Midtown Atlanta Streets to Get Make Over
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!
