News Nearby: Decatur Mayor Bill Floyd Will Step Down on Jan. 7

Bill Floyd, mayor of Decatur for the last 14 years, announced Thursday that he'll resign to work with the Dunwoody-based Pendleton Consulting Group, effective Jan. 7.

In a statement, Floyd said he'd be assisting businesses and local governments around Georgia and "there is the possibility that some of the work that I will be doing might be considered by some to present a conflict of interest."

Floyd's influence was felt outside Decatur. He served as president of the Georgia Municipal Association, chairman of the Metropolitan Atlanta Mayor’s Association and on the Board of Directors of the Atlanta Regional Commission.

Decatur evolved into a walkable, festival-loving city on Floyd's watch. The city is regularly mentioned in national publications for its quality of life, indie spirit, good restaurants, interesting shops and craft beer pubs.

"He put Decatur on the map," state Rep. Karla Drenner of Avondale Estates said. "He took a small town and made it a destination city."

The town of 20,000 used to draw a crowd to the DeKalb County Courthouse during the day but virtually died at night.

Starting with Mick's restaurant (which occupied the Parkers on Ponce space), the Brick Store Pub and Watershed restaurant, Decatur evolved into a dining destination.

During Floyd's time, Decatur also became festival city. The biggest one is the Decatur Book Festival, which regularly pulls in more than 70,000 people over Labor Day Weekend.

Go to Decatur Patch to read a full version of this article.