Year: 2015

2015 Accomplishments, and What’s Ahead

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We Received a Grant December 18!

The Greater Hidden Hills Community Development Corporation received a $1,300 grant from the Neighborhood Fund* to stage a Most Improved Business Award, given to the business in the overlay district that significantly improves its exterior aesthetics. Details on the contest will be announced in January. A business seminar will be held in February to provide information on driving sales by making the store exterior inviting and appealing. The awards ceremony will be in March.

The grant includes $500 for community coaching. Our first meeting with the coach will be December 30, 3 p.m., at Mainstreet Community Center, 5001 Mainstreet Park, Stone Mountain. You are welcome to join us.

*The Neighborhood Fund, an initiative of The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, empowers community members to positively impact neighborhoods at the local level. Building upon grassroots ideas and energy, Neighborhood Fund provides grants and support to community groups to build relationships, develop leadership, and change communities within the 23-county region.

 

Greater Hidden Hills Community Development Corporation 

Notice of Election

The Greater Hidden Hills Community Development Corporation (GHHCDC) election of board members is scheduled for Saturday, January 23, 2016 at 10: 30 a.m., Mainstreet Community Center located at 5001 Mainstreet Park Dr., Stone Mountain, GA 30088.

The Corporation operates as a not-for-profit business for the purpose of marketing and developing the Greater Hidden Hills Community.

The Bylaws require a total of five to nine board members to serve for a term of not less than two-years and not more than six years. The board is elected at a meeting of the membership. All interested members are invited to participate in the election.

It is important that the organization maintain a functioning board in order to keep the 501(c)(3) classification, qualify for grants and continue to provide meaningful activities for the community.

The members of the board designate the officers of the Corporation: President, Secretary-Treasurer, and General Managers. Each board member serves on one of the four standing committees: four Standing Committees Fundraising, Membership Development, Marketing and Communication, and Finance and Budget.

ALL MEMBERS ARE REQUESTED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SCHEDULED ELECTION.

 

Members– THANK YOU!

GHHCDC thanks you for your support and participation in 2015. We’re off to a strong start! Please review the attached slide show to learn more about our accomplishments in 2015.

Slide show, click here:  Accomplishments 2015

With your support, we will continue our great works.

We are now approaching a prosperous 2016 and membership is due! Your dues are tax deductible because we are a 501(c)(3). Please fill out the attached form and send it in with your check. We look forward to your membership in 2016!

Membership, click here:  GHHCDC_Membership_Application_2016

We’re now on Facebook and Instagram

You can get to the sites by clicking the links on the column on the right.

Thanks to Karen Smiley-Speas for help setting up the new sites.

 

Let’s Create Parklets at Shopping Centers

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Los Angeles has a great idea for turning streets into pedestrian-friendly environments, and I believe we can do the same thing with our strip malls.

The strip malls are uninviting to consumers and businesses because they are tucked far behind large parking lots. We would love to create new development that brings the shops closer to the street, but in the meantime, let’s do something attractive and productive now.

Let’s borrow LA’s parklet idea and apply it to the strip malls.

Imagine how appealing it would be to have a seating area outside the shops! You could sit there and eat and visit with friends! LA has shared its manual, parklet kit, and technical drawings. You are going to be hearing more about this idea. Look below to see some of the neat concepts.

Update on Community Improvements, Upholding the Overlay Code, and Economic Development

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Biffle Park Blooms with Generous Support

On Saturday, a group of volunteers planted dozens of perennials in three planters at Biffle Park. We planted drawf gardenias, Coral Bells, Japanese surge, Coral Bell, Carpet bugleweed (ajuga), black-eyed Susan,  variegated vinca, paperwhite narcissus, and crocus.  The plants will bloom in different seasons and provide greenery all year long.  We moved a butterfly bush to a better location.

Lowe’s Home Improvement on Fairington Road donated $125 to the effort, a contribution made possible because of a grant request by the Greater Hidden Hills Community Development Corp., (GHHCDC), a 501(c)(3). We were able to buy the plants half-price, as a sale was going on when we shopped. Thank you Lowe’s Manager Michael Pitchford and Assistant Manager John Perkins for giving our community the plants.

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And thanks to several people who helped with this effort:

  • Wayne Scaturro for helping repair tIMG_4464he pot that wouldn’t drain
  • Sherrie Walker and Karen Smiley-Speas for helping select the plants, transport them, and plant them.
  • Lois Dunlap and Fred Plummer for helping with the planting
  • Leroy Sampson for letting us use water from his spigot

 

Biffle Park is a wonderful amenity in our community. I’ve spent many hours walking my dog there, visiting with neighbors, and enjoying the happy sounds of kids on the playground. It was a pleasure to give back to this beautiful spot.

