[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",5973061,"mediaKeyId","5833729-c1583d71198490743803061c946dcaf3","parentId",5833729,"title","Forest Park details public-works projects and procurement KPIs; city center and Star Park construction ongoing","audioSeconds",125,"startMs",704000,"endMs",829000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5833729-c1583d71198490743803061c946dcaf3&start=704&end=829","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5833729-c1583d71198490743803061c946dcaf3/thumbnail_704000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5973061/Forest-Park/Clayton-County/Georgia/Forest-Park-details-public-works-projects-and-procurement-KPIs-city-center-and-Star-Park-construction-ongoing","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5973061-ca20c1d77838daef1d6ae408d792231e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771135526&Signature=WRVR96t7j243QmEInEdFkEOtYiuikzcV4ojKPUBsvGBA-8Y-0jiD-MgK0xhEC1cquASDObwtrJS5b6PQmwZQlc1DQv2D8VNe3KO8Jli5BE2QRUmBk6eZQe0ZfLk-~-3Ldc-MP0VREvcgjmbMQVqPAMGAg-bVOOK3Iwu~SwU-Nhy4JSRCCq1rhxdgISGlqi2Lgzkdv2Wf6N1k9DGY6W2~Kt0Ywf2bMngiq~P2GbbLFr-gKdlv5EHraUp~8fJwKnUdAHb68mpWrhBKp5eReeZhjQGjxRj2oGd8oLA5vreqeTgYNA07vYFOKamhPuY0spV86qDRw5HPljF9GMjFpW7OmQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Forest Park ","date","2025-09-26T16:46:48.373Z","article","Forest Park public-works and finance leaders provided updates on capital projects, staffing and procurement during the city’s community leadership meeting.

Public Works Director Matthews said the department onboarded two staff members — one fleet position and one building‑maintenance technician — and reported ongoing right‑of‑way maintenance ahead of leaf season. Matthews said the city’s dog park remained under construction and expected to be completed next week; Theater Park will receive a new pavilion and crews will begin landscaping the Forest Parkway medians from the city limits near the farmers market southward. Matthews said a Linden Way sidewalk project is about 60% complete.

Finance Director Wiggins said construction on a new city center and work at Star Park remain in active planning and that officials expect a groundbreaking ceremony forthcoming; he deferred details about timing to the interim city manager. Wiggins also reported procurement metrics for August: roughly 100 purchase orders processed and 2,424 new vendors added to the city’s vendor registration system. Wiggins said the finance office is filling a tax specialist position and plans to recruit a senior staff accountant.

Why it matters: the projects describe visible changes to public facilities and streetscapes, and procurement figures signal administrative throughput related to ongoing capital work. Officials did not provide final project budgets, funding sources or firm groundbreaking dates during the meeting.

Additional details: Matthews warned residents to expect temporary construction impacts as median landscaping begins; no road‑closure schedules or contractor names were announced.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","September 2025 Ward Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Public works reported new hires, dog park construction and Forest Parkway landscaping; finance reported ongoing planning for a new city center and procurement activity including 2,424 new vendor registrations and about 100 purchase orders processed in August.","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},5973065,"Forest Park fire and police report steady response metrics; police report crime down 12.6% year over year",228,450000,678000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5833729-c1583d71198490743803061c946dcaf3&start=450&end=678","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5833729-c1583d71198490743803061c946dcaf3/thumbnail_450000.jpg","/articles/5973065/Forest-Park/Clayton-County/Georgia/Forest-Park-fire-and-police-report-steady-response-metrics-police-report-crime-down-126-year-over-year","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5973065-31d25ee91978108e6bf4f05d5a1e1a2d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771135526&Signature=jAKiFY5ZlsHZpVyg65jDVpWCdJf~H5vie422wExp-1hcU-UN4goxL2DiukMm6291fLb1WJ~nMvB3I-q9kGN2jsvtn-o84K8cPQYu4zx1naOY6rDy~yC-CaUWDsINjwlzwuUWcM7agXpxwuCyDbdKXyIxP5S0nnnPUMTu7ePF2~Dfh9iEPl886trIkpCymxGuslaD0fWvdC~YKnHXzqun~dxNQjUTk~eUZ0iIWaSQnLJv5~AoMKWnjHCaBWFoB-NNZ9Ifzbhw2Ptg8cd3t-bq7T79pjN6H3BewBbTWSUsuVQ1~OvDFgUQnKNjAdQE10K2ClSYgePGke4zaguY3OSZOA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Forest Park public-safety leaders reported steady response metrics, staff promotions and ongoing community outreach during the council’s monthly meeting.

On the fire side, Deputy Chief May said the department handled about 240 fire-related calls in August, including 159 EMS-assist calls, 31 false alarms and two structure fires. “Our average response time from the time you called 911 to the time my truck was showing up on the scene … was 6 minutes and 30 seconds on average,” May said, and noted the fire marshal’s office completed 73 inspections in August. May also announced two new hires and promotions, including Acting Lieutenant Chanel being promoted to fire lieutenant and another promotion to acting EMS lieutenant; the department has placed a fourth engine/truck and four ambulances into service.

