streetscape

Making a Difference in Greater Hidden Hills!

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2018 Accomplishments

Our redevelopment and beautification efforts are making an impact in the Greater Hidden Hills community. We had a productive 2018, and we thank all of those who were part of the effort.

We advocate for the area within and adjacent to the Greater Hidden Hills Overlay District, which covers a four-square-mile area (incorporating these four corners: Covington/S.Hairston, Redan/S.Hairston, Redan/Panola, and Covington/Panola).

Advocating for Better Business Development

Waffle House Opening – Redan Road and South Hairston. GHHCDC celebrated the opening of this new business in October.

New Waffle House on Redan

The company changed its plans to conform to the GHH Overlay District, and the result is a dozen trees in parking lot islands and the street frontage.In addition, the company improved the bus shelter in front of its restaurant, expanded the cement pads and updated the landscaping. GHHCDC provided two new benches, and MARTA pitched in the garbage cans.

New, expanded bus shelter on Redan Road

Rocklyn Homes Development – Covington Highway and Panola Road – heard our concerns and modified its design for the townhome community near LA Fitness. The development will have a one-third acre pocket park, a 30-foot landscaped buffer, and lots of trees.  The area used to be in the GHH overlay district, but the city of Stonecrest annexed it. Nevertheless, we insisted that Stonecrest meet the higher standards that we have in our overlay, and they agreed. We had two meetings with the developers, one with the planning department, and attended four public hearings.

Interestingly, Rocklyn is proposing another townhome community on Covington, and this plan already has walking trails, a dog park, and a pocket park!

Tycore Auto Repair – Covington Highway and South Hairston. We attended four public meetings and one meeting with commissioners to ask that this business not be allowed to open at 5361 Covington Highway, across the street from Pep Boys, a tire shop, and next door to an auto repair shop. Within three miles of this address, there are 183 auto-related businesses.  The effort continues into 2019 as the Board of Commissioners deferred its vote.

Beautification Builds Better Business

We’re beautifying the streetscape in our commercial zones. When the environment looks more attractive, more people want to do business in the area. This helps us attract better businesses and keep consumer spending close to home.   This year we:

  • Refreshed the median on South Hairston, just south of Redan. GHHCDC hired a landscaping company to regularly maintain the median.
  • Planted rosebushes and perennials in the entrance island of Los Arcos and along with beautification of the sidewalk strip.
  • Planted 26 trees as part of our ongoing streetscape improvement, in a joint project with Keep DeKalb Beautiful and the DeKalb County Tree Bank. These include 14 Nellie Stevens Holly leading up to the entrance of Hairston Park; 10 crepe myrtle in the public easement on Redan Road, to beautify the Hairston Square shopping center; and 2 Georgia Gem Green Ash trees on South Hairston and in Hairston Park.

New plantings at Los Arcos on Redan
New crepe myrtle on Redan
South Hairston median refresh, with volunteers (from left) Lois Dunlap, Jan Costello, and Nadine Rivers-Johnson.

Planted trees on South Hairston leading to Hairston Park
Herbert Love and Gwendolyn Stegall on the cold January planting day.

Parks Add Value

Parks are an economic development tool. That’s why we are active Friends of Hairston Park. We finished installing fitness stations in Hairston Park, an effort achieved through the UPS Foundation grant that we received. We also helped make Earth Day in Hairston Park a huge success as we reclaimed trails in the beautiful wooded area on the north end of the park.

Clearing paths and adding fitness equipment at Hairston Park

Remembrance of a Fine Musician and Friend of GHHCDC.

Theresa Hightower, Aug. 2018

Theresa Hightower, the accomplished jazz musician, singer and actress, graced us with what was to be her last public performance at the 2nd annual Music on Main, a significant fundraiser for the organization. She passed away in October. Ms. Hightower was a true humanitarian, and she left a legacy of outstanding performances and community service.

Help GHHCDC Continue Our Work in 2019

Your donation can help us continue our mission to stimulate economic development and create a greener, healthier environment.  Join our efforts for 2019, when we:

  • continue our streetscape beautification along South Hairston and Redan
  • advocate for amending our overlay code so that certain auto businesses and liquor stores are prohibited (No more hearings!)
  • watch that all new development meets our overlay requirements
  • lobby for tougher penalties on code enforcement violations by businesses
  • pursue more grants to enhance Hairston Park
  • stage the 3rd annual Music on Main, our annual fundraiser!

You can invest in this community. Come to our monthly meetings. And send your contributions to:

Greater Hidden Hills CDC
P.O Box 1811
Stone Mountain, GA 30083

Or make a payment online at  https://greaterhiddenhillscdc.org/you-can-make-a-difference/

We are a 501(c)3, and your contributions are tax-deductible.

Inspired by Music on Main

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What a wonderful evening!

Thank you to our special guests Theresa Hightower and Moses Davis for their spectacular performance Aug. 18.

Thank you to our elected representatives – DeKalb Commissioner Steve Bradshaw, DeKalb Commissioner Gregory Adams, and GA Senator Steve Henson – for celebrating with us.

Theresa Hightower at Music on Main in August 2018

Thank you to our wonderful supporters and volunteers who know that together we can make a positive and lasting impact on our community.

