Nine metro Atlanta governments will split $1.6 million in grants to plan for sidewalks, trails and other improvements.
On Thursday the Atlanta Regional Commission announced the Livable Centers Initiative grants to foster “more walkable, connected places.”
“So many of us today want to live and work in dynamic, lively places where you can walk or bike to get your errands done, grab a meal, or visit with friends,’ ARC Executive Director Doug Hooker said in announcing the grants. “These investments will help foster these kinds of spaces throughout metro Atlanta.”
The grant recipients include:
*Gwinnett County ($400,000). The county and three community improvement districts will the money study bus rapid transit service connecting Jimmy Carter Boulevard to Sugarloaf Parkway.
* Aerotropolis Atlanta Community Improvement Districts ($350,000). The district and several cities will continue the work of the Aerotropolis Greenway Plan by developing concepts to implement “model miles.”
*Alpharetta ($150,000). The city will study connecting the Alpha Loop Trail to the Big Creek Greenway with linkages to the planned North Point bus rapid transit station.
*Town Center Community Improvement District ($150,000). This district will study a walkable entertainment area along the Chastain Road corridor, including consideration of multi-use trail connections, alternative transportation opportunities, traffic calming, last mile connectivity and sense of place.
*Peachtree City ($128,000). The will update its LCI plan to study the potential redevelopment of the City Hall area and nearby Aberdeen Village commercial district into more walkable, connected places.
*Little Five Points Community Improvement District ($100,000). The district and Atlanta will develop a plan to redesign Euclid Avenue from Austin Avenue to Moreland Avenue, focusing on pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, wayfinding, greenspace and green infrastructure, technology-based parking management and other smart city technologies.
*Auburn ($96,000). The city will create a blueprint for development within its downtown area to attract new jobs and residents.
*Dallas ($96,000). This city will establish new goals for downtown and ensure that development regulations are aligned with its LCI plan.
*Northlake Tucker Community Improvement District ($80,000). The district will focus on recreating the historic grid in downtown Tucker by prioritizing segments necessary to complete the grid, examining possible funding strategies and addressing potential zoning issues.
*Sugar Hill ($70,000). The city will design an extension of the Sugar Hill Greenway and study the feasibility of a crossing over Ga. 20 to improve connections from residential areas to the city’s downtown. Sugar Hill will also examine pedestrian safety along the highway.
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