On the police side, Captain Wirkerson said citywide crime is down 12.6% compared with the same period last year. “Currently, our biggest issue is retail shoplifting,” he said, and described shoplifting as a “crime of opportunity” that occurs inside retail establishments; he added officers typically arrive within minutes and arrests follow when appropriate. Wirkerson said the department is about 90% staffed, added that one officer began this week and two more are expected in the coming weeks, and announced community programs including a “Run with the Chief” starting Oct. 8 at 6 a.m. on Wednesdays at Star Park and a police academy running Sept. 23 through Nov. 18.

Why it matters: the public-safety update offers a snapshot of operational capacity and community outreach; reduced crime rates and timely response times were highlighted, and police attention to retail shoplifting signals a focus on property‑crime prevention during the upcoming holiday season.

Additional details: Wirkerson said two officers received a Clayton County Chamber of Commerce community-impact award on Sept. 12 for lifesaving efforts earlier in the year. Department representatives did not offer a breakdown of arrests or case clearances tied to the reported crime rate during the update.","Deputy Chief May reported average 911 response time of 6 minutes 30 seconds and recent promotions; Captain Wirkerson said city crime is 12.6% lower than last year, noted retail shoplifting as the primary issue and outlined upcoming staffing and community events.",{"_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},5973070,"Forest Park named finalist for Georgia housing program; Planning Commission to hear MARTA site variances",76,352000,428000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5833729-c1583d71198490743803061c946dcaf3&start=352&end=428","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5833729-c1583d71198490743803061c946dcaf3/thumbnail_352000.jpg","/articles/5973070/Forest-Park/Clayton-County/Georgia/Forest-Park-named-finalist-for-Georgia-housing-program-Planning-Commission-to-hear-MARTA-site-variances","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5973070-6857ceb26b9a1d83de8c686ac2e9275e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771135526&Signature=IpsucZF-szPK73i5Bd0CksaHRMqnyYtkd1yeBwT6bDHQ5fKCkUxOFKLuspWAPB95BI0YUa6zdkawUimnyCe77QZHbk-EuurTHzmHrKTtKVUIolFGrrgFu3MJNoikoKHVUKrQ5feNG~yMu3kxfv0cmoa3quuF3c-j1NoE60eH~sFZ375V70DR6KwzT6IVL4NPkr8jRcChGfXLdm8DI6Wbz30JRdgXeX1SNDIYXaLPpOEx64QqOfKp-6GPiEtdiiDWdvZhTsKmN-ZxwKNN1-EaD~QHhvx5UBExQqfp-kXIRTAYdMEgGG6cm4bxjUlsi1f1pff0-I8e3xVJAWNNsBRxcA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Forest Park planning officials said the city is a finalist for the Georgia Initiative for Community Housing program and will have a final review Oct. 6 that could lead to formation of a housing team and a city housing plan.

“The city has been selected as a finalist for the Georgia Initiative for Community Housing program,” Planning Director Delgier said. He said the final review is scheduled for Oct. 6 and, if selected, the city would set up a housing team and establish a housing plan as part of the program.

Delgier also said the Planning Commission would hear from MARTA regarding an operations facility; MARTA is seeking variances to build structures proposed for that site. He added staff continue testing the city’s Tyler online permitting system and asked residents for patience while staff work through remaining issues.

Why it matters: joining the Georgia Initiative for Community Housing would put the city into a state-led technical assistance and planning program that could shape local housing strategy; Delgier did not disclose funding amounts, program conditions or the composition of the prospective housing team in the meeting.

Additional details: Delgier did not present the specific variances MARTA requested, nor did he provide a timeline for the Planning Commission hearing or for final selection into the housing program beyond the Oct. 6 date.","Planning Director reported the city is a finalist for the Georgia Initiative for Community Housing program and said the Planning Commission will review a MARTA operational facility variance; the city is also testing its Tyler permitting system.",{"_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},5973074,"Forest Park code compliance reports dozen‑hundreds of August enforcement cases; asks residents to remove curbside trash carts",96,223000,319000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5833729-c1583d71198490743803061c946dcaf3&start=223&end=319","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5833729-c1583d71198490743803061c946dcaf3/thumbnail_223000.jpg","/articles/5973074/Forest-Park/Clayton-County/Georgia/Forest-Park-code-compliance-reports-dozenhundreds-of-August-enforcement-cases-asks-residents-to-remove-curbside-trash-carts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5973074-8af2a0de0c6a58c768028617e3e1737b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771135526&Signature=dQoLYxJwZcrA9qcUHsDzIFbM49xrcR6c4t~-qkwnnGnnX83rs3DFHBiNCgGg5JGHaj7O-hkn2OXYm2k-8or~-ynnUOWwQWl8cbyJt32EpcI8ymSXu9R6VFQl7lrUZMd8Vj-HGk9RtncMjekrjlDEaSE~35Lsq8Ev4Q-yMiZ9fO76W57gqbDcq4P8TvknM220z5CeVRwSvLCBdtNTH9H8pD30f~gTd~-oOUj4aCfa1gScVsScUbji~zWW5Xl02JEYahTXw1YpB5WiaJeZwX2ZwBduIg0mMktSf3aJ7yAd9Q6ml9aHaX9t51TU2JjoED~LhcrBbVZMjzQzoGodYu0jpA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Forest Park Code Compliance Director Darren Walker reported August case totals and reminded residents to remove trash containers from curbside after pickup. “Please make sure you remove your trash container from curbside,” Walker said during the council’s community leadership meeting.

