Downtown Marietta Development Authority
The Downtown Marietta Development Authority (DMDA) was created by Constitutional Amendment and implemented by the General Assembly for the purpose of the redevelopment of the Downtown Marietta District. The Constitutional Amendment and general law as amended are reprinted in the Marietta City Code book for convenient reference at Part 4, Section 4.101, et seq.
The DMDA is composed of two ex-officio members, the Mayor and Chairman of the Cobb County Board of Commissioners, three members elected by downtown property owners, and three members elected by the owners of downtown business establishments.
Terms of Office
Ex-officio members serve for their term of office; other members serve 3 year terms. They serve without pay.
Area of Services
For private property projects and promotions, its area of service is limited to the Downtown Marietta District (as set forth in Section 4.203 of the Marietta Municipal Code); and for governmental projects the entire City of Marietta (Section 4.203A).
Scope of Powers & Duties
In the Downtown Marietta District, its powers and duties include, among other things, to buy, acquire, develop, improve, own, operate, mortgage, etc. land, buildings and property of all kinds, to employ engineers and planners, contract for construction of buildings and roads, issue bonds and/or revenue certificates (Section 4.205). The Downtown Marietta District is a special tax district in which the Authority may levy and collect taxes based on the County's tax digest; and exercise eminent domain for acquiring property (Section 4.204).
Meeting Schedule & Location
The DMDA meets on the second Thursday of each month immediately following the Marietta Historic Board of Review meeting, which is held at 5:30 p.m.
The meetings are held at Marietta City Hall in the 4th floor conference room and are open to the public.