Commissioner Johnson touts Memorial Drive investments and CID feasibility study; small businesses urged to apply for TAD funds

At the Community Connections meeting, Commissioner Shakira Johnson updated residents on Memorial Drive revitalization plans and private‑sector contributions to corridor improvements. She reported progress with GDOT on pedestrian safety at Rockbridge and Hairston and said a QT zoning proposal led to a $25,000 pledge to support county pedestrian improvements on Collingwood Drive. Johnson said the county has approved production of new branded signage and expects installation by year‑end as part of a broader effort to show investment along the corridor.

Johnson said a feasibility study is underway to test whether businesses would support a community improvement district (CID) or business improvement district (BID) to self‑tax and finance landscaping, beautification and safety improvements. She acknowledged past frustration from residents about the type of development on Memorial Drive and urged business owners to participate in community‑council outreach so programs like TAD (tax allocation district) funding and community‑development grants can be better matched to business needs.“There are programs to help those small businesses,” Johnson said, noting Decide DeKalb and TAD money are options but that the county must do a better job of connecting owners to those resources.

Why it matters: Memorial Drive is a key commercial corridor in District 4; the CID feasibility study and targeted outreach could unlock façade and security grants for existing small businesses and shape which projects are approved through community council and the county’s planning process.