Special Notice
Happy new year from the Atlanta Downtown Neighborhood Association!

It's time to renew your ADNA membership! When the new year rings in, your ADNA membership expires! Unless you joined ADNA during the month of December 2003, it is time to renew your membership. Individual memberships $25; household $40; corporate/business $60. To renew, download an application at www.atlantadna.org. To access the application, click on "About ADNA," then "Membership." Remember, only those whose memberships are current may vote at monthly Association meetings!

Below are minutes for the January 13, 2004, meeting of the Atlanta Downtown Neighborhood Association, held at the Atlanta-Fulton Central Library, One Margaret Mitchell Square. Minutes by ADNA Secretary Jay Tribby.

Meeting focus: Planning for this year's Downtown Neighborhood Festival & Tour of Lofts (May 15-16).

Welcome & Introductions

ADNA Board member Tony Stewart chaired the meeting. In addition to Downtown residents, those who introduced themselves included representatives from the Downtown and Midtown precincts of the Atlanta Police Department, Central Atlanta Progress / Atlanta Downtown Improvement District, The Story newspaper, the office of District 2 City Council Member Debi Starnes, the Georgia Water Coalition, one applicant looking for a license recommendation, and a new Downtown business.

Reports

Third Annual Downtown Neighborhood Festival & Tour of LoftsMaria Balais and ADNA Board member Jennifer Henderson, Co-chairs of the Downtown Neighborhood Festival & Tour of Lofts, reviewed plans for this year's event, which takes place on Saturday, May 15, and Sunday, May 16.

This year's expanded schedule of activities offers many opportunities for Downtown residents to contribute to the weekend's success. In addition to the two-day Festival, the planning committee has scheduled a VIP Party for major supporters on May 13; a Saturday parade; and, in partnership with Central Atlanta Progress, the annual Tour of Downtown Lofts.

As of this writing, there are 2 openings on the Steering Committee: Volunteer Coordinator and Nonprofit Outreach Coordinator. Other leadership position openings: hospitality suite; gift bags; and grassroots marketing efforts. Finally, there are 6 openings for leadership positions during the weekend itself. If you are interested in any of these positions, please e-mail the Steering Committee at downtownatl@hotmail.com.

Confirmed sponsors include: ING, Sweetwater, Newfields, and Americas Mart. Media partners include: Mix and Max, Peach 94.9 FM, Atlanta Magazine, Intown Magazine, and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Twenty percent of the cost of last year's Festival was financed by Downtown residents. A high percentage of local financial investment makes the Festival much more attractive to corporate sponsors. Maria and Jen asked that all Downtown residents consider making a special contribution to this year's Festival.

To contribute to the 2004 Festival & Tour, send a check to:

Atlanta Downtown Neighborhood Association, Inc.
P.O. Box 57021
Atlanta GA 30343

Please mention that your contribution is for the "2004 Festival & Tour."

Atlanta Police Department

Major L.A. Hagin and Sergeant Jim Carlino of Zone 5 took questions. A number of members expressed their enthusiasm for an APD program that recently brought new recruits into Downtown for foot patrol training. As ADNA Board member Dorthey Hurst commented, "Foot patrols are crucial to what we want for Downtown." ADNA Vice President Patrick Busko asked how Downtown residents could communicate their interest in getting the next class of recruits Downtown as well. Sgt. Carlino recommended calling the offices of the Mayor and Atlanta City Council.

Georgia Water Coalition

Brooke Brandenburg of the Georgia Water Coalition spoke about the Coalition's efforts to ensure that the state's water is managed as a public resource. ADNA members voted to express support for these efforts. For more information: www.georgiawater.org.

Businesses Seeking Support

One Downtown business asked for support at the NPU and/or City level. A new business serving Downtown introduced itself.

Magic City
DeWayne Martin, legal counsel for this adult entertainment venue in the 200 block of Forsyth Street, introduced the new owner, Marvin Brown, and manager, Stephanie Stokes. They described efforts to improve the venue and its surroundings since their arrival in December, and requested ADNA's support in renewing Magic City's liquor license. After considerable discussion, during which members expressed concern about Magic City's past management and its accountability for quality of life issues in the immediate vicinity, ADNA requested that Board member Cooper Holland schedule an appointment with management to tour the venue, determine whether stated improvements have been made, and represent ADNA at the upcoming NPU meeting when the license renewal comes up for consideration.

Dry Cleaning Express
Elvin Hawkins is the owner of a new, mobile dry cleaning/valet service. Dry Cleaning Express provides free pick-up and delivery to Downtown residences. For further information: 404.306.9132.

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