About us
ATL Airport Community Improvement Districts in the South Metro Region
Representing Property Owners Since 2014
Our History
The ATL Airport Community Improvement Districts (AACIDs) are comprised of the Airport West Community Improvement District (AWCID) and the Airport South Community Improvement District (ASCID). Since 2014, the 15.46 square mile districts represent two counties and six cities in the South Metro region. AWCID, located in Fulton County, encompasses portions of the City of Atlanta, the City of College Park, the City of East Point, the City of Hapeville, and the City of South Fulton. ASCID, located in Clayton County, includes portions of the City of College Park and the City of Forest Park. While each CID remains its own entity and has respective Board leadership, the Executive Director for AWCID, Gerald McDowell, serves as the administrative lead for the AACIDs and their staff.
Mission Statement
“The AACIDs are greatly committed to creating an economically strong, safe, attractive and vibrant community surrounding the world’s most-traveled passenger airport. We are a catalyst for infrastructure enhancement through new investments, project planning, resource management and partnership development. We seek to raise the collective value of our community’s commercial properties while making the AACIDs a destination for new businesses, residents and visitors.”
FAQS
What are Community Improvement Districts (CIDs)?
All Community Improvement Districts (CIDs) in Georgia are founded pursuant to Article IX, Section VII of the Georgia Constitution. The constitutional amendment allowing this type entity was approved by the voters in 1984. Click HERE to read the Georgia Constitution.
A CID may be created for one or more of the following governmental services and facilities:
- Street and road construction and maintenance, including curbs, sidewalks, street lights, and devices to control the flow of traffic on streets and roads.
- Parks and recreational areas and facilities.
- Stormwater and sewage collection and disposal systems.
- Development, storage, treatment, purification and distribution of water.
- Public transportation.
- Terminal and dock facilities and parking facilities.
- Such other services and facilities as may be provided for by general law.
How are CIDs funded?
CIDs collect revenue through self-imposed and self-regulated property taxes on non-residential properties. The CIDs’ taxes are additional to the millage rates collected by counties and cities. The owners of participating properties within the CIDs agree to assess themselves the added tax. Commercial property owners within the CIDs elect a Board of Directors, and these individuals oversee how funds are spent.
What is the millage rate?
The current AACIDs millage rate is 5 mills. A mill is equivalent to 1/10th of 1% of the assessed value of a property.
What are the Airport West and Airport South CIDs?
The Airport West CID, which is located in Fulton County, encompasses portions of Atlanta, College Park, East Point, Hapeville and unincorporated Fulton County. The Airport South CID is located in Clayton County to include a portion of Atlanta, College Park, and all of Forest Park.
Who make up the Board for CIDs?
A CID is administered by a Board of Directors. The make-up of the Board is set forth in the local legislation allowing for CIDs within a jurisdiction. There are elected board members, and appointed board members, in each district.
For Fulton County: 5 elected by property owners, two appointed by County (except for CIDs created after 4/2/14 in which case one appointed by County if less than 50% of the land area of the CID is unincorporated), and one appointed by each municipality in the district.
Some board members are elected on ballots weighted by the value of property interests, and some based upon one vote per owner, regardless of value. Terms of office are also set by the legislation and the resolution creating the CID.
How large are the AACIDs’ districts?
The AACIDs account for approximately 15.46 square miles.
How can the public participate with the AACIDs?
The monthly AACIDs Boards of Directors meetings are open to the public, and updates to ongoing and planned projects are presented at each meeting. Additionally, the AACIDs works directly with their stakeholders, including property owners, business owners, civic organizations and residents for input on projects.