The City of East Point is one of 13 communities across the region selected to receive planning assistance from the Atlanta Regional Commission’s new Community Development Assistance Program. This program will focus on efforts to promote development opportunities in East Point’s Downtown Overlay District. ARC staff will work with East Point officials to evaluate and rewrite the design standards and regulations for the area and to recommend zoning changes.

“The City of East Point is excited to work with the Atlanta Regional Commission to improve the City’s Downtown Overlay District,” said Mayor Deana Holiday Ingraham. “This partnership will enhance growth and development in our downtown area and promote the City’s vision of being an accessible and connected community with endless opportunities to live, work, learn and play.”

ARC’s Community Development Group works with local jurisdictions to plan and implement programs and projects that improve the quality of life for their residents. The CDAP focuses on four types of planning assistance: Planning Studies, Implementation Assistance, Facilitation, and Trainings.

“The community development assistance program enables ARC to be more strategic in how we provide planning and technical assistance at the local level,” said Sam Shenbaga, manager of the agency’s Community Development Group. “Through the solicitation process, we were able to clearly communicate our agency’s capabilities and better meet community needs.”

As part of the application process, the City was asked to explain how their need for assistance addresses equity, prosperity, resiliency, and mobility. Through the planning assistance that will be provided by ARC, the City’s design standards and regulations for the Downtown Overlay District will encourage development that complements the City’s new Government Center and capitalizes on the opportunities for transit-oriented development around the East Point MARTA Station. The rewrite should reduce barriers and unnecessary processes to ensure that small businesses can continue to operate downtown. It should also improve connectivity to allow people of all socioeconomic levels access to Downtown East Point. The design standards should capitalize on the opportunities to create vibrant spaces in Downtown East Point and highlight its unique character, history, and cultural assets.