Sid Walker urban planner

From the office of the City Manager

Contrary to custom, not all young people leave Americus for big city life. Consider Sid Walker, the new city hire, who calls being the urban planner in this county seat, “my dream job.”

Since assuming the position in April that had been unfilled for 10 years, Walker has drafted a comprehensive 5 Point Plan for the Department of Community Development, a handbook for the city’s Planning Commission and secured funding for software to improve city planning efforts. He and E. J. Jackon, Director of Community Development, comprise this vital department. Walker is responsible for assuring city’s development fits our stated community vision and stated strategic goals. (see sidebar where readers can read vision and goals) Sid Walker is clear: he loves working and living here. “There are no stars in Atlanta,” he explains, referring to the beautiful southwest Georgia night skies.
Most of his days, he is attending Council and various Board meetings, reading ordinances and researching issues. “I also want to be able to measure resident satisfaction with city government,” he says, noting he is looking at how citizens are informed by their government. Attending the city manager’s monthly public coffee hours has given him insight, and he hopes to get out into the community more and visit neighborhoods.

Upon completing his Associate’s degree in business at Georgia State University in Atlanta, Walker met a recruiter from Georgia Southwestern University. Touring the campus, this DeKalb County native was sure he wanted to move to Americus for GSW’s astounding business program. He later switched his major to political science and pre-law, with a minor in sociology.

“I love what I do,” he says, adding, “my job has so much potential.” He is eager to collaborate with other city department, county counter parts, stakeholders and community members.

Perhaps because his position has been vacant for so long, there are plenty of questions about the need for an urban planner, and even the definition of urban. Walker explains that generally, the financial center or hub of a geographical area is known as the urban area. Americus being the largest community in Sumter County earns the label. And while the classic elements of urban life, such as gridlock and commuter traffic may not be as pronounced as in bigger cities, other pressing issues are present.
“Affordable, decent housing is in great demand in Americus,” says City Manager Diadra Powell. “Bringing E.J. Jackson into the second floor Community Development office, and then hiring Sid means city government can be much more involved in local issues and conditions.” She points to Walker’s experience in grant writing as meeting a great unmet staffing need. “He is charged with applying for city wide grants to fund vital projects in Americus.”

A man of many interests and abilities, Sid Walker’s humble demeanor cloaks an incredible mind. Planning is just one of his interests. He also cares about the law, does digital graphics and holds paralegal certification. Again, breaking with the stereotypes of his generation, self-sufficiency has been a goal since he was 16, when he started studying to become a licensed barber. The first barber in his family, he finished 1500 hours at SamVerly Barber College in Atlanta and for 15 years has been self-employed and making a living.
Still, higher education remained top on his list. After pocketing his bachelor’s degree in 2018, he soon joined the Admissions Staff at his beloved GSW alma mater, simultaneously,

Walker began his part time Master’s Degree studies in public administration, with a concentration in rural planning and development at Valdosta State University. Following his pay as I go plan, he earned this graduate degree in June of 2022, then began working in a variety of businesses, in sales, marketing, training and management. Along the way, Sid Walker took more courses, receiving additional training in grant writing, nonprofit management and historic preservation. He also completed certificate programs in American Contract Law at Yale University and US Constitutional Foundations at Harvard University.

Perhaps the best preparation Walker received to assume his significant role in Americus city government was working for the Lee County Board of Commissioners as an executive assistant and county planner. Based in Leesburg, Walker led the construction of Lee County’s 5-year county plan, developed collaborative relationships and organized community events.

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