Call to order – 7:30pm. Approval of the January minutes. Treasurer’s update – Monthly income statement & balance sheet.
Public Official Update
Lt. Jared Watkins, Zone 6 Morning Watch Commander: We were joined by Lt. Jared Watkins, Zone 6 Morning Watch Commander. He can be reached at Jwatkins@atlantaga.gov He shared that perpetrators of vehicle theft were caught in the act recently. A community question was asked about bicycle theft and if it was on the rise. Lt. Watkins said to connect with him directly for information as he was not quickly finding stats to properly answer the question.
Shad R. from council member Jason Winston’s office (District 1): Shad spoke about complete streets. The plans are complete and the project will be up for bid in early spring 2025. Timeline is 12 to 18 months once ground is broken. More information was shared later in the meeting.
Item One – Public Safety: Zone 6 Leaders Meeting was February 12. GPNA was briefed on key points by Public Safety Chair, Loyal Charles. Grant Park event applications reviewed and approved. In date order – May 3: HAFI/Tau Chapter Charter Day Celebration, projected attendance – under 500; May 17: Atlanta Jazz Festival Neighborhood Jazz Series, projected attendance – under 500; June 7: Black Ass Cookout, projected attendance – 1,500; July 5: House Heads Picnic, projected attendance – 300.
Change of ownership liquor license for 891 Cherokee. Reviewed, recommended approval from “Bennetts” to “Ollies.”
Change of agent application for three venues at Zoo Atlanta recommended approval.
Vehicle break-ins in Zone 6. They are still trying to figure out some details. For example, some are listed as felonies and some as misdemeanors. So getting complete information is still a challenge. Also, some officers are apparently writing one incident report when there are several break-ins in the same area at the same time (for example parking decks) while others are writing up each car broken into as separate. Research is ongoing.
Item Two – Transportation: Further information about Boulevard Complete Streets was provided by GPNA President, Robert Selby. Construction starts fall 2025 (estimated 12–18 months for completion). Changes include two lanes with protected bike lanes, most street parking removed and adding a stop light at Hansell (CVS intersection), and right-turn only from CVS on to Boulevard at Sydney Street.
Community Items
Environmental & Community Updates: Resident Steve Carr encouraged residents to participate in the NPU-W general membership meeting being held tomorrow, February 19, 2025 at 7:00pm. It is held on the 3rd Wednesday of every month. See meeting dates and times at www.cityofatlantanpu-w.org. Carr also informed us that an upcoming issue of The Porch Press will include information on participating in a soil sample study/testing. Full information should be available in the March 2025 The Porch Press. https://theporchpress.com.
New Business
Grant Street Community Garden: Steering Committee Members Ellie Hopkins and Cary Mandeville provided a brief overview of the garden which provides plots for household food growing and donation plots which help feed the hungry. One of 25 household plots can be secured for $60 a year. Contact Ellie Hopkins at elhopkins4@gmail.com to see if plots are still available or with questions. The garden website is https://sites.google.com/view/grantparkcommunitygarden/home.
Grant Park Conservancy (GPC): Executive Director, Michelle Blackmon, joined us to give an update on GPC. She can be reached at mblackmon@gpconservancy.org if you have questions about information in the slides or about the Grant Park Conservancy. The full presentation can be accessed here: GPC Community Update Presentation.
Open Floor
If you are interested in a booth, partnership or information about the Grant Park Farmers Market contact Jenna Mobley at jenna@cfmatl.org.
If you are interested in a booth, partnership or information about the EAV Farmers Market contact Katie Kriner at Kriner@cfmatl.org.
Jennifer Freeman (Jennifer.freeman@mail.house.gov) with U.S. Congresswoman Nikema Williams’ Office, Congressional District 5, shared information on upcoming events. Tele Town Hall, Wednesday, February 19 at 6:30pm ET. Join: http://nikemawilliams.house.gov/live.
Military Community Hiring Event, Thursday February 20, 11:00am-3:00pm ET. For more details, visit rmvets.com/ATL0225.
To subscribe to email updates, find out what committees the Congresswoman serves on, or request help with a federal agency, visit the Congresswoman’s official site at https://nikemawilliams.house.gov.
David Mitchell from the Atlanta Preservation Center shared information about Phoenix Flies 2025 | A Celebration of Atlanta’s Historic Sites. This annual celebration highlights the importance of preservation and community in protecting the city’s built heritage through tours, talks, and events. Tickets will be available on Eventbrite beginning February 21. The event begins March 3.
Adjournment – 8:24pm.
