City of Atlanta Department of Planning and Community Development Releases Fiscal Year 2014 Annual Report
Report highlights increased building permits activity and award-winning housing redevelopments
ATLANTA – June 18, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — The Department of Planning and Community Development today released its 2014 Annual Report. The report, titled “It All Starts Here,” explains how core planning functions start with the department and highlights the department’s accomplishments for the last fiscal year. In addition, the report outlines new department initiatives which include implementing a new bike share program and addressing blighted and abandoned homes in Atlanta.
“This annual report documents our present accomplishments, outlines targeted goals and provides an overview of the department’s objectives for the upcoming fiscal year,” said Terri Lee, deputy commissioner. “The Department of Planning and Community Development plays a critical role in the success of our beautiful city by ensuring that existing communities and businesses can continue to grow and succeed through our initiatives, and I am proud to showcase the work we are doing.”
Major departmental achievements include:
The Commons at Imperial Hotel received the 2014 Development of Excellence Award by the Atlanta Regional Commission and Collier Heights Community was selected for the Community and Historic Preservation Award.
Building and trade permitting activity increased by 11 percent with 27,483 construction permits issued July 2013 to June 2014. In addition, nearly 80 percent of building permits requests were completed within 10 business days, and several new web-based customer service tools such as the online plan reviews were implemented.
The City of Atlanta hosted two national conferences – the National Association of Local Housing Finance Agencies conference and the American Planning Association conference.
Atlanta was selected as a city participant in the Green Lane Project and will receive financial, strategic and technical assistance to install bike lanes.
The Department of Planning and Community Development reported total major revenues of more than $55 million which includes Community Development Block Grant Program funding, HOME Investment Partnership Program funding, permitting funds and other sources.
In addition, the City of Atlanta will launch its first bike share program in 2015, offering rentable bikes for residents and visitors to commute to work, tourist attractions and shopping throughout the city. The bike sharing program aligns with Mayor Kasim Reed’s goal of doubling bicycle-to-work commuters from 1.1 to 2.2 percent by 2016. Other key initiatives include creating system enhancements for the building permitting process and addressing blight in an effort to eradicate vacant and abandoned properties in the city.
See the annual report here.
About the Department of Planning and Community Development
The mission of the Department of Planning and Community Development is to plan and implement the future by guiding the physical and economic development of the City while enhancing the quality of life for all through a comprehensive range of planning, design review, construction plan approval, and housing preservation and assistance services and programs.
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For more information about the City of Atlanta, please visit http://www.atlantaga.gov or watch City Channel 26. Follow the City of Atlanta on Facebook and Twitter @CityofAtlanta. Follow Mayor Reed on Facebook and Twitter @Kasim Reed
Anne Torres, Director
404-330-6423, office
404-904-2618, cell
Jenna Garland, Press Secretary
404-330-6612, office
404-357-5579, cell
