Marietta City Council appointed Peter Bilson and Diane Lidz to the Marietta Redevelopment Corporation (MRC) board April 15 for two-year terms expiring April 14, 2011. The Marietta Redevelopment Corporation works to strengthen the economic and residential base of the city by revitalizing neighborhoods, commercial areas and other distressed properties.
A Marietta business owner, Bilson earned his bachelor's degree in landscape architecture. He is president of Bilson & Associates, P.C., a landscape architecture and planning firm, located near the Square, that specializes in master planning and landscape architecture for projects including streetscape design, traditional neighborhood design and mixed-use developments. He is actively involved in all projects from start to final completion of construction documents and construction administration.
Bilson is a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects, the Urban Land Institute and the Georgia Planning Association.
"I believe it would be beneficial to the MRC to have someone on the board with a planning background who could offer expertise for the evaluation of future development projects and proposed planning efforts," Bilson said.
Lidz is a commercial real estate attorney for Troutman Sanders LLP in Atlanta specializing in commercial development and real estate investments; commercial leasing; construction; real estate finance; zoning and land use; and office and industrial properties. She is a member of the State Bar of Georgia, the Commercial Real Estate Women Network, and the International Council of Shopping Centers.
A Marietta resident, Lidz received her juris doctorate from the University of Virginia. She received her bachelor's degree from Williams College.
"I believe that the redevelopment of certain areas of the city of Marietta is very important to the long-term well-being of our school system and our community at large," Lidz said. "Although the current economic situation presents unique challenges to the city's redevelopment efforts, I believe it is critical that the city plan for the future to be able to take advantage of the opportunities that will come along as the economy improves."
In other business, Council also reappointed Floyd Northcutt and Brian Strack to the MRC Board for two-year terms expiring April 14, 2011. Northcutt was first appointed in April 2003. Strack was first appointed in April 2007.
In addition, Mayor Bill Dunaway reappointed J. Larry Stevens to the Marietta Housing Authority board for a five-year term expiring May 29, 2014. Stevens was first appointed in January 2007 to fill the unexpired term of Keith Davidson, who resigned to pursue other interests. The Marietta Housing Authority is dedicated to creating, providing and increasing high quality housing opportunities to residents and provides programs to assist families, including rental options and renter-to-owner assistance.
For more information, call the City Clerk's Office at 770-794-5526.