East Point council approves developer‑led path under P3 deal, with up to $2.5M reimbursement subject to appropriation

The East Point City Council on May 18 voted to approve a public‑private partnership (P3) allowing the developer of the East Point Exchange to design and build a multi‑use pedestrian path across private property and then dedicate that path to the city. Under the resolution the city agreed to reimburse the developer up to $2.5 million for qualified design and construction costs, subject to annual appropriations and acceptance of certified as‑built plans, performance and payment bonds and a development agreement to be finalized after design.

Why it matters: The path is intended to improve pedestrian connections near Tri‑Cities High School and to the nearby MARTA station, supporting transit‑oriented development goals and strengthening the city’s appeal to residents and visitors. The council’s approval was a procedural step authorizing the P3 structure and single‑source procurement findings; the final, binding development agreement will return to council for legal and engineering exhibits and a specific reimbursement schedule.

What the resolution requires: The city attorney’s draft requires an engineer to certify the work, vendors to provide performance/security bonds, warranty coverage for materials and workmanship, and either a deed dedication or a recorded permanent easement for the path segment identified for public use. The $2.5 million is not automatically paid in a lump sum; staff said reimbursements will follow approved invoices and annual appropriations.

Council and public reactions: Council members pressed for explicit safeguards in the development agreement — including the legal description of the dedicated path, warranty periods and staged payments tied to accepted work — and asked staff to return with a detailed reimbursement schedule. Several council members also asked staff to identify funding sources (including Tourism Product Development funds and possible grants) so the city would not have to divert core operating funds.

Next steps: Staff and the city attorney will prepare the full development agreement, exhibit maps showing the path alignment and a proposed reimbursement schedule for council approval at a subsequent meeting. Staff also committed to specifying whether the dedicated path will be conveyed by deed, permanent easement or other instrument and to secure required bonds prior to final acceptance.

Ending: Council’s P3 vote authorized the partnership concept. The city will not release any reimbursement funds until the development agreement, engineer certifications and performance/security instruments are in place and council has approved the final deal.