Archive for the ‘Marietta Real Estate’ Category
August 10, 2006
Filed Under (Marietta Real Estate, Historic Landmarks, Marietta Square, Cobb County, Redevelopment) by admin
The award is the oldest and most respected community The Marietta Master Chorale, conducted by Jerid Morisco, started the party by singing Georgia on Mind and America the Beautiful. Volunteers served free hot dogs, cake and drinks, and children enjoyed balloon animals and face painting. Sharon Metz, a member of the National Civic League board and juror for the national competition, congratulated Marietta on behalf of the organization that crowned the winners. She explained the importance of the award to the community and why judges chose Marietta as one of the country’s best cities. Marietta City Manager Bill Bruton and Mayor Bill Dunaway presented each member of the team who competed in California a plaque. Members of city council also thanked the community organizations that were a part of Marietta’s application for the award. The Mustangs played a free outdoor concert, and the crowd wrapped up the evening by doing the chicken dance and electric slide. The All-America City award is like the “Academy Award®” for cities and means the work the community is doing is among the best in the country. Since 1949, the All-America City award has recognized civic excellence, honoring communities of all sizes where citizens, government, businesses and volunteer organizations work together to address critical local issues. Being selected a winner substantiates Marietta is a model for the nation with extensive planning efforts and approaches to facing difficult challenges in innovative and collaborative ways. Winners in previous years have been honored at the White House. Marietta applied for the award and was selected a finalist. Then a delegation of community members presented the city’s programs and successes to a jury of national civic affairs experts during a three-day competition against other finalists in Anaheim, California. Marietta presented several community projects to the judges. The first was Marietta’s efforts to reduce crime and stabilize deteriorating neighborhoods by creating M-STAR. The citywide program combines community policing and computer analysis of crime trends with accountability of city staff and public involvement. M-STAR has resulted in many successes, the most notable being a 22 percent reduction of crime. The Marietta Revitalization Program was the second initiative submitted to judges. Its goal is to save the city from decline and create a stronger sense of community by balancing the city’s housing stock, stabilizing school enrollments, creating affordable workforce housing and revitalizing neighborhoods. The city has made substantial progress toward increasing the percentage of homeowners while reducing substandard rental units. Over $335 million has been invested in Marietta’s redevelopment. Judges required a program to benefit children, and the city highlighted Marietta Reads. The citywide effort to foster reading and literacy has increased student test scores and book circulation, while students read one billion words. Dozens of community organizations and programs were cited in the city’s award application, and many were part of the delegation that competed before the jury. Everyone in Marietta should be proud, because winning the award is the result of the entire community working together every day. Allgood Neighborhood Revitalization Task Force ###
August 09, 2006
Marietta City Council approved route C as the local preferred alternative for the Powder Springs Road Connector at its meeting August 9, 2006. The Powder Springs Road Connector is a transportation improvement project that would link Powder Springs Road with South Cobb Drive to reroute traffic before it reaches the city center. Alternative C begins at Powder Springs Road north of the Brownstone Square subdivision. The new four-lane road would have a median and run between Brownstone Square subdivision and Sourwood Circle. The road would turn eastward to Sandtown Road and follow a newly widened four-lane Leader Road with a median to South Cobb Parkway. Voters approved funding for the project as part of the 2005 Cobb County special purpose local option sales tax (SPLOST) for transportation improvement projects. Although Marietta City Council previously approved a route for the Connector, the current Council recommended a new preference, which will be submitted to county and state transportation officials for their consideration. Cobb County and the state of Georgia must also agree on the preferred route before funding can be authorized. The $15 million Powder Springs Connector is currently on the Atlanta Regional Commission’s long-range plan with funding for engineering to begin in 2006, right of way acquisition to begin 2012-2020 and construction to begin 2021-2030. The city of Marietta and Cobb County plan to request that the project be moved forward to the Transportation Improvement Plan for right of way acquisition in 2008 and construction in 2010. For more information, call 770-794-5650.
