The Athens-Clarke County (ACCGov) Economic Development Department and the East Downtown Tax Allocation District (TAD) Advisory Committee will host two open house sessions and an online survey during May for residents to provide input on items they would like to see constructed within the TAD boundaries.

The open house sessions will take place on Thursday, May 11 from 5:00-7:00 PM and Wednesday, May 17 from 8:30-10:30 AM in the Heard Park Multipurpose Room at 400 McKinley Drive. Light refreshments will be provided. Residents can drop in anytime during the open houses to learn more about the TAD process and provide input on ideas for community improvements.

An online survey will be available at www.accgov.com/tads through May 22 for those who cannot attend the sessions. Additional outreach will also take place in the East Athens TAD area with organizations, businesses, and residents. 

A Tax Allocation District (TAD) is a redevelopment tool that uses the increased property taxes generated by new development in a designated area to finance costs related to development. These costs might include, but are not limited to, public infrastructure, demolition, utilities, and planning costs. 

On November 10, 2020, the Mayor & Commission adopted redevelopment plans to establish six tax allocation districts across Athens-Clarke County. Additional information about all six TADS, including maps, is available at www.accgov.com/tads.

The East Downtown TAD consists of 220 property parcels totaling 236 acres. The area runs in a rough S-shape from the Loop 10 at Nellie B Avenue to First Street, across the North Oconee River on East Broad Street, and along the river to the area near the College Avenue and Cleveland Road intersection. Not all parcels are included in the TAD. A full area map is available at www.accgov.com/tads.

For more information about the East Downtown Athens TAD public input, visit www.accgov.com/tads or contact Caitlin Dye with the ACCGov Economic Development Department at [email protected].