[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6636390,"mediaKeyId","2610516-a020f5204342633b5dd6192ea18a22c0","parentId",2610516,"title","Economic development staff outlines workforce program, small-business consulting and event plans","audioSeconds",604,"startMs",2943000,"endMs",3547000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2610516-a020f5204342633b5dd6192ea18a22c0&start=2943&end=3547","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2610516-a020f5204342633b5dd6192ea18a22c0/thumbnail_2943000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6636390/Forest-Park/Clayton-County/Georgia/Economic-development-staff-outlines-workforce-program-small-business-consulting-and-event-plans","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6636390-5230abf2e3e0947d019773805f7b6780/orig.mp4?Expires=1771129405&Signature=bRdUnAh5nlT0TKLl499AdD6wwR5lqlh4nboqkOvRx8QtYwM5auqC6sK~OpQsrEeDDY2JWebKW7cODkRqcxpb1DOuNpk1ZP-z7O7YFtiUN-tsrFGgpqluC2fFmiMsZX6-P3WST7rNagcrPuuyd-Pf8M4GD-dCIU8DAejHxjhVAmCkbtrTTRLPEw4Z1xJFoSK4Mni98YUULWj61WXrNbEOqxmx2WmFcJJHgKdqwld3VpvpFWw3wC8~rQQMRQPp8Qta9hyfTfiYg1Cm0U1PRztHxQO6TcJtlCuKBz4QnxJn9wmOifWCaW6MCD5qjKEkBihd-cjIl~P436-paM2bCA2KUA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Forest Park ","date","2025-03-13T22:57:27.087Z","article","Forest Park economic development staff reported March 13 that the city is partnering with several regional organizations on workforce and small-business initiatives and outlined upcoming community events and training.

Rick, representing the economic development office, said the city has a partnership with the Small Business Development Center at Clayton State and hosted small-business consulting hours the previous Monday with another session scheduled for the coming Monday. He said staff will provide sign-up information to interested residents and entrepreneurs.

Rick described an \"Elevate Workforce Development\" partnership with Clayton State, Clayton County Public Schools, Atlanta Technical College and the Atlanta Center for Self Sufficiency to provide job training and placement support. He said the Atlanta Center for Self Sufficiency will provide training (resume help and job skills) and act as a conduit to place individuals with local employers; the program will start as a cohort of 15 to 20 individuals from local service providers including Calvary Refuge (a shelter partner) with the intent to expand later to other residents. Rick said employers such as Georgia Power and Clorox have expressed interest in hiring program participants.

He also announced a St. Patrick's Day event scheduled for the following day from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., including family activities and prizes, and noted possible downtown mixed-use development in preliminary stages. Staff also described a planned racial-equity training to be delivered by Southern Equity and discussed two possible Saturday dates (March 22 or March 29), with the board indicating a preference for March 29 and in-person delivery from about 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Board members asked clarifying questions about the workforce program's eligibility and the shelter residents'housing status; staff said the initial cohort is a test case and that some participants may later become city residents if housing options are available. Staff said the program is intended to be a pilot that can expand to additional residents over time.

No formal action was taken; staff asked the board for feedback on program details and training logistics and said they would circulate signup information for the SBDC consulting hours.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Urban Redevelopment Agency Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Economic development staff reported March 13 on new workforce and small-business partnerships, a community event and a planned racial-equity training, and asked the URA for feedback on program logistics.","taxTitle","Forest Park, Clayton County, Georgia","taxId",55072,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6636394,"URA approves easement agreement with Kroger to secure access at Fort Gillum",92,2828000,2920000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2610516-a020f5204342633b5dd6192ea18a22c0&start=2828&end=2920","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2610516-a020f5204342633b5dd6192ea18a22c0/thumbnail_2828000.jpg","/articles/6636394/Forest-Park/Clayton-County/Georgia/URA-approves-easement-agreement-with-Kroger-to-secure-access-at-Fort-Gillum","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6636394-458262b44975e94ee1cc129165fc97a4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771129405&Signature=BAXvlw5YX-mtVqQ~garTkSS5Utaz96R7~8bPLEcICOIV5-a-0TGq9zHKI6OOmX58p-zQ85eeETWMg5CELwj1HSr6hYnC4h~zIUqg1sEpsuKZ1OynzgNHR3l~brcVzZDdp3QviC6SJptbhmhGfHixsE4k0SgxIxMu9xgtD~ll8M7GBw3F9jgcE82YU8DAq~brurEhJ7L0XMOOpsf70b1fZeMUlLtVJ0mD7FusYUGzBX7LOkUr9MexAAaFzxxp5t2eJ6m6gPnvHWYfx6vIKT5BrdpaXkN78Olre0y5cZsO2tmXb20wnKU2MnY1Sw4Ei-~rTus75EW~K6~eKYfU5-6kVA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Urban Redevelopment Authority approved an easement agreement March 13 that grants Kroger access at Fort Gillum, concluding nearly a year of negotiations between Kroger, the development authority and city staff.

