Fulton County commissioners approve using TAD increment for three Westside projects after debate over future commitments

The Fulton County Board of Commissioners voted 4–1 with two abstentions on April 16 to ratify use of the county’s portion of tax increment financing in the Westside Tax Allocation District (TAD) to support three redevelopment projects, including the early phase of a redevelopment at 143 Alabama Street in downtown Atlanta.

Why it matters: The Westside TAD is a long‑running urban redevelopment district whose tax increment proceeds have supported large downtown and westside projects. Several commissioners used the discussion to question whether Fulton County should continue to commit increment to long‑running TADs given competing county priorities and a large cash balance in the Westside account, while others argued the projects are shovel‑ready and that county support is necessary for them to proceed.

What was approved: The resolution ratifies Invest Atlanta’s commitments to three Westside projects previously brought to the county for approval. Krista Barrett, who introduced the item, said the projects are small‑ and mid‑size redevelopment and affordable‑housing components including 143 Alabama Street (a downtown adaptive‑use / housing project), a fourplex conversion and scattered home acquisitions in District 6. Barrett said if the county did not approve the increment the projects “will not go forward.”

Debate highlights: Vice Chair Bob Ellis urged a review of the TAD’s long history and finances and noted the Westside TAD has generated substantial tax increment over three decades; he argued the county should consider preserving its increment for other county priorities. Ellis highlighted the TAD’s reported holdings — more than $100 million in cash and equivalents on hand against roughly $62 million in debt obligations in 2024 financials — and asked if the county should continue new commitments to the district. "I feel like it's generally met its intended purpose and we shouldn't continue to allow our increment to be built up in there," Ellis said.

Invest Atlanta response: Aloisia Clemente, Invest Atlanta president and CEO, said the agency could not move the three projects forward without Fulton County’s approval of the county increment. Invest Atlanta staff said the agency has a pipeline of projects under consideration and that existing, previously awarded funds in the TAD could not be reallocated to these projects without action by Invest Atlanta and the TAD governance.

Legal and alternatives: County legal staff said they had not found authority that would prevent Invest Atlanta from using other uncommitted TAD funds if Fulton County declined to contribute its incremental share; Invest Atlanta said those decisions involve programmatic and intergovernmental dynamics that go beyond the county’s vote. Commissioners also discussed whether the county should instead pursue renegotiation of long‑term TAD commitments; multiple commissioners asked for a future, broader briefing on TAD policy and county participation in redevelopment finance.

Vote: After extended discussion, the motion to ratify the county’s participation passed 4 yeas, 1 nay, and 2 abstentions. The action allows Invest Atlanta to continue the projects with the county’s certified incremental support as part of the Westside TAD financing structure.

Ending: Commissioners asked Invest Atlanta and county staff to provide additional documentation about the TAD’s cash position, commitments and options for renegotiation, and several commissioners asked that the board schedule a follow‑up policy session to review the county’s participation in TADs countywide.