Midtown Atlanta News and Events Archives

Sidewalks In Midtown Atlanta

February 14, 2011 by Thom Abbott

You know what they are. You probably use them is some form or fashion at least once a day. Sidewalks.

A sidewalk is defined by Dictionary.com as, “ a walk, especially a paved one, at the side of a street or road.

So in an urban environment, you’ ve got them everywhere. And they require maintenance. But the $100 question is WHO is responsible for that maintenance.

Sidewalks In Midtown Atlanta

Well, in the City of Atlanta, YOU, the property owner to which that sidewalk abuts to are responsible for that maintenance. Yep. NOT the city of Atlanta, but YOU, the property owner. So, that might explain why some of Atlanta’s sidewalks, and especially in Historic Midtown, are in tough shape. You are probably going to spend $2000-3000 for something INSIDE your home, and not on the sidewalk in front of it!

If you have a sidewalk you traverse on a regular basis, but find it dangerous, say from tree roots or just a state of disrepair, you can contact the City of Atlanta Department of Public Works at 404-330-6240 or e-mail Commissioner Richard Mendoza at rmendoza@atlantaga.gov.

Additionally, Midtown Neighbors’ Association allocates a limited amount of money in the form of a matching grant to assist a homeowner who wants to repair their sidewalk. More information is available here.

Midtown Neighbors' Association Opposes Proposed Credit Union Plans

February 2, 2011 by Thom Abbott

In a letter dated January 31, 2011, the Midtown Neighbors’ Association has expressed its concerns about the proposed interior and exterior renovations to a site in Midtown Atlanta by the Delta Community Credit Union (DCCU).

The letter, from Tony Rizzuto, Land Use Committee Chairman, states that the current site has a single drive-through window, but DCCU wants to expand the drive through service to multiple lanes. Rizzuto further states that the Midtown SPI-16 Zoning Ordinance specifically prohibits drive through service windows and drive-in facilities from being located east of Spring Street or along Storefront Streets.

The site is located just a block from the Midtown MARTA station and the DCCU’s SAP (Special Administrative Permit) is asking for two curb cuts on Cresent Avenue, and another on Peachtree Place to allow for the proposed vehicle traffic.

One of the great things that makes Midtown Atlanta what it is today, and will be in the future is the Midtown Blueprint. This well designed (for the most part) calls for specific types of design with an emphasis on promoting a livable, walkable and sustainable community. Such automobile-centric design proposals still show that the larger business community needs to look past the hood of the car and more to the tennis shoes on the street. Such a design is just fueling (sorry for THAT pun) Atlanta’s continued love affair with their automobiles, and less of a love of their shoes and the street.

Midtown currently ranks as the highest walkable community in the Atlanta area. Residents from both Historic Midtown as well as the numerous condominium communities enjoy the ability to walk from their homes to shopping, restaurants and markets, without the use of a car.

For those unfamiliar with the site, here is a map of the location. It will be interesting to see how this makes it through the City Hall planning process.

80 Peachtree Place

Midtown Neighbors' Association Elects 2011 Board

January 22, 2011 by Thom Abbott

Midtown Neighbors’ Association Elects 2011 Board

I attended the Annual Meeting for the Midtown Neighbors’ Association last week. It was held at the Park Tavern in Midtown Atlanta.

You might recall that I previously was on the Board and served as the Chairman of the Membership Committee. I’ve had to step down for a time due to work and schedule conflicts, but I will continue to be involved in the Membership activities of the association, including the monthly Mingle In Midtown events that bring neighbors together at one of the local restaurants for an evening of cocktails and conversation.

The Board of Directors was elected and their picture is below, courtesy of Midtown Patch and Amy Wenk.

For more information about Midtown Neighbors’ Association, be sure to visit their website via the link provided.

Midtown Neighbors' Association 2011 Board

Greg Guhl will serve as president. Geoff Rogers will serve as vice president, Lynda Idleman as treasurer and Nancy Reynolds as secretary.

Other board members include Dana Persons, Rick Day, Mary Cobb, Marcus Jackson, Julian Price, Susan Watts, Tony Rizzuto and David Harman.

RFP Issued For GA 400 and I-85 Interchange Ramps

January 18, 2011 by Thom Abbott

RFP Issued For GA 400 and I-85 Interchange Ramps

If you’ve ever traveled South on I-85 and wanted to head North on GA 400, you know what a big deal this announcement is. If you don’t, then here is what the current commuter must do:

Exit at Cheshire Bridge/ Lenox Road.
Turn Right on Lenox Road.
Turn Left on Buford Highway.
Turn Right on Sidney Marcus Blvd
Turn Right to GA400 Northbound On Ramp

Yep. That is how you currently go from I-85 Southbound to GA400 Northbound. A real morning mess. Or mess anytime for that matter. And it’s repeated pretty much when you are coming Southbound on GA400.