Team

And thank you to all of our sponsors.

 

sponsors

We will use the funds raised to continue making our commercial areas look better, to advocate for high quality businesses, and to enhance greenspace.

You’re Invited August 18!

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Join us for Jazz, Delicious Food & Drinks, and Great Auction Bargains on Aug. 18, 8 – 11 p.m.

Our 2nd annual Music on Main features Theresa Hightower,an acclaimed jazz and blues vocalist, actor, and songwriter. During the event, you can get a deal on the items we’ll auction, such as:

  • Ion All-weather speaker system
  • Dinner for Two at CalaBar & Grill
  • ART Station Holiday tickets
  • All-Attraction Stone Mountain Park – two tickets
  • Hotel Indigo Peachtree – 2-night staycation
  • Unique, hand-painted Australian boomerang
  • Original Jennifer Dreznin mixed media artwork
  • Mystery Valley golf package
  • Sircles necklace and Sircles bracelet set
  • Nick’s Barbershop hair cut package
  • Fender amplifier from Pro Music  
  • Mary Kay gift set plus spa facial for three
  • PJs Package Red and White wine gift baskets
  • Rob Reardon original metal wall art (one features the Georgia Bulldog and the other Ray Charles)

The event raises money for streetscape improvements in the Greater Hidden Hills area. We all want better business. Please support the effort to improve our commercial areas. Remember, it’s tax-deductible.

Where:  Mainstreet Clubhouse, 5001 Mainstreet Park Drive, Stone Mountain

Tickets are $35 each or two for $60.  You receive food, beverages, entertainment, and a fun time with neighbors and elected officials.    Purchase at the door or in advance at:  Music-on-Main

Trees!

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We planted 26 trees as part of the ongoing streetscape improvement in Greater Hidden Hills! This tremendous effort is a joint project with Keep DeKalb Beautiful and the DeKalb County Tree Bank. The planting occurred Jan. 19 and 22, 2018.

The 14 Nellie Stevens Holly make a grand parade leading up to the entrance of Hairston Park. These trees will grow 15-20 feet high. What a statement they make as we invest county and grant money into the dramatic refresh of Hairston Park.

 

Planted trees on South Hairston leading to Hairston Park

In the roundabout in the park, we planted a Georgia Gem Green Ash, a beautiful shade tree that grows 50 feet tall. We planted another Georgia Gem in the public easement in front of Champions Christian Academy at 1131 S. Hairston (a block north of Redan).

Then, we planted 10 crepe myrtle in the public easement on Redan Road, to beautify the Hairston Square shopping center.  There will be more work in this area, focusing on the bus stop. Waffle House plans to help when it erects its new restaurant there.

The trees were donated by QuikTrip as part of its obligation to the DeKalb County Tree Bank. They were professionally planted by Landscape Design Company.

Stay tuned. More natural beauty to come! We’re planting PRIDE in our community.

See a short video at: https://vimeo.com/252247693

 

Music on Main a Rousing Success!

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Music on Main was fantastic! Thank you, Chandra Currelley, sponsors, volunteers, and supporters. We raised money for streetscape beautification, and we had a wonderful time.

We very much appreciate Mainstreet Community Center for letting us use your beautiful facility on Aug. 19. Nadine Rivers-Johnson, Mainstreet Community Manager and GHHCDC General Manager, provided vital support in making the event happen, from recruiting the prime-time artist to securing sponsors.

Special thanks to Jay Betts at Jay’s Place and Dorcelin Bazil at State Farm for your sponsorships. These fine businessmen made it possible for us to launch the event, knowing that every penny raised would go to the streetscape effort.

Below, you will see a photo of the many businesses that contributed to our successful fundraiser.  Please patronize these businesses. They care about the Greater Hidden Hills community.

Terrific Sponsors of Event!
The GHHCDC Board and elected officials.
Chandra Currelley, The “Lady Soul of Jazz”

Shown below left are Keena Johnson, who shared expert advice on silent auctions and volunteered at the event, and Nadine Rivers-Johnson. Going clockwise, Velvet Loyal who helped stage the auction items and Myriam Dormer who helped get the process started (and both greeted guests). At bottom right, Nadine took a break from her Master of Ceremony duties to turn the mic over to Alesia Brooks (representing comm. Bradshaw) and  DeKalb Commissioner Adams.

Keena Johnson & Nadine Rivers-Johnson
Velvet Loyal & Myriam Dormer
Nadine Rivers-Johnson hands mic to county officials.

We also thank the following elected officials for showing your support of the work we are doing:  Georgia State Senator Gloria Butler, DeKalb District 7 Commissioner Gregory Adams, Georgia State Senator and Minority Leader Steve Henson, and, representing DeKalb District 4 Comm. Steve Bradshaw, Alesia Brooks.

The singer-actress Chandra Currelley gave a lively and uplifting performance.  This woman has a musical gift, and we are so pleased that she shared it with us.

Finally, special thanks to Gwendolyn Stegall, the GHHCDC Treasurer who shared her superb event planning skills with us.

Many people helped make this event a success.  We thank them all.  Here are pictures of some of the set-up and preparations.

