News

Traffic Improvements, Youth Services Facility, and Community Projects Approved by City Council

The Decatur City Council unanimously approved all items on Monday morning’s agenda, advancing several projects focused on traffic safety, youth services, recreation, and long-term planning across the city.

The actions move forward intersection improvements along the Beltline corridor, begin design work on a new Decatur Youth Services facility, and provide new tools to help the city better track short-term rental activity. Together, the approvals reflect ongoing work to improve infrastructure, strengthen services for families, and support growth across Decatur.

Residents can view the full agenda here: https://tinyurl.com/4yw9rd66

Traffic Improvements Move Forward Along Beltline Corridor

Council approved a professional services agreement for engineering and design work related to intersection improvements along eastbound Beltline Road and northbound Sandlin Road.

The work allows surveying and design to begin as the city evaluates options to improve traffic flow and safety at one of Decatur’s busiest corridors. The project is an early step toward future roadway improvements and prepares the project for permitting and construction planning.

Design Work Begins on New Youth Services Facility

Council also approved architectural services for a new Decatur Youth Services facility, allowing planning and design to move forward.

The future facility is intended to serve youth and families better while supporting staff operations and future programming needs. Funding for the project had previously been approved through capital funding designated for the facility.

New Software Approved to Help Track Short-Term Rentals

The Council approved an agreement with Deckard Technologies for short-term rental software to help the city track and manage rental activity.

The platform uses data analytics to identify active listings, monitor trends, and support compliance with local regulations. The system will help departments coordinate planning and enforcement efforts while providing better insight into short-term rental activity across the city.

The software will be funded through lodging tax revenue and used by multiple city departments.

Additional Items Approved

Council also approved several additional items that support recreation, community events, and ongoing improvements across the city. Funding was approved for the annual Spirit of America Fireworks display, helping continue a longstanding Independence Day tradition for residents and visitors.

Council approved funding for the new kayak launch at Point Mallard, allowing the project to move forward as part of ongoing efforts to expand outdoor recreation opportunities along the Tennessee River.

In addition, Council approved updates to the Point Mallard Golf Course rate structure, allowing Parks and Recreation to adjust pricing while continuing to support course operations and maintenance.

These approvals allow seasonal programming, facility improvements, and recreation projects to proceed across multiple departments as the city prepares for spring and summer.

What Comes Next

As approved projects move into design, planning, or construction phases, residents can continue to follow updates through future council meeting previews and project updates on the City of Decatur website. 

As Decatur moves forward, we remain focused on what makes our city strong. We Are Better Together.