A staff member told the URA the agreement had been negotiated over the past year and that Kroger and the development authority were \"good with it.\" The item was presented as a review and approval request; the board member asked whether anyone further needed to make the decision, and a motion to approve the agreement was made and seconded.

The motion carried on a voice vote after the chair called for \"all in favor\" and members responded. Staff said that, once approved, the agreement will provide the city access needed for work at Fort Gillum.

The easement packet was not read into the record in detail during the meeting; staff asked board members to keep statements general while the agreement is finalized with Kroger.","After nearly a year of negotiation, the URA approved an easement agreement with Kroger to secure access at Fort Gillum; staff said the development authority and Kroger had signed off on terms.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6636400,"Forest Park approves DAF Concrete to repair catch basins on Metcalf extension",107,171000,278000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2610516-a020f5204342633b5dd6192ea18a22c0&start=171&end=278","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2610516-a020f5204342633b5dd6192ea18a22c0/thumbnail_171000.jpg","/articles/6636400/Forest-Park/Clayton-County/Georgia/Forest-Park-approves-DAF-Concrete-to-repair-catch-basins-on-Metcalf-extension","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6636400-54ba91a69231a7f548f36d1d196542af/orig.mp4?Expires=1771129405&Signature=R2G4T2a0WTOHZFlZI-clVrTPW8Gpr-aJKFT18-HQRCfBZ83hrxSBi3-RQ8SQzY2MIJRh0kYhOzQ6ciDs0AyWU1VdbOrcwObzthIjq~QV9W5gGo0F96pGA8j19HL-TlqeBJv8mHCOHh9ugeKTmNfZOj1sDTTguIoHmg~UFB4sesGIspPM7NYhmKLNiSNMNZqhEpx0pMh3OuqIBixbG0RyIbu36o7opHwtSJPeL5osVDm1MBNlIB2Xt3SNXeT~98dHGrjESpL9OmU8G-s5YOh1SRHt9j6X5X5eoV2TLpN-obGDYET2OxepfJ5z8Twhfb0YGcPiqgUHYQn8WDPPgaqT3A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Urban Redevelopment Authority voted March 13 to proceed with DAF Concrete to repair catch basins on the 200 Metcalf extension, following a staff recommendation and review by the new public works director.

Staff told the board that the URA had received two quotes for the Metcalf extension catch-basin repairs and recommended moving forward with the quote from DAF Concrete. Director Alton Matthews reviewed the estimates and told the board he was in agreement with staff's recommendation.

A board member moved to accept the DAF Concrete quote; the motion was seconded and, according to the record, the motion was moved and seconded by Jasmine Julio. The chair called for a voice vote; board members responded \"aye\" and the motion was approved.

