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Decatur |
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Downtown
Decatur is surrounded by beautiful historic neighborhoods reflecting a
variety of architectural styles, including Craftsman bungalows, Victorian
homes, townhouses, and new homes. The tree-lined streets and a strong
sense of community continue to draw young families to the city of Decatur.
New office buildings, built by developers sensitive to Decatur's vision of
maintaining its small-town character, surround the retail center and the
Old Courthouse Square, which provides a link to the city's history. Decatur is the second oldest municipality in the Atlanta metropolitan area. It adjoins Atlanta's city limits six miles east of Atlanta's central business district, and it is four square miles in size. It has a population of approximately 18,000, although its daytime population swells to 24,000. Decatur elects a five-member commission and operates under the council-manager form of government. The commission elects the mayor annually from among its members and hires a city manager to run day-to-day operations. In the early 1970s the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority, or MARTA, came to Decatur. Like the railroad in the 1840s, the introduction of rapid transit was not without controversy, but it has helped spur a tremendous rejuvenation in downtown Decatur, which is now a bustling center of activity with pedestrian-friendly sidewalks, restaurants, galleries, retail stores, and downtown living. Decatur is an excellent example of "smart growth" city planning. |
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