Forest Park Development Authority reviews Main Street events, housing projects, data center plans and finance questions

Forest Park development staff presented a monthly economic development report that covered Main Street events and branding, multiple housing and commercial projects, workforce initiatives and an ongoing question about how a Kroger-related pilot payment flows between the city and local authorities.

The presentation outlined Main Street programming through the late summer and fall, including an "up early" coffee-and-yoga event on Aug. 23, another event on Sept. 20, a Longest Table event with food trucks, and a second-annual Blues on Main. Staff said the authority and Main Street board have procured new light-pole banners that will rotate seasonally and plan to install a Main Street welcome sign; a public-art series called "Boxes in Bloom" was also announced.

On housing and development, staff described several active projects: Carter on Scott (17 single-family homes), Carter on Main (32 townhomes), Cherry Street (six single-family homes in a phased approach), and a proposed 48-unit, two-story townhome project at 721 Morrow Road. The Florence on Main development has applied for DCA tax credits; staff said they expect an award notification possibly within weeks but later stated general DCA notices are published in October. For the Florence on Main project staff noted escrow funds are in place.

Digital Realty's data center project was reported to have received planning commission approval for the external building design; staff said they expect to begin community benefit agreement negotiations in early to mid-August with the developer's leadership team. Matthews International, a Pittsburgh-based company opening a warehouse and automation division in Forest Park, was presented as a new employer that staff expect to create 20—2 full-time jobs with starting salaries the staff described in the range of $100,000 to $130,000 for some positions.

The authority discussed a pending sale of 794 Main Street to the Georgia Utility Contractors Association. Under the contract the buyer has until the 30th of the month to submit site plans and elevations to the authority for review. Staff counsel asked board members to be prepared to review plans digitally so the authority can respond within the 30-day review window; if plans arrive late the authority may need a called meeting to review comments prior to closing.

Legal counsel (Mr. Kirby) raised a separate finance question about Kroger-related pilot payments. Counsel described a difference of opinion between him and the city's financial adviser over whether the payments should flow to the city for its use or be held in a special URA fund and reported he has communicated his view to the city and its advisers. Counsel recommended periodic monitoring and requests for accounting; he said the authority retains a legal obligation to remit funds while related indebtedness is outstanding but that the obligation could cease if the indebtedness is paid off before pilot payments end.

Staff also reported workforce and business support activities: a city job fair on Aug. 14 organized with council staff and partners; the Elevate workforce initiative in partnership with the Atlanta Center for Self Sufficiency (including employer-specific recruiting events); and the planned opening of a new gas-station franchise on Jonesboro Road.

On the facade grant program staff said no additional funds have been expended in over a year. Two properties remained in the program: the JoJo Star Building (old Kiwanis building) and a property owned by a Ms. Dixon near Carter's Cleaners. Staff said the first installment was paid for each participant but further disbursements had stalled; the presenter recommended the authority suspend further facade-grant disbursements. The presentation concluded with staff saying they will provide a full accounting next month.

No formal votes on the items above were recorded in the transcript; the board received updates, heard counsel's recommendation to monitor the Kroger payments, and received staff recommendations for administrative follow-up.