What is your vision for Marietta? Elected officials have proposed their revisions to the city’s goals, and now we need the public’s help in defining the direction of Marietta.

Take a look at the eight proposed goals and e-mail the city your comments. They will be compiled and presented to City Council, who will vote this summer on new plans for the city.

A public open house to discuss the goals will be held Tuesday, May 16 from 6-8 p.m. at the Marietta Center for Advanced Academics, 311 Aviation Road. For more information, call 770-794-5669.

The Marietta Square has gone through quite a rebirth in the past few years. Restaurants such as Willie Rae’s and the Marietta Pizza Company are staples on the dining map, while newcomers such as Thaicoon and Kiosco already welcome back loyal patrons. With the campaign to bring back The Strand theater in full swing, you know that what goes around, comes around.

We’d love for you, our loyal readers, to share your memories and stories of “the Square” with us. Anything you’d like to contribute, whether it’s a recollection of the Square when you were a child, old pictures of the Marietta Square or a first impression you had when you moved here, is welcome. We’d also like to hear your thoughts on where you think the Square is going and any ideas for improvements. Blog away, Marietta!

It seems a local neighborhood is having an all-out war over one resident’s decision to split their lot and sell the back half. If you’ve driven through North Woodland Drive lately, you might’ve noticed signs reading, “Save Whitlock Heights!” or “This property not for sale” in the yards of some homeowners. We heard a petition is making the rounds, as well.

Neighbors have listed some reasons why they believe the lot should not be sold. Whitlock Heights has been an established Marietta community for some time now, located right off the Square and Whitlock Avenue. Many of the longtime residents appear threatened by their neighbor’s choice to split the lot and some of the yard signs’ comments come across as quite personal. Here is the Google Map of the location in question - 411 North Woodland Drive,30064:

On a “for sale” flyer for the lot, it shows the lot being approved for splitting last year by a city official. It appears that everything is legal and approved. Now all that’s left for this resident is the approval of his neighbors.

What is your take on this situation? Do you agree with this resident’s decision to split his lot and sell the remainder or do you agree with the preservation sentiments of the other neighbors? Share your opinion by clicking the icon below!

Today, we talked to one of the developers of the new retail development that is going up just west of the McDonald’s on Whitlock Avenue. A short description of the project can be summed up as “A mini version of the West Cobb Avenues”. The new development will be home to upscale boutique shops and restaurants. There is approximately 55,000 square feet of retail space available in varying sizes depending on the needs of each business.

View the PDF about Burnt Hickory Village: Page 1 | Page 2

A few well known Marietta businesses such as Gabriel’s Desserts Bakery/Cafe and the Coldwell Banker Brokerage (currently on Whitlock Avenue) will also be relocating to this new space. The old Coldwell Banker Brokerage will be going up for sale once the transition is complete.

The most unique discovery we made was there will be a trendy, new “Do-it-yourself Dog Washing” shop. Gone are the days of old when there was just a laundry mat to wash your clothes. What would our grandmothers think? Only in 2006 can you stop for a delectable pastry from Gabriel’s, do a little shopping…only to be followed by a stop to wash your dog all in the same upscale shopping center.

We are excited to keep our eye on this upscale development in Marietta as new merchants continue to commit to the spaces available. We will update you as we receive any new information from the developers. If you are a business and would like to have more information about the retail space, please contact Holli Edie at 404.303.1600.

With a public zoning hearing tomorrow night regarding the proposed senior condominiums in two Cobb locations, the question of senior care is brought to the table. The hearing is focused on high-density vs. low-density population levels for the concerned areas. The outcome will either grant Palladian, Inc. the right to build these high-density condos in surrounding low-density, single-family residential areas, or they will be denied. The zoning issue is one thing to think about, but what is your opinion on the state of senior care in our city? Many of you might have family members or parents who live in retirement communities or assisted living facilities. My grandmother resides at a local community like this. She receives good care and has a well-kept facility. What is your experience with local senior care? Do you have any concerns or ideas for improvement? Do you have any great feedback to give to the owners of these facilities? In terms of the zoning issue, what is your opinion?