Floral arrangements
The Welcome Sign
Herbert Love
Phyllis Frierson and Lois Dunlap
Nadine Rivers-Johnson
Lois Dunlap and Erica Weaver
Phyllis Frierson

We’ll publish a slide show of the event soon.

 

 

Sneak Peak at the Silent Auction Deals!

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On August 19 – you may enjoy a wonderful evening of jazz by Chandra Currelley, hors d’oeuvres, and cocktails AND you can walk away with a GREAT DEAL! Here are some of the wonderful items that will be part of the silent auction to benefit the streetscape improvement projects. We are grateful to the sponsors for donating these goods.

Bidding will begin at well below market value.

  • Four Disneyland Day Park Hopper passes – good through 6/18/2018. Use them to visit Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure Park.
  • 40-inch Flat Screen TV, donated by Jay’s Place
  • Two Wine Baskets, donated by PJ’s Package Store
  • Wine Tasting, by Total Wine & More
  • Golf Packages (four rounds; can be used individually or in a group), donated by Mystery Valley and Southland
  • Haircut Certificates, donated by Nick’s Barbershop
  • Arizona Restaurant Certificate (donated by Apex Auto)
  • Twain’s Brewpub & Billiards Gift Certificate
  • Designer Bracelets by Sircles Accessories
  • Vera Bradley Gallatin Satchel in Bittersweet Chocolate, donated by Vera Bradley/Mall of Georgia
  • Limited Edition, Signed Prints by Roederick Vines
  • Original tennis art by Andre Thompson
  • Dashboard web camera and a Backup Camera donated by TCH Consulting
  • Wireless microphone donated by Pro Music Outlet
  • Tax Service ($300 value), by Liberty Tax Service

Entertainment is provided by the captivating  Chandra Currelley
“Lady Soul Of Jazz,” Singer-Actress Chandra Currelley.

It’s all happening Saturday, August 19,  8 – 11 pm

Mainstreet Community Clubhouse,  5001 Mainstreet Park Dr. Stone Mountain, GA

You may purchase tickets for $25 each at:

https://music-on-main.eventbrite.com   (accepts major credit cards)

http://wp.me/P3UZ61-eP  (accepts PayPal)

or in person at 5001 Mainstreet Park, Stone Mountain.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

October 29, 9 am – 1 pm — We’re Planting the Way to Better Business!

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Thank you to our generous supporters! We have raised $2,500 dollars by check, cash, and GoFundMe as of Oct. 21. We’re planting 10 trees and 71 bushes on the S. Hairston median just south of Redan on Saturday, Oct. 29, from 9 – 1 pm.

Come dig in the dirt with us!  We will gather near the Wendy’s on S. Hairston.

We also have received a $3000 pledge from State Farm and a $500 pledge from Hackney Real Estate Services. We are so grateful for their support.

You can still contribute to the effort. We have other phases of beautification in the works. Your tax-deductible contribution will make a difference. 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.
Send check to:   Greater Hidden Hills Community Development Corp.
P.O. Box 1811
Stone Mountain, GA 30083
Or you can contribute through GoFundMe. Follow this link:
https://www.gofundme.com/Plants-Streetscape

Businesses’ and Residents’ Donations Growing! Planting Day Oct. 29

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We are pleased to announce that the national business community is supporting our efforts to beautify the streetscape at S. Hairston and Redan Road. We have received a $3,000 pledge from State Farm Insurance and a $500 pledge from Hackney Real Estate Services (owner of Crowe’s Plaza on the SE corner). 

Many local businesses have contributed to the Phase One campaign – landscape improvements to the S. Hairston median just south of Redan Road.  We thank Bruster’s, Frierson Design,  Taryn Lawrence State Farm, Wells Fargo, Redan Package Store, and Jiffy Lube. We also thank the Hidden Hills Civic Association and more than three dozen individuals who have contributed. The fundraising continues as we prepare for our first installation.

crapemyrtletuscarora2We are planting Phase One October 29!  The median will be transformed with 71 bushes and 10 crape myrtle trees. 

Join us on planting day from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.  Please let us know if we can count on you. Send us an email at GHHCDC@gmail.com

There are two ways to contribute. Note, we are already planning Phase Two for Spring 2017. Every penny will be spent on plants. Your donation is tax-deductible!

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

Or you can contribute through GoFundMe. Follow this link:    https://www.gofundme.com/Plants-Streetscape

 

The Greater Hidden Hills Community Development Corporation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, is 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.

 

 

 

Great Event, Still Time to Donate

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The Greater Hidden Hills CDC staged a wonderful community event Sept. 17.  We raised close to $300 for the streetscape beautification project.
Watch our brief video of the festivities:  https://youtu.be/NHN9aT-gmqg
Neighbors and business friends — there is still time left. We need $500 more to purchase the plants for Phase I.  You can make your tax deductible contribution by check or online. 

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

Or, you can contribute through GoFundMe, an easy online payment. Follow this link:     https://www.gofundme.com/Plants-Streetscape

img_7888Thank you to the many people who helped put the event together. 
We have high expectations for our community, and we are making a difference!