Decatur’s commission last month approved hiring a consultant to produce design documents for improvements on West Howard Avenue, from North McDonough Street west to the city limits at Paden Circle. A public information session for residents to share thoughts and ideas is 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Atlanta Friends Meeting, 701 West Howard in Decatur.
The city is examining ways to re-fashion that one-mile stretch including the use of public art, landscaping, street furniture, lighting and programming. Primarily this is intended to make the road safer and more accessible for cyclists and pedestrians.
Senior Engineer Michelle Hirose said the project could include a road diet, but that hasn’t yet been determined.
She added that this doesn’t include rebuilding the unwieldy intersection at Atlanta Avenue, which spans Howard to College Avenue and Olympic Place, and includes crossing railroad tracks. That involves collaboration with the Department of Transportation (College is a state highway) and would require a separate project.
After the meeting residents can send suggestions and comments to Michelle.Hirose@decaturga.com through June 9. There will be a second community meeting on June 20, and Hirose said the city hopes to begin implementing the plan in August/September.
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