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Decatur City Hall.

UPDATE: The IGA was approved at the Nov. 20 City Commission meeting. 

Here’s our original story …

The Decatur City Commission is considering an intergovernmental agreement with DeKalb County that would secure $800,000 for green space at the United Methodist Children’s Home.

The city recently purchased the 77-acre campus for $40 million. The city made the purchase using its newly created Public Facilities Authority, which borrowed most of the money for the deal. The city also received a low interest $11.5 million loan through the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority. The loan will pay for the purchase of 22 acres out of the total 77 acre campus on South Columbia Drive. The city won’t be able to develop this property as part of the loan agreement.

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The money from DeKalb County would be used for improvements to the green space.

“Pursuant to this agreement, the county agrees to pay to the city $800,000 from remaining proceeds of the Special Recreation Tax District General Obligation Bonds, Series 2001,” a memo attached to the Nov. 20 meeting agenda says. “In exchange, the City agrees to use such funds to undertake certain projects within the 22.5 acre protected greenspace area at the UMCH property, such as construction of trails, improvements to the pond and removal of invasive species. These moneys were generated as a result of the County’s March 2001 referendum authorizing the issuance of $125,000,000 in bonds to acquire land for additional parks and natural areas, to preserve greenspace, and to make improvements relating to such parks and greenspace.”

To see a copy of the agreement, click here.

The Nov. 20 City Commission meeting begins with a  work session at 7 p.m. and will be held at City Hall, located 509 North McDonough Street. All meetings are open to the public.

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