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Who and what is R.E.S.T.O.R.E. ?
Who and what is R.E.S.T.O.R.E. ?
The beautiful, popular, engaging and growing City of Atlanta has found itself during the height of its popularity, oddly in a housing crisis. That is correct--in addition to the Nationwide Affordable Housing crisis, the City of Atlanta's housing needs have been even more demanding, with those who can afford homes in the City, being forced to look outside of their desired city limits because the housing inventory of the City is meeting a challenge.
A program unit created by the Office of the City Solicitor, R.E.S.T.O.R.E. stands for 'Rehabilitative Efforts of the Solicitor to Offset Residential Erosion'. The R.E.S.T.O.R.E. program began its efforts with only residential properties, however, after the continued success of the program, it's duties were expanded to included Commercial structures as well.
The beautiful, popular, engaging and growing City of Atlanta has found itself during the height of its popularity, oddly in a housing crisis. That is correct--in addition to the Nationwide Affordable Housing crisis, the City of Atlanta's housing needs have been even more demanding, with those who can afford homes in the City, being forced to look outside of their desired city limits because the housing inventory of the City is meeting a challenge.
A program unit created by the Office of the City Solicitor, R.E.S.T.O.R.E. stands for 'Rehabilitative Efforts of the Solicitor to Offset Residential Erosion'. The R.E.S.T.O.R.E. program began its efforts with only residential properties, however, after the continued success of the program, it's duties were expanded to included Commercial structures as well.
The R.E.S.T.O.R.E. Unit, comprised of Attorneys, Investigator/Paralegal and Administrative staff takes a fresh, new and innovative approach to addressing Blight, and it has proven successful.
The R.E.S.T.O.R.E. Unit, comprised of Attorneys, Investigator/Paralegal and Administrative staff takes a fresh, new and innovative approach to addressing Blight, and it has proven successful.
The mantra for R.E.S.T.O.R.E. is 'helping rebuild Atlanta's Housing Market-One property at a time'. So, how does R.E.S.T.O.R.E. work to do this? R.E.S.T.O.R.E. receives complaints from Elected Officials, Community Leaders (NPU), City employees, and Citizens just like you. Once a property is reported to R.E.S.T.O.R.E., it is assigned to the field team, which goes to the property to complete an initial external inspection. What R.E.S.T.O.R.E. looks for to determine if a property goes on the 'active' list, is whether the property is 1) Open; 2) Accessible; Blighted; and/or Dilapidated. Supporting factors is the criminal activity at a property, and whether the owners have maintained other areas of interest in the property. These things often equate to a 'Nuisance'. Once a property has been inspected, if it meets the R.E.S.T.O.R.E. requirements, a letter is sent to the owner of the property, while R.E.S.T.O.R.E. simultaneously places a placard on the property, signaling to any person or entity who has interest, that the property is subject to potential legal action. If the owners reply, R.E.S.T.O.R.E. will meet with the owner to show them the condition of the property, and invite that they consider entering into an Agreement with the City to Address the issues raised, should the property meet the criteria for such. If the owner agrees, we draft the diversion Agreement in 'real' time with the property owner's input, and then send it for Approval. If no owners appear to claim the property, R.E.S.T.O.R.E., on behalf of the City of Atlanta, then moves the matter before the Court, asking for an Order to 'abate the Nuisance' complained thereon, and for permission to file a lien to protect the City's interest in the property. It is also important to note that a Lis Pendens is also filed.
