NAGE/IBPO Break Ground for New Regional Offices in Atlanta
In a well-attended ceremony Wednesday, National President David J. Holway and dozens of IBPO and NAGE leaders, Atlanta-area political heavyweights, and community activists dug their gold-colored shovels into the red clay of Georgia to mark the groundbreaking of the new and much-anticipated regional office building.
"Today we break ground on a $1 million investment in Georgia, in Atlanta, and specifically, in this neighborhood," said Holway. "I'm convinced that the vision of our local leadership and [Atlanta] Councilor Ivory Young will not only be successful, but will be a model for other labor unions around the country." (Read the full text of President Holway's address)
The building will house the offices of NAGE/IBPO staff and will feature a community room for neighborhood use and a breakroom for Atlanta police.
City Councilor and NAGE/IBPO-endorsed mayoral hopeful Lisa Borders sees the building as a physical, as well as symbolic, structure.
"With the new offices and the presence of NAGE and IBPO in this neighborhood, we're making a statement, we're breaking down barriers between people and building relationships on a strong foundation. I congratulate NAGE, IBPO, and the community leadership," said Borders.
City Councilor Ivory Young spoke of NAGE/IBPO sending a message throughout the community that it was committed to the neighborhood and would be an anchor in the revitalization of the neighborhood.
"The IBPO is no stranger to this site or the Englsih Avenue neighborhood, which has a lot of great history but is also the most challenged community in the city," he said. "This building will send a message throughout the community."
The building, which is expected to be completed in six to nine months, will be named the Yancey Building for the prominent physician with deep roots in the English Avenue/Vine City neighborhood where the office will go up. Two of Dr. Yancey's four sons, Labat Yancey, Sr. and Prentiss Yancey; as well as Labat Yancey, Jr. attended the groundbreaking ceremony.
Labat Yancey, Sr. spoke of his father's commitment to his patients and the long hours he put in to help people.
"He [Dr. Yancey] used to make house calls on Sundays, and he believed in providing affordable to care to all his patients. I know how much this building dedication would mean to him; it's as if he's back in the neighborhood now," said Labat Yancey, Sr.
Prentiss Yancey added, "We rarely saw our father. He was so dedicated to his patients and really loved the people he served. He taught us to have an abiding respect for working people."
Makeda Johnson, the president of the Neighborhood Planning Unit "L", looks forward to NAGE and IBPO coming back to the neighborhood.
"We are very supportive of this project," she said. "It's very important to our community to have partners who care."