March 17, 2003
Which of the above issues do you feel are most urgent (need to be addressed first)?
J - because our neighborhood is the only intact urban neighborhood in the City of Atlanta. Live in close proximity to neighbors causing sympathetic attitude.
Develop neighborhood signage ordinance.
Enhancing walkability and parks & greenspace.
Provide more transportation alternatives. Not huge buses. 198 come through a day.
Crime and walkability are issues that go together
E - Greater mix of uses. No professional services. Opportunities with GA Ave. and the perimeter of the neighborhoods.
E - Industrial Sites.
Crime is getting better. Police posted in the park for safety.
Park clean up
B. lead to E., H., C and F (top choices)
Information sharing and education on what to do to reduce crime.
Getting the trash cans under control before spring
Greater mix of uses, lacked for 20 years
Longer working hours of retail
Live in close proximity to neighbors causing
Redev. has helped reduce crime.
Safety/reducing crime
Retaining mixed income - to have different voices in the neighborhood making decisions.
E. lead to B, C. (Needing more services and making neighborhood walkable)
Property taxes don't give us enough police protection
Each house shouldn’t have to pay money for extra security
Difficult implementation of land use plan
Daytime is a major time for petty theft, night time is for car burglary.
Enhancing green/walkable space can contribute to reducing crime
Commercial Development Opportunities 1. Ga Ave. 2. Memorial Dr. 3. Glenwood Connector
D. Infill Development affects all other design-related features within the area
Only certain blocks can participate
Not a lot of free land for higher density infill, but duplex and up would be good
Disparity of street lighting throughout the neighborhood
Crime is improving and is believed to be better than in other communities.
Scattered affordable housing would be better than open area
Greater mix of land uses helps everything
Combination solution, Oakland Cemetary as entry to GP
Make the neighborhood more walkable
Is street lighting an issue. Lighting could be improved, though.
Fix the sidewalks
More lighting on the street
Decorative lighting. Lighting in Park could be brighter, esp. lots.
The petty daytime stuff will be taken care of
It feels like there is a gap between values going up and this should not be the time for high gentrification
Enforce urban design guidelines
H. is key. Crime is keeping business out and there is a perception that Grant Park is a high crime area
Don't have authority to enforce design guidelines
Interest in retaining mixed income housing. Variation and diversity keep a community growing. remains interesting.
Allocation of police resources in Zone 3 is not seen as equitable
More police patrols
Higher end communities have less street life.
More police patrols
Trans corridor using Grant St, alternate fuel vehicles--alt to trolley, connect to rail loop
Realistically the "boat has been missed" in affordable housing
E. is important in appropriate locations to prevent negative impacts on neighbor
Disparity of street lighting throughout neighborhood
Mix of services - shops close by, services available in walking distance. Especially the Memorial corridor because zoned commercial. Mixed use development. Improvement in the schools and the school system.
More visible police patrols
Creative design will help get affordable housing into the area
Taxes make preserving income dist. difficult.
Enforcement of building code regulations to get ride of some of the trash (couches, sinks, construction debris)
Canopy over overpass
Minimum req. for affordable housing std.
Construction debris left on the curb - not being picked up
Neighborhood still needs to be veh usable
Some parts feel more secure than others - Oakland feels safer
No code enforcement to prevent renovation debris from being left outside
Walkablity in regards to fresh produce and coffee type retail
The park!! Going back to the 50s and 60s when "on the brink", the park and zoo kept the amenity in the area
Area is surrounded by poorer areas
Having a greater connection to MARTA
Auto lien placed if the city has to pick-up const. debris
Using the park and cem. as destination
Still have to make sure alarms are set
Development of destinations within the park
Property tax relief is important. People already there should be able to keep their homes.
Safety has gotten much better over the past 10 years
Commercial services, particularly a place to buy food
Streetscape Boulevard and add improvements, convert to three-lane (turn lane in middle). Add bike paths.
Income tax relief trigger legis. in the works.
Rehabing sidewalks, having contiguous sidewalks
Retain mixed income within the area--b/c the neighborhood association doesn't have broad participation from mixed income residents--bringing dif. groups of people on board
Sidewalk repairs, retaining walls, curb repairs - elderly can't afford or coordinate it - city program to help out those who can't afford to do these improvements
Commercial est. are very important. Grocery store. There is not one.
Masterplan for coordination of all ideas, with strong land use connection
Retaining the mixed-income character of the neighborhood - need to get ahead before out-pricing the area. Maintain the diversity of the people in the community. Greater mix of uses
Incremental green space (small amounts, pocket parks, planting strips
Social aspects of shopping. Interaction while shopping.
The populace has gotten more transient so people don't know their neighbors
Connecting neighborhood with the rest of Atlanta with bike trails
Make streets safer going to MLK Center
Find a way to get a small scale grocery in the area.
