Finding of No Signficant Impact and Notice

FINDING OF NO SIGNFICANT IMPACT AND NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS December 16, 2020 City of Atlanta, GA Department of Grants and Community Development 55 Trinity Avenue, SW Suite #3500 Atlanta, GA 30303 404-658-7820 These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the Atlanta Housing Authority. REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS On or about January 2, 2021 the City of Atlanta will: authorize the Housing Authority of the City of Atlanta ("AH") to submit a request to the HUD Atlanta Regional Office for the release of funds under the Housing Act of 1937, as amended, for the following project: Project: 2440 Barge Road, SW, Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia 30331. Purpose: The Housing Authority of the City of Atlanta, Georgia, ("AH") is proposing to sell the high-rise apartment building (Barge Road Highrise GA006000540) to an entity controlled by The Michaels Development Company, a real estate development company that owns, manages and develops affordable housing, for the purposes of investing in the physical rehabilitation of the property. The property will continue to be reserved for occupancy by low-income seniors (55 and up) and non-elderly disabled residents, and AH will maintain ownership of the land. The Michaels Development Company proposes to make significant capital improvements to the building to enhance the living environment for the residents, including replacement of windows, improvements to the residential corridors, and improvements to the residential units. The Property consists of 3.36-acres. The Property is currently developed with an eight-story residential building with brick exterior. The remainder of the Project Site consist of a private driveway, a parking lot approximately 60 parking spaces), a small outdoor garden and patio, a shed, and wooded areas. The building is an approximate 146,000 square foot, 8-story tower containing 129-units that was constructed in the early 1980's. The building contains one-bedroom units, gathering areas (community, craft, tv/media), offices and maintenance/mechanical rooms. The proposed rehabilitation's anticipated scope of work includes, but is not limited to: replacing the windows, upgrading the bathrooms, replacing generator and roof fans, limited repainting and resealing exterior brick, resealing and restriping the parking lot, installing a picnic pavilion, upgrading fire safety system, replacing existing sidewalk, installing signage, and various interior renovations. The square footage of the rehabilitated existing building will not change, no additions to the existing building structure or property layout are planned. No major ground disturbance is anticipated. FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT The City of Atlanta has determined that the project will have no significant impact on the human environment. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not required. Additional project information is contained in the Environmental Review Record (ERR). The ERR will be made available to the public for review electronically. Please submit your request by email to gmenvironmentalreview@atlantaga.gov or to priya.vellaithambi@atlantahousing.org. PUBLIC COMMENTS Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the City of Atlanta, Department of Grants and Community Development, Office of Administrative and Technical Services by email at gmenvironmentalreview@atlantaga.gov. All comments received by December 30, 2020 will be considered by the City of Atlanta prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing. ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION The City of Atlanta certifies to HUD that Mrs. Monique N. Franklin in her capacity as Director consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. HUD's approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the Atlanta Housing Authority to use Program funds. OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS HUD will accept objections to its release of fund and the City of Atlanta's certification for a period of fifteen days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the City of Atlanta; (b) the City of Atlanta has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR part 58; (c) the grant recipient or other participants in the development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by HUD; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to Robert L. Kenner Robert.Kenner@hud.gov. Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last day of the objection period. Mrs. Monique N. Franklin Director, Department of Grants and Community Development City of Atlanta, GA 12/16/20