Tonight, City of South Fulton Councilman khalid will call for a vote to create an Authority targeted at redeveloping Old National Highway. Redevelopment of Old National could generate millions of dollars in revenue for the City of South Fulton. Councilman khalid is calling on all Old National residents, and South Fulton citizens concerned about the city's finances, to attend the April 23 meeting.
Council Meetings begin at 5 PM with a Work Session where complex issues are discussed. Today at 5PM, the City's Chief Financial Planner, Ed Wall, will go through all of the city's finances.
Part 2 of the Public Meeting usually begins at 7 PM. This is open to the public, and everyone is invited to speak directly to the full council during the Public Comment portion of the meeting, which usually beings around 7.30 PM.
If you would like to speak during Public Comment, please arrive BY 6.30PM and check in with the City Clerk at the front of the auditorium.
Councilman khalid dispels myths about Old National DDA called "South Perimeter"
Old National Highway has been economically depressed for decades, even though it sits at the intersection of two interstates (I-85 & I-285) just one exit from the world's busiest airport.
Tentatively branded South Perimeter, the proposal's legal name is the South Fulton Downtown Development Authority (DDA). A DDA is a tool created by the Georgia General Assembly to revitalize streets just like Old National.
South Fulton City Council Seated (l to r): Catherine Rowell (District 1) ● Carmalitha Gumbs (District 2) ● Helen Z. Willis (District 3) ● Naeema Gilyard (District 4) ● Rosie Jackson (District 5) Standing (l to r): Councilman khalid (District 6) ● Mayor Bill Edwards ● Mayor Pro tem Mark Baker (District 7)
Yet some Councilmembers have used the word "Downtown" in the authority's legal name to debate whether Old National should have access to a DDA's development powers.
Earlier this month, opponents of the proposal began spreading rumors that City Council was voting to make Old National South Fulton's "downtown." During Public Comment at the April 9 City Council Meeting, some residents called Old National "too ghetto to represent the new City of South Fulton."
"It makes me sad to see my own neighbors perpetuate the same kind of North-South classism that we suffered together under the Fulton County Commission," remarks Councilman khalid.
Councilman khalid has been pushing the South Perimeter initiative since first introducing the idea with Georgia Development Authority expert Dan McRae at an Economic Development Summit in July 2018. South Fulton's Director of Economic Development, Christopher Pike, declared Old National "South Fulton's number one commercial corridor."
Public Comment on this issue will take place around 7PM tonight. The Council is expected to vote on the issue around 9PM.
You can learn about the Old National DDA at khalidCares Economic Development page below.
Councilman khalid can be reached for comment at
(404) 545-3900.
Councilman khalid Announces #SouthFultonSummer Series
Partnering with Old National Entertainment & others, South Fulton Councilman khalid has created a series of Summer events on Old National designed to build awareness about Atlanta's new twin city, South Fulton, while building a stronger sense of community.
Coined #SouthFultonSummer, the series of events is bookended by two great Old National traditions. In between the 2nd Annual Spring Egg-Stravaganza in Creel Park, Easter Sunday and the 5th Annual "Old Nat" Day at Old National Park, Labor Day, Councilman khalid has planned a First Fridays Outdoor Film Series of Black Cinema classics.
View First Fridays Outdoor Film Series trailer
The series starts with a family-friendly movie in May, while the June through August films feature more adult themes. Each screening will include a Community Conversation based on issues explored in that month's film.
May 3: Spider-Man
Code Enforcement & Crime Prevention
June 7: Love Jones
Safer Sex & Dating
July 5: Whose Streets
#BlackLiveMatter & Community Policing
August 2: Boyz In the Hood
Education is the Way Out Back-2-School Giveaway
Click the link below to learn more about #SouthFultonSummer 2019
