- Tucker Today
- Posts
- 🔥 The Debate Around Downtown Tucker Heats Up
🔥 The Debate Around Downtown Tucker Heats Up
Local TV Stars, Wine at the park, and more
David Choe & Angela Ahn
April 11, 2024
Good morning, Tucker!
Did you know that April 11th is Pet Day? Please send us photos of your furry friends for an exciting new section of Tucker Today!
In today’s edition of Tucker Today:
The debate around downtown zoning laws is heating up
Is Tucker becoming a TV star?
We’ll be updating our referral program soon. We’d love to hear from you on what kind of prizes you’d like to receive for referring folks to Tucker Today.
What would your top pick for a referral prize be? |
Enjoying our newsletter? If you’d like to support our grassroots effort, consider making a donation. Your contribution helps us continue delivering local news straight to your inbox. Thanks for being part of our Tucker Today community!✌🏼 |  |
Stay in the Loop 💫
🏢 The debate on downtown Tucker’s zoning laws
The latest City Council meeting sparked intense debate during the second reading of an ordinance to update downtown Tucker’s zoning laws. The proposed changes would increase the permitted density and building heights in downtown.
🟢 Supporters, including the Tucker Development Authority, argued that these changes would benefit local businesses, encourage new development, and create a more vibrant downtown.
❌ However, opposition from citizens centered around concerns about preserving downtown’s historic character, prioritizing businesses over housing, addressing existing issues like parking first, and the need for greater community engagement on the issue.
Despite proposed amendments from Mayor Auman and several council members, none were successful and the motion failed to pass, 3 versus 3.
This debate on downtown zoning laws touches closely upon issues like workforce and affordable housing. Council members who voted against the motion expressed they wanted to defer the decision to allow more time for a comprehensive assessment and strategy.
What are your thoughts on downtown Tucker?
🛣️ Improvements to Mountain Industrial Boulevard @ US 78
City Council unanimously approved a motion to initiate progress for the intersection of Mountain Industrial Boulevard @ US 78. This is the highest accident intersection in Tucker, with several fatalities in recent years.
Construction, set to start in 2025, will include:
installation of a median from Lewis Road to Elmdale Drive (w/ median breaks at intersections);
realigning US 78 off ramps to improve sight distance;
improving safety along the corridor.
Over $5M of federal funding was secured for construction.
📺️ Tucker is gearing up for Prime Time
In addition to our local star Doug Reynics (who you’ll be reading about more below), the acclaimed series Stranger Things is reportedly being filmed in Tucker.
Has anyone gotten a glimpse of your favorite Stranger Things cast? Let us know!
Tucker Moments 📸
Local canning expert Doug Reynics was featured on Magnolia Network’s Homegrown, where he shared his knowledge on home canning.
Did you catch Doug during the season premiere? If not, you can find it on Max TV!
Photo credits: Magnolia Network
Small Business News 📰
In the last month, the city of Tucker has approved 17 new occupational tax certificates — 3 are home-based and 15 are commercial. We love to see Tucker’s small business community grow!
🍗 Jim ‘N Nick’s BBQ Restaurant to open @ Northlake Mall
The BBQ franchise Jim ‘N Nick’s is reportedly set to open in the Northlake Mall area near LensCrafters.
There is hot debate happening around whether or not Tucker needs another chain restaurant to compete with the local restaurants the city already has.
What are your thoughts? Send us your perspectives!
More info can be found here.
Tucker Events 🎟️
Don’t miss out on this Saturday’s happenings!
🪴 Native Plant Sale
Location: Cliff Valley School (2426 Clairmont Rd)
Date/time: April 13th (8am - 12pm)
Swing by to shop for some new greenery! There will be over 100 species of hard to find native perennials, spring ephemerals, ferns, grasses, and vines.
🏞️ 13th Annual Great American Cleanup Tucker
Location: Tucker Nature Preserve
Date/time: April 13th (9am - 12pm)
Looking for volunteer opportunities in Tucker? Join Tucker’s community for their annual clean-up this Saturday! Bring gardening tools, wheelbarrows, and gloves. Breakfast will be provided by Chick-fil-A.
🍷Sip n’ Stroll
Location: Tucker Nature Preserve
Date/time: April 13th (3pm - 5pm)
The weather in Tucker is going to be outstanding this weekend, and what better way to enjoy than with a walk and some fun refreshments?
Join us at Tucker Nature Preserve to enjoy local art and connect with the beekeepers. There will be wine and light refreshments! More info here.
Other Upcoming Events
Hosting an event and want to get featured in Tucker Today? Don’t hesitate to reach out.
