On to Decatur’s Strategic Plan goal #4!  Almost forgot to post today!

Goal 4: Protect and encourage the creative reuse of historic buildings, structures, and places

The preservation of Decatur’s historic buildings, structures, and places is essential to retaining its identity as the community grows and changes.

Significant progress has been made in the past decade in understanding how fortunate Decatur is with regard to such resources, but more remains to be done to encourage the preservation and appropriate reuse of historic structures.

Task 4A: Educate and encourage commercial property owners about historic preservation tax credits.

Task 4B: Educate about the Georgia Cities Foundation loan program and encourage its use.

Task 4C: Place all eligible buildings and districts on the National Register of Historic Places.

Task 4D: Increase public awareness of historic buildings and places.

Task 4E: Develop regulations regarding demolition of historic commercial structures that are outside the scope of local historic districts.

The New York Times tells me that car-pooling was a big deal in the 1970s.  A quarter of the commuting population participated in some sort of ride-share situation back then.  It was promoted as a potential solution to traffic congestion in metro areas throughout the country.

Unfortunately, no one was actually doing it BECAUSE they were hoping to do their small part to ease traffic congestion.  I mean, the only thing worse than being stuck in traffic, is being stuck in traffic having an awkward conversation with some guy from accounting who just happens to live two streets over from you.

The reason people car-pooled was out of necessity.  They couldn’t afford cars.  Or at least a SECOND car.

But then more women got jobs, cars got cheaper, cities decentralized and work hours became more erratic.  Forget any benefit that social media tools could potentially have on making car pool organization a breeze in the present day.  We’re comfortably neck-deep in the age of driving alone.  Car ownership is up 60% since 1980, while the population has only grown 30%.  Why?  Cause we can afford it.

Even those of us who move back to the city, citing environmental concerns and quality of life, often refuse to give up the second car, let alone the first.  It’s just too convenient.

Hey transplants and cool cats under 21.  Ever wonder if Atlanta was as groovy in 1990 as it is today?

Was this taken at lunchtime?  Woodruff Park looks slammed with people!

h/t: PecanneLog

Do you care about Decatur’s budget?

Yeah, yeah, sure you do.  Recession, purse-strings, debt, blah blah blah.   If you REALLY cared as much as your exclamation points indicate, you’d eagerly clear your evening schedule and throw yourself in THIS ring.

The City of Decatur has officially scheduled the dates of its annual budget focus group meetings for Tuesday, March 8, April 12th and May 10th.  All meetings will start at 7p and will be held at Decatur City Hall.

What the heck is the goal of the budget focus group?  Decatur’s website has the answer!

The goal of the focus group meetings is to provide relevant budget and financial information in an informal environment so that participants can better understand the City’s budget process, including how revenue and expenditure recommendations are made. The group meets once a month for three months beginning in March. The budget focus group’s concerns and priorities have helped guide budget decision-making and prompted thoughtful budget discussions among City departments.

If you plan to attend, all you have to do is contact Andrea Arnold, Assistant City Manager, at andrea.arnold@decaturga.com or 404-370-4102.

Photo courtesy of Decaturga.com

Feel free to use this post to ask questions to make comments about local topics not already discussed here over the past week.

Comments close Monday.

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