Athens-Clarke County Mayor Kelly Girtz delivered an optimistic and forward-looking State of the Community address this week, highlighting progress in housing, public safety, and youth development while laying out an ambitious vision for the city’s future.
Speaking to residents and Unified Government staff, Girtz emphasized the critical role of community collaboration and commended employees across all departments—from emergency responders to afterschool workers—for their contributions to Athens’ continued growth and vitality.
Celebrating Quality of Life
Girtz praised Athens’ unique blend of cultural, recreational, and educational assets, noting its national reputation as a top retirement destination and creative hub. He cited the city’s thriving music scene, championship-winning university athletics, and award-winning Leisure Services Department as signs of its dynamic appeal.
“I walk out the door of City Hall to see wide-eyed visitors from around the globe gazing at the Music Walk of Fame markers downtown,” Girtz said.
He added, “If you want to find a beautiful portrait of Athens, just stroll down the Greenway between College Avenue and Sandy Creek Nature Center on a sunny Saturday afternoon. Walking there among retirees, students, young families pushing strollers, and people from every background is to be part of a deeply loving community.”
Tackling Housing Affordability
Central to the mayor’s address was the urgent need for more accessible and affordable housing. Girtz said more than 4,500 families in Athens earn below $35,000 per year and pay more than half of their income in housing costs. “To have a truly thriving community, we are creating an environment in which these residents can have homes from which they can get to work and raise their children successfully,” he said.
The Mayor pointed to the upcoming adoption of a future land use plan that will guide zoning changes to support residential development closer to job centers and transportation corridors.
He outlined major public-private efforts underway, including redevelopment of the North Downtown area. A new Land Bank Authority and an inventory of county-owned properties will also help increase housing stock.
“We need to make sure that people can travel four or five miles to work, not 40 or 50 miles,” Girtz said. “I expect this will mean some gentle changes across the map, with more concentrated density along corridors like Atlanta Highway and at key intersections, such as exits around the Highway 10 Loop.”
Addressing Homelessness
Girtz acknowledged the ongoing challenge of homelessness and commended the work of the Athens Homeless Coalition and Advantage Behavioral Health Services. A new 60-bed treatment facility, funded through SPLOST and state dollars, will break ground this year to provide supportive care for vulnerable residents.
Prioritizing Public Safety
On the topic of public safety, Girtz praised Athens-Clarke County Police for filling all certified officer positions and reducing overall crime by 3% in 2024—building on a 4% decline in 2023.
He also highlighted a slate of transportation and infrastructure projects aimed at reducing traffic fatalities, including major intersection redesigns, new roundabouts, and expanded multi-use trails. A new fire station on the southeast side of town and mobile medical center, in partnership with Piedmont Athens Regional, will bolster emergency response services, he said.
Investing in Youth and Education
Girtz spotlighted major investments in youth engagement, including expanded afterschool sports and enrichment programs through the Clarke County School District and Boys & Girls Clubs. He also celebrated the launch of the Biotech Pathway at the Athens Community Career Academy—a collaboration with UGA, Athens Tech, and industry partners—to prepare local students for high-paying careers in life sciences.
Girtz called the collaborative effort “a ladder to success that reaches down to young minds who may never have conceived of such employment options in earlier generations.”
Economic Growth and Opportunity
Girtz concluded by citing growth in biosciences, advanced manufacturing, and healthcare, with major projects like the Meissner bioscience facility and expansion at Boehringer Ingelheim poised to create new jobs. The Athens Achieves collaborative, developed with the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce, will help connect residents with these employment opportunities.
He touted the expansion of the Medical College at the University of Georgia for “everything it will bring to a region and a state with clear needs for additional medical professionals.”
Mayor Girtz concluded his remarks by stating, “Working together, we form a foundation that will not crack or yield, and that will support all of our residents, whether raising a family, enjoying retirement, attending school, or writing the next song that will be heard half a world away.”
READ Full transcript of Mayor Girtz’s State of the Community Address
