Atlanta Science Festival [Mar 19-26]

 

"The Atlanta Science Festival is an annual public celebration of local science and technology. From March 19-26, 2016, curious people of all ages will explore the science and technology in our region and see how science is connected to all parts of our lives in 100 engaging events, including hands-on activities, facility tours, presentations, and performances throughout the metro Atlanta region. The Festival culminates in the free, family-friendly EXPLORATION EXPO - an interactive day of demos, hands-on activities, and stage shows at Centennial Olympic Park. Get a taste of the excitement in our teaser VIDEO." See the website at http://atlantasciencefestival.org/

There are a number of events nearby on the Emory and CDC campuses as well as at Fernbank Museum, Science Center and Forest. They have it all, from edible science to zombies to stargazing.

Check out the events link to search by date, topic, cost (if any) or distance by given zip code.

Friends of Medlock Park meeting [Mar 12]

Please come to the Friends of Medlock Park meeting tomorrow 3/12 at noon in the DHYS clubhouse in the Park. Need lots of helpers to help keep our Park great!

You don't have to live in the neighborhood. If you use and enjoy this DeKalb County park and care about its current and future use, you are welcome to join us.

MARTA expansion on life support?

Last week, this AJC report appeared to dash all hopes of MARTA expansion progress due to resistance from "six GOP senators whose districts touch the north Fulton region" who did not support SB313:

"SB313, the bill that would authorize MARTA to pursue a massive $8 billion expansion up through north Fulton County and east to Emory University, failed to make the Senate Rules Committee calendar and won’t receive a Crossover Day vote on Monday." ... read the rest here.

Support for MARTA expansion has been growing, in sharp contrast to the summer of 2012, when a T-SPLOST was defeated in all ten counties that voted on it.

But... is there hope? The AJC  reports today that some legislators won't stop believing and are discussing  a separate, local legislation bill not subject to cross-over day that would include the "city of Atlanta and perhaps DeKalb County to vote  on whether to pay an additional half-percent sales tax increase."

The push is justified: recently, Curbed Atlanta reported that per surveys of likely voters conducted last October by the Metro Atlanta Chamber, Fulton and DeKalb County residents are now firmly in favor of expanding MARTA.

The Metro Atlanta Chamber survey indicates that public opinion about the GA DOT and MARTA is much improved. Also from the survey:

from http://atlanta.curbed.com/archives/2016/02/12/marta-expansions-
unprecidented-support-in-11-charts-1.php

The Clifton Corridor MARTA expansion appeared to be highly supported by survey respondents.

from http://atlanta.curbed.com/archives/2016/02/12/marta-
expansions-unprecidented-support-in-11-charts-1.php

Click to enlarage. Note that the Clifton Corridor is a large employment center and also
the only one not served by MARTA. From http://macpolicy.com/wp-content/uploads/
2016/02/HNTB-Transit-Report-Printable-version.pdf

Why should MARTA expand its reach? In its "Economic Benefits of Investing in Traffic" report (October 2015), the Metro Chamber of Commerce suggests that every $1 invested in transit yields $4 in gains to the community, as measured in increased personal and disposable income, reduced travel times, growth in jobs and GRP (gross regional product).

The report benchmarks Atlanta metro investment in MARTA and concludes that we rank last among peer cities when railways are considered.

Millennials and seniors are identified as key populations that demand public transport in the Atlanta metro area:

• millenials are a growing percentage of the workforce and as a group, favor having multiple options for transport. Companies consider workforce availability when choosing work sites.

• seniors are often dependent on transit and Atlanta's senior population is on the rise. 

MARTA has proposed three expansion projects for high employment areas currently underserved by transport. By year 2040, these projects would allow access to transit to over half a million Atlanta Metro workers:

Clifton Corridor: 197,000 jobs
1-20 East: 190,000 jobs
GA 400: 203,000 jobs

SB313's failure to advance was a surprise, given strong endorsements:

ARC's Atlanta Region Plan Vision

• the AJC supported investment in transportation infrastructure and urged the legislature to invest in transit (MARTA in particular). 

• the Atlanta Regional Commission's just-released long-range blueprint for success (with year 2040 as the target) also highlighted the importance of MARTA expansion projects (see that plan here).

• In an op ed, Emory University also chimed in to unlock the gridlock.

Light rail would be a boon to our community. MARTA representatives attended our community meeting last February 15 and that report is available here. 

DeKalb District 6 survey

from Kathie Gannon...

Dear Neighborhood Leaders,

As your County Commissioner, I have made it my mission to make your voice heard.  For big and small issues alike, I insist that your interests "have a seat at the table."  I value your opinions.

A new survey is posted on my website so that you can make clear what our DeKalb County priorities should be.  Tell me what needs to be improved and what needs to be changed.

Please pass this along to your neighborhood groups. I look forward to reading the thoughts you share.

Kathie Gannon
DeKalb County Commissioner
Super District 6
404-371-4909
www.kathiegannon.com

MARTA / Clifton Corridor presentation to the Medlock neighborhood

MARTA representatives attended the MANA community meeting on February 15, 2016  to discuss the proposed Clifton Corridor expansion that would bring light rail connectivity to our area.  The Clifton Corridor encompasses some of the largest employers in the area: Emory University, Emory Hospital, the Centers for Disease Control, Children’s Healthcare, and Veteran’s Administration Hospital. The overall plan attempts to address current congestion while projecting for the area's needs as far as yr 2040. The Clifton Corridor rail would connect Lindberg and Avondale stations, with multiple in-between stops.

