The Mayor Hosts a Public Meeting to Kick-Off the Lakewood Livable Centers Initiative

Press Release Submitted by the City of Atlanta

The Department of Planning and Community Development invites you to attend a public kick-off meeting for the Lakewood Livable Centers Initiative (LCI), January 15, from 6pm – 8pm at Atlanta Technical College, Dennard Building Conference Center Ballroom. Citizens and stakeholders are invited to learn about the Livable Centers Initiative process, objectives, and opportunities to get involved. The kick-off will also provide an opportunity for a discussion and interactive exercise to share views about the opportunities and issues facing the community and goals for the future.

Link to a Video Presentation of the Proposed Project

The study area includes significant portions of the following neighborhoods: Betmar LaVilla, Joyland, Lakewood Heights, Lamar Heights, Perkerson Park, Sylvan Hills, South Atlanta and The Villages at Carver. The purpose of the study is to formulate strategies to encourage growth and development in the area. The plan will focus on the following:

• Leverage the Lakewood Fairgrounds and attract new film and television production jobs and related businesses.
• Increase the number of jobs and businesses to serve the community.
• Promote transit supportive redevelopment of underutilized commercial and industrial areas.
• Improve mobility and accessibility for all modes of transportation to people of all ages and income levels.
• Improve connectivity among various commercial nodes, employment districts, neighborhoods, and community facilities.
• Improve transportation infrastructure while providing opportunities for mixed-use/mixed-income developments.

The Lakewood LCI study area includes 1,900 acres of land around the Lakewood Fairgrounds. Significant amounts of land along Pryor Road, Jonesboro Road, Lakewood Avenue, and Metropolitan Parkway are included in the study area. Funded by the Atlanta Regional Commission, the City of Atlanta, and other local partners, the Lakewood LCI will create a vision for the future of the Lakewood Fairgrounds and surrounding communities, with particular focus on the film industry as an economic driver. The planning and community input process will run from December, 2012 to April, 2013.

To learn more about the project and opportunities to participate, visit www.lakewoodlci.com.