 

 

Gas Station/Alcohol Retail Proposal – Public Hearing – Nov. 11, 7 p.m, Karma Bistro, 1179 S. Hairston

One of the primary purposes of the Greater Hidden Hills Community Development Corporation is to make sure our overlay code is enforced. You can help.  On Nov. 11, 7 p.m, the community is invited to hear from a
businessman who wants to build a gas station with an alcohol retail component at 4736 Redan Road, one lot west of the Boston Market. This meeting will take place at Karma Bistro, 1179 S. Hairston (the shopping center behind Los Arcos). New gas stations are prohibited in the commercial tiers of the Greater Hidden Hills District because we have enough of them. If you are able, please join us at this hearing. The GHHCDC will be speaking out against the development.

 

Code Enforcement Aske to Stop Illegal Street Corner Vendors

The gas stations at Covington and S. Hairston and Redan and S. Hairston have become micro flea markets, and such activity is prohibited in the commercial tiers of the overlay. We have joined other neighbors in asking DeKalb County Code Enforcement to crack down on this illegal activity. Interim CEO Lee May answered an email and stated that he would pursue swift action.  If you see vendors conducting business on the corners, please take a picture and send it to GHHCDC@gmail.com.  Let us know where the picture was taken, the date, and time.

 

Dress for Success – a Better Business Model

Another key purpose of the GHHCDC is to encourage better business development. We are working on an initiative to reward business owners that beautify the exterior of their establishments. The initiative will include information on how to dress a business for success and a contest.  If you would like to help with this effort, contact GHHCDC@gmial.com

 

Investigation of Discriminatory Home Appraisals and Lending Practices

The Hidden Hills community and surrounding neighborhoods are still suffering from the discriminatory and unethical practices of mortgage lenders and appraisers, activity that sent the market into a tailspin in 2008. The SDIA is working with a Washington Post reporter to cover the impact of the low property values as determined by appraisers.  Wayne Early, the Chair of the SDIA Housing Committee, would like to hear from those who “have been unable to sell or refinance their homes dues to being “under-water.” This also includes people who may have been denied a mortgage modification, were forced into a short-sale or lost their home due to foreclosure because of low property values.”

If you think you have been affected by discriminatory practices, please contact Wayne Early, 404 643-5082, or wayne@early-economics.com   .

 

Next Meeting

Our next meeting is Nov. 21, 10:30 a.m., at Mainstreet Community Center, 5001 Mainstreet Park, Stone Mountain. Please join us.

 

Submitted by Jan Costello, GHHCDC@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Envision Greater Hidden Hills!

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The Hidden Hills Country Club once was rated one of the top 50 golf courses in the nation. The club and course closed in 2006. The 184-acre property is in the heart of the Greater Hidden Hills coIMG_4204ammunity. As part of our community development effort, we now have a video that tells the story of its rise and fall, and how it can rise again.

Click this link to watch the video:   https://youtu.be/7wiaGJgl_3E

 

Recap of Successful Battle of the Bands

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Redan Village rocked Aug. 22. Redan High School Band showed tremendous community spirit as they marched and performed for the crowd.

Nadine-2 Photos Battle-Bands (8) Nadine's Photos Battle-Bands (4)DeKalb County District 5 Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson and Super District 7 Commissioner Stan Watson kicked off the event with warm greetings and commitment of support for economic development in the greater Hidden Hills area.

“This was a wonderful celebration of the neighborhood’s creative students and local businesses,” said Jan Costello, president of the Greater Hidden Hills Community Development Corporation. “We are building alliances between the community and businesses, and advocating for the types of businesses our community wants.”

To see a video of the day’s events, click https://youtu.be/vFuY5WJvILw  .

Four young men received free haircuts from Nick’s Barbershop, and the crowd voted that Justin “Peewee” Ford gave the best haircut (to Kentrell Walker).  Owner Vance Harper opened this barbershop 27 years ago, making his one of the longest running businesses in the area.

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Nadine-2 Photos Battle-Bands (9)Little Caesar’s staged a Shaker Board competition and gave five pizzas each to the two prizewinners. And, the managers provided samples to the crowd.

Zaxby’s gave away six bags, stuffed with school supplies and coupons. Kroger provided water, balloons, and gift certificates. Brusters provided a gift certificate.

Jay Betts provided let the organization stage the event in front of Jay’s Place. Manager Rod Jackson cooked hamburgers and hotdogs and deejays Hype, Red, and “C” ke3Nadine-Battle (8)pt the music pumping.

Nadine-2 Photos Battle-Bands (14)Keep DeKalb Beautiful Director Gordon Burkette brought information about the Roll Forward to One and recycling campaigns.

