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DeKalb touts corridor acquisitions, redevelopment plans and technology investments to speed permitting
Summary
CEO Lorraine Cochran Johnson cited strategic acquisitions (including 4380 Memorial Drive), corridor redevelopment plans (South DeKalb Mall, Candler Crossing) and technology investments — selecting Oracle, allocating about $6.7 million for permitting overhaul and $8 million for NextGen 911 — to accelerate development and government services.
Lorraine Cochran Johnson said the county is shaping development through strategic property acquisitions and investments to make permitting and government services easier for developers and residents.
Johnson said the county purchased 4380 Memorial Drive after 28 years of renting and has made capital improvements to prepare the site for mixed‑use redevelopment. She described corridor plans that include reimagining South DeKalb Mall and advancing Candler Crossing with new retail anchors and mixed‑use development to bring jobs and services to neighborhoods.
On government modernization, Johnson said the county selected Oracle for planning and sustainability tools, will invest roughly $6.7 million to overhaul permitting and planning systems to reduce friction for businesses, and allocated $8 million to update NextGen 911 for real‑time communication among 911 operators, callers and police officers.
Why this matters: Officials said streamlined permitting and updated technology will reduce delays that previously impeded projects and will encourage private investment to follow public improvements. The CEO framed these actions as both economic development and service‑delivery improvements.
