Fort McPherson's time is winding down

The East Point Examined blog has the latest information about what is happening down the street at the to-be-closed historic Army base. Check it out here.

EAST POINT, GA - With the closing of Ft. McPherson just around the corner (2011!), Jack Sprott of the McPherson Local Redevelopment Authority gave a presentation of what's planned for the 488-acre base. There have been a round of public meetings with input from those residents in attendance. These meetings resulted in a few beneficial changes for East Point residences. Fifty feet were added to the setback along the northern Colonial Hills (Ward B) border. The proposed residential zoning near the Villages of East Point was scrapped and replaced with green space. Check out their website for more information

The blog has video of a presentation also. 

Downtown Newsletter

Get the latest and the greatest about happenings downtown here.

Downtown East Point Newsletter April 2010

Main Street has 'endless future possibilities'

The city's Main Street Association just issued its first newsletter publicizing some of the people and events happening in the city center. Now, its director Erin Rodgers talks about the nonprofit:

• What is the purpose of the East Point Main Street organization?

Erin Rodgers: The East Point Main Street Association (EPMSA) is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization made up of nine board members who are residents or business owners. The board’s mission is to “To preserve and enhance the downtown area as the heart of East Point, communicating a sense of place, community pride and heritage, while providing for a successful business and residential environment.”

• What are the strengths of the city's downtown and how is the organization building on them? What does the organization envisions as success for downtown? 

ER: One of the strengths of the city’s downtown are the historic buildings we have and the amount of available land that allows for future expansion. Many city’s downtowns have a limited number of buildings or available space, however, our downtown boasts a large footprint and therefore, endless future possibilities. The ultimate success for downtown will be when it “fills out” to its full potential and becomes a thriving downtown district full of businesses, residents and visitors alike.

• What challenges do you face in promoting the downtown area? How can residents help overcome those challenges? 

ER: Currently, one of the biggest challenges for downtown East Point, like many cities, is the current economy. As I mentioned above, we have a tremendous supply of available buildings and land for new businesses/developments, we are located just 5 minutes from I-75/85, I-285 and the busiest international airport in the nation and we are only 9 miles from downtown Atlanta – we have so much going for us! However, new businesses and developers are being very cautious these days and they want to see figures/numbers that support bringing their business to East Point (density figures, income levels in the area neighborhoods, etc.- so be sure to fill out your 2010 census!!) and they want to see incentives to take that risk in this volatile market. As residents, you can encourage others to be patrons of our downtown area businesses, show a potential home buyer the area, show your support by attending events downtown. . .basically just get involved! The better our current businesses do, the more attractive downtown becomes to potential new businesses.

• What type of establishment does downtown East Point need at this point? 

ER: Well that is the purpose of the new neighborhood survey on the www.downtowneastpoint.com website- if you haven’t already, send one in today! A few of the most requested establishments are as follows: Grocery Store, Theatre/Performance Hall, Indoor Farmer’s Market and Coffee House.

• Can you tell us a little about the survey? What will it be used for?

ER: The survey will be used to prioritize what residents feel are the most important downtown issues that need to be addressed. Your opinion matters! Send one in today.

If you haven't already, take a few moments and fill out this four page survey to help guide the development of Main Street.  Email your responses or mail the completed survey to: 

East Point Main Street Association
Attn: Main Street/Downtown Development Manager
1526 East Forrest Ave., Suite 400
East Point, Georgia 30344

East Point Main Street Assocation Neighborhood Survey

Proposed blueprint for the future of Fort McPherson

The clock is ticking on Fort McPherson and what the future holds for the 488-acre military facility. 

A series of meetings start this week to work on a blueprint for its re-use once it closes in September 2011. The meetings are hosted by The City of Atlanta's Bureau of Planning.

There is little doubt the impending closure of the base, which opened in 1889, will have a ripple effect in East Point, especially restaurants and service industries.

An economic impact report published annually by the Fort McPherson Public Affairs Office in 2004 lists 1,329 active duty, 878 Army Reserve, and 2,064 civilians that work at Fort McPherson.  Including Army Retirees, family members, and retirees from other services – Fort McPherson and Fort Gillem affect over 136,000 people.  The total active duty payroll for Fort McPherson as of 2004 was $106.8 million. 

 To prepare for the future,  the planning bureau wants to hear from people about the proposed blueprint, which calls for residential housing, an R&D center, a historic district and other features. (Read the 2007 final reuse report here.)

The meetings will be held from 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. at Atlanta Technical College, 1560 Metropolitan Parkway, Atlanta, on:

• March 10: Academic Complex (Auditorium)
• March 17: Academic Complex (Auditorium)
• March 31: Academic Complex (Auditorium)
• March 24: Cleveland L. Dennard Center Main Ballroom

Parking: On the side in front of the Cleveland L. Dennard Conference Center. The Auditorium is in the Academic Complex Building, next to the Cleveland L. Dennard Conference Center.

The parking in front of the Academic Complex Building is reserved for student and
faculty parking- Please do not park in this area.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Jewelle Kennedy
Bureau of Planning
Dpcd-jkennedy@atlantaga.gov(404)330-6145

The East Point Main Street Assocation brings new life to downtown

Supporters of downtown East Point are promoting the new businesses and community activities around the city center. 

The East Point Main Street Association, a nonprofit focused on revitalizing the business district, issued its first newsletter this week. It features an event calendar, spotlights a business of the month and other information. 

The business month is Angel's Catering, at 2865 Main St., to provide food for events and business meetings. For more information: www.angelscatering.com. And by phone, 678-905-3122.

And for upcoming activities, check out the fundraiser for the Main Street Academy ‘s Children’s Consignment Sale. It happens at the East Point Presbyterian Church, 2810 Church St., on March 12 , 6 - 9 pm & March 13, 9 - 2 pm. For info call Mikey at 404-429-7951.
 
 Newsletter_03_01_2010

New medical office being built in East Point

Medical facilities are a regular part of the neighborhood and the city, with South Fulton Medical Center just on the other side of Cleveland Avenue from the Jefferson Park neighborhood.

At the corner of Humphries Street and Norman Berry Drive, a new building is being erected.  A few weeks ago, it looked like this.

Construction equipment tore up the black top last week.  And an new medical office will go up in its place.

Sketches from the developers show what the site is to look like once the building is completed:

It is to be the new home of Southwest Atlanta Nephrology medical offices.