âAthens 2040â begins plan for future of the community Planning for the future in Athens By Eric Graves and Marian Accardi | April 26, 2021 at 6:12 AM CDT - Updated April 26 at 6:12 AM ATHENS, Ala. (WAFF) - As cities in the Tennessee Valley continue to grow, leaders are looking toward the future, and preparing for it. This is the purpose of âAthens 2040â³, according to our partners at the Decatur Daily, a chance to plan for expected growth. The planning all got started at an Athens City Council meeting on Thursday, April 22. More than 50 people were there in-person to voice their opinion and more than 30 others joined in on Zoom.