(2026) 05-05 Called City Council Meeting

The City of Monroe, GA held a called City Council meeting on May 5, 2026, focused primarily on the Blaine Station redevelopment project and the potential use of an innovative Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to support affordable housing within the development. The council discussed the project's history, including property acquisition, rezoning efforts, and the engagement of the Urban Redevelopment Agency and the Eulalia Group as the developer. The city recently issued a Request for Proposal for grant writing services to pursue the CDBG, receiving 11 submissions, with evaluation ongoing. The meeting included detailed presentations on the proposed mixed-use development plan, including the integration of Habitat for Humanity to build approximately 20 affordable homes within the 77-unit project. Council members expressed support for addressing housing affordability but raised concerns about project risks, timelines, contract obligations, and the need for transparency and adherence to proper procurement processes. The discussion also covered the anticipated city staff involvement in grant administration and the importance of maintaining architectural standards. While no formal vote was taken on the grant writer selection, the council agreed to proceed with evaluating proposals and revisit the matter in June, with a request to have a representative from the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) attend to clarify grant details. The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn passed unanimously.