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Moreland Corridor Implementation Task Force
Meeting Minutes
Saturday, November 11, 2006
Work Session at Little Five Points Community Center
Download the minutes here David Green
Don Bender
Walter Brown
Walt Weimar
Jay Tribby
Conne Ward-Cameron
Garry Long, ONE
Flor Velarde
Heather Alhadaff
Megan Holder, IPNA Rep
Jim McMahel
Jay Varner, Chair of Transportation Committee for RCIL Overview and Introduce
Moreland/Ponce Study was officially Adopted on August 2005 – CDP – summarized in CDP. Available on the web at http://www.atlantaga.gov/government/planning/ponce_moreland_home.aspx
Flor Verlarde stated that she has submitted the study to ARC for “grandfathering” but that we missed this year’s deadline for applying to ARC for LCI funds. Task Force may wish to contact Tom Weyandt to discuss process since the group’s expectation was that this should have already taken place a year ago. Brad Calvert at ARC is the City’s contact on this process.(404-463-3309)(Tom Weyandt, Rob Labeau, and Dan Reuter run the LCI program)
- What funding opportunities are out there?
- Quality of Life Funds ($165,000 for north of Moreland)is in the 3rd Bond issue that is available next July, 07. Our committee may want to lobby for better allocation of the 3rd round Bond issue, or “pick-up” of QOL funds currently at risk of lapsing.
- Traffic Impact Fees ($4,000,000 citywide)
- Intersection Improvements in little Five Points may already be in the works
- LCI funding could be available once study is “grandfathered”
- Fast Forward Program at DOT for signal coordination
- TIF through ARC
- What public works projects are in progress?
- $Approximately $53,000 may already be in place for Ponce/Moreland Intersection improvements. Can Conne check on this status with Heather?
- A traffic count in Little Five Points is currently in process. What does that mean?
- Project Types. Heather broke the 54 projects into the following categories:
- Street Scapes/Economic Development
- Operational Projects
- Ped/Bike Improvements
Priority Projects
We divided the corridor into 8 sectors (A-H):
A- Ponce at Moreland
B- North at Moreland
C- Mansfield to McLendon
D- McLendon to Dekalb Bridge
E- Dekalb Bridge to Brantley
F- Brantley to Arkwright
G- Arkwright/Memorial Dr.
H- I-20 interchange
Once the areas were identified, they were ranked by the group. Next, we ranked the 54 projects in to high, medium, or low classification and it was generally felt that street scape improvements by themselves were the lowest ranking since the main issues are operational. I have not included the sub-project rankings since Heather and Flor have that data – and hopefully they will send out a spreadsheet of the sub-rankdings.
Here are the highlights of how we ranked projects - C, Mansfield to McLendon was seen as the top priority for immediate design and funding. Don Bender is already working with URS on a plan and has a preliminary one ready. The mid-block traffic light and ped crosswalk (MT-14) in LFPts may be underway (David Green saw traffic count being taken at that point). Can Heather check on this?
- D, McLendon to Dekalb Bridge. This area is seen as the most expensive yet most important are for physical changes. Jug handle area needs lots of study/work to formulate its transformation but a new traffic light at Austin and Moreland plus reduction to four lanes of traffic from there to McLendon were seen as the 2nd highest priority after the Mansfield to McLendon sector. David Green suggested this area could be stripped sooner than later to test lane lane reductions and possible bike lanes. Also, the deck road extension from LFPts to Moreland needs to be included in this area.
- F, Brantley to Arkwright, This area is seen as an important and easy place to implement to study’s recommendations for removal of the 5th lane to be
- A, Ponce at Moreland – signal change to allow southbound traffic to clear with left bound turn lane - $20,000
- B, North at Moreland (left turn control only?) This whole intersection needs further study but group felt that preventing north bound left turns onto North Ave. during peak traffic should be implemented now.
- E, Dekalb to Brantley. This area was seen as the most likely candidate for LCI funding and is sesen as very important for achieving the promises of better ped/transit access from the Reynoldstown MARTA station to the Edgewood Retail District.
- G, Arkwright to I-20, This area needs serious re-working with the closing of the slip lane at Arkwright, curb cut controls, and better ped crossings past on-ramps, and other considerations.
- H, I-20 interchange, This area is seen as problematic and costly and likely to required heavy lifting with DOT to get changes that are needed. This may be an are for discussion with Carla Smith and SouthStar to see if they want to pick this up with their larger funding allocation.
Other Corridor Wide Projects - Work with MARTA to created required transit stops that are less frequently spaced with shelters. Better MARTA signage. Getting the #48 bus to continue north of Dekalb. Make permanent the extension of the Proctor Creek Train to Inman Park Station from King, etc.
- Green Time (fast forward program) could move forward now. There is state funding available. It was suggested that Walter check with DOT on this. I will check with the District 7 Chief Engineer Mike Lubdell to see status and input we may give.
- Signage program – O&M funding is available for this type of program. Heather will look in to this funding.
- Light at Hurt Street was seen as part of traffic calming and may need to be looked at when the Jug-Handle work is underway as part of traffic rounting.
Next Steps - Find More Funding Now and see what projects are already being funded within the City or DOT
- Send someone to November 14th mtg. 6:00 – 9:00 pm for funding priority – Traffic count funding and travel demand software, truck route study
- Start Design Process - Dec. 16th or 9th. (6 to 7 folks)with David Green.
- Work with Heather on establishing priorities selected by the committee.
- I would propose that we also keep our neighborhoods posted on our progress on some frequency.
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