CITY OF BARTLETT

Definition

The Community Improvement Program is a holistic effort to improve the appearance of residential, commercial, and industrial properties. The initiative will begin with a centralized focus on commercial businesses. The City will be divided into compliance zones, identified by commercial density, the volume of previous code violations, and the division of major thoroughfares. Each zone will be assigned a specific compliance liaison. This liaison is meant to serve as a resource for the respective businesses to provide direction on code compliance matters and a steering reference toward available incentives and other opportunities to overcome obstacles or improve the facade. This endeavor will be evaluated by the percentage of businesses visited per quarter and the percentage of businesses brought into compliance through this effort. 

Analysis

As part of the Community Improvement Program (CIP), a total of 1,218 inspections were completed in 2025. In addition to CIP-specific inspections, 148 new businesses have been visited this year through the new business license inspection process. This brings the overall total to 1,366 businesses visited through the combined initiative.

While the program remains behind its target, the department anticipates the number to increase in the coming year.

Overall, the program continues to receive positive feedback from the business community, reinforcing its value as a proactive compliance initiative. Efforts to address blighted areas, particularly around the Ferguson and Shelby Street corridor, are progressing, though at a slower pace than initially hoped. Nonetheless, steady improvements are being observed, and continued engagement is expected to enhance these areas over time.