Who and What is AIEV
Our Story
The Coming Together of AIEV’s Initial Concepts
The DeKalb County Commission Reaches an Historic
Decision
Board of Directors
Advisory Board
Committee Members
Meeting Minutes
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.
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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.
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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.
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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 enjoying DeKalb County streetscape
improvements and are safely navigating the new roundabout. Almost 40 trees have been planted thoughout the Village, and a fountain and sculpture now grace the new Emory Village Plaza, which has become the welcoming centerpiece of the village.
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Our Board of Directors
2013 AIEV Board meetings are held on the second Monday of every month at 4:30 pm. at various sites in and around Emory Village.
Officers:
Chair - Todd Hill – 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
Mark Goldman
Bill Gryboski
Nathan Hartman
Todd Hill
Cynthia Tauxe
Board members representing Emory Village
Stuart Meddin – Emory Village property owner
Shane Mixon – Owner of Saba Restaurant
Myra Haley - Manager, Emory Barnes and Noble Book Store
Board members representing Emory University
David Payne – Office of the Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration
Advisory Board Members
Jennifer Fabrik - Emory University Architect
Davis Fox --Druid Hills Resident
Marlene Goldman - Druid Hills Resident
Perry Mitchell - Druid Hills Resident
Stephanie Panek - Owner, Rise n Dine
Sally Sears Belcher - Druid Hills Resident
Pam Terry - Druid Hills Resident
Betty Willis - Emory University Government and Community Affairs
Clarke Weeks - Druid Hills Resident
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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.
Todd Hill – Chair
Cynthia Tauxe – Vice Chair
Mark Goldman – Treasurer
David Payne – Secretary
Lois Berthaume
Stuart Meddin
Communications/Community Building Committee
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
Marlene Goldman – co-chair
David Payne – co-chair
Sally Sears Belcher
Becky Evans
Shane Mixon
Stephanie Panek
Chris Mitchel
Perry Mitchell
Park Committee
This group developed and oversees the
Emory Village Plaza.
Todd Hill – committee chair
Jen Fabrick
Davis Fox
Mark Goldman
Doug Grimm (Druid Hills Civic Association representative)
James Johnson (community Member)
Cynthia Tauxe
Fundraising Committee
Nathan Hartman - Chair
Lois Berthaume
Sally Sears Belcher
Becky Evans
Marlene Goldman
Shane Mixon
Deb Watts
Clarke Weeks
Betty Willis
Project Management and Zoning/Design Guidelines 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 – chair
Jen Fabrick
Mark Goldman
Todd Hill
Stuart Meddin
Cynthia Tauxe
Greenspace Committee
Sally Sears Belcher - Chair
Becky Evans,
Davis Fox,
Warner McConaughey (community member)
Stephanie Panek
David Payne
Paul Weathersby (community member)
Clarke Weeks
Parking and Transportation Committee
David Fox - Chair
Lois Berthaume
Stuart Meddin
Cynthia Tauxe
Lisa Underwood
Village Maintenance Committee
Bill Gryboski - Chair
Nathan Hartman
Lois Berthaume
Celebration Committee
Myra Haley - Chair
Shane Mixon
David Payne
Stephanie Panek
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Minutes, AIEV Board of Directors
2012
2011
2010
2009
2006-2009 Minutes (pdf)
2003-2005 Minutes (pdf)
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