The Case for Creating a New City in Southern Dekalb County

Photo Credit A.J. Smith   Proposed City of Greenhaven would include Stone Mountain Park

DeKalb County is the second most urbanized county in metro Atlanta. It may also become
the next metro Atlanta county filled with mostly incorporated places. 

Consider this: Dunwoody incorporated in 2008, Brookhaven in 2012, and three different city proposals were on the table as of 2013 (two in the Northlake/ Tucker area of northeast DeKalb and one near Lithonia). The northern Dekalb cities did not pass due to boundary disputes. The city of Stonecrest proposal didn't make it because it was determined by the Carl Vinson Institute that it was not economically viable in its then current configuration.

The newest proposal is the city of Greenhaven. The proposed boundaries reach as far north as unincorporated Clarkston over to Stone Mountain Park, down to the Rockdale, Henry and Clayton County lines. Based on 2012 numbers, the city would be the second most populated in Georgia with approximately 300,000. This area boasts nearly 62,000 people  or one fifth of the city's proposed population, that are employed in Management, Science/ technology and creative occupations; a demographic which is important for attracting a variety of companies that demand higher skills and pay higher wages. 

Why do we need a city?

• Other cities are forming in north DeKalb causing more tax revenue to leave the county and leaving the southern, unincorporated part of the county more vulnerable to higher taxes. 
• The less developed part of the county (south DeKalb) will have a mayor who will be an ambassador for the city to help increase economic development and growth. 
• A big city can leverage resources and foster a sense of community. 

What would make Greenhaven special?

• Proximity to Hartsfield-Jackson International 
• Close to the Center for Disease Control area 
• Close to the city of Atlanta and its attractions 
• Major highways (interstates 285, 20, 675 and U.S. 78) 
• Large areas of undeveloped land 
• Close to a nationally ranked Emory University. Two Georgia Perimeter College branches (soon to be rebadged, Georgia State University) and Georgia Piedmont Technical College are within its proposed borders. 
• Thriving entrepreneurial Caribbean and East African population 

Source:
Dr. Kathryn Rice Interview in CrossRoads News. “City of South DeKalb could change metro Atlanta's power dynamics” 30 may 2014. http://crossroadsnews.com/news/2014/may/30/city-south-dekalb-could-change-power-dynamics/

Written by: 

Ari Meier handles the social media and content creation for CCCSD and is a resident and advocate of the future Greenhaven. His day job is Social Media Marketing and Content Creator at Hawaii-based real estate solutions provider, PEMCO Limited. He's also an author of three books, a modern painter and plays keyboards in his indie rock band, blue.math.