July 28, 2006
The city of Marietta and its partners built a new home for a citizen in need of improved housing and cut the ribbon on the Griggs Street house in a ceremony July 27. Venture Homes made generous contributions of labor and services to build the 1,320 square foot three-bedroom, two-bathroom home, saving $20,000 in construction costs. Marietta purchased the land for the home after federal drug authorities seized it, and city officials expect the new construction will help redevelop the neighborhood. Elected officials hope other builders and developers will assist in revitalizing the community by becoming involved in the program. The home was built as part of the federal Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant and HOME program operated jointly by the city of Marietta and Cobb County Community Development Divisions. New homes are built for lower income homeowners when their current home is deemed rehab unfeasible and the cost for replacement with a new home is reasonable. This is the eighth reconstructed home in Marietta since the program began in 2002, and three more are planned for next year.
June 14, 2006
It looks like the MRC can now buy property without the council’s approval. I wonder if this is a step in the right direction or not? Any thoughts? Thanks to the AJC for the story…
June 12, 2006
Filed Under (Site Features, Marietta Real Estate, Marietta Square, Redevelopment, Arts and Living) by admin
Way to go everyone! Check out the award that our precious city has earned!
June 06, 2006
On Monday, the City Council voted to give $2.1 million to the Marietta Redevelopment Corp., as a part of a special land-buying fund. The MRC was asking the Council for this “seed money” so they can use it to obtain more money for acquiring land for redevelopment projects around the city. The Council did give approval for the funds, but only on the condition that one member of the Council be on the board of the MRC. This issue of an additional member on the MRC’s board of directors was a topic of debate amongst members of both City Council and the MRC. With City Council split on the matter, Ward 3 Councilwoman Holly Walquist, was the swing vote. She agreed on giving the $2.1 million, but only if the additional member be added to the MRC’s board. The issue of taxpayer money being used for the seed fund elicited some reaction from Ward 7 Councilman Philip Goldstein, who said, “I strongly believe that if we are going to use city taxpayers’ money then there should be a council member on that board.” With the MRC’s board expanding from 11 seats to 12 now, the newest seat will go to the Council’s Economic Development Committee Chariman, Grif Chalfant. The MRC will be required to submit quarterly and annual reports that detail their spending for each period of time. Thanks to the Marietta Daily Journal’s Aaron Baca for information on this story.
June 03, 2006
Filed Under (Marietta Real Estate, Arts and Living) by admin
Looking to live closer to the square if you aren’t already? Walk to the historic downtown Marietta Square from this beautiful home in downtown Marietta, GA. Built in 1951, this house has 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths (both upgraded in 2001 w/Tile and the master with a Jacuzzi heated spa). Beautiful refinished Hardwoods line the interior of the home and are also in the newly renovated kitchen (2002). A cool front breakfast room also sits right off the kitchen which is a great retreat for reading and relaxing. The front porch on this home is huge measuring 42ft x 7ft for close to 300 sqft of entertaining space complete with 3 porch fans and plenty of room to have your outdoor parties. Click here for more details >>
May 18, 2006
Filed Under (Marietta Real Estate, Redevelopment) by admin
It looks like the number of building permits in Cobb County is decreasing over recent years according to an article we came across in the MDJ…
What do you all think? Is the land just gone in the city? We always are wondering just how many 700K homes they can build in the area? Share your opinion below!
May 09, 2006
The Marietta City Council continues to discuss the Historic Preservation Rules in place within the city. According to the MDJ, the meeting last night was quite interesting.
The story continues…..
What are you thoughts on the issue of Historic Preservation for our community? This brings us to the issue of the beautiful trees in the historic downtown area. Should the beautiful, large trees in our community be preserved as well as the historic homes and buildings? We now have a nice patch of treeless land at the new Walnut Grove development. At some point, maybe the city should require that larger trees be planted when a clear cut occurs. Does putting a sapling in the ground where a 100 year old oak once stood meet your standards? Share your opinion below!
May 06, 2006
We wanted to follow up on a story we reported a few weeks back - The restoration of the Strand Theatre. The Friends of the Strand group is working to restore the Strand Theater to its original 1936 art deco design. Currently, the group is working to attract a coffee house or other type establishment to be located in the inside of the renovated theatre, according to our sources. Recently, the Friends of the Strand asked the Cobb County Commission to make a $250,000 donation to its effort to restore the old Strand Theatre on the Marietta Square. What are your thoughts on this project? Will it have a positive impact on the Marietta Square? What are your opinions? Share them below by clicking the “Share your Opinion” icon. thanks to Andy Sharp/AJC for the detailed article..
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