In contrast to heavy rail (like MARTA trains that are powered by ground-level electrified third rail), light rail would be powered by overhead lines. Typically, light rail travels less quickly than heavy rail but offers stops that are more closely spaced. Compared to buses, light rail travels faster (due to right of way) and has higher capacity.

Public meetings and discussions have been ongoing for years (see our Clifton Corridor posts and MARTA's Clifton Corridor page) and through public input meetings, MARTA  is coming closer to defining the locally preferred alternative (LPA) plan.

Current LPA (click to enlarge)

The presentation below includes maps of alternatives being considered, with highlights for our Medlock neighborhood. All options include stops at Emory University / CDC, Suburban Plaza and DeKalb Medical. The current LPA includes Clairmont Rd. service to the VA Hospital. Other alternatives bypass Clairmont and provide service along North Decatur Rd. only, or along North Decatur Rd. and Haywood Drive.

The Haywood Drive option would potentially reduce Clifton Road traffic by 50%. North Decatur Road would have to be widened to allow for a dedicated lane.

MARTA has additional information on federal funding for these types of projects. In a best-case scenario (the proposed T-SPLOST garners support at the November election and additional federal funds for the project are secured), the project could be completed as early as 2025.

The last page of the presentation includes contact information, as MARTA continues to receive input about this plan.



These images provide some ideas of what light rail vehicles and stations may look like (images shared by MARTA).

Notes from MANA Community Meeting (Feb 15)

via Tanya Myers, MANA Secretary

State Representative Rahn Mayo gave a brief recap of the legislative session thus far. Asked about whether there were any cityhood bills he would be voting for, he stated that he’s not been convinced that the cityhood proposals are the solution to the problems that people are looking to have solved. Stonecrest and Greenhaven are the two that might move forward this session, but sentiment of DeKalb delegation for cityhood legislation is lukewarm at best. Answering another question, Rep. Mayo also said the bill to eliminate the CEO position had slim odds of passing.

State Senator Elena Parent mentioned Chamblee annexation proposal, but mentioned that it is large (adds over 100% in area to Chamblee) and doesn’t think it will move forward this year. She also stated that Avondale Estates and Decatur have decided not to move forward with their annexation initiatives this year. As part of the study initiatives, recommendations included a much more comprehensive review process that would include impact on county and school systems and a codification of the rules for how legislation moves forward. Bill to forward study commission recommendations has been introduced and she is hopeful that the bill may move forward. Georgia Municipal Association may be opposed. With respect to Representative Taylor’s bill to reduce the millage rate for DCSD, she is hopeful that it will not move forward.

County Commissioner Kathy Gannon and Jeff Rader spoke about the Doraville TAD and importance to the county. General questions from the audience expressed hesitancy for the school district to take on risk in support of development initiatives. Based on Gannon and Rader’s comments, it seems that there has not been a reasonable mechanism for effective communication and collaboration between the board of commissioners and DeKalb County School District. Gannon spoke about the Blueprint Initiative for reform of DeKalb county government. Budget setting process is ongoing, but she has concerns about some expenditures and is planning to vote against it as it currently stands. Smoke testing of sewer lines will be ongoing throughout the year. Glass recycling was also discussed, and difficulty finding a vendor to accept glass from a multi-stream recycling program (comingled glass breaks and contaminates the more valuable paper recyclables). Audience members mentioned dissatisfaction with the trash/recycling pickup inability to completely service the neighborhood on the target day.

MARTA presented on the Clifton Corridor Transit Initiative, giving a general overview of the project and the different alignments under consideration as well as neighborhood impacts. Detailed handouts are included as an attachment to the minutes. [This presentation is covered in a separate post.]

Casey Boudreau gave a Greenspace Update, including cleanup dates initiated by Druid Hills Youth Sports and the workgroup working on the playground. Regarding questions about the lights at the field – these are on timers and DHYS will provide the neighborhood with a number to call when lights are on too late.

Tanya Myers gave a quick schools update on HB 969 to lower the millage rate supporting DCSD.

Theresa Same gave a zoning update, including when stores are expected to open at Suburban Plaza and on Fuqua Phase I (addressing a deviation from negotiated conditions at the corner of North Decatur Rd. and Scott Blvd.). Phase III of the Fuqua Development is in planning; DeKalb Cross-Neighborhoods Committee has provided extensive feedback and revisions to the initially presented plan are coming. Chevron Station on Scott is officially closed, and a national mattress retailer is expected to go into the space. Medlock Gulf is still interested in developing Maddie’s BBQ space into a hybrid battery repair shop, but rezoning will be required and formal plans aren’t available yet. R60 rezoning at corner of Sunnybrook and Medlock is still under consideration.

Paving on Superior Avenue

From DeKalb Watershed Management via Commissioner Kathie Gannon's office:

Please be advised that the cut and plug on N. Decatur was a success. We will begin grout filling of the 14in. on Thursday and Friday. The pouring of concrete cap will take place tomorrow. Weather permitting we are still on schedule for paving on Monday.[February 22]