Call to Order – 7:30pm.
President’s Welcome/Introduction – Robert Selby (president@gpna.org): Attendees were welcomed and thanked for attending. Agenda was presented. Membership and voting information was presented.
Approval of the May meeting minutes (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1E1ctm9Mv4b5rUKvlA67vPamTSZ7PWfja/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=113904832080120934484&rtpof=true&sd=true): The meeting minutes were approved.
Public Official and Committee Updates
Item One – Public Safety: APD Zone 6 Update: Evening watch commander Lt. CJ Maldonado joined the meeting. Kia and Hyundai cars are targeted as they are “easier” to steal, and steering wheel clubs help. Clubs can be obtained for free from the precinct. There was an attempted car theft on Cameron in Grant Park. Richard Lifshey, a resident at the meeting, asked Lt Maldonado about after-hours construction on the Beltline and the substation on Cherokee. Trucks are on the Beltline 10 and 11pm or 2, 3, 4am in the morning. Lt. Maldonado said they would do some patrols. Residents were told by the Lt. to also just call 9-1-1 or 3-1-1 as this is a potential violation of the city ordinance. John Sitton who lives on Cherokee also said that it is happening at all hours of the night and is problematic. Shad R. from Council Member Winston’s office joined us. South Boulevard Complete Streets is in the Procurement phase and has a 12- to 18-month timeline for completion once it begins. Shad R. also shared that effective July 1, the budget will go into effect. Neighbor Steve Carr asked for a copy of the Tree Protection ordinance and Shad said he would get that for Steve.
Treasure’s Update: Travis Peterman (treasurer@gpna.org) presented the balance and income statement. Travis reminded everyone that this information is available online at all times. May Balance Sheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1yby_DQ24kBPQKm0dtR1VUYb8N-vDPH-o/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=113540596578769843449&rtpof=true&sd=true; May Income Statement: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1kPuDceatSmQdYB1-wN5Zu__-q2QA3ISY/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=113540596578769843449&rtpof=true&sd=true.
Item One – Public Safety: We went back to public safety after the Treasurer’s update. Public Safety Committee Update, Public Safety Zone 6 – June Leaders Meeting Update from Public Safety Chair – Loyal Charles (safety@gpna.org). There is someone in the neighborhood who has been walking into people’s houses. Please lock your doors and windows. There is also another person named “Brandon” who has been hanging around the neighborhood and making residents uncomfortable. Loyal then recapped the official safety meeting and said 3 events were approved: (1) A new event in East Atlanta Village on September 13 called the “Wig Out Festival.” (2) The East Atlanta Strut returns on September 27. (3) The Makers Festival in Ormewood Park returns on October 18. Also at the meeting. there were more ongoing discussions about a proposed new EAV restaurant/bar called Eastside Swim and Social. Still working on a mutually agreeable “Good Neighbor Agreement.” But this is not legally enforceable so the neighbors are concerned about noise. Also, EAV Community Assoc and Business Assoc and neighbors have been working on safety improvements in East Atlanta Village because of noises and other disturbances from area bars/restaurants and patrons.
Item Two – Land Use & Zoning – LUZ Committee Update, Sky Hassan (luz@gpna): There is a special administrative permit (SAP) being petitioned for the remodel of 1039-D/1059 Grant Street in The Beacon (formerly “Pin & Proper”). This is not the apartment complex which was brought up in a previous meeting – that is a rezoning. This is different. The Beacon is redoing their southernmost building. It has two addresses – both 1039-D/1059 Grant St SE. They are “sprucing up” that building – facade, canopy, etc. Sky shared a link to the special administrative permit (SAP) in the Zoom meeting chat. A neighbor, Linda Medsker, asked why this wasn’t heard at the LUZ meeting. Sky explained that an SAP does not need to be presented. She countered that since this was not at the LUZ meeting something was skipped over procedurally. Sky again said that wasn’t actually correct because the petitioner does not have to attend any meetings. Richard Lifshey also said that he was also at the LUZ meeting and asked if this could go back to the LUZ meeting. He motioned that this goes back to LUZ. So President Robert Selby said at the July 2 NPU LUZ meeting that people who are concerned should attend that meeting. Sky then posted a link to the pdf in the chat. No change in use is proposed.
Item Three – Transportation: Transportation Chair, James Austin (transportation@gpna.org) was not in attendance so President Robert Selby presented. Continued on what Shad R. had previously shared about South Boulevard Complete Streets. Final drawings were shared in Zoom. There is a significant change to how we know Boulevard today. Concerns can be sent to transportation@gpna.org and it will be consolidated and sent upward. Steve Carr then shared information about sewer construction/watershed management. Alan Sandusky then asked about how South Boulevard Complete Streets went from concept to final plans. Alan shared concerns about heavy traffic and the center lane not being continuous – what happens when emergency vehicles need to get through. Alan asked who does he even talk to? GPNA President Robert Selby again encouraged to send concerns to transportation@gpna.org (which is James Austin). Robert Selby said that we at GPNA are in the dark, too. A question about on street parking was asked in the chat. And Robert Selby and Sky answered that yes, the proposal is to remove street parking on Boulevard from the Beltline to United Avenue.
Community Items
Environmental & Community Updates (Steve Carr): Steve talked more about TrailsATL Network – a citywide trails network plan – and someone shared this link in the chat. See a map at https://static1.squarespace.com/static/65d633994d56be67f7a90675/t/67eedcffda2f0b0774dc08fb/1743707394141/TrailsATL_Network.pdf.
Old Business
Update – Grant Park Gateway: Feedback was to give ongoing updates on this topic and The Beltline so we will be doing that each month. No Savi Provisions, instead Terminus will build the project out as a food hall.
Update – The Beltline: Information from the official Beltline website was shared with updated proposed completion dates. Segments 2 and 3 from McDaniel Street at University Avenue to Boulevard. Target Completion: Q2 2026. Segments 4 and 5 from Boulevard to Glenwood Avenue. Target Completion: Late 2025.
New Business
Update – Grant Park Conservancy: Ceci Villanueva, GPC Communications and Engagement Coordinator, talked about the latest efforts in the park. Tree pruning has been happening. An update on Summer Shade Festival was given – they are expanding the vintage market to attract a new crowd. The 5k is returning, sponsored by Adams Realtors and a Greg Mike designed shirt will be given to all official participants. Music in the Meadow returns on June 21. The Grant Park pool is now officially open and admission is free this year. Volunteer work days are July 12 and August 16.
Announcement – July In-Person Meeting: Robert Selby, GPNA President, announced that the July meeting will be held in person. July 15 at the historic Oakland Visitor’s Center. Brand new building. There will be a Zoom option for those who cannot attend in person.
Open Floor. With 4 minutes left GPNA President opened the floor. A question was asked to Ceci about the Erskine fountain. But the answer was not known. Then another question was asked about the former police precinct at the edge of the park. Ceci said a permit was approved but no other news was known. Steve Carr then closed the meeting out asking Grant Park Conservancy if he could speak to them about a “border park” Boulevard Crossing Park. Ceci responded that they do not have anything to do with that park. Steve said he would like them to help get a conservancy established for this new park.
Adjournment – 8:30pm.