Encouraging appropriate infill, vulnerable resource within the community
Mixed uses - make the area more walkable, comes with the improvements in mixed use development
Pervious surface between curb and private property - tree preservation assistance
Some streets have created their own neighborhood watches (informal) to respond to crime
Trees along the curb don't have enough root space
Favorite things are walking to Grant Central and walking to restaurant.
Other issue: use revenue from outsiders, put back into park
Lack of pronounced boundaries, have definite boundaries to neighborhood
Slow the traffic down. All interior residential streets should be 15 mph.
Getting new business owners to feel comfortable in the neighborhood.
Enhancing the role of schools - concern for the quality of schools -- King Middle School
Preserving the diversity of the neighborhood, many improvements compliment one another.
Suggests leaving porch light on all day and night as a crime deterrent
Traffic laws enforced at Boulevard and Glenwood - turning movements
King Middle School’s poor quality is forcing families with kids to leave when older
Traffic signals should be coordinated throughout the whole country
Schools need to be an anchor for the neighborhood
Would not like to see big chains in Grant Park.
Community area should be developed with icon for identification
CVS has a lot of crime at that est.
Use park as focal point of redev
The Parks - the relationship of the neighborhood to the park resemble each other
Parks create a good perception and perception is what keeps an area alive
Keep historic district design with dev of commercial space
More lighting in park, in keeping with historic
Park lighting like Ren Park
Alley - whether they are public or private - maintenance - resolve the issue so that they are maintained properly
Memorial drive area has potential for commercial.
Investment in the park by the local area leads to more investment by owners in property or more people want to move in
Mem. Drive bldgs are selling. is an entrance to the community. Good traffic and is changing.
Historic Districts across the country that have a polished park are leaders
Good to have a place to stop on the way home.
Group feels that it is a new day at city hall understanding the necessity of the park but need $$
CVS is not connected to other commercial space-->people loiter, crime and pan handling.
Piedmont Park conservancy model between residents and city would be good
Item g seems to be a way to achieve other issues
Drugstore is not a welcoming place. Too much brick and no glass.
Idea of design guidelines is not clear, but commercial guidelines are more important than individual properties.
Little places in the community are more important than in outlying area.
The park needs to be a managed facility - it is a TOURIST ATTRACTION
Bringing a better retail mix to the neighborhood
Zoning issues that fit the notions of the neighborhood ideals.
Areas seems to be getting more suburban - people don't know their neighbors
Commercial / business development - see useful businesses (mix) restaurants & novelty
Grant Street should be more like San Francisco using alternative fuel vehicles, and more pedestrian friendly.
Control the traffic, boom boxes, noise enforcement
Identify anchor businesses on the corners of Memorial and Boulevard
Placing better operations and patrols in the park right now to protect the resource
Grant Park is designed as a pedestrian park and should remain so
High property [taxes] encourages housing and condos, but doesn't offer services
Vacant lots that are overgrown - nobody claims them and they continue to be overgrown
Cherokee - S. on Memorial before I-20 - left hand apt. complex, fits in with the single family homes, good example of mixed use. Behind the Orthodox Church high-density unit mixed in, they are nicely mixed into the community. Balance between rentals & owned
Team needs to also be aware of master plan for Memorial Dr
Focusing on commercial and industrial zone--having a positive impact on neighborhood
Vacant property - Kalb Street - needs to be dealt with
Group wants to see action from the plan (formally approved or from this week) is actually implemented quickly
Schools - great schools enhance the neighborhood value
New development needs to blend in with the neighborhood.
Coalition with neighboring groups make NPU stronger
Traffic on Boulevard - it is dangerous without barrier between sidewalk and street
Feel the need for more in-neighborhood service areas - small store, doctor's office, etc.
Traffic through Grant Park is terrible, esp. truck traffic.
Boulevard Ave dev. traffic control
Boulevard needs traffic calming
Want to keep development in the same style and feel of the existing/historic structures
Need alternative truck routes. Trucks destroying trees. Noise and pollution.
The team should look at the park - pond redevelopment?
Adopt "cool community" guidelines
Atlanta Ave. , Boulevard, truck traffic.
Ban billboards
Cherokee and Sidney are fast streets.
Maintain development that encourages income diversity
Need for traffic calming.
Who can you call about commercial truck traffic?
Cruising has decreased. No cruising ordinance and sign appeared and traffic has decreased.
Cruising is troublesome in the summer.
Park is not supposed to be used for large events/festivals
Speed bumps and stop signs.
Festivals don't enforce the rules of the park
Property taxes
Sidewalks and storm drains needed!
Trash covered sidewalks. Pick issues.
Street maintenance (potholes) needs to be increased.
Sidewalks are dangerous - example Pavilion St off Cherokee - stretch does not exist
Special trash pickup is not recognized yet.
Sidewalks - garbage trucks are cutting corners and rutting sidewalks
Cannot walk on the sidewalks--broken, trash.
Trashmen dump trash on street.
The infill and development potential along the Memorial Drive Corridor
Storm drains need to be cleaned out. People rake leaves into gutter.
