Politics & Government

Commissioners to Vote on South Cobb Work Program

The five-year program is an intergovernmental agreement between Cobb County Government and the South Cobb Redevelopment Authority.

Many Cobb residents have no idea what the does or even what it is. Even those who have attended the governing body's hardly publicized meetings are unsure what the group does. The South Cobb Redevelopment Authority is a governing body, which has jurisdiction over the Historic Mableton, River Line and Six Flags areas of South Cobb.

However, if Cobb Commissioners vote on Tuesday to approve a five-year South Cobb Work Program, there will be a clear answer about what the authority does and plans to accomplish.

The five-year intergovernmental agreement between SCDA and Cobb County government includes specific action items with deadlines.

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This agreement lays out a framework for how each organization can work together to assist in initiating new private investment for underperforming areas of South Cobb.

Find out what's happening in South Cobbwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

What will it cost?

The agreement does not have an actual pricetag, but will require additional time and support from county staff members, especially from the county's Economic Development department and Community Development Agency.

According to the agreement, "The County will use its powers to continue to refine the vision, set strategic direction through policies, invest in public infrastructure as monies and opportunities become available, and use incentives to encourage preferred development in South Cobb as identified in the South Cobb Implementation Strategy, adopted by the Board of Commissioners on January 24, 2012 and as may be amended from time to time."

All the services, communications and legal assistance included, provided to the Board of Commissioners will be provided to the South Cobb Redevelopment Authority, an entirely separate governing authority.

What's in this five-year plan?

One goal included in the work program is to revise the county's Tax Allocation District policies and procedures. The next goal is to determine the feasibility ofΒ  a TAD in the Six Flags and Mableton areas of South Cobb. If approved, the county would be changing its TAD policies specifically for these areas.

Another goal includes hosting a development seminar for minority-owned firms.

Also, by June 29, the SCRA plans to establish a website to post its public meetings and to update the public with information about the governing body's actions and votes.

South Cobb residents and stakeholders may have a chance to advise the SCRA and BOC once the South Cobb Advisory Council is established in February 2013, almost a year and a half after the SCRA's first meeting in October 2011.

The next SCRA meeting takes place Monday, June 18, at 9 a.m. at the . The public is encouraged to attend. Always check South Cobb Patch event listings daily. Meetings of the SCRA, along with other important meetings and events, are always listed there.

Did you know what the SCRA did? Have you seen signs throughout town or information elsewhere prominently announcing the governing body's meetings since October 2011? How do you feel about the SCRA's five-year plan? Tell us below in the comments.


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