Moreland Corridor Implementation Task Force

Minutes for Moreland Corridor Improvement Meeting

 

Download minutes here  

 

Attendees
Natalyn Archibong (present)
Kwanza Hall (Jay Tribby attended)
Anne Fauver (present)
Garnett Brown (present)
Don Bender, LFPBA (present)
Walter Brown, FPC (present)
Walt Weimar, CPNO (present)
Tamara Jones, IPNA (invited)
Garry Long, NPU 'O' and ONE (present)
Jay Varner, Reynoldstown  (present)
Scott Pendergrast (MARTA)

 

Minutes        

• Anne Fauver kicked off the meeting and Walter Brown provided the overview and discussed reasons for calling meeting
• Walter Brown, Don Bender, and Garry Long gave brief overviews of current implementation activities including the Freedom Park/Moreland Crosswalk improvement set to begin this summer, and the Little Five Points effort to improve Mansfield/Moreland intersection.
• Garnett Brown indicated that the CDP was updated with the results of the Ponce/Moreland Study last Fall.  Planning Department is currently working on updating the zoning classifications for areas covered by the study – this may take a while depending on whether the categories need to be revised by the mayor’s zoning task force or can be applied under current Quality of Life zoning. 
• Garnett indicated that the LCI qualified Moreland Study had not been grandfathered by ARC yet and that this was something that could be done now.  This was mentioned in the meeting as an immediate priority to qualify for LCI implementation funding round this Fall.  Flore Velarde called Walter and Don after the meeting to say she was focused on getting this step done.
• Garnett Brown indicated that a new Transportation Planner for the City was being hired to push along transportation funding applications and that this person would likely be involved in this project.  It was recommended that Garnett continue to be involved due to his extensive experience in moving such projects along through the city process.  Garnett indicated he would bring Alice Wakefield up to speed on the Moreland Ave. Improvement process.
• Several transportation priorities were discussed including:
  

1. Little Five Points intersection improvements
2. The Moreland/Dekalb Ave. Interchange (jug handles plus six lane “gasoline alley”
   
3. Ped Connection to MARTA
4. Moreland Median South to I-20
5. Dekalb Ave. to Candler Park MARTA station including suicide lane conversion to dedicated turning lanes.    

• Next Steps:

Several next steps were discussed including:

1. Establishment of a Moreland Improvement Committee with official representation of surrounding neighborhoods and NPUS.  Natalyn Archibong agreed to spearhead getting this committee created.  It was suggested that this should include both neighborhood and business association reps and key city staff, plus DOT and MARTA.
• [Recommended groups to include:  CPNO, IPR, ONE, RRC, NPU ‘O’, NPU ‘N’, Poncey-Highland CA, Druid Hills CA, LFPBA, Sembler, EACA, rep from the Memorial Corridor Business Association]
2. Call a meeting of Moreland Taskforce members to meet at City Hall with key city reps (especially including Public Works officials and the new Transportation Planner) to discuss funding opportunities.  Suggested meeting date to be week of July 11th prior to Council recess.
3. Focus in short term should be on the following:

• Funding Design work now so that projects have a better chance to receive implementation funding.  Initial estimate was $100,000 to do complete engineering for improvements from Ponce to I-20.  This may need to be phased with DD prior to CD.
• As part of Design Work, an accurate cost estimate for all improvements should be generated from which priorities and funding sources can be identified.
• LCI Application readiness.  This includes Grandfathering the study and understanding this year’s round requirements.
• Quality of Life Bond Funding should be considered now for ultimate 20% match for federal funds
• Research other Federal/State sources including CMAQ, T-21, TIP, and “earmarked” funds. 

There being no more questions or discussion, Natalyn Archibong concluded the meeting and agreed to help move the process to the next level.  Jay Tribby also agreed to assist with logistics of pulling committee together and getting city staff buy-in.