Environmental Sustainability Tops Mayor’s Address to Business Community
Last Thursday, Mayor Shirley Franklin addressed a group of Atlanta business and community members gathered at the Hyatt Regency for the 2008 State of the City and asked for their support to make Atlanta a greener city.
In 2006, Mayor Franklin identified environmental sustainability as a critical factor in making Atlanta a “best in class” city. At the 2005 US Conference of Mayors, Mayor Franklin joined hundreds of US mayors in signing the Mayor Climate Protection Agreement. The Agreement pledged to reduce carbon imprints by 20 percent by the year 2020.
Last year, under Mayor Franklin’s leadership, the City launched the Sustainable Atlanta environmental initiative - a public-private partnership funded by the private sector. Sustainable Atlanta will incorporate policies and programs that support a healthy, viable Atlanta for generations to come.
The first phase of Sustainable Atlanta will focus on incorporating sustainable practices in City operations. Mayor Franklin encouraged businesses to “stay in the arena” on this initiative by engaging City government with their time, talent, expertise, and resources. In 2008, Sustainable Atlanta will shift to an external focus with public policies and programs designed to make the entire city a model for sustainability.
Mayor Shirley Franklin delivers the 2008 State of the City Address to the Business Community.
Atlanta business leaders in attendance at the 2008 State of the City Business Address Included (l-r): Phil Kent, Turner Broadcasting; Mayor Franklin; Neville Isdell, chairman and CEO, Coca-Cola Company; and Ingrid Saunders-Jones, senior vice-president and director of corporate external affairs, Coca-Cola Company and chairperson, Coca-Cola Foundation.
Atlanta developer and entrepreneur Herman Russell, HJ Russell and Company, and Mayor Shirley Franklin.
Pictured l-r: Mayor's Youth Program participants join Mayor Franklin at the 2008 State of the City Business Breakfast.
Coca-Cola senior vice-president Ingrid Saunders-Jones and Department of Watershed Management (DWM) commissioner Rob Hunter at the 2008 State of the City Business Breakfast. |
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New Outdoor Festival Policy Protects Atlanta’s Parks and Greenspaces
In light of Georgia’s current Level Four drought and subsequent outdoor watering restrictions, the City of Atlanta has created a new outdoor festival policy – effective immediately – to protect the integrity of Atlanta parks and greenspaces for future use.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE NEW POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
“Based upon the extenuating circumstances of the current drought, a taskforce of City employees was charged with creating and implementing an emergency drought policy for outdoor events in parks,” said Greg Pridgeon, Chief of Staff, City of Atlanta.
The new policy disseminates large outdoor events throughout the City’s park system and requires time in between events in any given park so the turf can adequately rejuvenate.
“We know that we will not be able to please everyone, but we have done our absolute best to make festivals organizers aware of the dire situation and have them involved in the planning process,” said Pridgeon.
City officials are encouraging festival organizers to think creatively about where to host upcoming events. The current state outdoor watering ban prevents DPRCA from maintaining Atlanta’s parks and greenspaces at a best-in-class level. Unless the state experiences an unprecedented amount of rainfall, environmental experts do not anticipate the drought to end before 2009.
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$25.5 Million Available for Affordable Workforce Housing Development
The City of Atlanta has contributed $5 million toward the Atlanta Acquisition Pool, a $25.5 million loan fund available for affordable workforce housing homebuilders.
The City’s contribution comes from the Housing Opportunity Bond Program. Funds from this program are administered by the Atlanta Development Authority (ADA) Housing Division – Urban Residential Finance Authority (URFA).
Other Atlanta Acquisition Pool partners include the Atlanta Renewal Community (ACoRA), Enterprise Community Partners, Wachovia Corp., Living Cities, SunTrust Bank, The Home Depot Foundation and the Enterprise Ron Terwilliger Fund.
The Atlanta Acquisition Pool will finance property and land purchases for the development of affordable workforce and mixed-income housing in Atlanta. Loans up to $3 million per project can be used for acquisition, loan carrying costs, and predevelopment activities like architectural plans, appraisals, title work and surveys. Grants for “green” design are also available.
“This project will help us close the gap in providing affordable housing in the city limits to hardworking Atlanta families,” said Mayor Shirley Franklin. “The City of Atlanta Economic Development Plan pledges to add more than 10,000 affordable workforce housing units inside the city. This project is another piece of that puzzle and we thank all of the public and private partners that are helping to make this possible.”
Developers can begin applying for loans immediately. Applications are available at www.atlanta.enterprisecommunity.org.
On behalf of the City of Atlanta, Mayor Shirley Franklin joins public and private partners to announce the $25.5 million Atlanta Acquisition Pool, a fund for affordable housing development. |
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ADA Releases 2007 New Century Economic Development Plan Report
Adopted in 2004, the New Century Economic Development Plan (EDP) is a blueprint for creating a best-in-class Atlanta in education, affordable workforce housing, public safety, job growth and parks and greenspace.
The Atlanta Development Authority – the economic development agency for the City of Atlanta – leads the City’s efforts in meeting EDP goals. More than 50 economic development partners work together toward achieving these milestones
2007 EDP Results, As Reported by the ADA:
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Mayor Franklin Delivers the 2008 State of the City Address to Atlanta Business Leaders. Environmental Sustainability Tops the Mayor’s Annual Address. Click Here to Hear Mayor Franklin’s Address.
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Rave Reviews!
- The City of Atlanta has won the Playful City USA Award from KaBOOM!, a national nonprofit organization that envisions a great place to play within walking distance of every child in America. The Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs (DPRCA) will receive $25,000 to be used to support the city’s agenda for recreation and play. Atlanta beat out 31 US cities that were selected to compete for this award. DPRCA in collaboration with the Atlanta Task Force on Play and KaBOOM! have created a unique agenda for play that demonstrates a commitment to the healthy development of children. “Winning The Playful City USA award is incredible for the City of Atlanta. It validates our commitment with our community partners that we are working together to surpass any expectations that are parks are anything but subservient for our residents,” says Dianne Harnell Cohen, Commissioner, City of Atlanta Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs. Atlanta's video application was produced pro bono by Cinema Concepts with participation from Mayor Shirley Franklin, Atlanta City Council members; Atlanta Public Schools, CNN and a host of community leaders and residents.
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Upcoming Events & Volunteer Opportunities
2008 King Holiday Events
- “MLK Service Summit” from January 16 – 21. The Summit will conclude on Monday January 21 with community service projects throughout Atlanta. For more information, visit www.handsonatlanta.org.
- “Human Rights Symposium” Thursday January 17, 9 a.m., The King Center. Call 404.755.9756 for more information.
- “Freedom Rally and Keynote Address by actor and author Hill Harper” Saturday January 19 at 10 a.m. at Big Bethel AME Church.
- “A King Celebration with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra” Thursday, January 17, 8 p.m., in the MLK Chapel on the Morehouse College campus.
- “The Annual Salute to Greatness Dinner” Saturday January 19, 8 p.m.. The dinner recognizes excellence in leadership and social responsibility. Tickets for this event are $200. For more information, call 404.526.8911.
- “The Martin Luther King Commemorative Service” Monday, January 21 at 10 a.m., Ebenezer Baptist Church – Horizon Sanctuary. This event is open to the public, with limited seating.
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Job Announcements
With the City of Atlanta’s online application system, you are able to create an account and select a Username and Password and then log in to your account.
After your account has been established, you can create an application by clicking on the “Build Job Application” link. Once your application is completed, it will be stored in the system and can be used to apply for future job openings. To get started by viewing current open positions, click here.
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Weekly Features
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