Atlanta’s Tax Allocation Districts (TADs) | Center for Civic Innovation

TADs, or tax allocation districts, are considered by the City to be one of its “most valuable economic development tools.” Office of the Mayor Chief Strategy Officer Peter Aman shared a presentation on them at a recent City Council meeting.

A TAD is a defined area where any increase in property tax revenue—resulting from new development—is set aside to fund improvements within that area, rather than sent to the citywide general fund. The starting property tax value is determined when a TAD is established, and future increases above this base are dedicated to further redevelopment, supporting infrastructure costs, and attracting private development.

Aman reported that, from 2007 to 2024, revenue from Atlanta’s eight TADs has significantly grown. He also described the “halo effect”: Large projects such as Ponce City Market can increase economic activity beyond their boundaries, raising business activity and property values in nearby neighborhoods as well. For instance, the Beltline TAD has been credited with driving up property values (and city tax revenue) well outside its limits. In Atlanta, revenue from neighborhoods around such TAD-driven projects—so-called “halo areas”—has also risen markedly in recent years.

Before Aman’s presentation, residents in attendance asked why their neighborhoods hadn’t benefited from the City’s increased revenue. In the past, residents have accused the City of investing in some neighborhoods to the detriment of others and called for more equitable distribution of development and resulting revenue. “We need a public hearing [to] let the people decide where they wanna spend this money,” said one Southwest Atlanta community member. “I want a watchdog, and I want to be on that task force.”

As of 2025, the City’s TADs have generated about $35 million; estimates indicate that this amount will reach $100 million by 2055. The southwest Atlanta resident, however, felt her community wasn’t among those benefiting. “The City don’t look like it should look,” she said. “You act like [we’re] some foster child over here on Southwest side.”

(Documented by Faith Mbadugha; additional reporting by Ada Wood)

Background & Context 

“We’ll see if that money ever makes it this far down the block”: A lifelong Grove Park resident shares her perspective on the impact of TADs in her community (Canopy Atlanta)

Understanding TADs and TIFs, the financing tricks that transform cities: It’s easy to feel like you’re drowning in the alphabet soup that is modern municipal economics. But there are two acronyms worth knowing. (Cost of Living Project)

Broken From The Start: An analysis of Atlanta’s tax allocation districts and their impacts on communities of color (Partnership for Southern Equity)

Lakewood Heights Community Association

📦 Atlanta Police Department Sergeant Markevis Holloway advised residents to schedule package deliveries when someone is home to prevent theft and avoid to leaving items in cars during the holiday season.

Also discussed at this meeting: 

🏫 Atlanta Public Schools’ FORWARD 2040 facilities plan proposes major changes for the Lakewood Heights area, including reassigning community members to South Atlanta High School and eliminating Carver’s feeder school cluster. The plan includes converting Carver School of the Arts into a district-wide choice school for grades 6 through 12 and making Carver Early College a separate application-only school for grades 9 through 12. A public hearing and vote is scheduled for December 3 at the Center for Leadership and Learning.

🧐 Documenter’s note: The agenda for this meeting was posted on social media at 3:30 p.m. on the day of the meeting, which began less than four hours later.

(Documented by Dominique Huff)

Art by Sean Fahie

City of Riverdale

🦃 The City of Riverdale will hold a turkey giveaway on Saturday, November 22, for community members.

Also discussed at this meeting: 

🗳️ The city clerk announced dates and early-voting locations for the Ward 3 run-off election. The incumbent, Wanda Wallace, and the challenger, Valerie Rachel, tied, each obtaining 111 votes.

🛣️ Riverdale is seeking state funding to resurface and repair state-owned roadways within the City limits. The state will choose which roads it wants fixed.

🧐 Documenter’s note: The council chambers’ inadequate sound system leads to poor audio quality. This, in addition to a lack of accessible background information on agenda items, likely hinders understanding and engagement during meetings.

(Documented by Dominique Huff)

Atlanta Zoning Review Board

🎨 Visual artist Charmaine Minniefield submitted a special use application to move to Southview Cemetery the “Praise House Project,” a temporary “community-based, immersive” exhibit that moves around the city, honoring the African American legacy of the respective community visited. This installation has traveled to Oakland Cemetery, Emory University, and Beacon Hill in Downtown Decatur. The project in Southview Cemetery will honor “the first African-American burial ground and the victims of the 1906 Atlanta Race Massacre.”

Also discussed at this meeting: 

🚶🏽‍♀️ The Zoning Review Board supported an ordinance to remove barbed wire and razor wire from all fencing on Atlanta’s public streets.

🏘️ An affordable home developer received approval to rezone property on Stanton Road, though NPU-R had previously denied the application.

(Documented by Faith Mbadugha)

APS Food Distribution

📅 November 24, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

📍 D.M. Therrell High School, 3099 Panther Trail SW, Atlanta

Atlanta Board of Education Update

📅 December 3, 6 to 7:30 p.m.

📍 Center for Leadership and Learning, 130 Trinity Avenue, Atlanta

Toys for Tots Toy Giveaway

📅 December 13, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

📍 Walls of Jericho Miracle Center, 696 Battle Creek Road, Jonesboro