The crowd met the owners of half-dozen local businesses:
MedPost Urgent Care, Taryn Lawrence State Farm, V-Shuttle Taxi Services, B-Street Sixty-One, and Corliss Sheffield United Credit Education Services answered questions and provided information.

The Redan High School Booster Club and Friends of the Hairston-Crossing Library also participated.

Nadine Rivers-Johnson did a terrific job orchestrating one contest after another. Numerous people helped staged the event, including Marion Long, Lois Dunlap, Pauline Dailey, Neia James, Charlene Taylor, and Fred Plummer.

To see a video of the day’s events, click https://youtu.be/vFuY5WJvILw  .

Come to the Battle of the Bands in Greater Hidden Hills

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 August 22, noon to 3 p.m.

Redan Village: NE corner of S. Hairston & Redan, in front of Jay’s Place Redan-Hairston Map-band icon

This community event will showcase creative students and local businesses. Join us!

*  Celebrate the creativity of local high school bands (Including the Redan Raiders!)

*  Compete for top honors in the Little Caesar’s Shaker Board contest

*  Vote on the best haircut by the skilled barbers from Nick’s

*  Watch local deejays battle it out for best in class

*  Enjoy hot dogs and hamburgers

*  Win prizes, just by coming out!

*  Find out about Roll Forward to One and the Keep DeKalb Beautiful effort

*  See what local businesses have to offer

We’ll be selling gently used books at the event and donate the proceeds to the Friends of the Library at Hairston Crossing. If you have books you no longer need or want, please bring them to our book sale table.

We’ll be raffling off great prizes – tickets are free, but we encourage tax deductible donations to our community development corporation.

Contributing sponsors include Jay’s Place, Zaxby’s, Kroger, and Bruster’s.

 

All proceeds benefit The Greater Hidden Hills Community Development Corporation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit committed to helping the community prosper and thrive. This volunteer organization represents the area on zoning matters and advocates for attractive business development that meets our residents’ needs.

 

 

 

Public hearings on gas station and recreation center; Get ready for Battle of the Bands

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 Please make a note of the following events:

 

Wednesday, Aug. 12, 7 p.m. – Review of recreation center proposal

The Tropical Sports Club will present to the community a concept for a neighborhood recreation center. This meeting will be at the proposed site, a single-family house at 1943 South Hairston Road. There is limited parking. Please carpool.

 

Thursday, Aug. 13, 7 p.m. – Review of gas station proposal at Lou Walker Center

Murphy Oil USA is proposing to build a Murphy’s gas station in front of LA Fitness on Covington Hwy. The community is invited to hear about the plans on Aug. 13, 7 p.m., at the Lou Walker Senior Center. The site plan and rendering are attached. Murphy Gas Rendering     Murphy Gas Site Plan

 

 Saturday, Aug. 15, 10 a.m. The next GHHCDC meeting, which will be devoted to ensuring the Aug. 22 Battle of the Bands’ success. Join us at the Mainstreet Community Center, 5001 Martin Road, 30088. All are welcome. We’ll be discussing the Aug. 22 Battle of the Bands event, the streetscape improvement plans, and grant applications.

 

 Saturday, August 22, Battle of the Bands, a community celebration

11:15 – volunteers begin setting up.

Event runs from noon to 3 p.m.

 

Where: Redan Village: NE corner of S. Hairston & Redan, in front of Jay’s Place

This community event will showcase creative students and local businesses. Join us!

* Celebrate the creativity of local high school bands (Including the Redan Raiders!)

* Compete for top honors in the Little Caesar’s Shaker Board contest

* Vote on the best haircut by the skilled barbers from Nick’s

* Watch local deejays battle it out for best in class

* Enjoy hot dogs and hamburgers

* Win prizes, just by coming out!

* See what local businesses have to offer

 

Contributing sponsors include Jay’s Place, Zaxby’s, Kroger, and Bruster’s.

We’ll be raffling off great prizes – tickets are free but we encourage tax deductible donations to our community development corporation.

Local businesses and entrepreneurs may reserve tables for $25: contact GHHCDC@gmail.com for information. Or, call 508-591-3526.

 

All proceeds benefit The Greater Hidden Hills Community Development Corporation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit committed to helping the community prosper and thrive. This volunteer organization represents the area on zoning matters and advocates for attractive business development that meets our residents’ needs.

A flyer is attached. Please share. Flyer-Battle of Bands

 

Saturday, Sept. 26, 10 a.m. The next GHHCDC meeting. All are welcome. Join us at the Mainstreet Community Center, 5001 Martin Road, 30088.

Join us for July 18 Meeting; Streetscape Plans

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Next GHHCDC Meeting July 18, 10 a.m.

