The City of Atlanta has everything it needs to become the #1 City in American to live, work, play, and love for everyone.
A concentration of top tier schools and diverse talent, authentic culture, over 200 distinct neighborhoods, a growing list of top companies, a foodies heaven, comparatively low cost of living, southern hospitality, endless canopies of trees, and do not forget our very own boardwalk, The Beltline. And still, the list goes on.
However, one word has held back our City for, what many would say, decades: Disorganization.
For us to get on the right track, we must reorganize our City Offices, Departments, and Partners and then leverage technology to ensure seamless collaboration between them in real-time. For example, the Department of Planning (DCP) and the Department of Transportation (ATLDOT) should both be aware that Developer ABC has agreedto replace the crumbling streets and sidewalks around the new development site. Instead, ATLDOT moves forward and builds new Bike Lanes near the development site and just a few months later Developer ABC tears up the streets and sidewalks (new Bike Lanes included) to replace the crumbling street and sidewalk but without Bike Lanes, per agreement. Disorganization.
On a basic level, I believe getting on track means we start with the most important unit of organization for any City, our Neighborhoods. While Atlanta does recognize 242 Official Neighborhoods, unfortunately, each Neighborhood does not have a Registered Neighborhood Organization (RNO). Newsletters, Annual Festivals, Neighborhood Cleanups, and Crime Watches are just some of the general functions of the RNO. Most importantly, representation at the neighborhood level is what the RNO truly provides.
On a broader level, if we're seeking to compete with global Cities, we need around 70 specialized Departments spread across 20 independent Offices. As of today, the City of Atlanta has a Mayor's Office, a President's Office, 15 City Council Offices, and just 11 Departments that run the City. This includes the newly added Department of Planning and Department of Transportation, which was much needed. However, a Department of Health, as one example, is still vitally missing.
Another great example is Atlanta having over 40 different Partners tasked with assisting around 4000 Homeless Citizens spread throughout the 12 Districts. However, without one unified system or a central starting point of entry established it's hard to keep track and have all Partners on the same page. Or what about the HOPWA Housing Program not being managed by Atlanta Housing Authority? We must make things make sense.
Moreover, on a complex level, this means our private and public sector Partners must be included in all conversations to better understand where citywide efforts can be supported. Home Depot, Fulton County Sheriffs Office, Grady Healthcare System, and The United Way Nonprofit are just some of the Partners that are well equipped with budgets and resources of their own. Between our 100s of Partners, together there are enough resources for us to achieve many of the goals we've set. And we must have well-aligned goals but perhaps, more importantly, aligned priorities so as to maximize our time, resources, and impact.
Three major steps we must take towards reorganization:
Restructuring our Real Estate Industry. This means reaching into our toolbox and placing all the tools on the table. The Rezoning Tool, The Downpayment Assistance Tool, and The Property Tax Freeze Tool to name some. And know how and when to use these tools.
Redesigning our Transportation System. This means rerouting our Bus Network and expanding our Streetcar Network in ways thatthread all parts of our City back together. While also developing a pothole maintenance strategy and looking towards building rail on The Beltline.
Reinvesting in our Business Network. This means partnering with APS to prepare our youth for a new economy by providing alternative pathways to success such as becoming a top Electrician, running a Logistics Warehouse, or managing a portfolio of premier hotels. In today's new economy, we must emphasize that pathways to success come in a variety.
Reorganizing Atlanta helps us realize what great we already have and unlocks our full potential. A true resurgence.
