[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6506670,"mediaKeyId","5586599-b6c358a2e28be91b08958b4d67143f8f","parentId",5586599,"title","Forest Park reports strong job-fair turnout; Matthews International preparing major local expansion","audioSeconds",1266,"startMs",2217000,"endMs",3483000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5586599-b6c358a2e28be91b08958b4d67143f8f&start=2217&end=3483","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5586599-b6c358a2e28be91b08958b4d67143f8f/thumbnail_2217000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6506670/Forest-Park/Clayton-County/Georgia/Forest-Park-reports-strong-job-fair-turnout-Matthews-International-preparing-major-local-expansion","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6506670-7e929d2ba219e78417745532f9e0096b/orig.mp4?Expires=1773573811&Signature=GRQ2wvyvFt3xQSq~F7ik~y14u8RJSu0H~xPN1RAZFyWTTPVbFh51qx~f4-TUmx1YZHRa6l646yzYIjokYZEC3AzDm23yjsNAX6~pnHNaaA~AVs1P-hCGZb0emqthqwORHkO54qOOd9TPRvQW5XZv~36wtxD8CgsOZBV4~jIyrgF~BZl~DHW1CAmfuLu78JZswjkqTQucsq2lF24~kX1vWSbwPRZfWT1o0P7o2pcE1dt6ZIs3oBmfGbYgX2fv7mB3k~192BglphBV-g-~DFRTekxJAuALJ0EZWmdnn7~uSS-cQ5xcdrnu3YM3VpD3S7BSvIo5J4nkOD3nsLDiuBZxag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Forest Park ","date","2025-08-14T21:32:25Z","article","City economic development staff told the URA board about a string of outreach events, business recruitment activity and workforce programs, citing a sold-out job fair and a near-term corporate expansion.

Staff said the joint job fair, organized with Councilman Wells and held at the gym, featured 22 employers, capped at 400 attendees on Eventbrite, and drew lines into the parking lot when doors opened. Participating employers included Atlanta Police Department, Fulton County Sheriff’s Office, Chick-fil-A, Georgia Power, Georgia Army National Guard, Clayton County Water Authority, Waste Management and others; MARTA and workforce partners were also on site. Staff said the event exceeded expectations and that the city plans another similar fair in January or February.

Staff briefed the board on Elevate, a workforce program run by Atlanta Center for Self Sufficiency. Ronald Tucker of Elevate described three program functions — career services (resume help, interview coaching using the STAR method), training partnerships (Atlanta Technical College and Clayton State University) that support certifications such as CDL and forklift, and digital-literacy training (Northstar Digital Literacy curriculum). Tucker said the programs focus on IT, construction, health care and culinary tracks and that many certifications can be provided free through workforce funding sources.

On business recruitment, staff said Russell Landscape (the company mentioned earlier) is seeking a second location and is considering Forest Park; Maker Studio (container-based commercial spaces) is also seeking space. Staff reported that Matthews International, a warehouse-automation firm, is in the final lease phase for a large building at 1500 Southpointe and that the company expects to bring 20–25 engineering jobs initially, with potential to grow to about 50 engineering jobs at starting salaries of $100,000–$130,000 when at full capacity. Staff said Matthews will be the only U.S. location for one component of its automation technology.

Staff also listed upcoming Main Street and community events (yoga, Blues on Main, Potoberfest, Longest Table) and noted a downtown mixed-use proposal being discussed for College and Main. Staff said they will continue business-retention visits, ribbon cuttings and outreach for entrepreneurship supports such as pop-up retail.

