Redux of cityhood forum

Jonathan Cribbs at Decatur Patch has a report on the January 8 meeting on DeKalb County's cityhood movements. So far, the discussion seems defined by uncertainty and vagueness with a sprinkling of animal references. One speaker claimed to not "have a dog in this fight"; another explained that support for the establishment of Dunwoody was directly linked to former DeKalb CEO Vernon Jones's being "such an ass." Read it all at DeKalb Leaders Offer Conflicting Views at Cityhood Forum.

ADDENDUM:
Extensive notes of the meeting Q&A available at CHCA.

Castaway

Creekside, a castaway is improvising,

New Decatur mayor on annexation

Ralph Ellis at Patch has part I of an interview where newly elected Decatur Mayor Jim Baskett  comments on the City's annexation prospects. In his analysis, annexation is "one way to postpone the worst of the crisis" and protect City of Decatur schools from losing quality due to ever-growing demand (from parents who want access to Decatur schools to escape the DeKalb County School System). As to securing support for annexation from the legislature, he has found no "expression of enthusiasm" from the legislature or the County.

With candor and humor, Mr. Baskett also states his desire to build a better relationship with DeKalb County. This is most encouraging.

"I’m kind of working from a clean slate. They don’t know me well enough ... to have a really bad opinion of me. So maybe we can start to build on some relationships that I do have and work toward some better outcomes and get our relationship better with the county. That would be important."  ... Continue reading @ Patch

To build upon the Mayor's paraphrasing of John Donne, we are not islands. DeKalb County's problems will not be solved through isolationism but rather by building relationships, showing leadership, and striving for transparency and equitable solutions.

Congratulations, and best of luck to Mayor Baskett.

ADDENDUM:  Part II of the interview is now available at Decatur Patch.

Golden Corral @ North DeKalb Mall opening in February

Golden Corral, coming soon to a mall near you. Restaurant façade as seen from Macy's parking lot.

According to a post in the neighborhood Facebook page, the new Golden Corral at North DeKalb Mall will open in mid-February (11-18ish). We first heard that they were coming to the area in 2011.

Golden Corral is one of those franchises that inspires either smiles or sputtering disapproval. Their website features a lot of information about who they are, why they do things the way they do, and of course, menus.

Welcome to the neighborhood and here's to hoping Golden Corral is part of North DeKalb Mall's revival.

Coyote info session [Jan 29]

CHCA has information on a meeting that will discuss issues relating to urban coyotes. The activity is being coordinated by the Druid Hills Civic Association.

Visit the CHCA website for the details.

Flu shots 2013

For an interactive version of this image, visit the http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/

DeKalb County Board of Health's website has information about the flu and where you may secure immunizations:

Flu vaccinations are available on a walk-in basis Monday through Friday between
8:15 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at the following DeKalb County Board of Health locations:
Clifton Springs Health Center, 3110 Clifton Springs Road, Decatur, 404-244-2200.
East DeKalb Health Center, 2277 S. Stone Mountain-Lithonia Road, Lithonia, 770-484-2600. 

North DeKalb Health Center, 3807 Clairmont Road, NE , Chamblee, 770-454-1144. 

T.O.VinsonHealthCenter,440 Winn Way,Decatur, 404-294-3762. 

Refugee Health Services, Richardson Health Center, 445 Winn Way,Decatur, 404-294-3818. 

The DeKalb County Board of Health’s fees are:
Flu vaccination: $20
Fluzone high dose: $40

For additional information on the flu, visit the CDC's seasonal influenza website.

Shopping malls in the 21st century

Atlantic Cities has an interesting article on the future of shopping malls. With the ever-growing presence of online shopping, what does the future hold for the brick and mortar store?

This declining retailer health is directly impacting malls and shopping centers in the form of very high vacancy rates and sluggish rents—exactly what you’d expect to see where supply exceeds demand. Both factors deteriorated quickly during the economic crisis of 2008-09, but they’ve shown virtually no improvement since in spite of improved economic conditions. The recession was the catalyst, but competition from online retailers can only be the continued driver. The mall business isn’t very healthy either.  ...Continue reading @ Atlantic Cities...

 A not-so-cheery real estate investor characterizes the surplus of vacant space as not so much a "overbuilt" but rather "underdemolished." The source of that quote also adds some history about shopping malls:

Many of the earliest malls were buildings connected by pedestrian walkways and common areas, similar to today’s lifestyle center. Many malls began to turn inward in the 1960s and ‘70s, with the typical suburban mall composed of department stores and smaller shops connected by a roof, essentially forming an air-conditioned cave... Continue reading @ Costar...

The Costar website has several other articles about revitalizing or reinventing shopping areas that are not thriving

• Can This Mall Be Saved? Elements Needed for a Turnaround Include Lower Debt, Deep Pockets, 
• When Retail Won't Work: Alternative Uses for Converting Former Ghost Malls Back Into Income-Producing Property

Food for thought, as we mull the future of nearby shopping areas.