Invest Atlanta, the city’s economic‑development agency, announced a week‑long series of community meetings to discuss extending six Tax Allocation Districts (TADs) through 2055. The sessions, scheduled for Nov. 4‑10, will cover the Eastside, Westside, Hollowell/MLK, Perry Bolton, Campbellton Road, Stadium Neighborhoods and Metropolitan Parkway districts.
Why the meetings matter
Mayor‑appointed TADs freeze the base property‑tax value in a defined area and direct any future increase – the “increment” – toward redevelopment projects. Extending the districts would keep that revenue stream flowing for the next three decades, supporting the mayor’s Neighborhood Reinvestment Initiative and other large‑scale improvements.
Public input and transparency
“We want to make sure that people understand what the TAD is, and how you use the TAD,” said Invest Atlanta President and CEO Eloisa Klementich. After a June audit highlighted the need for better performance metrics and transparency, the agency hired four consulting firms to revise the redevelopment plans and create an interactive online map of TAD projects.
Klementich emphasized that the agency will not simply talk at residents. “What we clearly heard was people didn’t want folks to get in front of a room and just talk at them. They want to be part of the conversation.” The upcoming meetings will feature breakout sessions where attendees can speak directly with consultants, suggest projects, and learn about existing TAD‑funded initiatives.
Examples of TAD impact
One tangible result cited by Klementich is the city‑owned Azalea Fresh Market in downtown Atlanta, which opened with a $1 million investment from the Eastside TAD. The market provides fresh produce to residents and demonstrates how TAD funds can support community‑focused projects.
Legislative backdrop
In June, the Atlanta City Council passed legislation adopting the Neighborhood Reinvestment Initiative framework and approving the six TAD extensions. However, Fulton County Commissioners rejected a 30‑year extension in July, citing an estimated $413 million loss in county revenue since 2013 and a potential “excess of $1 billion” in property‑tax revenue had the extensions been approved.
Fulton County Commission Vice Chair Khadijah Abdur‑Rahman acknowledged the tool’s value but stressed the county’s broader responsibilities: “Tax Allocation Districts are an important tool for redevelopment, but we must look at the whole picture and consider the many needs of our taxpayers – in healthcare, public safety, senior services and across the County.”
Next steps
The city’s plan can still move forward if Atlanta Public Schools signs on, though the district has not yet taken a public position. The school system’s website now lists “sunset” dates for the six TADs, indicating when the current agreements would expire.
Invest Atlanta has already begun online “office hours” for drop‑in questions and has participated in local events such as midnight basketball games and Neighborhood Planning Unit meetings. Future outreach will include direct engagement with groups like the Westside Future Fund and the Grove Park Foundation.
How to participate
Residents can attend the meetings at designated locations throughout the seven districts. Details on dates, times and venues are available on Invest Atlanta’s website, along with the interactive TAD map and a schedule of breakout sessions.
The agency plans to release updated redevelopment plans in early 2027, incorporating community feedback gathered during this engagement period.
Original reporting: SaportaReport — read the source article.