At the meeting’s close staff informed the board that the city manager had resigned and that the city council will name an interim manager at its next council meeting; the city manager agreed to help transition with the interim for about six months, staff said.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Urban Redevelopment Agency Meeting 8-14-2025","oneSentenceSummary","City staff reported a sold-out job fair with 22 employers and heavy public turnout, ongoing business recruitment efforts, and that Matthews International is close to signing a lease that could bring about 50 engineering jobs at six figures to Forest Park.","taxTitle","Forest Park, Clayton County, Georgia","taxId",55072,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6506674,"URA ratifies BrightView landscape contract amendment to maintain common areas",250,1943000,2193000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5586599-b6c358a2e28be91b08958b4d67143f8f&start=1943&end=2193","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5586599-b6c358a2e28be91b08958b4d67143f8f/thumbnail_1943000.jpg","/articles/6506674/Forest-Park/Clayton-County/Georgia/URA-ratifies-BrightView-landscape-contract-amendment-to-maintain-common-areas","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6506674-b6e1f6ab0f195b0835013b974ff2609b/orig.mp4?Expires=1773573812&Signature=IfpKsEb~oPvIpa-7h1N67ifLeP58yIW9nkFzJkgTgMPDdfl~tk8~Sv-ssof0NcLWGVCIyuGPODavODNmE-bQ94Phd236VtDMewiyRdM6F8nttyHfWErhD~ygK82nXn0XguVgknVRoxLVKpYOQsQrhGs285zab7J6ExwwTW4drcjOmzxTrafpH4WHPZDCJJ5XvK6zic5olksxCE4nPL8AkLikv~mgPoATJvs2259ruLpXuNUppvBnBE5ne-bannqFAVYWL7O8Dk5E9Di4P967R3cG5nwj7QJa58csmPUg93fRyOLO0kIqLOYppz~uHRds9u5ZWeBnG2lM8EmJlxwdiw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Forest Park URA approved an amendment to the BrightView landscaping contract to continue common-area landscape maintenance under the same pricing as the prior year.

A staff member filling in for Denise explained the contract was set on an auto-renew clause and BrightView agreed to hold pricing flat for the renewal year rather than applying the typical 10% annual increase. Staff said the URA and the property owners association (POA) use the same vendor so services can be coordinated across common grounds and that the URA has been pleased with BrightView’s responsiveness.

A board member asked about the POA’s payment obligations; staff said POA fee details were not provided at the meeting but offered to research and return the information. The board moved to approve the amendment and the motion passed on a voice vote.

Staff advised that documents for the amendment are ready for execution and will be provided to board members for signature.","The URA approved an amendment and auto-renewal of the BrightView landscaping contract to continue common-area maintenance; staff said BrightView kept pricing flat rather than applying a usual 10% annual increase.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6506678,"Forest Park URA approves relocation of outdoor gun-range berm; project exceeds developer escrow by roughly $20,000",318,1428000,1746000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5586599-b6c358a2e28be91b08958b4d67143f8f&start=1428&end=1746","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5586599-b6c358a2e28be91b08958b4d67143f8f/thumbnail_1428000.jpg","/articles/6506678/Forest-Park/Clayton-County/Georgia/Forest-Park-URA-approves-relocation-of-outdoor-gun-range-berm-project-exceeds-developer-escrow-by-roughly-20000","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6506678-fcba0d4283388692918a84e29e9f1d78/orig.mp4?Expires=1773573812&Signature=GB2u7Bsw5CeKjjU1vXD9QwVJmsgIRPbT--j9uTteWOMdf~BjR7ibp0eu2RelARRJC6x0BgfvvbzAj9nPX5gs31mSEH97u5Q8Gwn5a5riTlKFzRL8a7B3kuxElDhPstw26nrMSn3NrfmbdVM6jbdkFdjp--B5XwAmUGtdhuuZfJam1mtEVE8D3KaUdl8rDtSl1VK4EdJ4PW-a6kg7LPaOqnMzkpDAoCL8nhJ4Vap917nS1lxq7RoqVhxE01ovmLy3P9eikG~-4PQSBW8sEPdFRh3HkFAXKMJ~yzeaDIQpebovKMdaObmGqxKKOjSA7nkRULF46E3uWXPZuljJHFoSYw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Forest Park URA voted to proceed with relocating the outdoor gun-range dirt berm and installing rotating targets after staff said the combined vendor quotes exceeded the developer-provided escrow by roughly $20,000.

Talisa Adams, procurement manager for the city of Forest Park, told the board that the relocation is required because a developer’s project will occupy land currently adjacent to where the police department’s firing range is sited. The developer set aside $150,000 in escrow to cover the relocation work, Adams said.

Adams said the procurement team solicited quotes and conducted a mandatory site visit. The lowest quote to perform the dirt relocation work was from Vincent Landscaping and Lawn Maintenance of Hampton at $79,800. A separate quote from Action Target to install 12 rotating target posts, with a three-year warranty, was $92,493. Combined, those quotes total about $172,293, which Adams summarized as “about $170,000,” roughly $20,000 above the developer escrow.

Adams said the vendors provided references for similar work, including earth-haul and berm construction projects. Board members asked about the new berm’s backside and whether the police chief had reviewed and approved the relocation design; Adams replied the police chief was satisfied with the proposed configuration.

