“It leaves me with one question,” said business owner Mr. Chiang, after another presentation from the Canvas Planning Group in charge of the Atlanta Regional Commission’s Living Center Initiative WeLoveBuHi.

“What’s the main focus, improving community, business or air quality?” In a room full of women and men, each of whom sit at the heart of the Buford Highway community, as business owners. In a room full of individuals with large sums of money looming in the balance questions lingered unanswered. It was the Chamblee Chamber of Commerce’s monthly breakfast meeting at the Chamblee Civic Center but the tone was different. Aaron Fortner presented a similar presentation to the one at the community meeting but with a few noticeable updates. The presentation emphasized business, with plans to encourage Buford Highway to diversify and continue to capitalize on the “rare multicultural restaurant business motif.” The planners are envisioning that the community open up to bring in more food processing sites, food waste sites, and even agriculture.

The presenter even went as far as to say that the ARC is pleased with the Beltline project, that it, “meets their goals of mixed use planned development.” Yet, the Beltline project’s failure to provide affordable housing has led to the resignation of Ryan Gravel and Nathaniel Smith. Tensions are high as the Chamblee and Doraville city leaders test the waters with business owners and community members who access Buford Highway as part of their daily lives. To let your voice be heard as a person that accesses Buford Highway please go here to take the BuHi MasterPlan survey.

The presentation revealed that the LCI coordinators plan to recommend that the ARC put money towards agriculture, a more appealing corridor, keeping Buford Highway food centered, and adding residential areas near the MARTA stations. They even suggest adding bike trails, stating that the current presentation of Buford Highway is unattractive, and there’s plenty of open space that could be used for green-ways. Yet, so many questions linger among individuals that live along the road that signifies more than just a great place to get something to eat.

Having recently moved back into the area I stumbled upon a small group of Cross Keys alumni and current students, members of CPACS, and the LAA of all ages, and varying ethnic backgrounds interested in starting an apartment association. If you live along or off of Buford Highway in Chamblee City or Doraville, have family that attends Cross Keys, Cary Reynolds, Sequoyah Middle, Montclair Elementary, Dresden High, or Oak Cliff Elementary then you should consider joining La Comunidad de Buford Highway. The goal of La Comunidad de Buford Highway is to engage families by creating a path for residents to lead advocacy initiatives that they deem necessary for a healthy and livable community. .

For updates and information on The Buford Highway Apartment Association (BHAA)/ La Comunidad de Buford Highway you can find information on Twitter, Instagram, or by Email.