Economic Development in South Dekalb

Several years ago, the corner of Covington Hwy and Panola Rd. was a hub of economic commerce. There was a thriving movie theater, a grocery store, a video game arcade, various small restaurants, a drug store, a reputable music store, etc. Now it contains a Big Lots, a liquor store, an abandoned theater, a defunct lingerie store, a dry-cleaners, a few small restaurants, and a Dekalb County Police Dept. mini-station.

Similarly, the corner of Wesley Chapel (once called “Decatur’s Best Kept Secret”) and S. Hairston used to bustle with at least ten different businesses with Wal-Mart as the plaza’s hub. Now, there is none except one or two. The shell of the plaza is now nothing more than an empty eyesore.

What happened? More importantly, how can this be fixed? What can be done to convince real business to invest in South Dekalb County besides the Stonecrest Mall area? With the influx of residents moving closer to the city and markedly farther from the city, without economic development, the nearer suburbs along the I-285 corridor are left to suffer and become havens of suburban blight. Think about Glenwood from I-285 to Covington Hwy. Think about Covington Hwy from I-285 to Panola Rd. Think about Wesley Chapel from I-20 to S. Hairston and to Snapfinger Rd. What happened to the plans outlined in the following link?

ULI - the Urban Land Institute | A Green Light for Wesley Chapel?

My wife and I often have to travel into the City of Atlanta or the City of Decatur for basic needs and recreation. We drive from the unincorporated Lithonia/Decatur area all the way to Briarcliff or Ponce De Leon to get groceries from Return to Eden or the Whole Foods Market. We have to go all the way to Moreland Ave. to go to Barnes and Noble. When we want to go to a nice, moderately priced restaurant (besides the Olive Garden, Ruby Tuesday, Applebee’s type of chains by Stonecrest), the nearest decent places are in Downtown Decatur. We have to travel 15 to 20 miles just to get to a Moe’s or a Willy’s.

Is it that investors don’t think minorities would frequent a Whole Foods? It is important to note that pockets of South Dekalb County are the second most affluent African-American populations in the United States. Why not take advantage of this untapped demographic. Do investors (even minority investors) think that all minorities want is Hot Wing stands, Beauty Supply stores, and Fast Food restaurants? Collections of “mom-and-pop” stores don’t necessarily increase property value nor provide a wealth of employment opportunities. The only business of the kind that has been successful is “Davido’s 3.75 Pizza” and “This Is It” (both are either fast food or "soul food" marketed toward the black community). Except, the aforementioned, many other small businesses end up becoming eyesores unless there is a central hub anchoring the smaller businesses (and attracting more customers).

Imagine if the Wesley Chapel/S. Hairston intersection contained a live/work/play community like the Edgewood Retail District on Caroline St. Imagine if the corner of Panola and Covington had a Whole Foods Market with space for successful preexisting businesses. Imagine if there was a Barnes and Noble live/work/play/community on Covington Hwy between Panola Rd and I-285. Think about all the people they would employ. Think about how it would greatly boost the area’s economy. If you build it, the people definitely will come.

When I discuss economic development in South Dekalb with residents of North Dekalb and other Metro Atlanta counties, they respond like I’m living in a fairy tale when I speak of mixed-use developments like the plaza in East Atlanta, real restaurants that aren't just soul food, hot wing, and fast food-type places, or a good "Whole Foods" type grocery store like the ones that are in almost every other area of Atlanta except the ones that are predominantly African-American.

When will I be able to go to a good Thai restaurant on Covington Hwy, or to a "Noodles" or "P.F. Chang's" in Wesley Chapel, or even a "Moe's" or "Willy's" on Snapfinger? Why are people so scared to put new, better quality establishments in established predominantly black communities? We live in a working class community and our residents want the same quality establishments that are in North Dekalb, Fulton, Cobb, and Gwinnett counties. Instead, "Zaxby's" and "Taco Bell/KFC" goes up every few blocks. If Lithonia has so much wealth (which I know it does), why doesn't anyone make quality investments in this untapped resource? They could reap huge profits (and provide major employment opportunities for residents).

Think about areas “around” the City of Atlanta that are relatively pleasant places to live (in which property values and economic development are steadily increasing rather than faltering). Areas such as Marietta, Norcross, Roswell, Sandy Springs, Union City, and Fairburn. We’d be pleased if the quality of life in our area was at least on par with North Dekalb. We know South Dekalb is notoriously underserved, but when will we take steps to change that?

I work in the Dekalb County School System and most of my colleagues strongly agree with these points. In fact, many have moved to Rockdale and South Fulton counties because of these issues (even though they work in South Dekalb County). What can be done or what is currently being planned to address these issues? I hear Dekalb County representatives talk about “workforce housing”, but what is being done to provide a wealth of employment opportunities, businesses, and superior establishments for the residents and that attract people of all walks life to South Dekalb County?