Legacy building: the groundbreaking of the Village at Legacy Park shows what public-private collaborations can do in helping provide accessible housing

On June 18, 2025, there's an excitement and energy in the air in Decatur, GA.

Specially, what used to be the Decatur Orphans' Home to the Methodist Children's Home and then the United Methodist Children's Home, another transformation takes place. And given the area's history (since 1871) of being youth and family oriented, the next stage of development takes place in a groundbreaking manner.

With a festive setting provided in part by Tobin, Inc. combined with compliment of public officials from the city of Decatur to state and congressional legislators present, the Village at Legacy takes form. With the larger focus of providing 132 residential units, it's a step in providing more accessible and attainable housing and living given the escalating costs of the past few years (click HERE for an article to provide a point of reference).

Prior to the festivities, we have the opportunity to speak with Candace N. Evans, the Senior Property Manager for the Decatur Housing Authority. In articulating the impact of attainable housing, including access to downtown Decatur, MARTA, and related resources (you may watch our interview below):

After the invocation by Reverend (Dr.) Victor Arroyo, the first set of remarks comes from State Senator Elena Parent, Larry Padillo (the CEO of the Decatur Housing Authority), and Denise Leggett (the Region 4 Administrator for HUD). All speak to underlying themes including (but not limited to) funding for said projects, the call for collaborations along these lines, and the potential impact on families and the community at large, as the $49.3 million investment is a step in addressing needs for both younger and older audiences (you may watch their snapshots below):

The Mayor of the City of Decatur, Patti Garrett, and Congressman Hank Johnson (the city previously is in his district prior to the most recent redistricting), speak to similar themes. They not only emphasize the importance of constructive collaboration, but given how private equity firms (an estimated 30% of the Metro-area market is controlled by 3 firms, and this includes homes and apartments) have exponentially driven up the cost of housing. Congressman Johnson's call to "think globally, act locally (per the bumper sticker)" is a call for doing more in this essential area (you may watch their highlights below):

DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson, State Representative Mary Margaret Oliver, former Decatur Housing Authority CEO Doug Faust, Tony Powers (City of Decatur Mayor Pro Temp), Caretaker Dorsey Noble, and Decatur Housing Board Chair Melissa Heffner, provide data and continued perspective on the need for accessible housing (you may watch their snapshots below):

Once the ribbon cutting and groundbreaking ceremony conclude, CEO Padillo provides additional insight on the day's events, the work on the second phase of the Village at Legacy, and the continued need for investment and policy regarding accessible housing (you may watch his full remarks below):

The groundbreaking taking place at the Village at Legacy is a step in providing a measure of access not seen for decades in Decatur, GA; with continued constructive collaboration with the public and private sector along with efforts to curtail the rate of increase in housing, improved housing access for families and the community can take place.

It's more than groundbreaking of brick and mortar; it's about larger legacy building.

Notes: You may watch our playlist (click HERE) for the full remarks by all speakers and related video (all video and photos are recorded via asnortoncs).