Turn Back the Block seeks partnership to revitalize Vernon Forest Park; commission moves proposal to full body
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Summary
Turn Back the Block and UGA partners pitched a privately led revitalization for Vernon Forest Park, offering fundraising and design support; procurement and commissioners agreed to move the unsolicited proposal to the full commission without recommendation and to explore an MOU with milestones.
Representatives of Turn Back the Block, including board chair Garen Mueller and executive director Ashley Brown, presented an unsolicited proposal to revitalize Vernon Forest Park, highlighting a partnership with the University of Georgia's Connected Resilient Communities program and a potential donation of adjacent land from Georgia Power.
Mueller said the group aims to fundraise and pursue grants, not ask the city for operating funds, and asked the commission for permission to partner and pursue grant opportunities on the city's behalf. Procurement staff said the unsolicited proposal packet that the evaluation committee reviewed lacked definitive identified funding and long-term maintenance commitments; the unsolicited proposal scored roughly 30.8 on the committee's scale.
Commissioners asked procurement about past practice and whether the city can accept unsolicited proposals; procurement and the city attorney outlined a permissive path: reject the unsolicited proposal procedurally and then work with the nonprofit on an MOU that sets milestones (for example, securing grants or clarifying ownership/maintenance responsibilities) that could remove Vernon Forest Park from a closure list while partners pursue funding. The committee voted to move the unsolicited proposal to the full commission without recommendation and asked staff to return with a recommended process and timeline.
Why it matters: The proposal could preserve a neighborhood park through a public-private partnership and redirect potential closure plans for Vernon Forest Park. Procurement and legal review highlighted the need for clear funding and maintenance commitments before the city can accept a long-term transfer or role change.
What comes next: The commission will consider the unsolicited proposal at the full commission meeting; staff/legal will meet with Turn Back the Block to draft potential MOU language and milestones for consideration.
Sources: Presentation by Garen Mueller and Turn Back the Block representatives; procurement staff and Attorney Plunkett commentary in the committee meeting.
