From left: Michael Paris, Natalie Tyler-Martin, Dan Buyers, Joe Allen, Jim Durrett, & Sally Riker

On Tuesday, November 12, 2024, the Council for Quality Growth held its 15^th Annual Community Improvement District (CID) Recognition Event in honor of Dan Buyers, Board Member of the Town Center CID, and Joe Allen, Executive Director of Gwinnett Place CID. Over 150 regional leaders and CID professionals gathered at the Jewel Box at Assembly Studios, in the heart of the Assembly CID, to recognize the leadership shown by Buyers and Allen over their long CID careers, and to celebrate the work of CIDs throughout the metro Atlanta region and state of Georgia. The 2024 CID Recognition Event was presented by Georgia Power and Pond & Company. 

For 15 years, the Council’s CID Recognition Event has annually recognized the role our state’s 31 and counting CIDs play in the growth of metro Atlanta and Georgia. Since 2016, the Council for Quality Growth has also presented the CID Leadership Awards to carefully nominated and selected CID leaders that have greatly impacted the region. 

Dan Buyers, Partner, Brokerage at McWhirter Realty Partners, received the 2024 John Williams CID Leadership Award. This award is given to a CID leader that has volunteered their time to serve a CID, usually as part of its Board of Directors. Buyers has served on the Board of the Town Center CID since its inception in 2012 as both the county appointee and the Vice Chair. His impact can be seen throughout the metro region through commercial and residential developments, as well as his civic and philanthropic endeavors. He is credited for his involvement in the South Barrett Reliever and Skip Spann Connector, projects designed to decrease traffic congestion around Town Center during peak hours. Buyers helped to organize and implement the first ever CID bikeshare program in the state, providing 24/7 rental access to the community. He was also involved in the CID’s Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure (EVCI) Study for Town Center to develop strategic direction for the area. 

Natalie Tyler-Martin, Past Chair of the Airport West CID and the 2023 recipient of the John Williams CID Leadership Award, presented Buyers with this honor. In his acceptance, Dan thanked a long list of leaders, partners, and staff that show the power of an effective CID. He reflected on the formation of Town Center CID in 2012, which has since leveraged $210 million to complete 80 infrastructure and quality of life projects to enhance the community it serves. Dan joins an esteemed list of CID leaders that have received this award, including Governor Roy Barnes, Senator Johnny Isakson, Tad Leithead, Kerry Armstrong, Bob Voyles, Mason Zimmerman, David Allman, John Shern, and Natalie Tyler-Martin. “This award is outsized,” said Buyers. “Being recognized with any award that is named for such an exception leader, businessman, and philanthropist like John Williams is truly an honor. I am deeply honored.” 

Joe Allen, Executive Director of Gwinnett Place CID, received the Council’s 2024 CID Professional Excellence Award. This recognition is reserved for a CID industry professional that has dedicated their career to serving a CID in a position of leadership. Allen played a key role in the creation of the Gwinnett Place CID in 2006 and has served as Executive Director since. He is a proactive CID leader, committed to the Gwinnett community and advancing a shared vision for an internationally diverse, livable urban center. Allen is actively leading redevelopment efforts around the former Gwinnett Place Mall. He’s overseen the creation of a new master plan that will revitalize the mall site and surrounding community. In partnership with Gwinnett County, Allen and his CID are working hard to transform the mostly vacant area into a place with housing, retail, green space, and offices. Recently, the redevelopment plan made local news with the announcement that an additional 23 acres would be purchased by the County to expand and accelerate the revitalization. 

Jim Durrett, Executive Director of the Buckhead CID and the 2023 recipient of the CID Professional Excellence Award, presented Allen with this honor. Allen recalled the concerned property owners in Gwinnett Place that initiated the CID in 2006 to put an economically viable area on the right track. He credits the partnerships and the vision of the community for leveraging CID funding, taking on controversial issues, and making dramatic steps towards transforming the mall site. Allen is the 4^th recipient of CID Professional Excellence Award, after Gerald McDowell, Ann Hanlon, Emory Morsberger, and Jim Durrett. “CIDs have no official power,” said Allen. “But we have the ability to bring people to the table, facilitate conversation, and prime the pump to make great things happen.”

“Dan Buyers and Joe Allen embody the vision, leadership, dedication, and professional excellence that drives Metro Atlanta’s CID industry,” said Sally Riker, 2024 Council Chair and Vice President of Strategy & Growth at Atlas. “The Council is proud to convene our CID leaders as we honor these two deserving recipients and celebrate the transformative work of our CIDs.” 

Audrey King with Georgia Power and Andrew Kohr with Pond also delivered remarks on behalf of their companies in support of CIDs. Mayra Garcia, Director of Community Engagement & Internships at Assembly Atlanta, delivered welcome remarks. Several CID leaders provided updates on their ongoing projects, including Shawn O’Shea, Krystal Harris, Kim Menefee, Tad Leithead, Ann Hanlon, and Tracy Styf. The program paused to recognize a CID leader that was missing this year, Jon Antoine, Executive Director of the South Forsyth CID, who passed away suddenly this May. Jon Antoine was a close friend, respected leader, and a visionary for the communities he served. “Jon led with a vision for progress and a steadfast commitment to quality growth,” said Michael Paris, President & CEO of the Council for Quality Growth. The Council’s Board and Executive Committee presented a formal Proclamation to the Antoine Family in recognition of the imprint Jon has left on this organization, the CID industry, and the entire metro Atlanta region. 

CIDs work year-round to enhance the quality of life here across metro Atlanta and Georgia. The Council is proud to partner with our regional CIDs and to support the newly established CIDs as they become activated across the state. Since the advent of CIDs more than 35 years ago, they have proven to be an economic catalyst for development, serving their communities through infrastructure improvements, transportation initiatives, beautification and trail projects, public safety support, and many other types of projects. This is the 15^thyear the Council for Quality Growth has held this event to convene and acknowledge the CID industry and the 9^th year presenting the CID Award to deserving leaders.

For more details about Community Improvement Districts or the 15^th Annual CID Recognition, please visit www.CouncilforQualityGrowth.org/CIDs.