03-02-11 McDonough Awarded LCI Supplemental Study Grant

McDonough Awarded LCI Supplemental Study Grant

The City of McDonough has recently been informed that it is a recipient of a $50,000 LCI (Livable Centers Initiative) Supplemental Study Grant awarded by the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC). The city will provide matching funds of $50,000 for a total of $100,000.

“Receipt of this grant award means that the city can now proceed with developing a consensus ‘blueprint for development’ for the historic Square area and also, be able to provide the regulatory and marketing tools necessary to promote its implementation,” stated Kathleen Field, Community Development Director.

An in-depth, comprehensive visioning exercise will take place sometime in May or June which will involve all city stakeholders to seek a general consensus of the future development direction of the Square.

Based on this consensus, the city will utilize the LCI grant funds to develop a market and real estate feasibility study, a mixed-use overlay zoning ordinance, and pedestrian connectivity and mobility options.

Additionally, to assist with the implementation of this planning initiative, the three existing downtown entities are being considered for a re-organization by the City Council. These entities include: the Main Street McDonough Program, the Downtown Development Authority, and McDonough Hospitality and Tourism. It is expected that the grant monies will be available to the city in May.