community

Housing and Parks

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Community Meeting on Redan Road Housing

The community is invited to a public meeting about a proposed housing development on Redan Road near Sherrington.  The meeting is at 7 pm, June 14, at 4960 Redan Road, Suite A (The Higher Ground Tabernacle of Praise).

REA Ventures would like to rezone the property from single family (R-100) to residential small lot mix (RSM).  This would allow the firm to build 42 single-family townhomes and 8 single-family detached homes.

The homes will be “Earthcraft-certified,” which meets high environmental standards. The site plan incorporates a club house, a community green, a tot lot, and a community garden, as well as passive open space.

4640 Redan Road Site Plan-c

The firm specializes in affordable workforce housing and senior housing. This project, the company says, would provide rental assistance to working families who have low incomes. The firm will describe the review process and tenant requirements at the meeting.

If you would like to see the whole zoning packet (note that the dates for the hearings have changed), with the Planning Department’s comments, click

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B-9TZ20drsg-RmQyQktqcThQdFk

 

Playgrounds and Pavilions – What do you like?

The Friends of Hairston Park invite you – especially KIDS – to a design review, June 24, 11:30 a.m., at Mainstreet Community Center, 5001 Mainstreet Park, Stone Mountain.  The Parks Department will be there to show us ideas for the new playground.  We want to hear from kids to find out what you like.

GIS-Dekalb-Park-Map-enhancedWe’ll also get opinions on the pavilion and other improvements planned for Hairston Park.  We look forward to seeing you.

The  Greater Hidden Hills CDC worked to secure a grant for the park. In May, DeKalb County approved investing $141,000 of park bond money on the park. The Parks Department will pitch in for the pavilion, and we are working to raise money for other improvements.

 

 

Hairston Park Upgrade Approved

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The Board of Commissioners unanimously approved Commissioner Steve Bradshaw’s request to spend $141,000 on Hairston Park on May 23! The funds come from District 4 park bond money raised in 2001 and 2005, The Greater Hidden Hills CDC submitted a proposal that the County invest in Hairston Park.  The DeKalb County Parks and Recreation Department will add $80,000 to the improvement project.

Gazebo-2Work will begin this fall. Hairston Park will get its first pavilion, a facility that will house future family reunions, birthday parties, and community events. The park will get a new and improved playground, its first water fountain (accessible to adults, children, and dogs!), and additional picnic tables and benches.

“The Greater Hidden Hills Community is elated by Commissioner Bradshaw’s support of Hairston Park, says Jan Costello, President, Greater Hidden Hills Community Development Corp. “This 33-acre park is a jewel, and central to thousands of families in the area.  Parks are a terrific investment — raising the quality of life and an area’s economic profile.”

The park will also receive landscaping improvements.

NoHPark_ (2-edit)w is the time to get involved with Friends of Hairston Park.  Please learn about the plans and provide your opinions at a design reveal June 17, 10 a.m. – noon, at Mainstreet Community Center, 5001 Mainstreet Park.  Write GHHCDC@gmail.com for more information.

 

Hairston Park News and May 20 Elections

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Hairston Park Friends Achieve Key Recommendation

Hairston Park, a 33-acre park in the Greater Hidden Hills community, is one step closer to getting an upgrade. The GHHCDC recommended specific improvements to District 4 Commissioner Steve Bradshaw – in particular, a pavilion, new playground facilities, additional seating and picnic tables, a water fountain, and landscaping.

The DeKalb County Parks and Recreation Department supports the plan and so does Commissioner Bradshaw! He told the Friends of Hairston Park, a group reinvigorated by GHHCDC treasure Gwendolyn Stegall, that he will ask the Board of Commissioners to use park funds for the improvements. The vote will occur May 23.  We will keep you posted.

The recommendation is to complete much of the project in Fall 2017.

 

Public Meeting & Elections May 20, 10 am

Please join us for the next Greater Hidden Hills CDC meeting on May 20, 10 a.m. , at Mainstreet Community Center, 5001 Mainstreet Park.

We will elect members to the Board of Directors. We will also discuss:

  • Streetscape improvements on Redan Road
  • The Waffle House development
  • The Music on Main fundraiser
  • Hairston Park
  • Code Enforcement

 

 

 

Spread the love! Spread the Mulch

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Our median plants need a thicker blanket. Fortunately, DeKalb County is providing mulch.  Would you help us spread the mulch on Feb. 11, 10:30 a.m.?  We’re meeting at the median on S. Hairston. Please bring a rake and a shovel.  Many hands will make light work! We could be finished in an hour.   Contact GHHCDC@gmail.com for information and to volunteer.img_0737-crop

Happy New Year! Award! and Lidl Grocery Meeting

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We accomplished a lot in 2016. We staged a storefront improvement contest, the second annual Battle and festival, and a beautiful installation of trees and shrubs in the median near S. Hairston and Redan. All of these things were made possible by the volunteer efforts and contributions of many residents and business owners.

The year ended on a particularly happy note for me when I received a Community Hero award, given by CEO Burrell Ellis.  Thank you Nadiaward-edit-bne Rivers-Johnson and Pauline Dailey for nominating me.  Several friends attended the Dec. 27 awards ceremony, and it was a pleasure to be there with them.

We wilaward-nadine-edit-bl continue working to make this area one that attracts high quality businesses. I look forward to 2017, and I encourage readers to get involved with our community.

