Griffin Wasdin
@heflinhollis.bsky.social
1% haterade // 39% property taxes are too low // 40% about infrastructure lifecycle budgeting // 15% anti-Stitch & other megaprojects // 5% trying to make the term “BeltLine St” happen.
Posting that the City failed to maintain critical fire response infrastructure and will continue to fail without a complex financial mechanism stealing school funding is not the brag you think it is.
In Feb. 2025, AFRD Fire Station #22 reopened on Hollywood Rd., bringing a modern, 17,000-sq-ft facility that strengthens response times and safety in NW Atlanta. A $6.1M Perry Bolton TAD grant helped make it possible—replacing the original 1938 station. A TAD Did That!
December 9, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Posting that the City failed to maintain critical fire response infrastructure and will continue to fail without a complex financial mechanism stealing school funding is not the brag you think it is.
Reposted by Griffin Wasdin
Mayor's folks are trying the line that TAD funds come only from "future tax growth". True in 1998. False in 2025. The future is now with $200M of taxes being diverted from APS, City, County.
Mayor's team say, "Once the TAD closes ... it increases APS funding."
Exactly. So close them already!
Mayor's team say, "Once the TAD closes ... it increases APS funding."
Exactly. So close them already!
When I am the “some” in “some have suggested”
And if you think extending tax increment financing (TADs/TIFs) in often gentrifying nabes, with already fast-rising property values, is not diverting funding from schools & basic services — hahaha
“TADs do not…divert funding as some have suggested”
And if you think extending tax increment financing (TADs/TIFs) in often gentrifying nabes, with already fast-rising property values, is not diverting funding from schools & basic services — hahaha
“TADs do not…divert funding as some have suggested”
Mayor Andre Dickens: Atlanta has a moral imperative to fix city’s inequality
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens says the city's inequalities require investing deeply in distressed neighborhoods. A key to this is extending Tax Allocation Districts for funding.
www.ajc.com
December 7, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Mayor's folks are trying the line that TAD funds come only from "future tax growth". True in 1998. False in 2025. The future is now with $200M of taxes being diverted from APS, City, County.
Mayor's team say, "Once the TAD closes ... it increases APS funding."
Exactly. So close them already!
Mayor's team say, "Once the TAD closes ... it increases APS funding."
Exactly. So close them already!
Reposted by Griffin Wasdin
It’s such a strange essay. It’s basically “without TADs we can’t have these good things” but he doesn’t even bother to explain what a TAD is and why limiting where in the city taxes can be spent will solve a problem.
December 7, 2025 at 9:25 PM
It’s such a strange essay. It’s basically “without TADs we can’t have these good things” but he doesn’t even bother to explain what a TAD is and why limiting where in the city taxes can be spent will solve a problem.
Reposted by Griffin Wasdin
May be posting these slides a lot in the next few weeks/months...
Tax increment financing (TAD/TIF) is *not* designed for places where property values are already rising fast. It will likely DIVERT already rising revenue from schools & citywide services to development projects in TAD/TIFs. 1/2
Tax increment financing (TAD/TIF) is *not* designed for places where property values are already rising fast. It will likely DIVERT already rising revenue from schools & citywide services to development projects in TAD/TIFs. 1/2
December 7, 2025 at 5:38 PM
May be posting these slides a lot in the next few weeks/months...
Tax increment financing (TAD/TIF) is *not* designed for places where property values are already rising fast. It will likely DIVERT already rising revenue from schools & citywide services to development projects in TAD/TIFs. 1/2
Tax increment financing (TAD/TIF) is *not* designed for places where property values are already rising fast. It will likely DIVERT already rising revenue from schools & citywide services to development projects in TAD/TIFs. 1/2
Reposted by Griffin Wasdin
one of the many, many reasons we’re gonna celebrate when *it* happens - the world will lose a gutter racist and each one lost (including those “lost” to repentance & reckoning alike) is a gain for the world
The Trump administration has removed MLK Day and Juneteenth as holidays that include free entrance to national parks, adding the president’s birthday instead
National parks change prioritizes Trump birthday over days honoring Black people
Free entrance days at national parks no longer include MLK Day and Juneteenth.
www.sfgate.com
December 6, 2025 at 1:34 AM
one of the many, many reasons we’re gonna celebrate when *it* happens - the world will lose a gutter racist and each one lost (including those “lost” to repentance & reckoning alike) is a gain for the world
Nobody was more misled by a film title than civil engineers excitedly buying tickets to see 28 Days Later not realizing it was about zombies.
December 5, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Nobody was more misled by a film title than civil engineers excitedly buying tickets to see 28 Days Later not realizing it was about zombies.
Reposted by Griffin Wasdin
Regardless of how you feel about the plan itself, we should be able to agree that too many elected officials are too cowardly to take a stance of vote on controversial issues in need of resolution.
The local politics surrounding school closure and redistricting is absolutely vicious.