I’ve read the interchange was never finished due to money. Could be true. But considering the Metro Atlanta Region’s track record when it comes to planning for transportation, I’d say they just never thought that would be a route people would use. I could be wrong.

Nonetheless, the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) issued a Request For Proposal on January 14th for the build-design services on the proposed project. Of course, it will probably be several years before this project is completed? (Note: If you saw how fast the GDOT finished the I-85/GA316 Interchange in Gwinnett County, you know a project can be moved quickly when so desired….that was finished in record time!)

The State Transportation Board and the State Road and Tollway Authority voted to continue the tolls on GA400 to pay for these imporvements. The tolls were going to expire this summer when the original bonds from the early 1990’s will be paid off.

The current tolls are expected to raise $50 million. The interchange construction is estimated at about $40 million. The remaining monies collecteed will go toward 10 other smaller projects along the 400 corridor.

For those many Midtown Commuters that head to the business centers of Buckhead or Perimeter for work, this will certainly help some local streets. But, for those that live say in Gwinnett or the Chamblee/Druid Hills areas, this will make the transition to GA400 North MUCH easier.

Of course, NO highway construction comes without controversy, and the residents of nearby Lindridge/Martin Manor have express concern about their quality of life and property values in their neighborhood as the GA400 Southbound ramp to I-85N will be right along their neighborhood.

Midtown Neighbors' Association Annual Meeting Tuesday, January 18, 2011

January 15, 2011 by Thom Abbott

Midtown Neighbors’ Association Annual Meeting

Tuesday, January 18, 2011 – 5:30-8:00pm

Park Tavern, Midtown Atlanta

The Midtown Neighbors’ Association (MNA) will hold their Annual Meeting and Board of Director Elections on Tuesday, January 18th at the Park Tavern in Midtown Atlanta.

Traditionally held in April, the Annual meeting has been moved to January as the association changed its fiscal year last year.

The Association will elect 8 Board of Director Members for 2 year terms. (You might recall that I have been a Board Member for the past three years!)

The dinner is $10 for Adults and $5 for children. Non MNA members pay $15.

Midtown Neighbors’ Association was formed in 1969, is run by neighborhood volunteers. MNA is the only body officially recognized by the City of Atlanta government that represents the residents. MNA gives residents a place at the table on issues affecting the residents.

For More Information about MNA, or to join, visit their website, Midtown Neighbors’ Association.

Midtown Atlanta Streets to Get Make Over

December 21, 2010 by Thom Abbott

Midtown Atlanta Streets to Get Make Over

14th and Crescent Construction began back in August as part of the Midtown Alliance plan to improve sidewalks, add lights, trees and parallel parking. Once that portion is completed, they will commence the 14th Street Streetscape from West Peachtree all the way to Piedmont Park.

Construction funds for the project were provided from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. It was designed to enhance the pedestrian environment, improve public safety, and achieve a better balance between accommodating large volumes of vehicular traffic and creating a more livable urban environment. Over the last eight years, the Midtown Alliance Cityscapes Program has completed similar improvements along Peachtree Street, WestPeachtree Street, Piedmont Avenue and 14th Street (between Fowler and West Peachtree Streets).

Midtown Atlanta has been working to improve its walkability and mobility with projects that provide wider sidewalks, enhanced street and sidewalk lighting, new landscaping, granite curbing colored accent pavers, trash receptacles (AMEN AMEN!!!) and bike racks among other improvements.

Sadly, the announcement also mentions that a number of exiting trees will have to be removed on 14th Street due to utility conflicts and to allow for changes in the street function. This means some pretty big trees will probably be giving their lives up for progress. Bummer. However, some 70 new Elm trees will be installed every 30 feet on either side of the street the entire length of the project. They will be keeping Midtown Atlanta green, but it might be a few years before the trees look anything like they currently do on 14th Street, depending on which ones come down…

Construction will be intense, so if you are in this area of Midtown Atlanta, please watch out. Of course we’ll be watching this program very closely and will capture some more pictures as things progress.

Here’s a quick look at what Crescent Avenue currently looks like….I’ll get some before pictures of 14th Street so we can all see the changes!

“Cresent Street“

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Sidewalks In Midtown Atlanta

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