What is your name?

Nicole "Nikki" Evans Jones

What office are you running for?

Atlanta City Council, At-large Post 3

Are you the incumbent?

No

Upload a headshot/photo of yourself.

Attach your resume or CV.

Tell us more about yourself.

My name is Nicole “Nikki” Evans Jones. I’m a retired educator and now small business owner. In my 30-year career as an administrator with Atlanta Public Schools we accomplished a great deal that I am proud of. But at the same time, I realized that teachers and educators can only do so much to help a neighborhood. Ultimately, the rest is up to city government to get right. And so I’m running to do just that: To be a responsive leader to neighborhoods across Atlanta and to deliver housing, safety, and transportation solutions that work for everyone, everywhere.

Where did you go to school?

B.A. Political Science, Howard University M.A. Human Growth & Development, Clark Atlanta University Ed.D. Clark Atlanta University

Campaign Website

https://www.nicoleevansjonesforatlanta.com/

Social Media Links

Email

[email protected]

What is your job/occupation?

I am a small business owner of a social club for women leaders and Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach. Previously, I spent 30 years as a counselor and later principal within Atlanta Public Schools.

What city/neighborhood do you live in?

I was born and raised in Southwest Atlanta. Today, I live in the Upper West Side.

What is your top policy priority if elected? How would addressing this issue make a difference for the people you are seeking to represent and what skills or qualities do you possess that will make you an effective elected official?

Housing, safety, and transportation are equally important critical challenges that we must face. Residents of Atlanta deserve a reasonably priced place to live, a safe neighborhood, and the ability to access all that our city has to offer. I am hard working, innovative, and a bridge builder. These are qualities that made me successful as an education leader. Not only in improving outcomes for students, but also improving the lives of families in the surrounding neighborhoods. These same qualities will make me effective in this role on City Council.

What steps would you take to ensure that your constituents are protected from the impacts of climate change, such as extreme weather events and rising energy costs?

Climate change is altering the frequency and severity of extreme weather events. Hurricane Helene is the most recent evidence of this fact. We need to invest in our water infrastructure at a more rapid rate. The municipal options sales tax helps, but we must be intentional about seeking state and federal help. That is our greatest vulnerability in the event of natural disasters. Additionally, we need to continue the policy of maintaining robust cash reserves and a high bond rating, as the availability of credit is essential when disaster strikes. Specific to rising energy costs, one of the more tangible things we can do is ensure that we are investing proceeds from the Housing Opportunity Bond, Affordable Housing Trust Fund, and other sources to offer utility assistance to residents in need.

What long-term changes or reforms do you hope to achieve during your time in office? How will we know you’re successful?

As a school administrator, I led turnaround efforts at four Atlanta Public Schools. I was successful in these endeavors because we went beyond the classroom and into the surrounding neighborhoods. We learned what made each place unique and found out how we could support local families. I want to bring that same spirit of putting neighborhoods first to council. This is difficult in an at-large post, but I plan on being proactive about reaching people where they are so that I can understand the entirety of the city and act in its best interests. It’s a less tangible thing but I will view my tenure as a success if people feel heard and that they have a voice as a result of me representing them. In terms of specific policies, I will name just a few. I would like to see the Beltline trail completed, so that everyone can take part in its promise. The city should have a sidewalk trust fund, where we have a budget set aside specific to our pedestrian infrastructure. On safety, I want to grow our first responder housing supports and investments in pre-arrest diversion services. On affordable housing, let’s keep growing the Trust Fund while ensuring that we get the 2025 zoning re-write done correctly so that the city can become more densely populated, in areas where it makes sense, so that we can create more housing units/inventory and drive down prices in the process.

What steps would you take to increase transportation options for your constituents and how would you fund proposed projects or plans?

First, I want to create a Sidewalk Trust Fund. This would be a specific budget set aside for sidewalk maintenance and construction. Sidewalks simply do not exist in large portions of town along major thoroughfares to the point that it’s a major quality of life and safety concern. Second, after confirming results of a recent audit and subsequently recovering the $70 million in taxpayer dollars that was mis-appropriated via More MARTA, we need to work to rebuild the relationship with our transit agency. MARTA has sparred with city leaders for too long and it’s part of the reason that so many major projects are past date. We need to get moving on Campbellton and Clifton Corridor, Summerhill BRT, the 5 Points Station and more. My concern is that we can’t do that effectively given the current state of things. I will hope to be appointed to the Transportation Committee so that I can be an active part of that process. Third, let’s get the Beltline right. We have to complete the unfinished portions of the trail. Southwest and Northwest Atlanta deserve a chance to share in the Beltline promise. Next, we need to come to some sort of resolution on Beltline rail. I want to work to build consensus around the mode that makes sense and then get that done.

Housing costs in many parts of Georgia continue to rise. What should be done to keep housing affordable? What zoning restrictions, if any, would you reform or eliminate to fuel more housing construction?

Housing affordability is a national crisis. And no city has fully solved for it because there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. You have to go one neighborhood at a time to find out what will work for different residents. We need access to every option from what I call the “Affordable Housing Toolbox” at our disposal. This includes dynamic solutions around zoning regulations, transit orientation, square footage requirements, grants, tax incentives, homelessness, and more. To do so, we need to get the zoning re-write correct. We must grow our Affordable Housing Trust Fund, spend the Housing Opportunity Bond dollars wisely and continue think expansively on this challenge. But to underscore my views, the application of these solutions has to happen neighborhood by neighborhood with buy in from residents. For instance, I support transit-oriented development and greater density, but not if it means running roughshod over local opinion. It’s an iterative, slow process, but we have to get it right. And I’m committed to doing just that for the people of Atlanta.

How do you plan to ensure that public funds allocated to your office are used efficiently and effectively, and what specific measures would you implement to provide transparency in spending?

I will publish my office expenses so that anyone who is interested can see where taxpayer dollars allotted to the office are going.