In a tense and often emotional meeting, Athens-Clarke County commissioners chose to delay making a formal statement of support for racial equity despite a large turnout of constituents who urged them to do more for the Black community in Athens.
Dozens of people took the podium at City Hall Feb. 4 to speak out for racial justice, affordable housing and other topics. While there was broad agreement among the public that more needs to be done on these issues, speakers were not completely unified on how to go about it. Most speakers pleaded with the commission to first make a formal statement of support for racial equity, arguing that such a statement would be the basis for future action.
The resolution on the commission’s agenda that night was written by local activists in the Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement in conjunction with commissioners Patrick Davenport, Melissa Link, Carol Myers and Dexter Fisher. The resolution starts by acknowledging the persistent racial wealth gap and other inequities suffered by the Black community and other minorities in Athens. It lists what has already been accomplished, and reaffirms the local government’s commitment to addressing these issues by working towards housing security, economic empowerment and safety for Black residents and other marginalized communities.
“[This resolution] is not just a document. It is a call from the people, urging our local government to take meaningful steps towards racial equity. It demands action on housing security, youth safety and economic opportunities for Black and minority-owned businesses. We are not here for empty promises or symbolic gestures; we are here for action,” said Mokah Jasmine Johnson, co-founder of the Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement.
Some speakers harshly criticized the body for failing, from their perspective, to take action over the years on these issues. “[There have been] over three centuries of constant economic assault on Black and brown people. The history is undeniable, but more importantly, it’s not just the history. It is still happening right now,” said Tamika Money, referring to how the local government is making existing racial disparities worse through its procurement and contracting policies.
A smaller group of speakers supported the goals of the resolution, but called for it to be delayed so that more specific and tangible action might be taken over the next few months. “I commend everyone who worked on this resolution. It’s definitely a step in the right direction,” said Xavier Walker. “But I now just respectfully ask that the commission table the vote for at least 60–90 days to give the community, city attorney and commission an opportunity to turn the resolution into a city ordinance.”
Commissioner Stephanie Johnson had suggested at a previous meeting that the resolution be converted into an ordinance. Ordinances are laws, unlike resolutions, which are statements of intent or opinion. However, it is unclear how the broad resolution could be converted into a law or laws within 60 days or, indeed, within any time frame.
Given this uncertainty, Davenport, Link and Myers advocated for going forward with the resolution as written. Myers in particular pointed out how the commission could continue to act after passing the resolution by drafting specific ordinances and by making funding allocations during the upcoming budget process.
“From this resolution, we can move forward and allocate another $4 million in next year’s budget for affordable housing, and another $1 million for a strike fund to help low-income residents stay in their homes. We could draft specific ordinances or policies to follow through on the recommendations of the disparity study. We could allocate general budget funds to help continue funding for some of the programs that have received funding through ARPA [the American Rescue Plan Act] for youth,” Myers said. “This [resolution] is a diving board into taking more action as a commission, and I hope we will do that as we move forward.”
While the commission could do all of these things without first passing a resolution, formal statements by the body are often helpful in giving political direction to ACC staff, who are otherwise expected to do their work without political agendas.
Commissioner Ovita Thornton, who has expressed discomfort with “social justice” resolutions in the past, called for the vote to be tabled for 60 days while commissioners and members of the public work together on a separate piece of legislation. She did not mention what topics the ordinance would cover, or whether she would even vote for the resolution after the 60-day period ended.
Commissioner Tiffany Taylor seconded Thornton’s motion, saying that she wanted to see real “impact” instead of just “another document that goes into a folder.” Taylor was also not specific as to what she wanted to see in the ordinance, except that she wanted Black community needs to be “properly funded.”
Thornton’s motion to delay passed 6-3, with Davenport, Link and Myers voting no, and Johnson abstaining.
Classic Center: The ACC Commission signed an intergovernmental agreement with the Classic Center Authority and the Athens Downtown Development Authority to create a partnership to encourage the development of areas around Akins Ford Arena.
