The City of Atlanta’s Department of Planning and Community Development has filled three key positions with experienced professionals who will lead the efforts to improve and enhance the areas of planning, buildings, and future development.
On January 4, Mr. Steve Cover took the helm as the Department’s new Commissioner of Planning and Community Development. Mr. Cover, a registered member of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), was the former Director of the Department of Environment and Community Development for Fulton County where he served in that position since 2001. “This is a great time to lead the City of Atlanta’s planning and community development efforts. This year we will focus on creating new, affordable, workforce housing, and leading the effort to implement the Beltline Project.” Cover holds two Masters Degrees; one in city planning and the other in architecture, from the Georgia Institute of Technology. Among other things, Mr. Cover will be leading the day to day operations of the Department of Planning and Community Development for the City of Atlanta. Mr. James Shelby will continue his role as Deputy Commissioner of the Department.
Also new to the City of Atlanta is Ms. Alice Wakefield who has joined the Department of Planning and Community Development as the new director of the Bureau of Planning. In her new role, some of Ms. Wakefield’s duties will include oversight of the planning staff and its major initiatives including the Beltline Project, the Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ) Program, and the newly created Transportation Planning Division. Prior to joining the City of Atlanta, Ms. Wakefield was the deputy director of Planning and Zoning for Fulton County.
In November 2005, the Department hired Mr. Kiumars Siah as the director of the Bureau of Buildings. Mr. Siah is a highly skilled engineer with nearly two decades of professional experience. He holds a Ph.D. in structural engineering and is a registered professional engineer in several states including Georgia. Prior to assuming this position, Dr. Siah worked as a consulting engineer in Honolulu, Hawaii. His professional skills cover design, construction and inspection of various engineering projects.
Among Mayor Shirley Franklin’s top priorities for the Department of Planning and Community Development over the next four years is to improve the quality of life for all residents in Atlanta. Franklin has pledged to create 10,000 new affordable housing units, beautify the major corridors in Atlanta and add new green space.