The URA did not state the contract dollar amount in the meeting packet presented at the session; staff noted Director Matthews's review of the estimates and the board approved proceeding with the chosen vendor.","The URA moved and approved proceeding with a quote from DAF Concrete to repair catch basins on the 200 Metcalf extension after Public Works Director Alton Matthews reviewed the estimates and agreed with staff recommendation.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6636404,"Forest Park URA reviews February 2025 financials; staff explains loan transfers and SPLOST handling",771,2055000,2826000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2610516-a020f5204342633b5dd6192ea18a22c0&start=2055&end=2826","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2610516-a020f5204342633b5dd6192ea18a22c0/thumbnail_2055000.jpg","/articles/6636404/Forest-Park/Clayton-County/Georgia/Forest-Park-URA-reviews-February-2025-financials-staff-explains-loan-transfers-and-SPLOST-handling","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6636404-a9888136da046fb9923517a8d87e8c65/orig.mp4?Expires=1771129405&Signature=I2FoCmGRiTJApX08BeThRkqIs9ruDamTU9i6H7B8CVYFrmdAxZ9QPsfMf1-TST4ZUAbF7uZmA1onsesS0GehfvVO0Zao-erL2KEMeKfKTjwm753Bgc~AZFzy7fxAolzTwsgnOZ8iUT5hSNfJf8Hm6WlHFQ59Guw36yfQ7MI3zdvypHI-eq0uimW0fYBRzsNeUrqDzeKiEXOXSZ6He8652xcC4aREOrLsdiDEinn5GbZqXF7PJMBl3iyFutAhSMEZFayEyxoSnu2~GDrxB2aoogal4iWG-RCgE7WpRY5aqG8SMuUtS6fgI2-lLEojlT3S~amtXk0F1CBZG9FlYOB7Yw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City finance staff presented the Urban Redevelopment Authority's February 2025 financial report at the March 13 URA meeting, summarizing account balances, transfers for debt service and the status of funds held for loan repayment.

The presenter, identified in the meeting as Jay, showed two main URA checking accounts and a Georgia Fund 1 balance. Jay reported a bank account ending balance of about $3,000,007 and a second account ending balance of approximately $3,366,004.94. He also reported a Georgia Fund 1 balance of roughly $4,300,002.76 and noted reinvestments occurring in that fund.

Jay explained that transfers had been made into operating accounts to ensure funds were available for upcoming debt-service payments. He said some transfers came from a 2021 SPLOST allocation (referred to in the meeting as \"Splash 2021\"), including about $1.6 million transferred to cover debt-service obligations on a loan identified as loan 0059. Jay said the URA has multiple loans and that staff tracks debt-service schedules; he noted the organization has automated payments so funds are available when payments come due.

During questions, a board member asked whether a roughly $28 million loan referenced in the discussion related to the city center; another attendee said they believed that loan was associated with the city center project. Jay and others said the larger loan balance was being held and accumulating interest in a Georgia Fund 1 account, but that the funds were not available for other spending. Jay said the URA now has two Georgia Fund 1 accounts separated to keep the $30 million reserve separate from other URA funds, at the direction of council leadership.

Jay also walked through bank statement details, departmental payment reports and encumbrances showing payments that had not yet cleared the bank. He said some checks attributed to January activity posted in February and that the statement packet included the Truist loan statements associated with upcoming debt-service dates. Jay said staff would continue to monitor transfers that fund loan payments and noted that the SPLOST collections are scheduled to end in 2027 according to the statement data shown in the packet.

There was no formal vote on the financial report; the URA accepted the presentation and proceeded with the agenda.","Finance staff presented the February 2025 URA financial report on March 13, including bank balances, transfers related to debt service, Georgia Fund 1 totals, and SPLOST-derived transfers used to cover loan payments.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6636408,"Consultant outlines URA boundary expansion and four candidate redevelopment sites in Forest Park",1627,400000,2027000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2610516-a020f5204342633b5dd6192ea18a22c0&start=400&end=2027","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2610516-a020f5204342633b5dd6192ea18a22c0/thumbnail_400000.jpg","/articles/6636408/Forest-Park/Clayton-County/Georgia/Consultant-outlines-URA-boundary-expansion-and-four-candidate-redevelopment-sites-in-Forest-Park","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6636408-6106f675c06ebe04e37dd57901844df3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771129405&Signature=Uen~gdIPou~cPmP2CacrNPKdEUkvguhmSbNbJcULob99tImX5nsKKNueqjlAt4E1R5eYAwMdq-RdWUzTbrp8gd5qPHMtgA4~1iSBNW~mfU~DNlOUlpaDMO3aqCPs8B3s6JcmtJgahy9twAwoWzU6m3gdHiRs-WdbdkIwtT--iBYaeGclCGj0oIA3Yt0-N1lvWbmXUMr8PRs0lHxI0MybtPZLgwQSXMdr3oI7olZf~xhyfIiGMd0EQb35hl5d7LCBkc6ffjeH05XDp-MY8bA4m3WpRqDurOxFO23Hhxz7WsLJhwvr5KQVB7ZaWlq7~Gh9h3S1wdFNVCobYXU3bePapQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Forest Park officials heard a presentation March 13 from planning firm TSW on a draft Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) strategic plan that would expand the city's URA boundary and study four candidate redevelopment sites for mixed-use and workforce housing.

