Emory annexation into City of Atlanta clears hurdle

Emory University is one step closer to officially calling the City of Atlanta home, after successful negotiations between DeKalb County and Atlanta officials.

According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the DeKalb County Commission approved a massive settlement, allowing Atlanta to move forward with the acquisition of 744 acres. The extents include not just the university campus, but also the CDC campus and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta facilities.

The move has been in the works for a year, with Emory officially filing the petition this summer. DeKalb County was required to approve the move, and wasn’t prepared to let Emory go cheap. The city will pay DeKalb $10 million over the next 10 years to provide firefighting services to the area.

Additionally, DeKalb County’s zoning regulations and restrictions will be adopted by the city, and proposed public transit modifications in the area will require a public meeting.

Still, the deal could be a major boon for Atlanta, as Emory becomes the sixth major university within city limits.

The move also paves the way for the potential expansion of MARTA down the Clifton Road corridor.

The next step will be a vote of the Atlanta City Council to approve the annexation request. When completed, the expansion of the city would be the largest since Buckhead was absorbed into the boundaries in the early 1950s.

• Deal between Atlanta and DeKalb clears way for city’s expansion to Emory [Atlanta Journal-Constitution]
• Emory annexation could be smart move for Atlanta [Curbed Atlanta]