Notice of Finding of No Signficant Impact. Notice

NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNFICANT IMPACT. NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS, AND FINAL NOTICE AND PUBLIC EXPLANATION OF A PROPOSED ACTIVITY IN A FEDERAL FLOOD RISK MANAGEMENT STANDARD FLOODPLAIN December 11, 2024 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 Housing Authority of the City of Atlanta, Georgia. REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS On or about December 27, 2024, the City of Atlanta will authorize The Housing Authority of the City of Atlanta, Georgia ("AH") to submit a request to the HUD Atlanta Regional Office for the release of Moving to Work ("MTW") funds under the Housing Act of 1937, as amended, to redevelop the Atlanta Civic Center, located at 395 Piedmont Avenue, NE, Atlanta, Georgia, for a multi-phase, mixed use development. The current Project plans the new construction of an affordable senior residential building, five additional multi-family residential high-rises ranging from 6-12 floors, a 10-floor hotel, a 2-floor commercial development, a 2-story charter school, a 12-story office building, greenspaces, a water hub facility, a community pavilion, and a parking deck as well as preservation and rehabilitation of the Performing Arts Center (PAC) and plaza, partial demolition of the Exhibit Hall, and demolition of the surface parking area. The property is owned by AH, and depending on the phase AH will either sell or enter into a long-term ground lease with the procured developer, Civic Center Partners. The total project cost for the entire Project is unknown at this time. For the first phase of housing, AH is proposing to provide $7,175,000 of MTW funds and 148 project-based vouchers. CONDITIONAL FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT The City of Atlanta has determined that the project will have no significant impact on the human environment if the conditions for Noise Abatement and Control, Contamination and Toxic Substances, Floodplain Management, and Explosives and Flammable Hazards are followed. 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 and to environmental@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 Entitlement and Competitive Compliance by email at gmenvironmentalreview@atlantaga.gov. All comments received by December 26, 2024 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 Deborah B. Lonon in her capacity as Commissioner 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 AH to use Program funds. OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS HUD will accept objections to its release of funds 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 William L. Biggs at William.Biggs@hud.gov or 77 Forsyth Street SW, Atlanta, GA 30303. Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last day of the objection period. FEDERAL FLOOD RISK MANAGEMENT STANDARD FLOODPLAIN This is to give notice that The City of Atlanta under Part 58 has conducted an evaluation as required by Executive Order 11988, in accordance with HUD regulations at 24 CFR 55.20 Subpart C Procedures for Making Determinations on Floodplain Management, to determine the potential affect that its activity in the floodplain will have on the human environment for this proposed action under the Housing Act of 1937, as amended, and utilizing Moving to Work funds administered through The Housing Authority of the City of Atlanta, Georgia (AH). Approximately 4.5 acres of the site are delineated on the FEMA map as being within the 0.2% Annual Chance Flood Hazard. This is due to the stormwater infrastructure becoming overwhelmed during large storm events. The City of Atlanta has considered the following alternatives and mitigation measures to be taken to minimize adverse impacts and to restore and preserve natural and beneficial values: AH and/or the City considered at least 3 different site layouts for the Property or the no action alternative. The City of Atlanta has reevaluated the alternatives to building in the floodplain and has determined that it has no practicable alternative. Environmental files that document compliance with steps 3 through 6 of Executive Order 11988, are available for public inspection, review and copying upon request at the times and location delineated in the last paragraph of this notice for receipt of comments. This activity will have no significant impact on the environment for the following reasons: Locating the project at the currently proposed site will not have any impact on the overall floodplain or downstream properties. The site is currently developed with the Atlanta Civic Center, Exhibit Hall, and surface parking, and much of the site is already impervious. The redevelopment of the site will have minor benefits to the floodplain due to improved stormwater best management practices. Habitable structures will be elevated above the flood elevation. Wet floodproofing is required for the spaces within the base flood elevation. There are three primary purposes for this notice. First, people who may be affected by activities in floodplains and those who have an interest in the protection of the natural environment should be given an opportunity to express their concerns and provide information about these areas. Second, an adequate public notice program can be an important public educational tool. The dissemination of information about floodplains can facilitate and enhance Federal efforts to reduce the risks associated with the occupancy and modification of these special areas. Third, as a matter of fairness, when the Federal government determines it will participate in actions taking place in floodplains, it must inform those who may be put at greater or continued risk. Written comments must be received by the City of Atlanta at the following address on or before December 26, 2024: The City of Atlanta, Department of Grants and Community Development, Office of Entitlement and Competitive Compliance, 55 Trinity Avenue SW, Suite 3500, Atlanta, Georgia 30303 (8:15am to 5pm) and (404) 330-6390, Attention: Deborah B. Lonon, Commissioner. Comments may also be submitted via email at gmenvironmentalreview@atlantaga.gov or environmental@atlantahousing.org. 12-11-24