Invest Atlanta is rewriting plans for seven tax allocation districts, from Eastside to Campbellton Road. The first public meeting is online 6:30 p.m. Thursday.

The city of Atlanta and Invest Atlanta are updating the plans that steer redevelopment money in seven of the city’s tax allocation districts. The first public meeting is online Thursday, Oct. 8, the mayor’s office announced Monday.

The meeting is open to anyone who lives, works, owns a business or owns property in the seven districts.

The seven districts

  • Eastside
  • Westside
  • Campbellton Road
  • Metropolitan Parkway
  • Hollowell/MLK
  • Stadium Neighborhoods
  • Perry Bolton

How a TAD works

When a tax allocation district is created, the property tax it brings in is frozen at that level. As values rise, the extra tax, called the increment, is set aside for investment inside the district, for things such as infrastructure, parks or the cleanup of blighted property. When the district ends, all the tax goes back to the general tax base.

That explanation comes from the update’s own website, atltadupdate.com. Georgia law requires every TAD to have a redevelopment plan. The plan sets out the district’s needs, boundaries, market conditions and the projects its money could pay for.

The updated plans must also serve the mayor’s Neighborhood Reinvestment Initiative, the site says. Every project they name must show a direct, measurable link to its goals: preventing displacement, stabilizing neighborhoods and building wealth.

The meeting

Invest Atlanta says the session will cover why the plans are being updated, how TAD money can be used and how to take part. Several in-person meetings will follow in the coming weeks, the city said. It has not yet published their dates.

“The people who know these neighborhoods best should help shape what comes next,” said Mayor Andre Dickens, who chairs the Invest Atlanta board.

Eloisa Klementich, Invest Atlanta’s president and CEO, said the update is a chance to make sure “future investments are aligned with the needs and priorities of the communities we serve.”

What it means for you

  • If you live or run a business in one of the seven districts, this is where the priorities for its redevelopment money are being set. Thursday is the first chance to weigh in.
  • You can register for the Zoom meeting now. If you cannot make it, the city says there will be more chances to comment.
  • Not sure which district you are in? The project site, atltadupdate.com, has a form to request information.
  • For who does what at City Hall, see our who to call at City Hall page. For property tax rates and due dates, see our property taxes page.

We will add the in-person meeting dates when they are published.