The local politics surrounding school closure and redistricting is absolutely vicious.
December 4, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Regardless of how you feel about the plan itself, we should be able to agree that too many elected officials are too cowardly to take a stance of vote on controversial issues in need of resolution.
The local politics surrounding school closure and redistricting is absolutely vicious.
The local politics surrounding school closure and redistricting is absolutely vicious.
Reposted by Griffin Wasdin
The “Keep Atlanta 1996“ coalition.
Focused on global sporting events style over resident substance ✅
Keep the contract and backroom gravytrains going ✅
Keep any new development or density in the defined corridors they belong ✅
Focused on global sporting events style over resident substance ✅
Keep the contract and backroom gravytrains going ✅
Keep any new development or density in the defined corridors they belong ✅
December 3, 2025 at 6:13 PM
The “Keep Atlanta 1996“ coalition.
Focused on global sporting events style over resident substance ✅
Keep the contract and backroom gravytrains going ✅
Keep any new development or density in the defined corridors they belong ✅
Focused on global sporting events style over resident substance ✅
Keep the contract and backroom gravytrains going ✅
Keep any new development or density in the defined corridors they belong ✅
Reposted by Griffin Wasdin
If you know Georgia, Roswell flipping blue is a big deal.
JUST IN: Democrats have flipped the mayor's office in Roswell, Georgia, in tonight's runoff.
GOP Mayor Kurt Wilson conceded earlier tonight to Mary Robichaux, the Dem challenging him.
(This is a city in the Atlanta suburbs, the 9th most populous city in Georgia.)
GOP Mayor Kurt Wilson conceded earlier tonight to Mary Robichaux, the Dem challenging him.
(This is a city in the Atlanta suburbs, the 9th most populous city in Georgia.)
December 3, 2025 at 2:35 AM
If you know Georgia, Roswell flipping blue is a big deal.
The anti-transit argument in summary:
December 2, 2025 at 11:15 PM
The anti-transit argument in summary:
Reposted by Griffin Wasdin
I'm more concerned about school board runoffs, because Andre Dickens' and Courtney English's TAD scheme depends on APS signing off on their own death warrant
December 2, 2025 at 8:33 PM
I'm more concerned about school board runoffs, because Andre Dickens' and Courtney English's TAD scheme depends on APS signing off on their own death warrant
Important to note the Mayor and his goons tout Atlantic Station as best case example of a TAD, which I find dubious. It missed its economic development goals by 50%, BARELY paid back its bonds, and now we see that $250 million in subsidies couldn’t even keep one grocery store open permanently.
[ALERT] Atlantic Station Publix to Close After Two Decades in Business
Publix is closing its store at Atlantic Station After 20 years in business
www.tonetoatl.com
December 2, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Important to note the Mayor and his goons tout Atlantic Station as best case example of a TAD, which I find dubious. It missed its economic development goals by 50%, BARELY paid back its bonds, and now we see that $250 million in subsidies couldn’t even keep one grocery store open permanently.
Publix is closing this location to focus on their core business mission: constructing extremely shoddy parking garages.
December 2, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Publix is closing this location to focus on their core business mission: constructing extremely shoddy parking garages.
Congratulations to the red truck / red hat crowd. You needed a win after the double PSC loss.
November 28, 2025 at 11:58 PM
Congratulations to the red truck / red hat crowd. You needed a win after the double PSC loss.
It’s crazy that Qdoba is advertising the GT - UGA game because there are no Qdoba’s inside the Perimeter.
November 28, 2025 at 11:44 PM
It’s crazy that Qdoba is advertising the GT - UGA game because there are no Qdoba’s inside the Perimeter.
Reposted by Griffin Wasdin
November 28, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Happy Thanksgiving, especially the Real Ones who remember the true reason for the season:
November 27, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Happy Thanksgiving, especially the Real Ones who remember the true reason for the season:
Reposted by Griffin Wasdin
That's an over arching problem that City of Atlanta clearly thinks most of us too slow to know was a TAD is so they just running around Twitter saying it grows chocolate cake and sunshine 🤦🏻♀️
November 26, 2025 at 9:35 PM
That's an over arching problem that City of Atlanta clearly thinks most of us too slow to know was a TAD is so they just running around Twitter saying it grows chocolate cake and sunshine 🤦🏻♀️
Reposted by Griffin Wasdin
Leaf blowers are especially troublesome for people who travel by bicycle because:
1. They are used to move debris into bike lanes/portions of streets used by people on bikes.
2. It's no fun to get blasted in the face with dirt/dust. This happened to me yesterday and I had to stop to wipe my eyes.
1. They are used to move debris into bike lanes/portions of streets used by people on bikes.
2. It's no fun to get blasted in the face with dirt/dust. This happened to me yesterday and I had to stop to wipe my eyes.
Everyone hates gas-powered leaf blowers. So why is it so hard to ban them?
Everyone hates gas-powered leaf blowers. So why is it so hard to ban them?
