There are two things I'd definitely consider basic features of a coin claiming to be centered around the idea of decentralization:

• An algorithm that provides access to mining with everyday hardware, such as yescrypt. The reasoning is pretty clear: The more exclusive access is, the more mining will be centered around those with dedicated mining setups. Bitcoin and its corporate decision process clearly demonstrates where that leads: Anywhere, just not decentralization. With CPU-oriented algorithms, even when people with dedicated CPU-mining rigs enter the fray, there will still be a good number of people mining on their CPUs, as the accessibility for mining reaches further into casual micro-mining territory, providing at least a little bit more of a counterweight. Also, CPU power scales much less than GPU power as a function of time these years (CPUs age better), which is one of the factors that make CPU algorithms such worthy candidates in terms of casual miner enfranchisement.
• First class support for a free software environment, such as GNU/Linux or GNU/FreeBSD. In other words: At least have a Linux client from day 1. Releasing for corporate controlled platforms only, such as Mac OS X or Windows, is a statement against decentralization and flies into the face of the idea of people having control over our infrastructure and their own computers. Choosing an algorithm that doesn't depend on closed source drivers such as those from Nvidia or AMD for efficient mining would also be a plus in that regard (e.g. a CPU algorithm).

Edit: It seems yescrypt might not be as CPU-centered as it once seemed to me (a look at how Myriad coin is doing it might be worth it, though. I've mined XMY with just one CPU core, and I did get a handful of coins, so it does work). The basic point stands, though: A CPU-centered algorithm would be best for the goals of this project.