City's New Downtown Development Authority Board to Meet Monday

The Peachtree Corners City Council approved a resolution on April 16, 2013 to create a Downtown Development Authority (DDA).

The seven-member authority will be tasked with a number of duties, its main focus will be on revitalizing and redeveloping the central business district of the city.

The new board will hold its first meeting on Monday, May 6 at 11:30 a.m. at City Hall.

"The need for a Downtown Development Authority was created when the city entered into a contract to purchase the undeveloped land across from The Forum," said City Manager, Julian Jackson.

The DDA will be responsible for locating a buyer and developer for the property said Jackson.

As part of the resolution, members (aka directors) had to meet the following requirements:

1. A taxpayer residing in the municipal corporation for which the authority is created, or

2. An owner or operator of a business located within the downtown development area and a taxpayer residing in the county in which is located the municipal corporation.

The downtown development area is a specific geographical area considered the "central business district" of the city. A map of the area is included with this story.

Board members will serve two-, four- and six-year terms. Members of the first board of directors of the DDA are:

Michael McLaughlin - (two-year term) a resident since 1993, McLaughlin is a Patent Broker and founding principal with IPinvestments Group. His office is located at The Forum. McLaughlin is also the President of the Peachtree Corners Business Association (PCBA), a member of the Peachtree Corners Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee and board member of The Reserve at East Jones Bridge HOA.

Ruth Strickland - (six year term) a resident since 1976, she was employed by the Paul Duke company which developed Peachtree Corners.  Strickland is President of CEO Business Center, a member of Peachtree Corners Business Association; member of Peachtree Corners Rotary Club and has been active for a number of years in UPCCA.

Gene Witkin - (four-year term) a resident since 1994 (plus a couple of years in the early 80s), Witkin is the founding partner of Imagix Dental located in the Ingles' shopping center. His office will be moving to a space near OfficeMax in June. Witkin also is a Fowler YMCA board member.

L. C. Johnson - (six-year term) a long-time resident, he joined the U.S. Air Force in 1954 and served our country for 20 years. He was with Tacoma Public Schools as Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Education before serving as Special Assistant to the Chancellor of New York City Board of Education. Johnson now serves on numerous boards including the Gwinnett Health System, Cornerstone Christian Academy and the Gwinnett Housing Authority.

Bob Saville - (four-year term) a resident for 26 years, he owns Saville Public Entity (provides insurance for cities and counties). He is a founding member of the Peachtree Corners Business Association, Treasurer of the Norcross Touchdown Club and a member of Perimeter Church.

Dan Graveline - (six-year term) a long-time resident, he retired as Executive Director of the Georgia World Congress Center Authority in 2010. He led the center through its official opening in 1976 and oversaw the completion of two expansions. He served on a number of boards including the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau, Central Atlanta Progress. Atlanta Sports Council and Children's Health Care of Atlanta. 

David Willey - (two-year term) is a CPA who works for TPA Realty Services, a real estate company located in Peachtree Corners that specializes in leasing and marketing, property management, development/construction management and financial services. He has lived in Suwanee for the past 26 years and has been with TPA for more than 30 years. His company has land interests in the city.

The DDA meeting is open to the public. A copy of the meeting agenda is included with this story.

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