The next meeting of the Greater Hidden Hills Community Development Corporation is Jan. 21, 10 a.m., at Mainstreet Community Center, 5001 Mainstreet Park, Stone Mountain, 30088. Join us to discuss our next streetscape beautification plans and zoning requests in the area.

Public Meeting on a New Lidl Grocery Store

A grocery store called Lidl is asking for a zoning change on 5.4 acres at 6038 Covington Highway (near LA Fitness; currently Wings of a Dove Christian Academy). The developers are holding a public meeting January 4, 6:30 p.m., at the Redan-Trotti Library (1569 Wellborn, Lithonia), to discuss the proposal.  Please join us for this public meeting.

The developer provided the following information:

“Lidl US regarding its proposal to develop a grocery store on property located at 6038 Covington Highway in DeKalb County.   Lidl currently operates nearly 10,000 stores in 26 countries throughout Europe. It is part of the Schwarz Group, which is the largest retailer in Europe and one of the largest in the world. Lidl has a simple philosophy – focusing on offering customers top quality fresh goods and grocery products at the most competitive pricing in convenient locations. While customers receive amazing savings by choosing Lidl’s own great quality brands, they can still shop for their favorite branded goods, available at competitive prices.”

Right now, the property is zoned commercial and mixed use. The developers want to change it to commercial.

We did it! S.Hairston Median Beautification a Success!

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Dozens of people contributed money and time. Keep DeKalb Beautiful provided expert assistance, heavy equipment, and volunteers. Local business donated money and in-kind support. We worked together and beautified the median on S.Hairston, just south of Redan.

It is planted with 10 crepe myrtle and 58 bushes — burning bush, ornamental grass, and gold mop cypress.

Our volunteers also picked up trash for close to one mile in each direction of the intersection.  DeKalb County Commissioner Mereda Davis-Johnson came, and she helped pick up trash and dig!  Steve Bradshaw, Democratic nominee for Commissioner District 4 also attended and helped. Keep DeKalb Beautiful Director Gordon Burkette and his crew (all volunteering their time on Saturday) pitched in all day long.

Thank you, everybody, for the wonderful community spirit.  This project demonstrates our commitment to each other, high standards, and revitalized business districts.

I’ve put some pictures below.  We’ll put a slide show together soon and share it.

After the Planting-S.Hairston median
After the Planting-S.Hairston median
Before Shot S.Hairston median
Some of our many volunteers.
Jan Costello, Commissioner Johnson, and Keep DeKalb Beautiful Director Gordon Burkette
Herb Love organizes the workers.
Nadine Rivers-Johnson cheers on the crowd.
Jan plants with Steve Bradshaw, Democratic nominee for District 4 County Commission
Commissioner Mereda Davis-Johnson pitches in!
GHHCDC volunteers made and served lunch to all
GHHCDC volunteers made and served lunch to all

We’re Planting the Way to Better Business!

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This fall and early winter, in conjunction with Keep DeKalb Beautiful and DeKalb Planning & Sustainability, the Greater Hidden Hills Community Development Corporation is inspiring business redevelopment. With your help, we will be planting trees and shrubbery at the S. Hairston/Redan intersection. Thousands of people drive through this intersection every day, taking their business elsewhere. Improving the streetscape will encourage people to take a second look at local businesses and will attract new development.

GoFundMe-1

Studies show that natural beauty pays off. When commercial areas have more trees and attractive landscaping, they get more customers and up to 12% more spending! *

You can:
Make a lasting impact
Make your drive more enjoyable
Make a contribution, by Sept. 15!

Let’s Get Planting

Your contribution to the Greater Hidden Hills Community Development Corp., a 501(c)(3), is 100% tax deductible.

Every penny goes towards plants.

Send your check to:
Greater Hidden Hills Community Development Corp.
P.O. Box 1811
Stone Mountain, GA 30083

Or, use GoFundMe. Follow this link:
https://www.gofundme.com/Plants-Streetscape

Volunteers — Help Plant the Way!

Send us your email, and we’ll let you know when Planting Day is. Even though the County is providing heavy equipment, we’ll need lots of help. Individuals and groups are welcome.  Write to:  GHHCDC@gmail.com

 

Please click here to download a flyer and contribution form: Fundraiser

T-Mobile has the Winning First Impression

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T-Mobile won the first annual Wow! Winning First Impression Award, given by the Greater Hidden Hills Community Development Corporation. This is the T-Mobile next to Kroger, at Redan and S. Hairston.

T-Mobile won a beautiful planter for its storefront. Potted plants and attractive window displays attract customers.

Nadine (2)Nadine (6)-captionNadine (4)Nadine-2 (3captioni)Fred (4)-captionRainbow and WholeCare Pharmacy were finalists in the contest.

The contest is part of Greater Hidden Hill CDC’s effort to encourage all businesses in the community to improve their storefronts. Curb appeal matters!

Curb appeal is simple and inexpensive. It will

  • increase customer traffic
  • boost revenue
  • attract residents and visitors

GHHCDC thanks Kroger for donating a cake and balloons for the ceremony.

“We ask all businesses to remember that it only takes a second to form a first impression,” says GHHCDC President Jan Costello. “Now is the time to dress up storefronts with planters, window displays, and benches. These improvements will encourage people to shop in the community.”

The Greater Hidden Hills Community Development Corporation, a 501(c)(3), is committed to improving economic development and quality of life.

This contest was made possible by a grant from the Neighborhood Fund. 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.