The mantra for R.E.S.T.O.R.E. is 'helping rebuild Atlanta's Housing Market-One property at a time'. So, how does R.E.S.T.O.R.E. work to do this? R.E.S.T.O.R.E. receives complaints from Elected Officials, Community Leaders (NPU), City employees, and Citizens just like you. Once a property is reported to R.E.S.T.O.R.E., it is assigned to the field team, which goes to the property to complete an initial external inspection. What R.E.S.T.O.R.E. looks for to determine if a property goes on the 'active' list, is whether the property is 1) Open; 2) Accessible; Blighted; and/or Dilapidated. Supporting factors is the criminal activity at a property, and whether the owners have maintained other areas of interest in the property. These things often equate to a 'Nuisance'. Once a property has been inspected, if it meets the R.E.S.T.O.R.E. requirements, a letter is sent to the owner of the property, while R.E.S.T.O.R.E. simultaneously places a placard on the property, signaling to any person or entity who has interest, that the property is subject to potential legal action. If the owners reply, R.E.S.T.O.R.E. will meet with the owner to show them the condition of the property, and invite that they consider entering into an Agreement with the City to Address the issues raised, should the property meet the criteria for such. If the owner agrees, we draft the diversion Agreement in 'real' time with the property owner's input, and then send it for Approval. If no owners appear to claim the property, R.E.S.T.O.R.E., on behalf of the City of Atlanta, then moves the matter before the Court, asking for an Order to 'abate the Nuisance' complained thereon, and for permission to file a lien to protect the City's interest in the property. It is also important to note that a Lis Pendens is also filed.
Once a property has been either rehabilitated or demolished, it is removed from the R.E.S.T.O.R.E. inventory, and R.E.S.T.O.R.E. moves to the next property.
Once a property has been either rehabilitated or demolished, it is removed from the R.E.S.T.O.R.E. inventory, and R.E.S.T.O.R.E. moves to the next property.
As of August, 2024, R.E.S.T.O.R.E. has identified over 329 Residential units, and 81 Commercial units. R.E.S.T.O.R.E. is proud to announce that it has secured 'Consent Agreements' with over 50% of those property owners who were noticed that the City would be petitioning the Court for relief. R.E.S.T.O.R.E. is incredibly pleased with this approach, as it allows the property owner to address and resolved the issues of their own property, while the City looks on with a watchful eye.
As of August, 2024, R.E.S.T.O.R.E. has identified over 329 Residential units, and 81 Commercial units. R.E.S.T.O.R.E. is proud to announce that it has secured 'Consent Agreements' with over 50% of those property owners who were noticed that the City would be petitioning the Court for relief. R.E.S.T.O.R.E. is incredibly pleased with this approach, as it allows the property owner to address and resolved the issues of their own property, while the City looks on with a watchful eye.
City of Atlanta office of city solicitor
City of Atlanta office of city solicitor
The mission of the Office of the City Solicitor (OCS) is to persuasively represent the interests of the citizens of Atlanta in all matters brought before the Atlanta Municipal Court in a manner that is consistent with the special responsibilities of prosecutors outlined by the State Bar of Georgia. Simply put: as the prosecuting arm for the City of Atlanta, our team seeks to support local citizens through a range of educational services and resources.
The mission of the Office of the City Solicitor (OCS) is to persuasively represent the interests of the citizens of Atlanta in all matters brought before the Atlanta Municipal Court in a manner that is consistent with the special responsibilities of prosecutors outlined by the State Bar of Georgia. Simply put: as the prosecuting arm for the City of Atlanta, our team seeks to support local citizens through a range of educational services and resources.
Contact R.E.S.T.O.R.E.
Contact R.E.S.T.O.R.E.
If you have a question about R.E.S.T.O.R.E., or you would like to report a problem property in your community, please call us at the dedicated R.E.S.T.O.R.E. Hotline at 404-482-0801, ext 1, or email us at: restoreatlanta@weemsfirm.com
If you have a question about R.E.S.T.O.R.E., or you would like to report a problem property in your community, please call us at the dedicated R.E.S.T.O.R.E. Hotline at 404-482-0801, ext 1, or email us at: restoreatlanta@weemsfirm.com
Note: The R.E.S.T.O.R.E. program is a program created and supported by the Office of the City Solicitor, however. the program management is coordinated by The Weems Firm, PC
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