Walker provided case counts for August 2025: 73 junk-vehicle cases; 201 cases related to grass and weeds; 116 outside-storage cases; 174 cases for exterior trash and debris; and 45 business-license inspections. He said three code officers will attend the GACE conference in Athens in two weeks and invited residents to a Ward 5 block party on Sept. 29; the event is open to all city residents.

Why it matters: the department said those categories represent the main public‑nuisance complaints in Ward 1 and across the city; the counts show active enforcement but the city did not provide total-year comparisons or enforcement outcomes for each case. Walker encouraged residents to contact the Code Compliance Department with specific questions or to report ongoing problems.

Additional details: Walker did not describe penalties or timelines for compliance in the meeting update; residents seeking enforcement action were asked to reach out directly to the department.","Code Compliance Director Darren Walker presented August case counts for junk vehicles, overgrown grass, outside storage and exterior trash and urged residents to remove trash containers from the curb after pickup.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5973079,"Forest Park schedules suicide-prevention 5K, mental-health festival and fall health walks",70,90000,160000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5833729-c1583d71198490743803061c946dcaf3&start=90&end=160","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5833729-c1583d71198490743803061c946dcaf3/thumbnail_90000.jpg","/articles/5973079/Forest-Park/Clayton-County/Georgia/Forest-Park-schedules-suicide-prevention-5K-mental-health-festival-and-fall-health-walks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5973079-04bb0f0a935c38459fdfae908c4a577b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771135526&Signature=Mf4bf2hMvHtH4XQQ9ymwHsYwVIjDgUAAcIWEw7qfim-aE5Ig~i1bo0PO9YrjMOwyNg-wzo5qtQ~4pDbhblsfCeFPSgkWQ6ElUKX7vDT4~ylk1YsZKoHrucIvwWYsLTUeNwmfhyna~NaLP0WLJe-VjuFSuxL-PAYre~2a6e~Z6xS8RQyDZjwhqs0nGi7U4xIHjQtEMgitAba2uqUdVyUFoxj2iBLx29Cf1vjm8orVlacszc~05hAcDIxeVrKpRYcALtoSsDyOhINtSrhfErc6CF7pbHV~aDdoIJqx6H~TN~EOJ3dv1FD62CEtAW60Z5r13JXQIOICgJ08-vVl4AOx6Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Forest Park recreation officials urged residents to take part in an upcoming suicide-prevention 5K and a mental-health festival and announced fall wellness and youth-sports registration. “This month is suicide-prevention awareness month,” the recreation representative said, noting the city will hold a Sept. 27 5K and the Free Your Mind Festival that same afternoon.

The recreation speaker said the Free Your Mind Festival will include mental-health vendors, motivational speakers, doctors, live performances, bounce houses and free massages. The 5K is described as the “27th annual” local event tied to suicide-prevention and mental-health outreach. The speaker also said the city plans to show the Georgia vs. Florida (Alabama) game that evening as part of the festival’s activities.

Officials also announced an Oct. 18 Pink Panther Breast Cancer Awareness Walk. The recreation speaker said walking is free and that t-shirts are available for $5 and that registration is open. City staff also said registration for the youth basketball league is beginning, and noted the city’s senior “legacy” program recently ran a daylong trip to Blue Ridge Mountain.

Why it matters: organizers said the events are part of the city’s broader outreach to residents on health and youth programming and are intended to connect families with services and recreation opportunities. The recreation office provided an email for questions and registration: recreationleisure@forestparkga.gov.

Additional details: the recreation office encouraged parents and residents to attend and participate in programming; no fees or additional funding sources were mentioned beyond the $5 t-shirt charge. The city did not provide participant caps or start/finish locations for the 5K during the update. For more information, the recreation office directed residents to contact the recreation center or use the provided email.

Residents interested in the events were asked to register early; organizers did not announce specific registration deadlines in the meeting.","City recreation officials announced a Sept. 27 suicide-prevention 5K and Free Your Mind Festival, an Oct. 18 Pink Panther breast-cancer awareness walk and upcoming youth basketball registration and senior outings.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Forest Park details public-works projects and procurement KPIs; city center and Star Park construction ongoing

Forest Park fire and police report steady response metrics; police report crime down 12.6% year over year

Forest Park named finalist for Georgia housing program; Planning Commission to hear MARTA site variances

Forest Park code compliance reports dozen‑hundreds of August enforcement cases; asks residents to remove curbside trash carts

Forest Park schedules suicide-prevention 5K, mental-health festival and fall health walks