TSW planner Jia Li told the URA that the existing URA along Forest Parkway covers roughly 22 acres and that staff and consultants had mapped a potential expansion to include parcels fronting Jonesboro Road up to the city limits, increasing the study area to about 480 acres. The firm proposed four candidate sites—labeled in the presentation as Site A, Site B (Clayton Plaza), Site C (A2Z Outlet Shopping Center) and a parcel at 4176 Jonesboro Road—for further study, with the goal of narrowing the list to two sites for more detailed concept plans.

The presentation described the four sites as follows: Site A (about six acres, three parcels, two already owned by the URA) near Central Avenue and Springdale Avenue; Site B (Clayton Plaza, a single large commercial parcel of just under 11 acres); Site C (A2Z Outlet, also near 11 acres, with multiple outparcels and several owners); and 4176 Jonesboro Road (two parcels, vacant, lower tax value and some topography constraints). Li said the team used city maps, GIS data and a tax-value review to identify pros and cons for each site, noting differences in ownership, topography, existing structures and relative readiness for redevelopment.

Li said Site A is largely city-owned and “pretty much ready for redevelopment” aside from one small privately owned parcel with a tax value listed in the presentation. She described Site B and Site C as existing shopping centers with large surface parking and some underused back parcels; Site B had a single owner but a higher land-to-value ratio (indicating the owner may want to retain the property), while Site C has multiple owners making assembly more difficult. The Jonesboro Road parcels were described as vacant and lower-cost but constrained by grade and a long, narrow rear parcel.

Board members questioned site constraints and compatibility with residential development. One attendee raised rail noise near Site A; Li acknowledged the railroad across the street could pose a challenge for residential uses and said the team had not yet completed a noise analysis. Another attendee asked about rear access to Clayton Plaza; Li said good connectivity and multiple entrances would be desirable if redevelopment includes housing.

On potential funding and feasibility, a board member asked whether state programs for blighted properties (a Tri-Cities effort mentioned in earlier meetings) might affect redevelopment decisions; staff said they would investigate potential funding sources and report back. The consultants said their next step is to receive direction from the URA on which two sites to study further and to incorporate any additional local information the board provides.

The presentation included visual examples of mixed-use and workforce housing—vertical mixed-use, townhouses, cottage courts and small multifamily buildings—and emphasized streetscape and context-sensitive design as priorities. Li said the team was considering selecting one vacant site and one commercially active site for contrasting concept plans to show different redevelopment approaches.

The URA did not take formal action on the boundary expansion or site selection at the meeting; staff asked the board for direction to narrow sites for detailed analysis and to provide any additional site information to TSW.","TSW presented a draft URA strategic plan to Forest Park officials on March 13, 2025, proposing an expansion of the Urban Redevelopment Area from about 22 acres to roughly 480 acres and identifying four candidate redevelopment sites for further study.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Economic development staff outlines workforce program, small-business consulting and event plans

URA approves easement agreement with Kroger to secure access at Fort Gillum

Forest Park approves DAF Concrete to repair catch basins on Metcalf extension

Forest Park URA reviews February 2025 financials; staff explains loan transfers and SPLOST handling

Consultant outlines URA boundary expansion and four candidate redevelopment sites in Forest Park