Georgia Walks Summit, funding priorities, meetings & events

February 2019

In This Issue

Georgia Walks Summit: Early Bird registration ends Feb 8

Georgia Walks Summit: Early Bird registration ends Feb 8

Passionate about walkable communities? If so, the Georgia Walks Summit is an opportunity you won't want to miss! This is the 4th annual statewide summit - and the first to be held in the Atlanta region.

Early bird registration discounts available through Feb 8

Register today to secure your spot!

Charles Marohn, Founder and President of Strong Towns and one of the 10 Most Influential Urbanists of all time, will be the keynote speaker. Marohn is calling for a radical rethinking of the way we address pedestrian safety issues, and we're eager to learn what he has to say.

The Summit also features Ellen Dunham-Jones, co-author of Retrofitting Suburbia, and Nisha Botchwey, who directs the Built Environment and Public Health Clearinghouse.

The program is packed with sessions on walk-friendly land use, safety improvements, street design, and community programs.

Planners and engineers who attend the summit can receive AICP/PDH credits.

Join us for the Georgia Walks Summit.

You'll return informed, connected, and inspired.

Feb 19: Urbanism Book Club: Walkable City Rules

The next Urbanism Book Club meeting features Jeff Speck's new book, Walkable City Rules: 101 Steps to Making Better Places .

Tues, Feb 19, 6:30 - 8:00 PM

Atlanta City Studio

2311 Cascade Rd. SW, Atlanta

adjacent to MARTA Bus Route 71

Sally Flocks, President & CEO of PEDS, will moderate a discussion about the rules and how they apply to Atlanta.

Just a few of many topics: street geometry, comfortable spaces, interesting places, and dreaming big.

Ask Atlanta to make Complete Street projects the top priority!

Atlanta officials reported in November that large funding short falls prevent the city from implementing many projects it had promised voters prior to Renew Atlanta and TSPLOST referendums. Officials recognize the need to prioritize remaining funds. They also know that regaining public trust won't be easy.

During meetings in January, officials requested public input on three options.

Scenario 1 prioritizes Complete Streets - i.e. projects that support multi-modal transportation and increase safety.
Scenario 2 allocates more funding to resurfacing and signal timing projects that increase capacity for cars.
Scenario 3 favors projects that have additional funding from other sources.

Presentations and other material are available online.

Scenario 1 is by far the best.

If you couldn't attend the meetings in January, it's not too late to let Atlanta officials know which projects you want most.

Please participate in the Prioritization Survey. The deadline is Thursday, Feb 7, so don't delay.

Atlanta is holding a second round of public meetings in February and March. Each begins at 6:30 p.m.

Feb 26: Carver Early College, 55 McDonough Blvd, SE
Feb 27: C.T. Martin Recreation Center, 3201 M.L.K., Jr. Drive SW
Feb 28: Sutton Middle School, 2875 Northside Drive, NW
March 7: Grady High School, 929 Charles Allen Drive, NE

The meetings provide a great opportunity for you to learn more and urge Atlanta to maximize its investment in Complete Street projects. Your voice matters!

Bridge over Northside Drive even less useful than expected

We've said for years that the ostentatious pedestrian bridge connecting the Vine City


	Credit: atlanta.curbed.com

MARTA station and the Mercedes Benz stadium was a tremendous waste of taxpayer dollars.

The City committed $23 million to the bridge - and may have spent as much as $27 million.

We also predicted it would get little use other than on game nights.

But it gets even worse. For security reasons, the NFL closed the bridge to the general public during the Super Bowl.

Officials who decide to invest in vanity projects like this need a large dose of humility.

Your gifts help make safe sidewalks and crossings a reality .