2022 06 21 City Council

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IV. INITIATIVES, PROJECTS, AND PRIORITIES 
Definitions 
City values and focus areas need to be translated into Initiatives and Projects if they are ever to 
be implemented.  
Initiatives are  very broad plan of action ; “A Thriving Downtown” is a good example. Initiatives 
often include numerous projects, that have not been well -defined.  They are too broad to have 
project managers, project scopes, project budgets, or project deliverables. 
Projects, on t he other hand, are very specific. An example may be to “Conduct a Downtown 
Market Study”. Each project to be implemented needs a Project Manager and Project Team; and 
a very detailed Project Scope of Work  including Project Budget for Staff or Consultants, Project 
Construction Budget, “Deliverables”, and other documents that define the project.  Every Project 
has a real beginning, and end date, with a tangible product at the end (the “Deliverable”) 
The following illustrates the City of Athens Initiatives and Projects, based on the previous work  
in this Strategic Planning process. 
  
 
STRATEGIC GOALS High Quality of Life High Quality Infrastructure & 
Services A Strong Internal Culture A Thriving Downtown A Strong Primary Education 
System
Collaborative Relationships w/ 
other Gov Agencies
Smart Growth Planning, Urban 
Design, and a Focus on Aesthetics
INITIATIVES Maintain a Consistent Property 
Tax Rate
Continue to Improve and Expand 
Multi-Modal Transportation 
Ne
twork, Connecting 
Neighborhoods
All Deparments Should Apply for 
Awards & Win
Continue to Facilitate Downtown 
Improvement
Create STEM Magnet School on 
West Side Foster Collaboration Improve Appearance and Use of 
City Roads
Projects
Establish a Tax Plan to Decrease 
the Frequency of Rate 
Adj
ustments
Develop Eureka Trail in Urban 
Area
Celebrate all wins and recognize 
departments for 
ac
complishments
Complete Market Park 
Development
Consideration for Arts & Sciences 
or an Athens City High School 
wi
th a STEM and Arts Focus, 
Performing Arts & Civics
Bi-monthly Meetings with 
City/County Representatives - 
Mc
Minn Mayors and Managers 
Roundtable
Develop Wayfinding Signange 
Plan
Increase Retail Development - 
diversity of goods available 
lo
cally
Improve Water Quality and 
Mitigate Flooding Take Care of Employees Complete Downtown Design Plan 
as Proposed by Main Street
Engage with SETDD, TN Overhill, 
other regional partners and 
go
vernmental agencies
Utilize Lodging Tax Revenues to 
Develop Landscaping Plans for 
Int
erchanges and Corridors
Engage with businesses and 
property owners to maintain, 
dev
elop, and increase retail 
deevelopment
Develop a Stormwater Master 
Plan
Conduct Annual Benefits Plan 
Review
Realize tourist potential of all 
downtown elements and market 
tog
ether
Joint Projects Follow through on the Land Use 
Plan
Use data, relationships, and ICSC 
(retail consultants) to promote 
At
hens for shopping
Develop a MS4 Utility Fee
Conduct Compensation Study 
every 3 years to Staty 
Co
mpetitive in Recruiting
Create a Preservation District for 
the Historic Commercial Core New Animal Shelter Complete recommendations on 
the Mobility Plan 
Fire Prevention, Public Educaiton, 
and Saving Property and Human 
Lif
e
Maintain & Track City-Wide 
Strategic Planning Metrics Data
Develop Downtown into a 
National Register Eligible District Public Safety Training Facility Departmental Growth to Serve 
Growing Needs
Bulid and staff a 3rd Fire Station Build consensus regarding city-
wide strategic plan metrics
Promote Downtown Events and 
Assets: Museum, Arts, LITE House, 
TW
U, Businesses
Continue collaborative efforts 
businesses, build relationships 
wi
th non-profits
Fire - Maintain or improve ISO 
rating
Maintain High Quality Public 
Facilities: City Hall, Public Works, 
Po
lice, Fire, Parks
Be a strong partner for Main 
Street Athens Strategic Partnership
Fire - plan for staffing ladder truck 
and building/staffing 3rd fire 
sta
tion
Develop a city-wide facilities 
maintenance plan included in 
re
pair & replacement budget
Fire MDT/CAD
Police - Follow the 
Comprehensive Management 
Re
view recommendations
Continue to Improve Police 
Service: Facility, Staff Building Renovations Parks - Follow County Master Plan
Implement take-home car 
program to address 
re
cruitment/retention issues 
($50K/year)
Re-Use of School Properties for 
Public Good - keep property
Improve and Expand Access to 
Parks
Design & Construct Community 
Center at Regional Park ($6M)
Design and Build Pickleball 
Complex at Ingleside Park
Prepare adaptable re-use for 
existing school sites
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