Who and What Is AIEV?
AIEV is a small, all-volunteer, non-profit community organization
with one goal: to help revitalize the historic, commercial heart of
Druid Hills in Emory Village.
We are an alliance of various stakeholders including local
neighbors, Emory Village businesses and property owners, and
representatives from Emory University. We recognize that revitalization can only be accomplished if the
Village becomes a community gathering spot that is popular with
patrons and profitable for its businesses and property owners. We
also recognize Druid Hills residents and Emory University must be
supportive of revitalization efforts.
AIEV is committed to achieving the best possible balance between
historic preservation and commercial success, as well as between
public safety, traffic enhancements, and creating a
pedestrian-friendly Village.
Our Story
In 1999 – concerned over the declining state of Emory Village – a
small group of Druid Hills Civic Association (DHCA) members,
neighbors, Emory Village businesses/property owners and
representatives from Emory University formed a steering committee.
Its sole purpose was to develop ideas to improve the Village’s
future.
Today that committee has become a unique alliance representing these
different stakeholders -- the Alliance to Improve Emory Village (AIEV).
Beginning with a series of community input sessions, we asked for
wide-ranging recommendations, refined them, and made initial
recommendations to implement them.
In 2001, AIEV became a non-profit organization, and was fortunate to
receive expertise in urban design funded by Emory, DeKalb County and
nominal seed money from DHCA.
The Coming Together of AIEV’s Initial Concepts
Over the ensuing years, our proposals coalesced into a detailed plan
that addressed every facet of the Village’s revitalization – from
street and traffic improvements to business and residential
redevelopment – all of which will lead toward the Village’s ongoing
commercial success. What we envisioned, and the community endorsed,
was a live-work-play concept with new apartment/condo housing above
retail and office spaces.
In fact, AIEV’s original mission statement still holds true today,
after nearly a decade of work. Our only goal is:
To create a safe, economically viable, walkable and compact
mixed-use
community that is compatible with and a resource to the historic
Druid Hills neighborhoods and Emory University.
In 2003, the Emory Village Revitalization Plan achieved
designation as a “Livable Center” by the Atlanta Regional Commission
and received a $2.1 million grant for use primarily to fund public
improvements, such as the streetscape enhancements. The plan also
attracted nearly $1 million in matching funds from DeKalb County for
traffic, street and pedestrian improvements – including a roundabout
to replace the Village’s congested main intersection.
In 2006, AIEV submitted zoning overlay and design guidelines to the
Dekalb County Historic Preservation Commission, which unanimously
approved them.
The DeKalb County Commission Reaches an Historic
Decision
In early 2007, AIEV submitted the zoning overlay and guidelines to
the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners. Over the next several
months, the commissioners listened to extensive community input
regarding new building heights, density and setbacks, all of which
were necessitated by redevelopment costs.
In May 2007, the commissioners unanimously approved AIEV’s zoning overlay and design guidelines, thus setting a new direction for
Emory Village – one that will create a community commercial center
that is economically viable and in the best long-term interests of
Druid Hills residents, Emory Village and Emory University.
Currently AIEV, as well as thousands of residents and Emory
personnel, are eagerly waiting for the first phase of the Village’s
revitalization to begin – the DeKalb County streetscape
improvements.
Our Board of Directors
2010 AIEV Board Meeting Schedule Board meetings will be held at the Emory West-Briarcliff Road Campus, Office of University-Community Initiatives Room 418 on the second Monday of every month at 4pm. (July 12, August 9, September 13, October 11, November 8, and December 13.)
Officers:
Chair - Lois Berthaume – Druid Hills resident
Vice chair – Cynthia Tauxe – Druid Hills resident
Secretary – David Payne - Emory
Treasurer – Mark Goldman – Druid Hills resident
Board members representing the residents of Druid Hills:
Lois Berthaume
Becky Evans
Davis Fox
Mark Goldman
Marlene Goldman
Todd Hill
Sally Sears
Cynthia Tauxe
Pam Terry
Tom Walsh
Board members representing Emory Village
Stuart Meddin – Emory Village property owner
Shane Mixon – Owner of Saba Restaurant
Stephanie Panek
– Owner of rise 'n dine
Tony Riffel – Owner of Octane
Board members representing Emory University:
Jen Fabrick - University Architect
David Payne – University communications and Clifton Community
Partnership
Michael Rich – Professor, and Office of University and Community
Partnerships
Lisa Underwood – University Transportation and Parking Services
Betty Willis – University government and community affairs
AIEV Committees/Members
All committees need and welcome volunteer participation.
Executive Committee
This committee is authorized to make decisions on behalf of the
Board when necessary. It is also responsible for Board operations
and finance.
Lois Berthaume – Chair
Cynthia Tauxe – Vice Chair
Mark Goldman – Treasurer
David Payne – Secretary
Jen Fabrick
Davis Fox
Stuart Meddin
Communications/Community Building Committee
This committee is charged with communication with our stakeholders
and broader audiences as needed and with community building. It
organizes the Alliance’s efforts in gathering input from
stakeholders and in nurturing community spirit by sponsoring events
in the Village including the ongoing series, “First Thursdays in
Emory Village.”
Marlene Goldman – Communications co-chair
David Payne – Communications co-chair
Cynthia Tauxe – Community Building chair
Lois Berthaume
Becky Evans
John Mills
Perry Mitchell
Sally Sears
Michael Rich
Pam Terry
Betty Willis
Project Committee
This committee spearheaded development of the revitalization plan
for Emory Village and remains abreast of the various design,
engineering, and construction efforts underway monitoring progress
and facilitating communication among those providing services and
resources where needed.
Davis Fox – committee chair
Jen Fabrick
Mark Goldman
Stuart Meddin
Tom Walsh
Park Design Committee
This group is developing the conceptual design for the new park in
Emory Village.
Mark Goldman – committee chair
Michael Brierley
Jen Fabrick
Todd Hill
Doug Grimm (Druid Hills Civic Association representative)
James Johnson
Ted Kelly
Cynthia Tauxe
Tom Walsh
Meeting Minutes, AIEV Board of Directors
