NEWSLETTER

May 9, 2006 Army declares surplus property.

May 26, 2006 LRA requests Homeless and Public Benefit Conveyance (PBC) Notices of Interest (NOI) by September 25, 2006.

Dec. 22, 2006 Fort Gillem Visioning/Market Analysis completed.

Jan. 2007 Fort Gillem Comprehensive Reuse Plan Proposals due.

May 2007Fort Gillem Comprehensive Reuse Plan completed.

May 2007LRA submits Homeless Application and Reuse Plan.

August 2007Homeless Application and Reuse Plan Approved.

Fall 2007Form Implementation LRA.

2007-2008LRA negotiates property disposal methods with the U.S. Army.

2008-2011Property Conveyance and Redevelopment.

BRAC PROCESS and SCHEDULE

For almost 60 years, since the Atlanta General Depot moved its Candler Warehouse to what is now Fort Gillem in 1941, Fort Gillem has been a vital part of the Clayton County community. Located in Forest Park, the installation served as trainer and supplier throughout World War II, the Korean Conflict, the Berlin Airlift, the Cuban Crisis and the Vietnam War. In 1973, the installation was renamed Fort Gillem and made a satellite installation of Fort McPherson.

Fort Gillem, a 1,427 acre military facility, is home to the First U. S. Army, the Army and Air Force Exchange Service Distri-bution Center, United States Army Crim-inal Investigation Laboratory, the 2nd Recruiting Brigade, the 52nd EOD Group and the Federal Emergency Man-agement Agency Southeast Mobiliza-tion Site. Fort Gillem houses facilities devoted to maintenance and produc-tion, warehouse storage, administrative, and residential and community uses along with two lakes and approximate-ly 397 acres of property with environ-mental issues.

In November 2005, Congress approved the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commission’s recommendation to close Fort Gillem by September 2011. The City of Forest Park, and all City resi-dents, property owners and community stakeholders throughout Clayton Coun-

ty have a vested interest in the redevel-opment planning process for its reuse.

Major activities taking place as a result of the BRAC include:

• The Forest Park/Fort Gillem Local Re-development Authority (LRA) was formed to serve as the sole represen-tative to the Department of the Army, the Department of Defense and the State of Georgia for redevelopment and reuse planning for property on Fort Gillem. The LRA has spent the last several months gathering and an-alyzing data about Fort Gillem with the important goal of developing a Reuse Plan that is consistent with the City of Forest Park’s vision for future comprehensive development.

• Over the next few months, the LRA will conduct a series of public meet-ings to engage and seek advice from the community during the develop-ment of the land use, transportation, market and economic elements of the Reuse Plan.

www.forestparkga.org

Forest Park/Fort Gillem Local Redevelopment Authority

REDEVELOPMENT GOALSEconomic Growth…attract new business, industry and investment through an aggressive and targeted marketing campaign that improves the community’s economic profile.

Redevelopment Plan…establish the land-use structure for a sustaina-ble community that attracts new in-dustries and businesses as well as creates an environment whereby ex-isting businesses can flourish and the area will be perceived as an attractive and prosperous location.

Education Improvement…ener-gize the public school system, various technical training facilities and se-lected institutions of higher learning to meet the educational needs of the workforce for the redevelopment and increase the basic education, life skills and technical skills of the community.

Quality of Life…provide living con-ditions, wage levels, amenities and an environment that will encourage new workers and their families to remain in community.

Perception of Area…leverage ex-isting governmental and non-gov-ernmental structures to enhance stakeholder relations and optimize future management resources that strengthen a positive reputation for the community.

One-Community…create a neigh-borhood that is a recognizable part of Forest Park and will transition seam-lessly from neighborhood to neigh-borhood and community to com-munity.

CONCEPT PLANSThree conceptual concept plans were developed by the planning team along with a working group comprised of three LRA Subcommittees (The Healthy Community and Quality of Life, the Reuse and Design, and the Finance and Economic Development) . The Subcommittees, consisting of community residents, leaders, City and County staff and stakeholders are responsible for providing oversight to the redevelopment plan-ning process for the purpose of establishing a baseline for analysis, evaluation and dis-cussion for base redevelopment.

