Decatur Makers sent out this announcement…

Founding memberships, private donations and local grants have propelled Decatur Makers’ inaugural fundraising effort past the 80 percent mark.

A grassroots effort to create a makerspace in the city, Decatur Makers has raised more than $40,000 toward its start-up goal of $50,000. The funds will be used to convert an unused gymnasium at First Christian Church into a makerspace, which provides tools, technology and space for people to build, create and invent.

Groups and individuals purchasing founding memberships – which combine a charitable gift with multi-year access to the makerspace – will have their names on a Founders Wall inside the space.

The Decatur Education Foundation, currently serving as Decatur Makers’ fiscal sponsor, is joining with the City of Decatur and the Decatur Downtown Development Authority to provide grants to help get the makerspace started. Local businesses such as Big Nerd Ranch are also offering support.

“Founding members and generous individuals across Decatur have led the way in supporting this novel concept for our city,” said Lew Lefton, acting executive director of Decatur Makers. “The added support of our city and community organizations has also been crucial to our fundraising momentum.”

Earlier in the spring, First Christian Church of Decatur provided a major boost to the enterprise by agreeing to donate its gym for use as a makerspace. The organization – organized and run entirely by volunteers – will use funds to repair, rewire and renovate the space to prepare for its late-summer opening.

• Those interested in becoming a Founding Member or supporting Decatur Makers with a tax-deductible charitable gift can learn more at DecaturMakers.org.

From the Decatur Minute regarding overnight construction next Monday July 7th…

The City of Decatur has approved a one-time only permit for the Alexan to carry out overnight construction at its site near 160 Clairemont and Commerce Dr. The developer is in the process of relocating an 8” public water main located on Montgomery St. In order to abandon the existing water line and transfer to the new line, water will need to be turned off for four to five hours. This will disrupt the water flow to the nearby buildings.
In order to minimize the inconvenience to the adjacent buildings, DeKalb County has suggested this work take place in the evening, starting at approximately 11:00 p.m. As part of the work, the new water line will be filled with water, chlorinated and flushed prior to the switchover, which should help with any sediment or air gaps in the water line. For questions, please contact John Maximuk, John.Maximuk@decaturga.com, 678-710-5165.

Volunteer Decatur sends in this note…

Decatur Beach Party is June 20 - Volunteers Needed

A notice from Decatur Police…

On Monday May 19, 2014 the speed limit on the portion of Sycamore Drive within the City of Decatur was reduced to 30 mph. In addition, the City of Decatur has classified this location as a “residential zone.” The “residential zone” designation means the police officers are not required to extend a 10 mph grace before issuing a citation.

The Decatur Police Department will begin speed enforcement based on the reduced speed limit immediately, however warning citations will be issued for speed violations for the next 30 days. An exception to this will be violators whose speed would have been 10 mph or more over the previous speed limit.

UPDATE: College Heights closed today.

Power outages are affecting some Decatur school operations this morning.

From CSD’s Facebook page….

CRCT testing is canceled for today in all City Schools of Decatur. It will resume again tomorrow if power is restored at all schools.

College Heights Early Childhood Learning Center will not be able to open until electricity is restored. Georgia Power estimated that electricity should be restored at about 10:00. Parents at College Heights will receive another robocall when power is restored and students may enter the building. Staff will report as usual.