Among the Decatur School Board’s agenda items for the coming week is a motion to approve advertising “for project management services for Renfroe Middle School infrastructure update, Fifth Avenue Academy Building Project, and Decatur Career Academy renovation/addition.”

This search is of particular note because it marks the end of Rosser International’s contract with CSD in May.  Rosser has worked on many CSD construction projects in the last couple years, including the completion of the new Decatur High gymnasium and auditorium and the renovation of the high school’s science labs.  They’ve also done some sketches of the new 5th Avenue Academy.

But many Decatur residents, myself included, were first introduced to Rosser in 2008, when the city was collecting information on whether to pursue a wide-spread annexation of surrounding unincorporated, residential and commercial property.

In a dialogue that stretched over MANY months, it was ultimately proven by residents Pat Herold and Judd Owen that there were serious discrepancies in Rosser’s student enrollment projections, which adversely affected revenue estimates.  This finding, combined with broader worries about tax revenue, was followed closely by a School Board vote against annexation (non-binding), and a tabling of the issue by Decatur’s City Commission.  The item is still tabled as far as I know.

Who will be CSD’s next project management team?  Who knows.  But one thing is for sure; between the School Board and city residents, they’ll certainly have their work cut out for them.

The AJC has the story of Decatur resident Ned White, who has been waiting a good two years for his “pain in the pencil” crossword puzzle to appear in the New York Times.

The according to the paper – the AJC that is – it finally appeared on January 16th, a Saturday: the day when the Times crosswords are notoriously the hardest of the week.

A great story that provides background on both Mr. White and the New York Times’ crossword!

DHS teacher Chris Billingsley reports in…

Today was the last day for Georgia Close Up.  The students spent the morning meeting major players at the capital.

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According to Assistant City Manager Lyn Menne’s note in the March issue of the Decatur Focus, the film production company Pogo Pictures, is moving into the office space above Parker’s along Ponce de Leon Ave.

A check of their website shows they are moving from their current location on North Avenue in Atlanta and sport an impressive roster of current and former clients.  Clients include: Ford, Travelocity, Back of America, Chik-Fil-A, Abercrombie & Fitch, Heineken, U.S Virgin Islands, Goody’s, and many more.

The old gallery space above Parker’s is definitely one of the nicest, non-retail spaces in Decatur I’ve ever ventured into, so no big surprise it’s filled again!

Decatur and Avondale Estates’ College Avenue annexation bid hits the front page of the AJC this morning, with a big ‘ol article on all things PROPERTY.

The article features all the reoccurring arguments and views in our ongoing debate:  the effects of gentrification, the predicted value of property after annexation, the legal right of cities to annex without property owner consent, and arguments pro (Finders Keepers’ Bonnie Kallenberg) and con (property owner Joe Gargiulo).

April Hunt’s piece gives a very good overview of the situation, but honestly doesn’t feel very timely since the bill to annex the commercial parcels along the strip is currently without a needed 10th vote from the DeKalb delegation, which is the only way to usher it onto the House floor.  But I guess since it’s made its way out of the AJC’s Metro section and onto the front page, it might be an interesting read for Cobb County residents!

“Oh Dekalb cities, you so crazy!”