Forest Park development authority reviews events, property marketing and approves preliminary plan for 794 sale

The Forest Park Development Authority on Sept. 24 reviewed an August financial report, heard updates on community events and property marketing, and approved a preliminary development plan for property at 794, to be sold to the Georgia Utilities Contractors Association pending permit approval.

The authority’s financial overview included a payment the board expects to post and immediately transfer back to the city. Director Dennis told the board that “our date received today in the mail are a payment for $1,200,000 … And then once it's posted, I will write a check and write that check back to the city for the exact same amount.” The board was not asked to vote on the month’s financial statements; the report was provided for review.

The authority’s economic development staff summarized a slate of upcoming community events and marketing steps intended to attract visitors and prospective tenants. Staff highlighted recurring events including Food Truck Friday (paired with a community "Longest Table" event), a first-time citywide scarecrow contest, the second annual Blues on Main (with VIP tables and sponsorship tiers), and a Potoberfest planned for Friday, Oct. 3 at the Bill Lee Dog Park. Staff also said new seasonal light-pole banners are in production and that updated property brochures and one‑pagers for city‑owned parcels are available.

Staff reported several construction and downtown changes. Dennis and other staff noted demolition has begun at the MARTA operations and maintenance site on Old Dixie, a six‑unit single‑family project on Cherry Street is under construction, and multiple privately owned downtown parcels are being vetted for mixed‑use multifamily proposals. The board discussed 850 Main — a city‑owned building that is for lease — and staff said property signage and listing materials are being produced for marketing and that CoStar is linked from the city's economic development web page as a commercial listing tool.

Board members pressed staff for updates on previously sold parcels. Staff said the land‑disturbance permit for the property sold to Jasper has been issued and that, from the authority’s standpoint, the buyer has met required start conditions though the site remains an eyesore and the authority is following up. Staff said enforcement of construction site conditions is now handled by city code enforcement once permits have been issued.

On a separate downtown site, staff described a contract the authority entered into with the Georgia Utilities Contractors Association for the sale of the parcel at 794, adjacent to the association’s current office. Staff presented the association's preliminary site plan and an environmental assessment and said planning staff had reviewed the submittal. Rochelle, the authority’s principal planner, told the board, “Staff is okay with everything that has been submitted and … it is our recommendation that you approve and move forward.”

Staff described changes to the authority’s closing policy: rather than convey property and rely on a clawback if a buyer does not start construction, the authority now requires a buyer to obtain city permits before the authority closes on the sale. Staff also told the board the association’s project budget is roughly $4 million to $4.4 million.

After discussion, the authority approved the preliminary development plan for the 794 sale and authorized staff to continue the city review and permitting process; authority staff will not close on the sale until the buyer has pulled required permits. The meeting record shows a motion to approve the submitted plans and a later vote in favor; staff will continue to process final plan review with city planning and the urban design review board when the association files final permit applications.

The board also voted to adjourn the public session and enter an executive session to discuss real estate matters.

Votes at a glance

- Preliminary development plan for parcel at 794 (sale to Georgia Utilities Contractors Association): board approved; closing contingent on buyer pulling permits; budget for project reported as roughly $4,000,000–$4,400,000. (Motion text and vote tallies not specified in the public transcript.)

- Motion to enter executive session to discuss real estate: approved (second and unanimous "all in favor" noted).