Lithonia, which partnered with the First Afrikan Community Development Corp. to apply for its LCI grant, has chosen Atlanta-based Urban Collage to do the $85,000 study. Stone Mountain picked Robert & Co. of Atlanta for its $80,000 study.

The two cities were among 10 awarded ARC grants in January to study ways to improve the quality of life in their communities.

Lithonia is seeking ways to revitalize its downtown and tap into the boom at the nearby Stonecrest area. The Village of Stone Mountain wants to revitalize Shermantown, its historic African-American community.

Experience was a key factor in both cities’ decisions.

Deborah Jackson, project coordinator for Lithonia’s LCI study, said the selection committee was impressed with Urban Collage’s experience in doing LCI studies, and also its subsequent success in identifying sources of implementation funding.

Jackson said eight firms responded to the city’s Request for Proposals (RFP).

Four finalists made presentations to the seven-member selection committee, comprised of representatives from the city of Lithonia, FACDC and the county’s Office of Economic Development and Planning Department.

Marla Bexley-Young, who manages Stone Mountain’s Main Street program, said Robert & Co. was chosen from among six applicants not only for its LCI experience, but also because it had experience in working in small, historic downtown settings.

Both cities must now wait for the Atlanta Regional Commission, which sponsors the LCI program, and the Georgia DOT to sign off on the studies before they can officially contract with the consultants.

Once that happens, they hope to begin the first phase of their studies, the public participation process. Jackson and Bexley-Young both said they anticipate that happening in mid-June to early July.

All LCI studies must be completed by Dec. 31, 2003, as stipulated by the ARC.