Neighborhood Reinvestment Initiative Moves Forward at City Council Committee Meeting

The Atlanta City Council’s Community Development and Human Services Committee received an updated presentation Tuesday on the proposed Neighborhood Reinvestment Initiative (NRI), the city’s long-term effort focused on expanding investment into historically underinvested neighborhoods while adding new accountability measures around redevelopment funding.

Deputy Chief of Staff Katie Molla served as the administration’s primary presenter during Tuesday’s discussion, while Chief of Staff Courtney English joined committee discussions surrounding accountability measures, redevelopment planning, and long-term targets tied to the initiative.

Several amendments were also approved during Tuesday’s meeting, with councilmembers emphasizing transparency, oversight, measurable outcomes, and public accountability tied to future investments.

Here are five key takeaways from the discussion:

1. Councilmembers added additional oversight measures

Amendments approved Tuesday would require future redevelopment plans and future bonding tied to extended TAD revenue to return to Atlanta City Council for approval before projects move forward.

2. The proposal continues to focus on measurable outcomes

City officials said the NRI framework is intended to measure whether investments are improving outcomes in neighborhoods — not just whether projects are completed.

Councilmembers also discussed the importance of establishing long-term benchmarks and targets tied to housing, economic opportunity, displacement prevention, and neighborhood investment.

3. Anti-displacement remains a major focus

City leaders highlighted a proposed anti-displacement playbook that includes more than 20 programs, policies, and strategies aimed at supporting homeowners, renters, small businesses, and longtime residents.

Officials said the goal is to help neighborhoods grow while preserving community identity and reducing displacement pressures.

4. The city says audit recommendations are already being implemented

Invest Atlanta President and CEO Eloisa Klementich said a recently released city audit found significant improvements had been made to Atlanta’s TAD program since the last review in 2012.

Officials said recommendations tied to reporting, measurable redevelopment goals, and public transparency are already being implemented.

The full audit is publicly available through the City of Atlanta Auditor’s Office.

5. The legislation now moves to the Finance/Executive Committee

The committee voted to advance the legislation as amended following Tuesday’s discussion.

Additional amendments added provisional targets tied to the NRI impact framework, with the administration expected to return with updated recommendations following additional review and community engagement.

Councilmembers also discussed creating clearer public definitions around financing tools referenced in the legislation so residents can better understand how programs such as Tax Allocation Districts work.

The proposal is expected to move next to the Atlanta City Council’s Finance/Executive Committee on Wednesday.