Midtown Alliance Capital Improvements Update

The Midtown Alliance's Midtown Cityscapes project is in the midst of creating a pedestrian-friendly community. Midtown Alliance, with the financial support of the Midtown Improvement District (MID), has embarked on a multi-year, $82 million public improvements program for ten major corridors, encompassing more than 25 miles of improvements. The goals of Midtown Cityscapes are to improve sidewalk conditions and traffic flow, add lights and trees, create urban parks and green space, and promote pedestrian usage.

To date the streetscape projects has provided:

• 14 miles of new sidewalks
• 730 new streetlights installed
• 700+ shade trees planted
• 3 new public plazas
• $21 million invested to leverage more than $430 million in public & private funds

Here is an update on Capital Improvements as supplied by the Midtown Alliance.

RECENTLY COMPLETED:

5th Street Bike Connection - A ribbon-cutting event was held on Friday, October 12th in coordination with the City of Atlanta and Georgia Tech. Arguably one of the City of Atlanta’s first NACTO-compliant bicycle amenity projects, this project incorporates a series of bike turn lanes, a new bike pull-off area and cyclist-oriented signal pushbuttons connecting together existing bike lanes on either side of 5th Street at its convergence with West Peachtree Street.

Wireless Traffic Signals – Installation of new wireless traffic signals throughout Midtown has been completed, and, as of last month, the new systems are now fully operational. Made possible by a grant from the Department of Energy, these new communication devices will increase district-wide signal efficiency, improve traffic management and provide a model for more sustainable, lower-energy and lower impact traffic operations throughout Atlanta.

UNDER CONSTRUCTION:

South Midtown Pedestrian and Circulation Improvements – This $4 million multi-faced effort includes:

o Improvements to traffic flow and pedestrian amenities at 12 key intersections along Ponce de Leon, North and Linden Avenues designed to reduce peak-hour vehicular delays and improve circulation patterns. Crews will continue installation of new handicap ramps on North and Linden Avenues throughout October.

o Streetscape Improvements on Ponce de Leon Avenue (Spring Street to Piedmont Avenue) and Peachtree Street (3rd Street to Ponce de Leon Avenue). The project includes new wider sidewalks, new lighting, new street trees, upgraded handicap facilities and a planted gateway median at the intersection of of Ponce/Juniper. Trees and landscaping will be installed during the Fall planting season. Repaving is expected to occur in late November.

o Transformation of the “Fox Triangle” at the intersection of Ponce de Leon Avenue and Peachtree Street into a signature plaza space. The design includes high-quality granite pavers, landscape planters, trees, seating areas, and a reinvigorated memorial to Atlanta’s 19th Century Streetcar system.

10th Street Streetscape (Williams Street to Piedmont Avenue) – The overall project includes installation of new sidewalks, street trees, pedestrian lighting and handicap upgrades. Crews are currently working on the south side of 10th Street near the MARTA Midtown Station and will continue west through October and November. Street repaving/restriping is anticipated towards the end of the year.

Peachtree Paver Repair/Replacement – As a result to wear on pavers along Peachtree Street due to high pedestrian activity, retail loading, and various utility work along our most busy street, Midtown Alliance has hired contractors to repair these areas between 3rd and 10th Streets. Repairs will also be made to driveways and handicap ramps in this area over the next two months.

Peachtree Street, Phase III (Peachtree Circle to Peachtree Street bridge) – After being on hold due to utility issues, this project is started up again a few weeks ago. This project includes relocating Peachtree Street’s overhead utility lines underground between Peachtree Circle and the I-85 Bridge. Crews are currently working near the intersection of Peachtree Circle. We hope to conclude this work in early 2013.

Midtown Regional Traffic Operations Program – Through a partnership between the Midtown Alliance, the City of Atlanta and the Georgia Department of Transportation, this effort will implement a signal management and timing plan for the 96 signals in the Midtown network. Made possible by a grant of $1 million per year for three years, the project allows for on-call response to traffic operations issues, signal repair, replacement of communications equipment, and implementation of timing strategies.

“Pop-Up” Pocket Park at the Margaret Mitchell House – Building upon the successes of our first “Pop-Up Park” on West Peachtree Street, Midtown Alliance has been working with The Atlanta History Center on plans to transform the “front yard” of this treasured Midtown landmark into a pocket park that includes new shaded seating areas, lighting and landscaping. Check back for more announcements next month.

STILL TO COME:

Spring Street – Spring Street will receive over $1.9 million of grant funding as part of ARC’s Last Mile Connectivity Program. The funding will go towards Phase I of the project between Peachtree and 17th Streets, including pedestrian upgrades to the currently dangerous intersection at the Buford Highway ramp. The overall project includes a lane reduction, wider sidewalks, handicap upgrades, street trees and pedestrian lighting.

District-wide Pedestrian Safety Improvements – This project was also just awarded over $1.4 million as part of ARC’s Last Mile Connectivity Program. The effort includes district-wide improvements to promote walkability, pedestrian safety and overall connectivity, including seven new traffic signals, new sidewalks and two-way conversion of key east-west streets.

Juniper Street – Juniper’s transformation into Midtown’s signature “green street” is funded with construction planned to start in late 2013. Last year it was announced that the project would receive a $3.4 million construction grant from the Atlanta Regional Commission. Embracing the principles of Greenprint Midtown, the project will implement a buffered dedicated bike lane, new sidewalks, lighting and sustainable stormwater improvements to the entire corridor between 14th Street and Ponce de Leon Avenue.

10th Street Bridge – As one of the first implementation projects of the Atlanta Connector Project that was completed last year, Midtown and its design teams are working with the Georgia Department of Transportation to explore various pedestrian and bicycle enhancements to the bridge.
Completed in 2012:

“Pop-Up” Pocket Park at 18th/West Peachtree – In coordination with Jamestown Properties, the Midtown Alliance completed design and construction of a new pocket park across the street from John Marshall Law School at the intersection of 18th and West Peachtree Streets.

14th Street / Crescent Avenue Streetscapes – Completed in early 2012, this effort included new, wider sidewalks, new street trees, new pedestrian lighting, overhead utility relocation, a new bike lane, and street repaving/restriping. The intersection of 14th Street and Piedmont Avenue was also transformed by adding new pedestrian/handicap facilities and installing traffic-calming bollards and medians. Crescent Avenue was also overhauled by installing new parking “bulb-outs”, crosswalks, sidewalks, trees and lights as well as repairing stormwater issues and repaving/restriping the roadway.

West Peachtree Streetscape, Phase II – Completed in Spring 2012, the stretch between 14th and Peachtree Streets was transformed with new wider sidewalks, added street trees and lights, new seating areas, and upgraded handicap facilities. Key overhead utilities were also relocated underground.

If you have further questions or concerns during this period of construction, contact Shannon Powell of Midtown Alliance at 404-809-2121 or shannon@midtownalliance.org.