Friday, Febraury 27, 2004

ARC Livable Centers Initiative funds new smart growth studies

The Atlanta Regional Commission recently announced nine fifth-round recipients of Livable Centers Initiative planning grants totaling more than $800,000 in matched federal funds, including projects proposed for McDonough, East Point and the northwest corner of Clayton County adjacent to Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.

This round of funding brings the total to 51 communities in the Atlanta region receiving LCI grants to develop “quality growth” plans since the award-winning programs inception in 1999.

Both Peachtree City and Fayetteville have been multiple recipients of the grants. In Peachtree City, LCI funding has been used to design and implement the Ga. Highway 54 West redevelopment project, recently approved by the City Council. In Fayetteville, more than $1 million has been awarded to the city’s Downtown Development Authority for the design and construction of a “Village Green” and to encourage improvements and redevelopment within the Mainstreet District.

“This program is having a profound impact in the way our region plans for future vitality,” said Tom Weyandt, director of ARC’s Comprehensive Planning. “Whether typically considered urban, rural or suburban, these communities are creating places we can all be proud of. ARC is thrilled to be able to directly support and encourage the creative ideas coming from local governments to improve livability.”

LCI promotes quality growth in the region by encouraging greater mobility and livability within existing employment and town centers, thereby using the infrastructure already in place instead of building anew.

All totaled, the program awards $5 million in planning grants over five years, with 2004 the final year in this initial LCI program. ARC is currently exploring the best ways to continue and expand this popular program in the future. The nine successful grantees are:

• Upper Westside (City of Atlanta) — $75,000 — The goal of this study is to link downtown Atlanta and Atlantic Station with mixed-use designs at key intersections along the primary corridor.

• City of Buford Town Center — $75,000 — The intent of the study is to encourage mixed-use developments and interconnect these with other downtown attractions through the provision of pedestrian-oriented facilities such as sidewalks and multi-purpose paths.

• City of Clarkston Town Center — $65,000 — The City of Clarkston is one of the most diverse areas in the region and many of these diverse populations rely on non-automotive travel. The compact nature and layout of the city would provide easy access for pedestrians and cyclists if the appropriate facilities were in place. Clarkstons LCI plan will emphasize pedestrian connectivity within and outside the town center and facilitate redevelopment opportunities for mixed-use housing and retail services.

• City of East Point Town Center — $75,000 — While East Point’s population stagnated or declined in the 1970s and 80s, it is now experiencing growth as people recognize the value of in-town living. East Point is home to a MARTA rail station, close to two additional MARTA stations, is served by 13 bus routes and is the potential site for a proposed commuter rail station. East Points LCI study will capitalize on these transportation amenities by encouraging two TODs with full range of housing, commercial services and employment opportunities.

• City of Holly Springs Town Center — $65,000 — The City of Holly Springs is a small, community-oriented town that is experiencing growth and its associated development activities. A recent market survey indicated that the city is losing a potential $80 million in business and jobs to surrounding areas. To these ends, the city desires to create a compact, pedestrian-friendly downtown with mixed-use and compact development that can support diverse activities and provide a stronger employment base.

• City of McDonough Town Center — $75,000 — McDonough and Henry County underwent tremendous growth in the 1990s Henry County’s population doubled while McDonough’s population almost tripled. The City's LCI plan will support and enhance an expanded town center, maintain and create mixed-use developments, and integrate the rest of the city through strategic transportation links.

• Delk Road TOD — $75,000 — This study is centered on Transit-Oriented Development opportunities based on proposed alignments identified in the Northwest Connectivity Study for a Bus Rapid Transit station in an area that is poised for redevelopment and reinvestment in the community. The study area has an integral mix of commercial, residential (both multiple and single family dwellings) and transportation facilities for residents. The purpose of the study is to prepare land use and transportation recommendations that are both transit and development oriented.

• Northwest Clayton — $80,000 — The mission of the Northwest Clayton LCI study will be to foster redevelopment and related improvements in the area of Northwest Clayton County that is adjacent to Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. The redevelopment will include an appropriate mix of housing, employment, commercial, recreation, entertainment, education and transportation facilities that are organized in a manner so as to produce a safe, attractive, and functional activity center environment. • Town Center Area (Cobb County) — $75,000 — The Town Center Area has emerged as a regional activity center with its proximity to interstates 75 and 575. The LCI study will take a comprehensive approach to tackle the area’s sprawling atmosphere, congested streets and underutilized land.