By: Allyson Reynolds
Athens-Clarke County Mayor Kelly Girtz tackled affordable housing plans to promote his reelection campaign at a conference at the University of Georgia on March 18.
Georgia law grants local communities a Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) to use for capital improvement projects. In Athens-Clarke County’s $313 million SPLOST 2020 package, Girtz and the Athens-Clarke County Commission devoted $44.5 million toward affordable housing.
“That’s a record of any SPLOST package across the state of Georgia in the history of that capital improvement program,” Girtz said. “I’m deeply proud of spending almost 15% of that package on housing affordability.”
Girtz said tax allocation districts, areas with finance tools to help development, were necessary for redevelopment in areas with run-down industrial sites and retail sites. The Athens-Clarke County 2020 redevelopment plan proposes the redevelopment of the Georgia Square Mall and surrounding commercial areas along Atlanta Highway. A portion of this area will include permanently affordable housing.
“I see that as enormous success,” Girtz said.
Girtz organized a task force to create an inclusionary zoning policy, which will redevelop unsuccessful areas into permanently affordable homes. The zoning code has passed the Athens-Clarke County Planning Commission, and the Athens-Clarke County Commission will vote on the code on April 5.
To prevent wealthy individuals from taking advantage of housing affordability, Girtz said Georgia law and federal law allows the affordable housing plan to analyze an area’s median income as a determinant. Also, a screening mechanism is utilized to monitor the work of the housing complexes.
According to the Vote Girtz website, more than 40,000 Athens-Clarke County-based employees commute into town for work, and it is necessary to create more residential opportunities to house these workers. The ideal locations for the redevelopment of new housing sites are along highways and transit routes with water, sewer and high-speed data lines.
“I’ll say among the things that we’re really conscious of, is wanting to be economically vibrant for all,” Girtz said.
In the mayoral race, Girtz runs against Bennie Coleman III, Pearl Hall, Fred Moorman, Mykeisha Ross and Mara Zúñiga. The mayoral election will be held on May 24.
How I Wrote The Story
Mayor Kelly Girtz runs for reelection in Athens-Clarke County. He tackled affordable housing plans at a news conference at the University of Georgia. From prior research on Mayor Girtz, I asked questions during the news conference to gain details about his reelection. From my notes and recordings, I narrowed my focus to affordable housing, which is significant for the community.
Allyson Reynolds 