wants Decatur to remain an inclusive community that's safe and welcoming to all.

City Manager Andrea Arnold shared with attendees that this planning process is crucial.

“This plan is about your future,” she said.

Referencing 2010, Arnold said that of the 89 tasks, 83 have been completed, with the others in the process. “The city does what it says it’s going to do,” she said.

Planning and Economic Director Angela Threadgill said that the population growth has added nearly 5,000 more people since 2010. Residents 50 and older have increased by nearly 40 percent. Residents with advanced degrees have grown by 30 percent. Citing a recent Citizen Survey, Threadgill said most residents call Decatur a safe place to live and they like the overall quality of life.

Areas that were marked as “negative,” include poor traffic signal timing, difficult public parking and affordable quality housing, according to the survey.

Recent efforts to address those concerns included forming an Affordable Housing Taskforce, a Community Transportation Plan, Stormwater Management Plan, Legacy Park Plan and more, said Threadgill.

The Roundtable groups will meet three more times over the course of the winter to discuss Decatur’s future. The city anticipates to be at the review and adoption phase between September and October of 2020.