T-SPLOST: The senior perspective

The AJC has an item focusing on the needs of a demographic that is closely watching the Atlanta-area transportation debate: baby boomers. According to census figures, the metro Atlanta region's 20 counties is home to 1.3 million people aged 48 and older. With advancing years, people may face mobility issues as well as transportation worries (in particular, those who can no longer drive but live in areas that are not walkable and also lack public transportation). As expected, some seniors are in favor while others do not see how the referendum will benefit them.

The Atlanta Regional Commission acknowledges this trend in their website and has a section on aging resources. One of their foci is Lifelong Communities, which emphasizes housing, transportation, and healthy lifestyles throughout an individual's lifespan.

MANA is part of the Toco Hills Naturally Occurring Aging Communities (NORC). Per their website, 15.7% of residents in this area are 65 or older.  Compare that to the county at large (8.6%) and to the nation as a whole (13.3%).

AJC's coverage of the T-SPLOST vote is summarize in this page.

Saporta Report features Meltons App & Tap

h/t Decatur Metro

The Saporta Report has a nice write-up  on Melton's App and Tap, with a special emphasis on the family who runs it.

That quintessential sound of summer

Cicadas feature in both mythology and cuisine and provide the soundtrack for the dog days of summer. This time of year, cicadas emerge from the ground as mature nymphs that molt into their adult form while clinging to nearby trees. Below are some images of a Medlock-bred cicada of the genus Tibecen.

Recently emerged cicada (left) and the exoskeleton it wore as a nymph. Notice the vertical slit on the nymph's exoskeleton through which the adult emerged.  Also note bits of dirt and sand on the molted shell, pointing to the nymph's recent whereabouts. Click to enlarge.

This annual cicada's colors will deepen to mostly black and forest green as her exoskeleton dries. The process continued off-camera, as negotiations with the photographer broke down around this point...

As found, and approximately 2.5 hours later. Click image to enlarge.

We come in peace! Notice the large compound eyes at either side of the head and between them, the ocelli (set of 3 simple eyes that detect light). Click image to enlarge.

This is a female and won't be singing for us. With some luck, her sons will serenade us next year. 

Good morning, sunshine

Peachy at dawn, with a crescent moon.

Close up, also at dawn today: waxing crescent moon with Venus (at 6 o'clock) and Jupiter (at 12 o'clock).

ICS Volunteer Days [Aug. 4 and 11]

from the  International Community School...

We have been busy planning a few volunteer workdays on the Medlock grounds in anticipation for the school's opening.

Saturday, August 4th and Saturday, August 11th we plan to work primarily on the garden as it needs another round of weeding as well as other projects beautifying the school grounds. (we would like to have two shifts on each day. shifts will be from 8-12 and from 12-4). Water will be provided.

Please keep in mind we will not be able to provide child are, so these events are targeted for children 13 and older and adults.

Please email the volunteer coordinator, Laura Grundy at Laura.grundy@icsgeorgia.org to get your name on the info list.

If you have already expressed your interest to volunteer and have spoken with Laura, your name is already on the contact list.

Thank you! 

Map of property assessment changes (2011-2012)

via CHCA website...

Commissioner Rader shares a map highlighting changes in county residential property assessments for 2011-2012. Visit the CHCA website to view a full-size map and read the rest of Commissioner Rader's statement.

This image highlights changes to our neighborhood; see CHCA link for full-size county map.

Latest News on Suburban Plaza Redevelopment

from Theresa Same, MANA Zoning Chair

Our cross-neighborhood committee met with Selig on June 27th for our first design and redevelopment meeting. As a result, I have some new design concepts to share with you as well as some general updates on the project.

Detail of façade; click to enlarge. Additional renderings appear below.

Design – Selig has hired Associated Space Design (ASD) to design the redevelopment of Suburban Plaza (SP). ASD recently designed the Shops Around Lennox near Lennox Mall. The redevelopment at SP will have some similar design concepts that you see at the Shops Around Lenox and yet will have a unique look as they attempt to blend the many different architectural styles found in the Decatur area.  ASD began this design process by studying the architecture of the surrounding areas (which varies greatly). They identified the following as dominant styles in the area: Modern-retro Industrial, American Traditional, Modern Deco, Urban Chic, and Italianate Classical. ASD then began creating a plan for SP that attempts to incorporate design elements from all of these styles. The attached renderings are preliminary design concepts for the façade renovation at SP.  The design process is always mutable, and changes should be expected as the plans are further refined.

I wanted to point out a few design elements that I find most interesting.  The mixture of building materials will likely include brick, metal, wood, stucco, glass, etc. This adds interest and texture to the buildings. There is an attempt to differentiate the storefronts with variation in the signage and adding facades so that the building will not longer appear flat and one-dimensional. The new design removes the existing canopy over the front of the building, allowing additional greenery and landscaping to be added to the storefronts and parking area.

Walmart is responsible for the design of their building.  Once Selig has selected the final material/color palate for the redevelopment, Walmart will incorporate similar elements to create a cohesive look for the shopping center.

Selig has also hired Bilson and Associates to complete the landscaped design and they will continue to work with Perkins and Will on the site layout and design.

Permitting/Schedule/Process – Walmart submitted plans for their land disturbance permit in early June. They are currently addressing county comments and anticipate submitting revised drawings by the end of this month.

Demolition and renovation of the existing shopping center remains on schedule to begin in the first half of 2013.

After permits are secured and necessary tenant leases are terminated, Selig Enterprises, Inc., as master developer of the project, will be responsible for all building demolition (including the site of the new Walmart) in preparation for new construction. This includes approximately 80,000 sf of building. Selig, owner of over 250 commercial buildings in the metro Atlanta area, has a reputation for following proper protocol and regulated procedures during demolition, material handling and remediation and we expect nothing different on this project.

Leasing – Selig is in continuing talks with several national retailers and local businesses who are interested in locating at the redeveloped Suburban Plaza. They plan to announce the new tenants in the coming weeks.

Please continue to check the website for the most recent information on the Suburban Plaza redevelopment.