with enthusiasm and momentum into its second century.

Keep Avondale Estates Moving...

About
Luis Suazo

My name is Luis Suazo and I am running for Avondale Estates City Commissioner in the November election. I would be honored to represent the residents of our great city, contributing my time and talents to “Keep Avondale Estates Moving” in an exciting and energizing trajectory as it enters its second century.

With more than 30 years of experience as an architect, and a desire to do my part in the community, I was motivated to serve in the city's governmental boards and commissions. I was appointed to the Planning, Zoning and Architecture Review Board in 2021, and in 2024, was appointed to the Historic Preservation Commission, and currently serve in both. The city's appointed boards and commissions assist the Board of Mayor and Commissioners in an advisory capacity on specific topics, such as planning, historic preservation and greenspace.

My investment in this community began in 2018 with the purchase and complete renovation of the home at 98 Clarendon Avenue. Alongside my partner, Avondale Estates Realtor Susan Robertson, we lovingly restored our house on one of Avondale’s historic streets into a home that respects and celebrates its place in the city’s historic past, while incorporating the resilient features needed to adapt a historic home to meet the needs of modern life.

Shortly after settling into our Avondale Estates home, the pandemic turned our renovation focus outdoors, and in 2020, we transformed our overgrown landscape into a useable backyard. When we are not busy working, Susan and I spend time enjoying and maintaining our 86 year-old home and garden. Most weekends you will see us raking leaves under the grand Southern Magnolia in our front yard, accompanied by our two, energetic black labradors, Bennie and (the) Jett.

Blending community, character, charm, and amenities for longtime residents and new families alike. THIS IS AVONDALE ESTATES.

Over the past 10 years, through the efforts of passionate citizens, committed public servants, and dedicated professional staff, our city has experienced an urban renewal, bringing us closer to realizing the goals set forth in our 2014 Downtown Master Plan. Achievements we can all celebrate include:

The Willis and Jade apartment communities provide much needed housing and housing diversity, critical for supporting our downtown and local businesses, and lessening the tax burden on Avondale homeowners by expanding the city’s tax base.
Town Green, connecting historic Tudor Village, the vibrant Rail Arts District, new downtown developments, has received awards for its urban space development (Urban Land Institute of Atlanta's Development of Excellence in the Public Realm Award - 2023), residents' quality of life (Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) Regional Excellence Award: Great Places - 2022), and public engagement (Award for Community Relations Efforts - 2020).
Olive and Pine adaptive re-use development joins our brew pubs, shops, and art studios in our beloved Rail Arts District.
Market Pavilion at Town Green is bustling every Sunday morning as home to the Avondale Estates Farmer’s Market.
The Dale commercial project, designed to house restaurants and retail spaces with outdoor seating opening onto Town Green and featuring beautiful sunset views.
Our Complete Street Project is transforming US 278 (N. Avondale Road), making it safer for pedestrians and cyclists with the installation of wider sidewalks, landscaped buffers, new traffic lights, lighting, and enhanced crosswalks.

In addition to the developments downtown, progress continues in our residential neighborhoods. While some projects are unglamorous, like sidewalk repairs and regenerative landscape maintenance, others incrementally make Avondale Estates better each year. Some recent achievements include:

The North Woods Stormwater Project reduces silt from the water entering our beloved Avondale Lake and enhances the water quality. ADA-accessible nature trails were added, as well as an engineered water garden filled with native plants.
The Fletcher Park Renovation includes new benches, tables, a bike rack, enhanced ADA accessibility and improved drainage.
The Street Calming Project added numerous stop signs and several cross walks, making walks around the city safer by reducing vehicle speeds.
The Curbside Composting Program, along with other sustainable initiatives across all departments of the city, have been implemented and soon the city hopes to receive its Bronze Certification as a Green Leaf Community by the Atlanta Regional Commission.

With so many achievements, we have a lot to celebrate! We need to keep up momentum. Let's “Keep Avondale Estates Moving.”

What makes YOU the best candidate in this election, as Avondale Estates enters into its second century?

My knowledge of Avondale Estates through civic experience volunteering on the Avondale Estates Planning Zoning and Architecture Review Board and the Avondale Estates Historic Preservation Commission gives me a solid understanding of the city's priorities as we seek to balance the best of our history with our goals for moving forward into our second century.
My relevant professional experience as an architect allows me to serve Avondale Estates as it navigates the complex aspects of real estate, development and construction.
My personal character and demeanor, natural curiosity, attentive listening, research and information gathering help me to make the effective decisions needed to move our city forward.
I pledge to do the work and listen to the concerns and desires of our entire community -- our residents, those newer to the city and those who have called Avondale Estates home for more than one generation; our business owners who are making the business district a vibrant place to be; and the passionate volunteers and city employees who work hard to service our city.