The agreement creates a new steering committee chaired by Mayor Kelly Girtz that will include two representatives each from the commission, the Classic Center and the Athens Downtown Development Authority. It will hire a “real estate head hunter” to get development to happen, according to Girtz.
The Classic Center and the ACC government have always intended to lease government-owned property on the eastern edge of downtown to pay back bonds that funded the arena’s construction. But that effort has experienced some setbacks, including the commission batting down a partnership with Athens-based student housing developer Landmark Properties, and Atlanta-based Mallory and Evans backing out of another deal. Girtz told Flagpole that the Classic Center has enough reserves to make the bond payments for two years.
Commissioners voted 9-1 to sign the agreement. Davenport opposed the motion, saying that it was an “off the cuff” and unnecessary response to some recent funding problems.
Another proposal from Commissioner John Culpepper would add two commissioners to the Classic Center Authority’s board (which is already appointed by the mayor and commission but does not include any elected officials). He said he was not satisfied with the level of transparency the new steering committee provides.
“You look at the financial liability that the authority has, $108 million in bonds, and I think it would be helpful to have a couple commissioners on that authority so there is transparency on what’s going on with the payments,” Culpepper said.
Classic Center President and CEO Paul Cramer and current board members did not oppose the development committee, but they did object to adding commissioners to the Classic Center Authority.
“The Classic Center Authority is not a political entity. It’s a team of professionals appointed by you,” said Tres Small, vice chair of the Classic Center Authority. “The proposal to alter our structure is not about increased oversight. It is an attempt to inject self-interest and self-interest alone. If we allow political interests to override the very foundation of what has made the Classic Center successful, we risk losing the momentum that we have all worked so hard to build.”
Link disagreed, saying that it was “crucial” to have a commissioner on the Classic Center Authority’s board. She asked that it just be one commissioner, plus an additional member of the public, a change that Culpepper agreed to.
Link’s amended motion passed 7-3, with Fisher, Myers and Davenport voting no. Even so, the change will require support from Athens-Clarke County’s mostly Republican legislative delegation, which often ignores the local government’s requests, especially if they lack a unanimous vote.
Vincent Drive: Out of doubts about the integrity of the SPLOST funding process, Johnson attempted to delay approval of new sidewalks for Vincent Drive. She was not happy about a large increase in the cost of the project since it was originally approved in 2019. “Approving an amount that’s almost double, 46% increase, is outrageous,” Johnson said. “I need to see the numbers… If that’s the cost, that’s the cost, but I can’t explain it the way it’s written.”
Construction costs rose substantially during the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath due to pent-up demand, supply chain problems and overall inflation. Similar sticker shock struck projects like the Bethel Homes redevelopment, the Classic Center arena and a future new courthouse that were also included on the list for a 2020 sales tax referendum.
In disagreement, Commissioner Allison Wright proposed approving the project as is to avoid causing an unnecessary delay to an important public safety initiative. Wright’s motion to approve the sidewalks passed unanimously. The new sidewalks will cost almost $4 million and should be completed by spring of 2027.
North Avenue: The commission approved a multifamily housing development at 218 North Ave., including eight apartment buildings with 228 bedrooms in total. In the same vote, commissioners instructed ACC staff to come up with language to allow people to live in RVs legally in single-family zones. Girtz said he would also include a renewed discussion on allowing accessory dwelling units—commonly called granny or in-law flats—at a future work session.
Taylor was the only commissioner to oppose the new apartment buildings. “I want this to be on record that I will not be supporting any of the developments tonight that come before us that [are] not going to be for the working-class citizens of Athens-Clarke County,” Taylor said.
Given high construction costs, new developments that are not government-subsidized tend to be on the high end. Many economists and housing experts, however, believe adding to the housing supply will eventually bring down prices, because most cities have a shortage of housing relative to demand.
Like what you just read? Support Flagpole by making a donation today. Every dollar you give helps fund our ongoing mission to provide Athens with quality, independent journalism.