Join us at the Mainstreet Community Center, 5001 Martin Road, 30088. All are welcome. We’ll be discussing the Aug. 22 Battle of the Bands event and the streetscape improvement plans.

 

Streetscape Improvement Plans

Imagine driving down Hairston Road under a canopy of beautiful trees. What a restful and beautiful way to drive home! Trees make a huge, positive economic impact on an area. Trees will reduce the cost of mowing grass, help clean the air, and slow down stormwater runoff.

That’s why we are excited about the streetscape plans to plant trees at S. Hairston and Redan and in the median. We’re working with Keep DeKalb Beautiful to get trees in late fall 2015.

We’re also asking businesses near that intersection to join the beautification effort. We will keep you posted.

Kathleen L. Wolf, PhD, a research social scientist at the University of Washington, Seattle, reports surveys showing the positive impact of trees.

  1. Judgments of product value, product quality, and merchant responsiveness were more positive in places having trees. People infer that they will have better experiences in more attractive settings.
  2. People claimed they were willing to travel more often, for more time, and over greater distance to a retail district having trees. This means that a district having a quality urban forest may attract visitors over greater distances, boosting the number of possible customers.
  3. Visitors said they would spend more time in those districts with trees once they arrived. Customers were also willing to pay more for products and services, by up to 9% in the smaller communities and up to 12% more in districts within larger cities. People even claimed that they’d pay more for parking.

Keep-DeKalb-Beautiful-Meeting-June-24Caption: Keep DeKalb Beautiful Director Gordon Burkette (left) met with Greater Hidden Hills CDC about planting trees at Hairston and Redan. (from left) Board members Phyllis Frierson and Charlene Taylor, and members Lois Dunlap and Kenneth Saunders III.

 

 

 

 

GHHCDC

 Battle of the Bands in Greater Hidden Hills 

August 22, noon to 3 p.m.

Redan Village: NE corner of S. Hairston & Redan, in front of Jay’s Place

This community event will showcase creative students and local businesses. Join us!

*  Celebrate the creativity of local high school bands

*  Compete for top honors in the Little Caesar’s Shaker Board contest

*  Watch local deejays battle it out for best in class

*  Enjoy hot dogs and hamburgers

*  Win prizes, just by coming out!

*  See what local businesses have to offer

Local businesses and entrepreneurs may reserve tables for $25:  click  Reserve a Table to receive the registration form. Or, contact GHHCDC@gmail.com  or call 508-591-3526.

We’ll be raffling off great prizes – tickets are free but we encourage tax deductible donations to our community development corporation.

All proceeds benefit The Greater Hidden Hills Community Development Corporation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit committed to helping the community prosper and thrive. This volunteer organization represents the area on zoning matters and advocates for attractive business development that meets our residents’ needs.

Redan-Hairston Map-band icon

 

Public Safety and Economic Development

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What is on the minds of residents and business owners alike? Safety and code enforcement. The Greater Hidden Hills CDC is committed to economic development, but progress is dependent upon effective law enforcement. When we met with the owner of Redan Village shopping center and the owner of Jay’s Place, these concerns were uppermost on their minds.

That is why we are telling you about these two meetings:

Public Safety Meeting at Mainstreet Community Center May 19, 6:30 pm

Address: 5001 Mainstreet Park Dr, Stone Mountain, GA 30088

The May 19 public safety meeting will include key DeKalb county officials who will address questions on public safety, criminal activity, and code enforcement.

 

GHHCDC monthly meeting May 23, 10 a.m. at Mainstreet Community Center

Address: 5001 Mainstreet Park Dr, Stone Mountain, GA 30088

We will continue planning our next event – the Battle of the Bands, August 22 (noon to 2 pm) at Redan Village. We welcome your ideas.

 

Update from last meeting

At the GHHCDC April 25 meeting, we heard about the expansion plans for Antioch Manor Estates Senior Community at S. Hairston and Woodway/Bishop Ming. Housing Authority of DeKalb County Vice President of Real Estate Sharon D. Guest presented plans for the third phase of the senior community at S. Hairston and Bishop Ming Roads. If DeKalb wins a Georgia Department of Community Affairs grant (to be decided in the fall), the third phase will be built. The $17 million development would have 124 units.

Currently, there are 125 units in phase one and about 260 in phase two.

There is a huge need for affordable senior housing; Antioch already has 300 people on the waiting list.

Other details: The project cannot provide assisted living because of the nature of the tax credits. It would meet EarthCraft standards for environmental standards.

Business seminar
Entrepreneurs in the Greater Hidden Hills area appreciated the tips and resources provided by John Ernst, business consultant with the UGA Small Business Development Center. The event was put on by the Greater Hidden Hills Community Development Corporation April 21. Special thanks to White Oak Hills Baptist church for hosting the event.