Proposal to develop Jackson Street parking lots draws sharp public criticism and split commission response

An intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with the Athens Downtown Development Authority (ADDA) to amend a prior 2020 arrangement for redevelopment of County‑owned parking lots on Jackson Street became the meeting’s most contentious agenda item.

Developers and ADDA representatives told the commission the amended IGA would unlock a project that includes a 200‑space public parking deck, infrastructure improvements (notably sewer work to support Bethel Homes phases), a contribution estimated in public testimony at about $7.9 million to the county’s affordable‑housing fund, and public‑facing spaces intended to tie into the Jackson Street Art Walk. The development team said preservation of the Foundry building and relocation of an existing playscape to a site adjacent to Leipark would be part of the plan.

Why it matters: The plan would use public land swaps and ADDA cooperation to deliver private development that the proponents say will finance affordable‑housing and critical infrastructure. Opponents questioned transparency, the intended use of public land, potential displacement effects and whether promised public‑benefit commitments would be fully enforced.

Public comment split: Supporters, including neighborhood leaders and the developer’s representative, cited public benefits: a near‑term contribution to affordable housing, sewer upgrades that would accelerate Bethel Homes phases, and a publicly accessible parking deck. Opponents and community groups — including those representing long‑time East Athens residents and historic neighborhood advocates — urged the commission to reject the IGA. Critics said the project risks erasing local history, would accelerate student housing downtown at the expense of permanently affordable and family housing, and lacked adequate community engagement. Several commenters said they had not been given timely notice of the deal.

Commission debate and outcome: Commissioners debated whether to approve the IGA and whether additional written assurances should be appended to guarantee that payments and TAD (Tax Allocation District) increments are spent in targeted tracts on the east side of the river. Commissioner Hamby introduced proposed IGA amendments intended to direct PAY‑IN‑LIEU funds and TAD increment revenues toward specified census tracts and to commit TAD revenues for the duration of TAD No. 4. After extended discussion, the motion on the IGA produced a tied vote recorded in the public transcript as 5‑5; the tie meant the IGA did not pass that evening. Commissioners said they would continue to negotiate language and that a development agreement — with more specific enforceable commitments and a site plan — will return to the commission for review.

Next steps: Staff and the ADDA will continue negotiations and, per public comment and commissioner requests, are expected to produce a development agreement that: specifies where any playscape will be relocated on ACC property; enumerates enforceable affordable‑housing contributions and how PILOT funds will be spent; clarifies TAD increment use; and records a timeline for the parking deck and sewer work before reconsideration by the commission.