Cities and states are trying to ditch America's most hated appliance. They're running into challenges.
dlvr.it
November 26, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Leaf blowers are especially troublesome for people who travel by bicycle because:
1. They are used to move debris into bike lanes/portions of streets used by people on bikes.
2. It's no fun to get blasted in the face with dirt/dust. This happened to me yesterday and I had to stop to wipe my eyes.
1. They are used to move debris into bike lanes/portions of streets used by people on bikes.
2. It's no fun to get blasted in the face with dirt/dust. This happened to me yesterday and I had to stop to wipe my eyes.
Reposted by Griffin Wasdin
Oh, my oped against extending 25+ year old TIFs/TADs in Atlanta ran in print today. Nothing like irritating the powers-that-be be twice with the same piece.
November 24, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Oh, my oped against extending 25+ year old TIFs/TADs in Atlanta ran in print today. Nothing like irritating the powers-that-be be twice with the same piece.
Reposted by Griffin Wasdin
Baltimore’s zoning bill would allow up to 4 units on SFH lots.
This op-ed is really good…she counters the “every neighborhood is different” justification well: if zoning’s purpose is to protect health and wellbeing, why would different neighborhood histories justify different laws today
This op-ed is really good…she counters the “every neighborhood is different” justification well: if zoning’s purpose is to protect health and wellbeing, why would different neighborhood histories justify different laws today
"Why I lost faith in zoning." tinyurl.com/5n8sh428 Baltimore’s former zoning board executive director, on why she supports @mayorbmscott.bsky.social bills to promote more density and multi-family housing in the city. [OP-ED]
Baltimore’s former zoning board director explains why she lost faith in zoning | Baltimore Brew
The mayor’s “Housing Options and Opportunity” legislation – including Bill 25-0066 – will go a long way toward fixing an unfair system. [OP-ED]
tinyurl.com
November 25, 2025 at 12:09 PM
Baltimore’s zoning bill would allow up to 4 units on SFH lots.
This op-ed is really good…she counters the “every neighborhood is different” justification well: if zoning’s purpose is to protect health and wellbeing, why would different neighborhood histories justify different laws today
This op-ed is really good…she counters the “every neighborhood is different” justification well: if zoning’s purpose is to protect health and wellbeing, why would different neighborhood histories justify different laws today
Reposted by Griffin Wasdin
Shockingly, Council is about to rubber-stamp this pile of empty promises with no public vote.
Fiscal responsibility - or minimal critical thinking - too much to ask?
If APS and County OK this $5B boondoggle, it's 30 years of budget crises, tax hikes, & lousy schools & services.
Shameful.
#GApol
Fiscal responsibility - or minimal critical thinking - too much to ask?
If APS and County OK this $5B boondoggle, it's 30 years of budget crises, tax hikes, & lousy schools & services.
Shameful.
#GApol
This TAD extension will allegedly protect legacy residents, build affordable housing, put rail on the Beltline, build a new hospital, and support small businesses. That's quite a project list.
It makes me wonder...what's Mayor Dickens' track record with following through on project lists?
It makes me wonder...what's Mayor Dickens' track record with following through on project lists?
November 25, 2025 at 1:31 AM
Shockingly, Council is about to rubber-stamp this pile of empty promises with no public vote.
Fiscal responsibility - or minimal critical thinking - too much to ask?
If APS and County OK this $5B boondoggle, it's 30 years of budget crises, tax hikes, & lousy schools & services.
Shameful.
#GApol
Fiscal responsibility - or minimal critical thinking - too much to ask?
If APS and County OK this $5B boondoggle, it's 30 years of budget crises, tax hikes, & lousy schools & services.
Shameful.
#GApol
Reposted by Griffin Wasdin
Atlanta's Housing Justice League is calling on folks to "STOP THE TADS" (TADs=TIFs for folks not in Georgia) and this is about Mayor Dickens' proposal to extend 25+ year-old TIFs (many parts of which are in gentrifying nabes) until 2055.
Email councilmembers here:
actionnetwork.org/letters/stop...
Email councilmembers here:
actionnetwork.org/letters/stop...
November 24, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Atlanta's Housing Justice League is calling on folks to "STOP THE TADS" (TADs=TIFs for folks not in Georgia) and this is about Mayor Dickens' proposal to extend 25+ year-old TIFs (many parts of which are in gentrifying nabes) until 2055.
Email councilmembers here:
actionnetwork.org/letters/stop...
Email councilmembers here:
actionnetwork.org/letters/stop...
If you were wondering, yes, civil engineers tests a bag of concrete by stabbing it with a knife and taking a lil bump of the cement powder the same way DEA agents test the white bricks they find during a bust.
November 23, 2025 at 10:25 PM
If you were wondering, yes, civil engineers tests a bag of concrete by stabbing it with a knife and taking a lil bump of the cement powder the same way DEA agents test the white bricks they find during a bust.