Blake Aued

3 weeks ago | flagpole.com | Blake Aued

It’s been two years since the Athens-Clarke County Commission approved a plan to redevelop Georgia Square Mall, but demolition work just started last week. Such delays are typical, developer Mark Jennings said at a town hall meeting to provide an update on the project. Jennings said that, when he’s asked “What’s the holdup? I didn’t know there was one.” It takes an average of three to four years to break ground, he said. Jenning’s company, The Leaven Group, won commission approval in March 2023.

3 weeks ago | flagpole.com | Blake Aued

Athens Area Habitat for Humanity completed the first of what will eventually be 63 affordable houses in East Athens for families, artists, veterans and former foster children attending college. Most of Micah’s Creek—named for the Bible verse Micah 6:8, reading “do justice, love mercy and walk humbly”—will be located in between Oconee Street and the Firefly Trail, but the first completed house, a small Craftsman-style bungalow, is on an infill lot a few blocks north on Peter Street.

3 weeks ago | flagpole.com | Blake Aued

Rapidly rising property values in recent years have allowed the Athens-Clarke County Mayor and Commission to pursue new initiatives while also cutting the millage rate. But the gravy train is about to come to an end. During a work session Mar. 25, Brad Griffin—the former planning director brought out of retirement to run the ACC government’s day-to-day operations after Niki Jones left in December—presented the manager’s so-called “big rocks” budget, with a somewhat pessimistic outlook.

3 weeks ago | flagpole.com | Blake Aued

Clarke County School District Superintendent Robbie Hooker announced Monday night that he will retire effective June 30. The Clarke County Board of Education held a called meeting Monday to discuss personnel matters. There was no previous indication that Hooker intended to retire. According to a press release, the BOE will discuss the process for hiring a new superintendent at another closed meeting on Apr. 17.

3 weeks ago | flagpole.com | Blake Aued

Three Republicans who represent Athens in the Georgia House of Representatives have introduced a bill taking away the ACC Commission’s ability to appoint a majority of the members of the local Board of Elections. Currently, the local Democratic and Republican parties each appoint one member, and the county commission appoints three. Though technically nonpartisan, the commission is made up of all or mostly Democrats, and so its appointees tend to lean left. Under House Bill 581—sponsored by Reps.