Medline LCI big reveal! [June 5]

Image via Medline LCI proposal [pdf file]

As reported in previous posts, on February 2013 the Atlanta Regional Commission approved study funds for the Medline Livable Centers Intiative. Encompassing ~520 acres around DeKalb Industrial Way, Church Street, Scott Boulevard /  Lawrenceville Highway and North Decatur Road, the study area is "extremely under developed and ripe for infill and redevelopment as a mixed‐use center serving walkable and transit oriented neighborhoods."

Per the Medline LCI website, "This project will result in a master plan that brings various stakeholders together to form a unified vision for the ultimate enhancement of the Medline area.  The plan will include a short-term work plan, providing a collaborative approach to guide next steps toward implementation. ... The master plan will recommend a variety projects, and some of these may be implemented within a year or two of plan completion. Other projects that require detailed engineering and significant funding will take longer to implement."

The study process began early this year with a survey and a series of meetings with property owners, residents and businesses, with the goal of  determining how to improve transportation and quality of life for all who live, work and spend time in this area. The June 5 meeting offers yet another opportunity to provide feedback, in particular for those who have not been able to participate in other meetings. The study group's written report will be available online soon.

For additional information, presentation slides from all meetings and a comprehensive listing of the professionals involved in this project, visit the Medline LCI site. The FAQ page is a particularly good starting point for those who are just learning about the Medline LCI.

Proposed master plan "cartoon." Please attend the June 6 meeting for more details. Click to enlarge.

North DeKalb Mall sold, remodeling expected

Atlanta's Tomorrow's News Today shared in its Facebook page that North DeKalb Mall has been sold.  A little Google hopscotch led to this press release that announces (without offering additional remodeling details)

"plans to convert the enclosed portion of the property to an open-air concept. Lennar and Sterling acquired ownership interest in the property and Sterling will manage the center. Timing on the redevelopment has not been finalized."

Over at the Lennar Commercial website, North DeKalb Mall is already listed among other properties they manage. A quick scan reveals their holdings fall into two broad categories: those located in areas with household incomes in the ~$60-80K's (similar to North DeKalb Mall), and those in the ~$100K+ range (such as The Avenue@East Cobb). So let the guessing game begin as to what new stores may come our way! Looking at North Dekalb Mall-like Lennar properties, they appear to feature merchants similar to the ones that Selig Enterprises is negotiating for Suburban Plaza.

We will post additional information as it becomes available.

Addendum: For fun, a couple Atlanta Time Machine views of North DeKalb Mall in the 1960's:

1965: http://www.atlantatimemachine.com/commercialbldgs/north_dekalb.htm
Undated: http://www.atlantatimemachine.com/commercialbldgs/north_dekalb_undated.htm

Info for May 20 election

Neighbor Jo Ann sends us this link to DeKalb County's Voter Registration and Elections site:

http://web.co.dekalb.ga.us/Voter/CurrentElectionInfo.html

which includes early voting sites, qualified candidates (non-partisan and Democrat), sample ballots  and a link to the  generating voter-specific ballots).

The following precinct changes affect nearby residents:

NORTH DECATUR moved to North Decatur Presbyterian Church (4/11/13)
Relocation of all voters from North Decatur at Scott Boulevard Baptist Church to
North Decatur Presbyterian Center due to sale of church.

MEDLOCK moved to International Community School (4/11/13)
Relocation of all voters from Medlock temporary location at North Decatur
Presbyterian Church to International Community School.

Paper Shredding AND Book Swap @ ICS [May 18]

see details/map here

Community Shredding & Neighborhood Book Swap & Donation Drive to benefit the International Community School, organized by Lisa Crowder

Sunday, May 18th  2-5p

1) Book swap and donation: 
1-2pm -- book donations drop off only. Volunteers will help you unload your books.
2-3pm -- donate books to receive swap tickets (1 ticket for each 2 books you donate; 1 ticket gets you a book during the book swap). Books will be accepted thru 3pm but please come early.
3-5pm -- book swap! Redeem your tickets by "shopping" the book collection. Remaining books will be donated to ICS school children and otherwise donated to the DeKalb Public Library.

2) Secure on-site shredding:  
2-5pm -- $5/box, with proceeds to benefit science education at the school

King of Pops will be on-site; each pop sold earns $1 for ICS.

2014 Voter's Guide

via http://www.lwvga.org/2014voterguide.html

"The League of Women Voters of Georgia, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and WSB-TV are pleased to once again partner in producing the2014 Georgia Voter Guide , the most comprehensive guide for voters to learn about candidates for elected office. The 2014 Online Voter Guide is a non-partisan resource for voters in Georgia.  

The League, the AJC, and WSB-TV do not endorse candidates and thoroughly believe that voters should judge candidates based on their own merits, ideas and platform. We work very hard to provide an intelligent, equitable forum where that can occur."

The voter's guide can be accessed at http://c3.thevoterguide.org/v/ajc14/build.do

May pet adoption event

A HOMELESS CAT OR DOG FROM DEKALB COUNTY ANIMAL SERVICES IS THE PURRFECT GIFT FOR MOM

ALL DOG ADOPTIONS ONLY $20 AND CAT ADOPTIONS ONLY $10 DURING MAY

ATLANTA (May 7, 2014) -- Searching for that "purrfect" way to celebrate Mother’s Day this year?  Why not give the gift of love and life by adopting a beautiful cat or loveable dog from DeKalb County Animal Services (DCAS).   In honor of all mothers and those who love mothers, DCAS is offering special adoption rates on adult (six months or older) dogs and cats during the month of May – only $20 for dogs and $10 for cats.  All animals will be spayed/neutered, vaccinated and microchipped for this special rate.  Regular screening criteria applies to ensure the animals are going to good homes.

"It’s springtime, and while many people are eager to adopt a kitten or puppy, we also have many great adult cats and dogs who are waiting in the shelter for a home," said DCAS Shelter Director Susan Feingold. "We have hundreds of great pets who are in need of that special person and will provide many years of love in return."

 To view the wonderful animals available for adoption at DCAS, please visit www.dekalbanimalservices.com.

About DeKalb County Animal Services
Managed by LifeLine Animal Project, DeKalb County Animal Services provides humane care for animals at the shelter, veterinary care, pet adoptions, pet reclaim services, volunteer opportunities, foster care, and rescue group coordination.  To learn more, please visit www.dekalbanimalservices.com.

Medlock pool hours 2014

UPDATE 2: The pool will switch to weekends only on August 9. Closing day is Sept 1, Labor Day.

UPDATE, May 25: The pool opened on May 24. Pool hours are noon-6, closed on Tuesdays, and 1-6pm on Sundays. They are trying to get the schedule switched back to being closed on Mondays (the usual schedule and what the DeKalb pool site says). You can call the pool's direct line @ 404-486-5904 if you have any questions. Thanks to Brandon and Isabel for clarifying.

Earlier version of this post: 

via Facebook, from the pool manager/lifeguard:

Pool Hours
Monday: closed, except for Memorial Day (May 26 24 opening day!) and Labor day (Sept 1)
Tuesday - Saturday: 12pm - 6pm
Sunday: 1pm - 6pm

Admission
2 and under are free, so are those over 55
3-17 are $2
18-54 are $3
Pool pass is $45 per person

There is no readmission fee (you can leave and come back as many time as you like in one day).
Food and drinks are permitted but glass containers and bottles are not allowed in the pool area.
There's a limited number of chairs, so feel free to bring your own.
There are swim lessons and swim team. Prices and dates will be determined on opening day.

For additional information about DeKalb Co. pools, see their aquatics document.