Commissioner Kelly Walsh is dedicated to making Decatur the best it can be through hard work, strong leadership, and collaboration.
As a member of a five-person governing body, Kelly is proud of its many accomplishments during her first term.
Keeping Decatur Moving
I believe that we must skillfully protect and manage one of Decatur’s greatest assets — walkability. We are products of our built environment and our city’s street design and planning efforts should reflect that people are the priority. Moreover, our ability to transit safely around the city using a balanced transportation network with amenities for pedestrians and cyclists as well as cars, will ensure a high quality of life and a strong local economy.
1st Term Accomplishments
- Adopted the new 2018 Transportation Plan
- Completed first phase of the Parkwood Neighborhood Traffic Calming project
- Installed a HAWK pedestrian crossing at Westchester Elementary School
- Partnered with City Schools of Decatur for a successful Talley Street School opening in fall 2019
- Approved final concepts and a budget for railroad crossing improvements for the Atlanta Avenue Project
- Installed two new pedestrian hybrid flashing beacons to designate safer pedestrian crossings
- Designated 16 streets as Residential District Speed Zones to promote a safer environment for pedestrians
- Added two additional crossing guard positions for the Safe Routes to School program
- Continued work on the 5 year sidewalk prioritization plan to repair, replace and install new sidewalks across the city
- Funded the Church Street bike path to complete the final segment to the northern city limits
2nd Term Priorities
- Continued implementation of traffic calming efforts and sidewalk expansion in corridors identified in the 2018 Transportation Plan (page 55).
- Continued support of citizen-led efforts to “Calm Decatur” and further ped/cycling interests in partnership with the city.
- Complete a feasibility study in 2022 on the city taking over traffic signal control from the county.
- Add a city-wide circulator bus to offer north and south loops that connect residents to key stops throughout the city 2018 Transportation Plan (page 57).
Keeping Decatur Green and Active
Decatur must continue to acquire, preserve and activate greenspace within the city limits. Providing access throughout the entire city, including downtown, to a broad typology of outdoor spaces is essential to maintaining an active and healthy citizenry. The city’s ability to also share these facilities with the school system is critical to optimizing the limited land and resources in Decatur.
1st Term Accomplishments
- Boys & Girls Club acquisition added over five acres of strategic land and athletic facilities for active living
- Ebster Field improvements including turf and lights budgeted for 2021-2022
- Oakhurst tennis facility improvements budgeted for 2021-2022
- Revised and strengthened Tree Ordinance to be completed in Q3 2021
- Legacy Park enhancements with multiple projects to generate revenue and build community
- Approved funding for an inclusive playground at Legacy Park
- Purchased 1.2 acres on Green Street to preserve as greenspace
2nd Term Priorities
- Preserve additional properties located in floodplain areas or other strategic parcels that hold valuable environmental assets such as trees, streams, and wildlife.
- Identify more areas for recreation, active living and athletics in the upcoming Facilities Master Plan and the Downtown Master Plan processes in 2022.
- Secure funding for a community track and multi-purpose athletic field facility at Legacy Park.
- Continued improvements to Legacy Park grounds and facilities to activate and optimize the entire park for all residents to enjoy.
Keeping Decatur Resilient
I believe climate change is acute and dangerous. Our response must be appropriately urgent. Other threats to our well-being in the forms of extreme weather and pandemics do not recognize municipal boundaries. We cannot face these problems alone and must actively engage with partners and identify broad-based solutions to be effective. Our response to this crisis through strategic planning for the next decade is critical.
1st Term Accomplishments
- Adopted a Stormwater Master Plan, updated ordinance and new fee schedule to fund necessary projects across the city over the next thirty years
- Funded the completion of a Clean Energy Plan to be finalized in 2022
- Joint creation of a new Climate Resilience Plan between City of Decatur and Agnes Scott College with goals such as preserving green space and preparing for potential climate change-related natural disasters.
- Added solar power and storage systems to city buildings via two grants from the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA).
2nd Term Priorities
- Finalize the Clean Energy plan and work quickly to implement the priorities identified within it.
- Adopt an ordinance that minimizes the harmful effects of gas-powered leaf blowers.
- Utilize American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to accelerate progress on the projects identified as top priorities in the 2020 Stormwater master plan.
- Continue efforts to promote tree planting across the city and expand planting by the city in the right of ways, public spaces, and parking lots.
- Continue to support and promote the residential Front Yard Tree program and succeed in reaching the goal of donating 1000 trees leading up to the city’s 200th anniversary in 2023.
Keeping Decatur Diverse
I believe a city that strives to be diverse, equitable, and inclusive works diligently to ensure its residents feel welcome, valued, and safe. Operating from an inclusive approach to citizen involvement, all residents should have access to timely information about city projects and programming and feel like full partners in the implementation of the strategic plan. Providing broad access to a variety of housing types across a spectrum of affordability expands opportunities for equitable growth. Intentional economic development should focus on welcoming innovative and creative businesses and supporting their growth and prosperity.
1st Term Accomplishments
- Became the fifth DeKalb County city and sixth Georgia city to approve a Non-discrimination ordinance.
- Adopted an Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance
- Adopted the Affordable Housing Task Force Report including a comprehensive plan to identify, create, and preserve more affordable housing units across Decatur.
- Identified the Decatur Land Trust as an independent financial vehicle to support the expansion of affordable housing inventory.
- Awarded $1,200,000 in forgivable loans to local businesses and non-profits to stimulate the economy and ensure they could survive the pandemic and thrive in the aftermath.
- Removed Lost Cause Confederate Monument on the Decatur Square.
- Funded an anti-racism speaker series with locally and nationally renowned speakers.
- Improved accessibility for residents to join public city meetings with technology to allow for virtual participation in addition to in person.
2nd Term Priorities
- Strengthen involvement between neighborhoods, volunteer boards, the business community and the city government through targeted education about land-use, zoning, and urban planning using city-wide outreach, communication, and smart technologies.
- Partner with a local organization and host a series of community-wide education events that help citizens understand and customize smart growth strategies and investigate how to mitigate the negative impact of development on quality of life.
- Develop affordable and inclusive housing for city and school employees, seniors, artists, and adults with disabilities by pursuing the goals of the Affordable Addendum to the Legacy Park Master Plan
- Continue efforts to create a permanent program to support seniors and residents aging in place with a city-wide senior housing rehabilitation program.
- Support the continued work of the Better Together Board and the implementation of all the recommendations of its community action plan.