Adams said the underlying developer contract includes a provision that if relocation costs exceed the escrow amount the URA or city would be responsible for the excess. The board moved to authorize the procurement to proceed with the selected vendors so the work could meet the developer’s contractual timing requirements.

Elliot Lawrence moved to proceed with the relocation contracts; Avery Wilson seconded. Dr. Deborah Patrick seconded formal approval on the motion; the board then approved the work on a voice vote.

Staff did not provide a final signed contract amount in the meeting and said the procurement manager performed reference checks and would return with executed documents. The board’s approval authorizes staff to start the work and to proceed with contracting consistent with the procurement quotes and the contract terms.","The URA approved moving forward with contractor work to relocate the outdoor shooting range dirt berm and install rotating targets. Bids totaled about $170,000; developer escrow is $150,000, and the URA will cover the overage per the contract terms.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6506683,"Forest Park URA approves boundary expansion to include Grapevine culinary incubator",397,1013000,1410000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5586599-b6c358a2e28be91b08958b4d67143f8f&start=1013&end=1410","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5586599-b6c358a2e28be91b08958b4d67143f8f/thumbnail_1013000.jpg","/articles/6506683/Forest-Park/Clayton-County/Georgia/Forest-Park-URA-approves-boundary-expansion-to-include-Grapevine-culinary-incubator","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6506683-ad0960903ab85f443a7a7e54a00590e2/orig.mp4?Expires=1773573812&Signature=aCk9TYnBmtswoqDVDQBitDawke0yFse5LDrRzgV9-Ak1-2X6kurpwwh3aDnSFOgswpRIG7Pk4d6xDGsAKxkj~aFewZ~pBOVR48KMI30-xO3mF~HESQmOO2uFYFHOSqjB2luwq0-vKqcdR7OQuk8ipfYjd5zhuZ2DYPZv72RzAEEnHZmC8icb~wjUNTdnGqhLrkFhI24M0a1aXZhfD4s9N8kDT0Pvl5P3VH-K8A2dsbfmuXV4RiBYZRokq-o0atMZBZYd26x4KKyrSg58b3qQDcp50d40JX01~b7dAT9BemaIK5RDyFKPcf77O8~7bHfvRZtIt7~8~JvcAA~F9QGaqw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Forest Park Urban Redevelopment Agency voted unanimously to expand its URA boundary to include the Grapevine building and several catalytic sites, clearing the way to draft an urban redevelopment plan and start related implementation steps.

The expansion vote came after staff presented maps showing the current boundary and a proposed enlargement. Attorney Mattric Hardy told the board the next formal steps are to draft an urban redevelopment plan that describes the boundaries and to submit that plan to the mayor and city council because only the city council can establish urban redevelopment areas.

Board members discussed the Grapevine site at 833 Forest Parkway (the former Rite Aid building) and staff said the city already owns the shopping plaza footprint, including the pizza tenant and adjacent parcels the board previously acquired. Staff described exterior work already completed at the Grapevine — exterior paint, resurfaced parking lot and roof repairs — and said the next phase would be interior renovations to convert the space into a culinary incubator and community venue.

Staff described the proposed program for the Grapevine as including a drive-through coffee concept using the former drugstore drive-through, a commercial “ghost” kitchen to allow licensed production by small food entrepreneurs, a bar, a small performance stage, flex office and conference space, and three separate restaurant concepts. Renderings and a short concept video are available, staff said, and they offered to circulate those materials to board members.

Elliot Lawrence moved to approve the boundary expansion; Avery Wilson seconded. The motion passed on a voice vote with board members indicating assent.

Board members asked about parking and staff said the site’s former drugstore footprint provides what staff believes to be adequate parking and that the existing drive-through would likely be reused rather than rebuilt. Staff also said they would send floor plans, renderings and other supporting documents to the board for follow-up review.

With the motion approved, staff said they will begin drafting the urban redevelopment plan and related resolutions for submission to the mayor and city council.","The Forest Park Urban Redevelopment Agency voted unanimously to expand its Urban Redevelopment Area boundary to include the Grapevine building and related catalytic sites, moving the project toward interior renovation and reuse as a culinary incubator and community space.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Forest Park reports strong job-fair turnout; Matthews International preparing major local expansion

URA ratifies BrightView landscape contract amendment to maintain common areas

Forest Park URA approves relocation of outdoor gun-range berm; project exceeds developer escrow by roughly $20,000

Forest Park URA approves boundary expansion to include Grapevine culinary incubator