Memorial Drive has opportunity for viable business - 6 Ft Under & Ria's
Caging to prevent clogging of storm drains.
Taxes and home ins. are high. Not feeling that the services = fees paid.
The bridges over I-20 - make them pedestrian friendly - they are the middle of the neighborhood and they visually disconnect
Street light times crossing Georgia
The light at Hill and the Freeway - example of not accommodating residents
Rather than waiting for people to come in and rent businesses - how to attract
Attractiveness & rehab of the Ga. Ave corridor to Turner Field.
Want the plan to be good and have some teeth to enforce the plan
Parking? There is not enough w/ commercial est.
Retain residential use in interior areas, with commercial areas on exterior
Neighborhood review for commercial dev. and impact.
Development of Grant Park community voice
Parking in front of house is good--sense of community.
Memorial Drive Development --- Mixed use!
Managed approach for the area or a CDC and offer incentives to bring in the right types of mixed use.
Parking Impact studies @ Cherokee and Glenwood
Revitalize retail strip along Georgia Ave. near the stadium.
Traffic -- creating alternative traffic (bike, walk, train)
More inviting route to and from parking to relieve impact on the community (for new and existing bus.)
How can we share the tourist attractions that we have with others without being swamped - off site parking, tram, MARTA linkage, deduct ticket price from transportation, charge a parking fee, encourage people to take MARTA, putting an ad in the paper
Successful bus line, better connections with other transportation options.
Parking on the bridge is possible.
Ambassador Program or police to walk around or bike cops. Need the program Midtown Alliance Blue
Tax Credit for cleaning up your own property
Plan to deal with traffic flow from Glenwood Park development
Reconnecting streets over I-20
Money earned at the park needs to be reinvested in the park
Zoning doesn't seem to control dev pattern properly
Disparity in sidewalk maintenance - owner maintained (some people care, others don't)
What needs to be done to make Grant Park a more desirable place to live?
More affordable housing along Memorial Drive - a good place for infill
Separate recreation and greenspace uses. Parking is an issue for those attending recreation events. Have to pay to park on your own street. Zoo/ picnic activities cause parking nightmare from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Creation of a medium sized Publix or Kroger to shop
Find a spot for good walkable shopping
Grant Park is looked at as place that people want to get to while visiting the zoo, park, etc. It should be looked at as a place where people live and realize that those people need to get to other places in Atlanta.
Would like the zoo to create shuttle service from Turner Stadium parking.
MARTA should allow residents more spaces at MLK station parking.
Vacant lot at MLK station should be zoo, Cyclorama, and park MARTA stop.
Tunnel at MARTA station is very pedestrian UNfriendly. Should create skywalk.
Improving schools
Developing a good middle school
Developing a middle school
Rodent issues, especially in school
Schools are an important component part of the community retentnion
Encourages safety to have commercial and restaurants within neighborhood
High density projects - Mead Street, Fuller Glue Factory, Victory House property, Eagle development / Superior Rigging, Custer Avenue subdivision, Green Street properties - don't want these
Moreland Ave development blockade
The abandonment of properties along Boulevard
Parking that is inappropriate to the area.
Condos across from Glenwood Park are a bad example of new development.
I-20!!
CVS building should have been zero lot line instead of a sea of asphalt in front of commercial building
Too much maintenance of the park - keep it natural looking
The Cove at Grant Park - clear cut the land
Queen's Bottom at Glenwood and I-20
Inappropriate infill development
Bridge over I-20 at Boulevard - they put in truck turn lanes and scared pedestrians
Don't like the town homes at Summerhill, are right at the edge of the sidewalk
Keep the alleys, do not allow them to be built on.
Grant Terrace shows how community housing is integrated in the neighborhood.
No prefab homes
No enforcement of recommendations made to developers - can't enforce the regulations that already exist
Bad fuel station design
Remove loop holes in regulations - ex. in-law suite
Parking lots in front of bldgs
Inconsistency in business hours
Setting up the historic district process - they set up to not get the voices of the people not directly engaged in the neighborhood
Architecture that doesn't fit neighborhood - 465 boulevard - 1960s commercial building
What is going on around ATL - gated communities or portions - NEVER ALLOW!
Prevent modular from coming in - Boulevard and Hansell - out of proportion, bad trim
Auto focused apartments
Commercial establishments do not have the economic support from the residents (not enough shoppers)
The piggy back facility should have never happened
Inappropriate high density
Are there other places you've seen that would be a good model for Grant Park?
Midtown - like the vision
Georgetown, DC - newly developed appreciation for history there.
Chicago - value their parks
Seaside as an example of mixed use development
Ashville, NC - historic district -Munford – it’s cool - homes are impeccable
Madison, GA – it’s a pretty place
Virginia Highlands - commercial areas, parks, street traffic, you can walk in Virginia Highlands
Savannah historic district - off Victory Drive, 19230s and 1940s houses
Don't like Buckhead – commercialized, too, too commercial