Event | Details | Location / Date |
|---|---|---|
🏢 Tucker Civic Association Member’s Meeting | Mayor Frank Auman will be the guest speaker at this week’s Member meeting. | Location: St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, Heffner Hall |
🥙 Lunch & Learn: Learn to Play | Seniors, join us for a free lunch and fun session where you’ll to learn how to play Crazy Eights! | Location: Tucker Recreation Center Date/Time: April 15 (11:30am - 12:30 pm) |
🍫 Death by Chocolate @ Main Street Theatre | The first show of Death by Chocolate is premiering Friday, April 9th. Get your tickets here. | Location: Main Street Theatre Date/Time: Ongoing showtimes in April & May |
🖥️ Electronics & HME Recycling Day | FODAC and the City of Tucker will be accepting donations of gently-used Home Medical Equipment (HME) and working + non-working electronics (computers, laptops, TVs, etc.) Read more here. | Location: Church Street Greenspace Date/Time: April 20th (9am - 12pm) |
🐶 Doggy Adoption @ Bell Street Burritos | Bell Street Burritos will be hosting a Doggy Adoption plus all the yummy perks of a Saturday morning at Bell Street! | Location: Bell Street Burritos Date/time: April 20th (11am - 2pm) |
🌵Tucker Annual Plant Swap | Mark your calendars for Tucker Historical Society’s annual plant swap. Rain or shine, it’ll be a fun time trading plants and meeting Tucker community members! | Location: Church Street Park, facing LaVista Rd. They’ll be set up alongside Methodist Church’s Parking lot. Date/time: April 20th (8:30 am - 11:30 am) |
🍃 Wild Walk (Tucker Nature Preserve) | Join your fellow nature enthusiasts and explore local Tucker trails and parks! Contact [email protected] with any questions. | Location: Tucker Nature Preserve (4408 Lawrenceville Highway) Date/time: April 22nd (9am - 10am) |
🍃 Wild Walk (Henderson Park) | Join your fellow nature enthusiasts and explore local Tucker trails and parks! | Location: Henderson Park West (2801 Henderson Road) Date/time: April 24th (9am - 10am) |
🍕Parents Night Out! | Parents, who needs a break? 🙋 Drop your kiddos off to enjoy games, crafts, and pizza while you enjoy a night off. Limited spots available so register now! | Location: Tucker Recreation Center Date/time: April 26 (5:30pm - 8:30pm) Cost: $25 per child, $10 additional sibling |
🎨 ARTucker | A free, day-long festival in downtown Tucker showcasing local artists. Free children activities like face painting and chalking — a fun, family friendly day! | Location:Church Street Greenspace Date/time: April 27th (10am - 4pm) |
🤧 Open Airways for School | Have a kid between 8-11 years old? This program teaches children how to detect warning signs of asthma, avoid their triggers, and make healthy decisions. | Location: Tucker Recreation Center Date/time: April 29th (5 - 6pm) |
🎡 Tucker Day | Join the community in celebrating Tucker’s 65+ year old tradition w/ food & drinks, crafts & vendors, music, and scavenger hunts – a whole lot of family fun! This year Tucker Day is highlighting Tucker non-profits (civic groups, churches, social clubs, assistance programs, etc.). Come learn + signup to get involved. All are welcome in Tucker! Read more here. | Location: Tucker Main Street Date/time: May 4th (9 am - 5pm). Parade is at 10 am; kid’s zone and vendors will end at 4pm. |
☀️ Summer, Teen & Sports Camp Registration | Sign up for spring & summer camp registration! Check out the Tucker Parks and Recreation Department site for more details. | Register here. Many programs are already at full capacity but you can still join the waitlists. |
Tucker Tunes - Live Music 🎤
Monday
Napoleon's Grill | Jazz Jam Session & Open Mic | 7:30pm - 11:00pm
Wednesday
Moonshadow Tavern | Open Mic Night | 8:00pm - 11:30pm
Thursday
Tucker Brewing Company | Live Music | 4:00pm - 9:00pm
Friday
Moonshadow Tavern | Live Music | 8:00pm - 11:30pm
Tucker Brewing Company | Live Music | 4:00pm - 10:00pm
The Mad Italian | Live Music | 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Saturday
Moonshadow Tavern | Live Music | 8:00pm - 11:30pm
Tucker Brewing Company | Live Music | 4:00pm - 10:00pm
Sunday
El Matador Mexican Restaurant | Live Music | 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Thank you, Tucker!
If you enjoyed today’s newsletter, please share it with your friends and family! Use this handy link!
Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up here!
Want to get your business in the Tucker Today? Let’s Talk!
 | Angela Ahn & David Choe Founders + Editors-in-Chief of Tucker Today and DOA Media Group |
Reply