A place made possible
through public-private
partnership

How we do things
around here

The Perimeter Community Improvement Districts (CIDs) is a self-taxing district that uses a small additional property tax on commercial space to accelerate needed transportation and infrastructure projects within the neighborhood.

For over two decades, the Perimeter CIDs have bridged government, development, and business communities to fuel one of the most influential business districts in Georgia, meaning progress happens with an intention that benefits the community and infrastructure tenfold.

years

(and counting) of improving
the market

Invested into infrastructure, programs & projects

addition state & federal funding brought to district projects

district projects since
the PCIDs was founded

A brief history
of Perimeter

1960

The Hammond Exchange is built (the first office building in Perimeter). 176,376 SF is where we start.

1969

I-285 is completed and entire highway officially opens.

1970

Northside Hospital opens.

1971

Perimeter Mall opens.

1988

King building (Concourse V) is completed.

1991

Queen building (Concourse VI) is completed.

1991

UPS relocates HQ from Connecticut to Sandy Springs.

1996

Dunwoody and Medical Center MARTA stations open.

1998

The Perimeter Transportation Coalition (now Perimeter Connects) is formed.

1998

The Perimeter Community Improvement Districts are created, led by a group of local developers and owners.

2000

North Springs and Sandy Springs MARTA stations open.

2001

Cox Enterprises opens new HQ in Perimeter.

2005

City of Sandy Springs incorporates.

2008

City of Dunwoody incorporates.

2012

City of Brookhaven incorporates.

2014

State Farm breaks ground on Park Center, the largest corporate office project in metro Atlanta history.

2017

Construction begins on Transform 285/400 interchange project (state’s largest construction project)

2018

Mercedes-Benz opens new HQ location.

2019

Inspire Brands opens new Sandy Springs HQ (company always has been located in Perimeter).

2024

Estimated project completion for Transform 285/400.

Never a dull
moment for
Perimeter

Our Priorities

At the Perimeter CIDs, we collaborate closely with the cities of Brookhaven, Dunwoody, and Sandy Springs 
to enhance Perimeter's status as the South's premier livable center. Our key priorities include:

Access

Maintaining and enhancing access into and out of the district, covering both vehicular and mass transit options. This includes our ongoing efforts to improve roadway systems and expand public transportation choices.

Sense of Place

Creating district-wide value through enhancements, such as maintenance, landscaping, lighting, wayfinding, and other investments. Our goal is to make Perimeter an inviting destination, whether you're a guest, a visitor, or a part of our vibrant local community.

Mobility

Enhancing mobility for the district, one street at a time. Our comprehensive transportation infrastructure accommodates various modes of transportation, from transit vehicles to bicycles and pedestrians, making it easy to navigate from A to B. Plus, we're constantly exploring emerging technologies to ensure Perimeter's future remains cutting-edge for our community.

Transportation Solutions

​​Perimeter Connects, a Perimeter CIDs program, supports the vitality of the area by improving 
access and mobility through complimentary consulting services to employers and commercial properties. We take pride in our active collaborations with employers and properties, implementing innovative commute options programs that contribute to the betterment of our community in 
every way possible.

Perimeter Connects

Together, we can implement transportation solutions to improve access and mobility and reduce congestion every step of the way.

Board of Directors

The Perimeter CIDs are served by a board of directors representing commercial property owners from both Fulton and Dekalb counties. Each member has invested their time and effort into making Perimeter what it is today.

Perimeter CID’s Team

Meet our team, a group of talented individuals that ensures the Perimeter CIDs run like clockwork throughout the year.

FAQs

A CID is a Community Improvement District. It is a self-taxing district that uses additional property tax dollars to improve its district, such as accelerating transportation and infrastructure improvement projects. CIDs are comprised of private commercial properties zoned as Office/Industrial and Retail properties. Residential and multi-family properties are not taxable by a CID.

The Perimeter Community Improvement Districts (Perimeter CIDs) are made up of the Fulton Perimeter CID, located wholly in the City of Sandy Springs, and the Central (DeKalb) Perimeter CID located partially in the City of Dunwoody and partially in the City of Brookhaven. See the map at right for the exact boundaries.

Commercial property owners agree to assess themselves with additional ad-valorem property taxes in order to address critical issues such as traffic and safety. That money is collected by the Tax Commissioner of the local county government and returned to the district, and a board of directors then seeks to leverage that money with other funding sources and garner infrastructure improvements for the area. Some examples of how this money might be spent include environmental and engineering feasibility studies for proposed projects, funding new construction projects, upgrades to already funded projects, maintaining existing transportation features, community services/programs, and direct spending.

Its mission is to work continuously to improve the economic viability of its district, such as the development of efficient transportation services, with an emphasis on access, mobility, diversification, and modernization.

A CID is created through state-enabling legislation and a vote by the majority of the corporate property owners in the defined district. It takes the agreement of a simple majority of the commercial property owners within the district to create a Community Improvement District. In addition, it is required that this simple majority of owners must represent at least 75% of the taxable value of the commercial property located within the proposed CID.

CIDs are funded by a self-imposed and self-regulated ad valorem real estate tax on commercial properties within the district. The tax will consist of additional mills being paid by the commercial property owners. A mill is equal to 1/10th of 1% of the assessed value of the property. For instance, if a property was valued at $100/sf, then one mill is roughly equal to $.04 per square foot. Because CIDs are controlled by private property owners and not their respective Counties, the property owners decide how to spend the money raised via a Board of Directors.

The Perimeter CIDs are a quasi-governmental entity.

Yes. The model of the Perimeter CIDs is to help accelerate plans for improvements from the design phase to implementation. The Perimeter CIDs participate in the bidding and selection process for contractors and engineers and manage some of the projects under agreements with the local government.

A Livable Centers Initiative (LCI) is a program sponsored by the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) that promotes quality growth in the region by providing funds that create more opportunities for mobility and livability within existing employment areas. At Perimeter, LCI grants are used to create activity centers within the Fulton and DeKalb Perimeter areas that support the "smart growth" concept of live, work, and play in the community. The Perimeter CIDs has successfully obtained over $6 million in LCI grant funds.

Perimeter Connects is the Transportation Management Association (TMA) for the Perimeter market. The program is made possible through funding from the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC), and the Perimeter CIDs. Perimeter Connects provides complimentary commute consulting services to employers and property managers within the CID boundaries. 

The program's overarching objective is to improve air quality and reduce traffic congestion in the region by shifting drivers of single occupancy vehicles (SOVs) into an alternative commute, including transit, rideshare, active transportation, and flexible work schedules. For more information on Perimeter Connects, click here.

Resource Center

Find everything you need at the touch of a button. Download our collection of helpful resources that support a variety of PCID related topics, plans, studies and maps.

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