Mayor Steve Tumlin gave a general idea of how the funds would be spent, stating the city would like to buy up the blighted apartment complexes along Franklin Road, in order to sell the property potentially to commercial developers. The Mayor discussed:
- Build a connecting road that connects Franklin Road with Barclay Circle off Cobb Parkway to help alleviate traffic associated with Southern Polytechnic and Life Universities,
- Improving the aesthetics of Whitlock Avenue
- Converting the vacant Lemon Street School into a museum to honor the history it has in Marietta
Look for a solidified project list within the next two months. His additional options will be discussed at the May 9th Council meeting with a final vote on the proposal by August if the Council chooses to take up the issue.
As Previously Reported in Priorities:
The recent passage of the Marietta Ed-SPLOST, set up for a reduction in the city school millage rate by 1.187 mills; which would mean the millage rate, if the proposal was approved by the Council in current form, would only result in a .813 millage increase, or approximately $65 a year, based on a $200,000 home. The bond would would be for 20 years.
Urban blight has become front and center in the Franklin Road area, with aging apartment complexes and its high levels of crime. The bond initiative would be a leap to redevelop blighted areas and attract new residents and business to Marietta. The Mayor believes redevelopment would improve the area’s schools and create a safer environment for residents. Additionally, a domino effect would be established by benefiting surround hotels and office parks, along with bringing new business to the city, which in turn bring jobs.
Will the public buy in to the Mayor’s proposal? The Franklin Road Corridor is attractive to developers for redevelopment purposes for several reasons. The location, situated between two exits on 1-75, near Highway 41 and in between Cumberland and Town Center, with easy access to downtown and the airport, is conducive to a mixed-used or office environment.
Is now the time to consider a proposal? The question, rather, should be, if not now, when? Mayor Tumlin is positive on community support of the project. “I’m hearing extraordinary support,” he said. “We’re a community that’s had a SPLOST since 1994 multiple times; we approved a parks bond in the worst economy in years and the school got an auditorium,” he said. “We have a community that is willing to invest in itself, but we have to give them what they want.” The City Council has the opportunity to work with the Mayor and lay the groundwork for the future and this initiative could be a signature project of the Council and Mayor Tumlin that would have a lasting effect long beyond their terms.
The Council for Quality Growth will continue to track the progress of the proposal and will work with the city of Marietta, Mayor Tumlin and the City Council to support the redevelopment efforts within the city.