Friday, February 8, 2013
The money will from the Atlanta Regional Commission will help the city work up a downtown master plan.
The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) has awarded a $64,000 Livable Centers Initiative (LCI) grant to the City of Avondale Estates. The grant will help pay for a major plan update and a downtown master plan. The city recently hosted ARC representatives on a walking tour of the downtown area. The city hopes to redevelop the downtown to attract new businesses, improve walkability and make downtown a place where people will gather. As part of the process, residents were asked to complete an online survey. The ARC also awarded a $120,000 LCI grant to fund a study on potential redevelopment around DeKalb Medical, just outside the Decatur City Limits. The ARC says the plan will focus on "underutilized and vacant properties to create a variety of…
The first registered cart is owned by Matt Miller. Cart drivers must be 16 and have a valid driver's license.
Avondale Estates has a new transportation mode. On Tuesday, resident Matt Miller became the first resident to register a motorized cart at city hall. In an email from city hall, Miller said, "I plan to use my motorized cart both for utility--carrying firewood and pine straw around the yard--and also for transportation around town. It's convenient, relatively inexpensive to operate, and just plain fun to drive!" The city commission approved an ordinance in December allowing these motorized carts--with required safety features not found on regular golf carts--on many city streets. The commission had been talking about legalizing the carts for more than a year. Residents can use motorized carts within the city limits but must register their …
Monday, January 28, 2013
The purpose of the Lifelong Communities survey is to help Avondale Estates prepare for an older population by determining the community's needs and priorities.
The City of Avondale Estates is asking residents to take part in an online survey about becoming a Lifelong Community. The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) is assisting the city in the survey. The deadline is Feb. 1 to finish. To take the survey go to this website. In case you're wondering, this is how the ARC defines a Lifelong Community. Lifelong Communities (LLC) are cities and neighborhoods that provide an array of housing types that appeal to individuals both young and old, opportunities for healthy living including parks and outdoor spaces, ways to get around including meeting the needs of individuals who do not drive, safe sidewalks and convenient access to shopping, recreational opportunities and basic services. Lifelong …
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
David Milliron had already been working in the Henry County town as treasurer and chief fiscal officer.
David Milliron, a former member of the Avondale Estates City Commission, has been named city administrator for Stockbridge, a town of about 26,000 in Henry County. Milliron served as mayor pro tem in Avondale Estates from 2008-11. In November 2011, he lost a close battle for the mayor's seat to incumbent Ed Rieker. Stockbridge has been in crisis for the last few years as Mayor Lee Stuart clashed with the city staff and council members over government priorities and procedures. Last month, the city council held a marathon meeting at which it voted to remove Stuart for misconduct, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. The new mayor is Mark Alarcon, who said, “Mr. Milliron has a great reputation as somebody who gets things done and I …
Monday, January 14, 2013
The street will be closed so CSX crews can make repairs at the railroad crossing.
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Monday, January 14
Update: CSX says the work was postponed and will start on Tuesday, Jan. 15, with the road blocked through Friday. The previous story: Laredo Road, a heavily used cut-through in Avondale Estates, will be closed this week for repairs at the railroad crossing. The road is often used by people driving from Avondale Estates to Your DeKalb Farmers Market. City hall sent out this information: Beginning Monday, January 14th at 7:00 a.m. through Friday, January 18th, Laredo Drive will be closed to through traffic between Wells St. and Pine St. to allow the CSX Railroad to perform crossing repairs on the main CSX line and the MARTA switch. Road closure signs will be posted advising motorists of construction activities in the area and of local …
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Judy Knight will spread the word about events and development activities in Avondale Estates. She's been working for Southface, a nonprofit organization that focuses on promoting sustainable, resource-efficient communities, homes and workplaces.
The City of Avondale Estates took another step in its redevelopment efforts by hiring Judy Knight as the city's first communications manager. Knight will help Avondale Estates grow it's brand. "As part of this effort, she will work toward attracting and engaging new business initiatives while publicizing the community's many activities, accomplishments and opportunities," city hall said. The city gave this background on Knight: Judy comes to the City of Avondale Estates from Southface, a nonprofit organization that focuses on promoting sustainable, resource-efficient communities, homes and workplaces. As Director of Communications for Southface since 2009, Judy was responsible for the national launch of its award-winning Eco Office and …
Friday, December 14, 2012
One of the owners says Pallookaville Fine Foods will be "a gathering place for the community."
Two men plan to open a restaurant called Pallookaville Fine Foods in the long-empty, Tudor-style building at Avondale Estates' main intersection. Johnny Gianoulidis said the restaurant will serve "diner-style food" that he characterized as a cross between Greek and Southern. Pallookaville Fine Foods will have 1930s soda fountain, deli sandwiches and hamburgers, corndogs, meat-and-three meals at night and a full bar, he said. "We want to be a community gathering place," he said of the building at Clarendon and Avondale roads. "We think the commercial aspect of the neighborhood is underutilized." Gianoulidis owns ParkGrounds cafe on Flat Shoals Road in Reynoldstown. He declined to name his business partner. They hope to open in April or May…
Friday, November 30, 2012
Since the early 1970s, Avondale Estates has banned roadside mailboxes in the historic district. But the Postal Service says new residents won't get delivery to the door.
Avondale Estates doesn't want roadside mailboxes in the historic district. Since the early 1970s, the city has prohibited them in the 1,250 acres and 540 homes and businesses that comprise the original part of the city, as well as some adjoining neighborhoods. The rule was imposed for aesthetic purposes. But that smooth, unbroken view of the curb may be endangered. The Postal Service says longtime residents can maintain door delivery, but new residents will have to erect curbside mailboxes--or suffer the inconvenience of picking up their mail at the post office. The city government is pushing back. The city attorney fired off--actually mailed--an angry response to the Postal Service, saying "the City of Avondale Estates and its residents …
Friday, November 23, 2012
The Waffle House and two lanes of East College Avenue will be closed on Monday.
Attention, film fans. Movie mogul Tyler Perry will be directing a new film titled "Single Mom's Club" in Avondale Estates from Monday, Nov. 26, to Wednesday, Dec. 5, according to information sent out by the City of Avondale Estates. The movie will star Perry, Nia Long, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Zulay Henao and William Levy. The city told residents to expect some disruptions. The Waffle House restaurant, located at 2850 E. College Avenue, will be closed on November 26th from 6:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. for filming. In addition, the two (2) westbound lanes of E. College Avenue, between Pine and Olive Streets, will be closed. The turn lane along E. College Avenue will be made into a westbound lane and the two (2) east bound lanes will operate as …
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Don't call it a golf cart ordinance, because the proposed Avondale Estates law would not allow those things you drive around the country club.
Avondale Estates is moving ahead with a new city law that, in the beginning, was called a "golf cart ordinance." Don't call it that now. The cart you drive up and down the country club fairways won't be allowed, and a bunch of other restrictions have been added. The most recent change specifies that only people with valid driver's licenses can drive one of these vehicles. That differs from other cities; golf cart haven Peachtree City, for example, allows kids as young as 13 to drive a cart with a parent or guardian in the front seat. Also, the city decided these vehicles cannot be driven across U.S. 278, the busy main drag running through the city that's known as North Avondale Road and East College Avenue. Previous versions would have …
Renee Kirlin
6:06 pm on Saturday, February 9, 2013
Good luck with this. It seems that there may finally be enough forward thinking folks to move Avondale along. I was part of the effort years ago and all that happened was the city manager was let go. He's now doing big things in the new city of Dunwoody where they aren't tying his hands. Sincerely hope it will become a reality this time around! Reneé Kirlin more ›