community

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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  .

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.

 

 

 

 

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.

Next meeting- Learn about senior community expansion, business outreach

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Learn about the Antioch senior community’s expansion plans

 On April 25, 10 a.m., at the regular Greater Hidden Hills CDC meeting:

The Housing Authority of DeKalb County will unveil the site plan for the 3rd phase of the Antioch Manor Estates Senior Community, at S. Hairston and Bishop Ming Road. Real Estate Project Manager Valerie R. Fountaine will present the plans.

Where:            Mainstreet Community Center
5001 Mainstreet Park Drive, Stone Mountain, 30088

We’ll also provide updates on the successful Grow Your Business workshop, plans for the August Battle of the Bands, and progress on building alliances with local business owners.

Bus-Workshop3

Photo: 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. We appreciate your service to the community!

Touch-a-Truck – Great Results and Photos

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The Greater Hidden Hills Touch-a-Truck was a success. Lots of people stopped by to see the sanitation trucks, natural gas powered vehicles, ambulance, and police car on March 21 at Redan/Hairston. Thanks to all of the county workers, volunteers, and businesses that supported the effort. We especially appreciate the DeKalb County Sanitation Department for bringing so many vehicles.

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You can see a slide show of the event at http://youtu.be/fVYkbGHG-DQ

We appreciate these businesses that bought tables:

  • Herbert Love, LegalShield Independent Associate (www.hlove.legalshieldassociate.com or hlove1223@aol.com)
  • MedPost, the new urgent care facility near Kroger
  • Taryn Lawrence State Farm Insurance Agency, at 1230 S. Hairston
  • Cassandra Sutton, HealthCare, csutton227@yahoo.com

We received additional support from these businesses:

  • Jay’s Place provided a DJ for the event, and the team rocked the parking lot! DJ T-Nice with TMD Production announced raffle winners and urged people to come over.
  • Zaxby’s enthusiastically supported our efforts. They offered the parking lot, but we moved right behind the restaurant because we had so many vehicles.
  • Redan Village Plaza owner, Mr. Vaswani, was opened the parking lot to us.

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.

 

Don’t forget the upcoming business seminar. Please share this announcement with all small business owners and White Oak Church Mapentrepreneurs.

Take Advantage of Technology   April 21, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.

Where: White Oak Hills Baptist Church, 5171 Redan Rd, Stone Mountain, GA, 30088

This seminar will help businesses grow and prosper. Experienced business consultant John Ernst with the Georgia Small Business Development Corporation will discuss strategies and answer your questions. He owned and operated businesses for more than 25 years, and he has expertise in finance, marketing, family business management, and customer service.

 

There is no charge. The Greater Hidden Hills CDC is putting on this event to help area businesses.

 

 

 

Mark Your Calendars–Touch-a-Truck and Business Seminar are Coming

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Touch-a-Truck

Touch-a-Truck March 21, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Corner of S. Hairston & Redan next to Zaxby’s

 

Touch and explore emergency, construction, and service vehicles. Enjoy live entertainment and meet local business owners. This fun family event is for kids of all ages, and it is free! March 21, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Participants include the DeKalb County Police Department, Fire Department, Watershed Management, andRedan-Hairston Map Sanitation Department.

Local businesses and entrepreneurs may set up tables for a small fee: contact GHHCDC@gmail.com 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.

(Rain date: March 28, 11- 2 p.m.)

 

Take Advantage of Technology   April 21, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.

Where: White Oak Hills Baptist Church, 5171 Redan Rd, Stone Mountain, GA, 30088

This seminar will help businesses grow and prosper. Experienced business consultant John Ernst with the Georgia Small Business Development Corporation will discuss strategies and answer your questions. He owned and operated businesses for more than 25 years, and he has expertise in finance, marketing, family business management, and customer service.

There is no charge. The Greater Hidden Hills CDC is putting on this event to help area businesses.

 

Next meeting of the Greater Hidden Hills CDC is March 28, 10.a.m. However, if the Touch-a-Truck event is postponed because of rain, then our meeting will by March 21.   Mainstreet Community Center, 5001 Mainstreet Park Drive, Stone Mountain, GA 30088. All are welcome.