The goal of community development is to be a one-stop shop for all of your economic and neighborhood development and expansion needs. The Department has four divisions – Planning and Zoning, Neighborhood Outreach, Building Inspections and Economic Development all of which are charged with helping you to move your project forward in a customer friendly and timely manner while eliminating any and all stumbling blocks to doing business in Decatur. Armed with a can-do attitude and the flexibility to try new ideas to make things work, we’re sure that you find our process is faster and more efficient than most other communities.

Great Streets, Great Neighborhoods – Jasper Street

We are embarking on a major revitalization initiative for neighborhoods along Jasper Street. The Great Streets, Great Neighborhoods project focuses on underutilized corridors and uses community ideas to help transform neighborhoods into welcoming, safe, and vibrant areas. The Jasper Street Corridor runs between Pershing Road and East Lake Shore Drive and connects neighborhoods, parks, industry, and so much more. Stay updated on this project and get involved at opens in a new windowJasperConnect.org.

Small Home Improvement Program (SHIP)

The City of Decatur has launched its owner-occupied Small Home Improvement Program (SHIP) and residents can apply for assistance to make necessary repairs to their homes.

As part of their commitment to Neighborhood Revitalization, the Decatur City Council approved SHIP in September 2022, which is being funded by American Rescue Plan (ARP) monies. The City has partnered with Northeast Community Fund (NECF) in this effort and has allocated $450,000 to start the program. NECF will provide small repair grants – up to $15,000 – to residents of owner-occupied homes in targeted low- to moderate-income neighborhoods. opens in a new windowLearn more here

Rehab Contractors Needed in Decatur

The City of Decatur is inviting rehab contractors to apply for hundreds of home rehabilitation projects as part of a multi-million-dollar neighborhood revitalization initiative. The City launched its owner-occupied rehabilitation program in May 2022 and received over 500 applications. Homes in targeted neighborhoods within the City’s urban core were chosen via a lottery system. More than $6 million in American Rescue Plan (ARP) monies has been allocated for home rehabilitation by the Decatur City Council. Over the next two years, the City hopes to rehab 150-300 homes.

To help us meet this demand, we are seeking interest from pre-qualified, qualified, and lead-abatement rehab contractors. Minority, disadvantaged, and women-owned businesses are strongly encouraged to submit the necessary information per the Contractor’s Manual to be considered for this program. opens in a new windowLearn more here

Utilizing GIS

The City of Decatur has a multi-faceted approach to neighborhood revitalization. To help drive our decision making, we have been using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology. Check out this opens in a new windowrecent case study explaining our GIS work.