A three-person judicial committee of City Council has tentatively approved franchise agreements with American Fiber Systems and Comcast Corp. The new deals will be reviewed by all of City Council this April. American Fiber Systems, which supplies internet service for Marietta, now has a contract which lasts for two additional years. The non-exclusive contract with Comcast, which supplies cable TV to the area, will last for eight years. In the current deal, the city fought to gain a promise for better customer service from the cable provider, which says it has “taken steps to improve customer service issues.” Both companies will pay five percent of their total revenue, collected in Marietta, to the city.

The judicial committee also addressed zoning issues for mixed-use developments that include townhouses. The new rules call for at least four parking spots per townhome in a new construction and for the developments to be overseen by a homeowners’ association.

What do you think of the city’s new contracts with AFS and Comcast? What are your thoughts on the new zoning rules? Share your opinion and have a great weekend!

It looks as though more redevelopment is coming to Marietta. On Wednesday, the Marietta Redevelopment Corp. voted to obtain upwards of $2 million in order to acquire as much as 10 acres around the downtown area.
“This fund will be used to buy properties that are blighted,” said MRC Executive Director Gary Mongeon. “Our job is to create catalyst projects that will have an immediate positive impact (on redevelopment).” The MRC will have to lobby City Council for the funds. The group is looking to acquire land in both the Hedges-Gramling neiborhood and the Allgood Road neighborhood, where they would either make “moderate improvements” or attempt to attract developers.

What is your opinion about this plan? What do you think of the current redevelopment projects the city has undertaken?

We spoke this morning with Mark Kirk, one of the developers of the new Walnut Grove community of homes. This development is currently underway, with ground being prepared for 18 new homes that will sit on the corner of Whitlock Avenue and Whitlock Drive. Mark, along with his brother, grew up with their family just down Whitlock Avenue from where Walnut Grove will be situated. Obviously, he’s always had an interest in the area.

Kirk told us that the homes will be perfect for empty nesters looking for a great location and all the modern amenities they might not have in their current, older houses. The 18 houses will be spread over 7.5 total acres. This gated community will also feature some preserved areas, featuring beautiful trees and a creek. The architects of Calwell-Cline are designing the houses.

Mr. Kirk said that the lots will be ready for building by this Summer, with some houses ready for residence by the end of 2006 or early 2007.

For more information, call 770.428.7376

According to public Cobb County records, the Cobb Civic Center has been losing money for several years now and the total amount in the red is just over four million dollars.

While once a prime location for events such as Cobb County basketball tournaments and even Presidential Campaign speeches (such as Ronald Reagan speaking there during his 1980 Presidential Election campaign), the facility was used only a total of 60 days in 2005.

The Cobb Civic Center is “just past its prime,” said Judy Renfroe, president of Cobb’s Convention and Visitors Bureau. The location would have to be razed and start over to really make an impact on the current site and according to Renfroe (Source AJC). The size of the site just can’t accommodate the number of parking spaces that would be required to support a facility of that size.

The future of the facility however has been decided on by Cobb County officials according to the AJC.com:

“The Cobb center is a dying breed, and officials have decided to close it and use the building to expand the county’s growing youth gymnastics programs.”

In contrast to how the Cobb Civic center has been largely neglected in the means of renovation and marketing, other Atlanta counties such as Gwinnett have developed facilities such as the Gwinnett Center. These venues are now mega complexes that house events such as concerts, career fairs, hockey games, and trade shows.

What do you all think? Was Cobb County lax in the preparation, renovation efforts and marketing of the Cobb Civic center site as other counties progressed in their development of local county community centers? Voice your opinion by clicking the “Share your Opinion” icon below this post.

“The 1st public meeting for “Mapping Cobb’s Future” will be held on Tuesday, March 14th. See below for more information March 14th, 6:00 PM, Commissioners Hearing Room The Cobb County Comprehensive Plan is the guiding policy document for all land use and development regulations in unincorporated Cobb County, and for regional services throughout the County including transit, sewers, parks, trails and open space. ”

There are going to be several plans reviewed at this meeting. I encourage all our readers to take part in the meetings and the future of Cobb County and Marietta.

The meeting will be located in the Board of Commissioner’s Chamber, which is located on the second floor of building “A” at 100 Cherokee Street in Marietta. The meeting will contain a brief presentation to inform the public about the Comprehensive Planning process, as well as provide an update as to where we currently are in the process.