Pine Lake is situated in the geographic center of DeKalb County. Rockbridge Road provides a very convenient connection to the cities of Stone Mountain, Decatur, Clarkston and Avondale Estates. In addition, the city enjoys quick access to Georgia Perimeter College, DeKalb Technical College, the Indian Creek MARTA Station, Wade Walker Park, Stone Mountain Park and Hartsfield-Jackson Airport. The city is self-governing and was recently classified as a qualified local government by the State of Georgia. As such, Pine Lake is eligible for any and all grants, direct financial assistance and economic development incentives from local, state and federal agencies. Since becoming a qualified local government, Pine Lake has received numerous grants for development related infrastructure and anticipates continued success in these efforts. In addition to the opportunities afforded to, and by, the city, Pine Lake created a Downtown Development Authority to enhance, coordinate and facilitate the work of developers, business owners, builders and the regional residents who will shop, dine and enjoy the Pine Lake experience.

Pine Lake believes that a variety of very positive local indicators are factors that will contribute to the success of investment and development in the Pine Lake commercial corridor. These include: 1)   The Memorial Drive Streetscape and Business Revitalization project is underway. 2)   Georgia Perimeter College, in addition to an ambitious new building program, will soon break ground on a multi-million dollar entrance onto Memorial Drive. 3)   DeKalb Technical College recently completed major additions and renvotions to the campus. 4)   MARTA is scheduled to soon begin construction on the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRT) on Memorial Drive. Stations are being placed at Hambrick and Hairston, providing a circle connector route in and out of Pine Lake. 5)   In addition to the visible success enjoyed by Decatur, the governments of Stone Mountain, Clarkston, Avondale Estates and DeKalb County have been awarded Livable Communities Initiative (LCI) grants by the Atlanta Regional Commisssion (ARC). 6)   Due to the property value decline experienced by much of central DeKalb County over the past decade, investment opportunites are greatly enhanced. 7)   The Pine Lake Police Department is very effective. Pine Lake residents and businesses enjoy a very safe community. 8)   Pine Lake (especially) and the local area have been attracting speculative investors, homeowners who recognize the relative bargain when compared to other hip destinations and - as noted earlier - an emerging group of players who are concentrating their efforts on central DeKalb County.

	Memorial Drive Revitalization Atlanta Journal Constitution -- Monday, July 10, 2006
	DeKalb County Puts Memorial Drive Streetscapes In Gear DeKalb County is moving forward with long-awaited streetscape improvements along Memorial Drive. DeKalb's Board of Commissioners on Tuesday is to consider condemning five parcels to enable the county and state Department of Transportation to begin the project. The improvements include sidewalks, pedestrian lighting and landscaping. Construction is expected to begin early next year, said Ann Wead Kimbrough, chief of staff to DeKalb Chief Executive Officer Vernon Jones. When the project is complete, nearly six miles of the corridor that has fallen on hard times is to be a pleasant and safe place to walk. The first phase of work will stretch from I-285 east to the Clarkston campus of Georgia Perimeter College. The work will end temporarily at Woodcroft Drive until a future phase of construction extends the pedestrian improvements to the edge of Stone Mountain, at Goldsmith Road. West of I-285, sidewalks, pedestrian lighting and landscaping will be installed from the Perimeter to Columbia Drive, at Avondale Mall. Memorial Drive was the subject of a summit in May that was part of the National Association of Counties' Large Urban County Caucus. Kimbrough said the streetscape improvements are expected to jump-start the revitalization of a historic corridor. "We are very excited to finally get this long-awaited streetscape project off the ground," Kimbrough said. "We know it will be a catalyst for change on Memorial Drive. This is the No. 1 project to bring Memorial Drive back." --- David Pendered