Avondale Estates Making Changes, Rieker Says

Changes are afoot in Avondale Estates, Mayor Ed Rieker said Monday night in his state of the city speech.

The most noticeable changes involve real estate.

Rieker said court action may soon change the status of Century Retail property encumbered by bankruptcy. That company planned to redevelop a section of town before the economy killed the project, leaving as a reminder the skeletal frame of a two-story building on East College Avenue.

Rieker said the pending annexation of commercial property along College Avenue between Maple Street and Sams Crossing means a new western gateway into the city can be formed.

and now only need the governor's signature.

"We must take care to welcome and include the new property owners," Rieker said.

The city has already annexed the old that is now ready for development. That addition increased the size of the city by 16 percent, the mayor said.

Rieker said , a charter school, has brought new energy to the community. The school will move for the next school year to the old building.

Rieker said the city has made Lake Avondale a more attractive place to relax.

The walking trail around the edge of the lake was improved and above the Scout Hut.

He predicted work on will begin this year and that work on a city dog park will dovetail with it.

Rieker said city finances are sound and that no property tax increase is expected in the coming year.

If the is approved, the city stands to receive about $80,000 yearly for traffic improvements, Rieker said.

The referendum funding is structured so that East College Avenue through Avondale Estates would be improved, he said.

He thanked DeKalb County CEO Burrell Ellis for his work on the referendum. Ellis attended the speech Monday night, as did DeKalb County Schools Superintendent Cheryl Atkinson.