Quality of Life - Conceptual Land Use Plan

The cornerstone of this plan is to enhance the quality of life of citizens. The reigning theme of lush tree canopies and buffers assures that future development is seamless with “Forest Park.” Land is provided for recreational activities, education and faith based providers. Recreation areas are focused around the lakes so that everyone may enjoy them. Multi-use trails tie together the recreation areas and promote an alternative travel path for people that live, work and play in the community. Main Street extends into the development and connects it with downtown Forest Park. Light clean industri-al and mixed use development serves as the economic engine of the community. Am-ple space is set aside for future growth, allowing the development to grow in conjunc-tion with the market.

Regional Attractor - Conceptual Land Use Plan

The regional attractor plan includes uses that will attract new development and people to the area. Light clean industrial businesses, an arena and potential cultural village will bring people to Forest Park. Commercial, retail and mixed use development along Hood Avenue provides services to future residents and workers.

Business Development - Conceptual Land Use Plan

The focus of this plan is business development and job growth. Light clean industrial development has easy access to the surrounding roadways, freight lines and air transportation network. Main Street is connected to Hood Avenue, with transit and multi-use trails within the same corridor. New commercial office space, a conference center and hotel can support existing uses such as the Army and attract new development.

www.forestparkga.org

For more information, please visit our website: www.forestparkga.orgContacts: Fred Bryant, LRA Executive Director

T: 404-366-4720 Ext 119 E: fbryant@forestparkga.org

Address: Forest Park/ Fort Gillem Local Redevelopment Authority

745 Forest Parkway . Forest Park, Georgia 30297

FOREST PARK/FORT GILLEM LOCAL REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY ORGANIZATIONAL CHART

The LRA and its planning team have been gathering and analyzing environ-mental, economic and physical data about Fort Gillem over several months. In addition, the process has included an extensive public outreach component that seeks input from community stake-holders, residents, businesses, homeless service agencies and public officials.

The first public meeting was convened on March 29, 2007 to inform the com-munity about the planning process, and development strategies and to in-troduce the draft concepts for com-ment and feedback. An open house and second public meeting will be con-ducted on April 26, 2007 which will in-volve intense public interaction to the refined concepts and lead to develop-ment of a comprehensive reuse plan for Fort Gillem.

The comprehensive Reuse Plan will include proposed land uses, supporting

infrastructure, a phased time schedule and a capital improvement program to implement the plan. A final plan must be submitted to the U.S. Army and HUD by June 22, 2007 and must include the needs of the various communities for economic redevelopment, other development and assistance to homeless persons. HUD will review the plan to determine its compliance with the federal statute.

Upon approval of the reuse plan and issuance of the Army's environmental record of decision, the City of Forest Park will form an Implementation LRA to receive and develop the property. A legally binding agreement addressing the homeless requests must be included in the HUD application. This agreement may or may not include real property located on the facility.

Following the submission of a final comprehensive plan, the U.S. Army will

give "deference" to the plan in making its final transfer decisions. Options available to the U.S. Army are public sale, exchange of properties, economic development conveyances, public conveyances, homeless assistance transfers and other transfers.

If, upon completion of the reuse plan and final obligations of the LRA, the State of Georgia or City of Forest Park choose to receive or purchase a portion of the property, then an Implementa-tion LRA should be formed to receive and develop that property. The final conveyance method will not be deter-mined until the final plan has been completed and the HUD application is approved. Conveyance would occur be-tween late 2008 and 2011.

PROJECT STATUS

The meetings will provide NEW information about plans to redevelop Fort Gillem and YOUR INPUT will be vital in shaping the future of this important community Resource and Forest Park. Please share this information with other members of the community and make every effort to attend.

Draft Plan Open House Thursday April 26th

3:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Forest Park Recreation Center

Draft Plan Presentation

Thursday April 26th

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Forest Park Recreation Center

Homeless Consideration/ Accommodation Thursday May 10th

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Forest Park City Hall

Final Plan Presentation Wednesday May 23rd

6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

City Council Chambers

PUBLIC MEETING SCHEDULE