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Atlanta Urban Design Commission records

 Collection
Collection number: ahc.MSS1272

Scope and Contents

This collection contains administrative records and documentation of the creation of AUDC through meeting minutes, reports, newspaper articles, and correspondence. The records also contain data collected about historic nominations of properties and neighborhoods, and records from the Cooperation of Olympic Development in Atlanta (CODA). Historic nomination forms include the nominee's history, correspondence, meeting minutes from the commission, and nomination and acceptance packets. The bulk of the collection are the neighborhood architectural surveys describing neighborhood structures and landscapes. Surveys contain information about buildings such as their address, owner, neighborhood, condition, history, and local significance.

Records from CODA document plans to revitalize city parks and neighborhoods within the Olympic Ring through Public Spaces and Neighborhood Revitalization programs. The neighborhoods selected for these programs were predominantly African American, low-income, low-density, and declining structurally, but also contained historic homes and important social, business, and religious institutions. Papers document how the installation of public art, monuments, and new housing developments improved neighborhood communities and economies. Material includes a campaign booklet, press releases, committee reviews and notes on potential and selected artists, descriptions and care reports, and agreements. The collection also contains annual reports; park master plans; neighborhood design guides; and survey booklets.

Dates

  • 1973-2008, undated

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Unpublished manuscripts are protected by copyright. All requests to publish, quote, or reproduce must be submitted through the Kenan Research Center.

Biographical / Historical

In 1975, the city of Atlanta Department of Budget and Planning established the Atlanta Urban Design Commission (AUDC) as part of the Historic Preservation Program "to maintain and enhance the city of Atlanta through the preservation of its historical and architectural heritage and to prevent the destruction of cultural assets.” The mayor and city council appointed eleven Atlanta residents to the Urban Design Commission which is responsible for developing and administering the city’s historic preservation and urban design activities. They designate zoning protection for buildings, sites, and districts based on their historic, architectural, and/or cultural significance. Through these reviews and information gathered from public hearings the AUDC makes recommendations to the city council. In addition, the Commission reviews public art works on city property and the location, design, alteration, or demolition of parks, buildings, and other city infrastructure. It also reviews and makes recommendations to the city of Atlanta Zoning Review Board and Board of Zoning Adjustment pertaining to protected sites, and it organizes programs to increase public awareness about historic preservation and urban design. In 2010, the Urban Design Commission became part of the Office of Planning in the Department of Planning and Development. In 2017, the AUDC became part of the Department of City Planning within the Office of Design.

Extent

8.13 linear ft. (19 document cases and one half document case)

Language

English

Additional Description

Arrangement

These records are arranged in alphabetical order with titles supplied by staff.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Files with publication material about Brookwood Hills and Peachtree Heights are on 3 1/2 inch floppy disks and can be made accessible only through conversion to digital surrogates. Patrons who request access to these materials in this collection are responsible for digital conversion costs.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift, 2005, with subsequent additions

Related Materials

Atlanta Urban Design Commission visual arts materials, VIS 443, Kenan Research Center at Atlanta History Center

Bias in Description Note

As archivists, we acknowledge our role as stewards of information. We choose how individuals and organizations are represented and described in our archives. We are not neutral, and bias is reflected in our descriptions, which may not accurately convey the racist or offensive aspects of collection materials. Archivists make mistakes and might use poor judgment. In working with this collection, we often re-use language used by the former owners of the material. This language provides context but often includes bias and prejudices reflective of the time in which it was created. The Kenan Research Center’s work is ongoing to implement reparative language where Library of Congress subject terms are inaccurate and obsolete. ​

Kenan Research Center welcomes feedback and questions regarding our archival descriptions. If you encounter harmful, offensive, or insensitive terminology or descriptions, please let us know by emailing reference@atlantahistorycenter.com. Your comments are essential to our work to create inclusive and thoughtful description.

Processing Information

This collection was processed in 2024.

Subjects

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title
Atlanta Urban Design Commission records
Subtitle
ahc.MSS1272
Author
Mariah Isbell
Date
April 2024
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Repository Details

Part of the Kenan Research Center at Atlanta History Center Repository

http://www.atlantahistorycenter.com/
Contact:
130 West Paces Ferry Road
Atlanta GA 30305
404-814-4040