Tune in to PEDS this Sunday at 8:30 a.m.
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106.7 FM's "True Report" focuses on neighborhood speeding
and pedestrian rights.
Tune in this Sunday morning as Governor's Office of Highway Safety Director Bob
Dallas joins PEDS President Sally Flocks and Director of Community Education
Michael Orta to talk about what people can do to increase pedestrian
safety.
Radio broadcasts are a great way to reach motorists. We're seeking opportunities to participate in talk radio shows, so expect to hear from us more and more in the year ahead. |
Atlanta Considers Legalizing Sidewalk Cafes
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PEDS ensures sidewalk cafe ordinance leaves room for walking.
 Sidewalk cafes add character and vitality to streetscapes. They also add to the fabric of neighborhoods, something that is unique to urban areas.
Yet in the City of Atlanta, sidewalk cafes are currently illegal. To remedy that, proposed legislation sets standards for sidewalk cafes and establishes permitting procedures.
Thanks to your support, PEDS President Sally Flocks was able to participate in numerous stakeholders meetings. She convinced city planners that a six foot pedestrian zone--an area without tables, chairs, utility poles, or other obstructions--should be required on most streets.
In some locations where popular sidewalk cafes already exist, the sidewalk is not wide enough to accommodate both a cafe and a six-foot clear zone. Variances allowing a four foot clear area will be available, but only in locations where Neighborhood Planning Units request them.
Please ask your Neighborhood Planning Unit to keep four foot through zones few and far between. Two people walking side by side take up over four and a half feet, which means people will have to walk single file in locations with four foot clear zones. Narrow through zones would be dangerous and unpleasant next to streets with high speed traffic.
City Council committees will consider the proposed ordinance in January 2009.
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Atlanta's Non-functioning Sidewalk Ordinance
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Public Works recognizes need to fund sidewalk maintenance.
 The Atlanta City Code makes property owners responsible for repairing sidewalks. The law authorizes Public Works to condemn broken sidewalks, make repairs, and bill property owners for the cost.
In September 2004, Public Works launched a program aimed at educating property owners about their responsibility to fix broken sidewalks. During the four years that followed, the City collected just $200,000 from property owners for sidewalks repairs. At that rate, it would take 1,600 years to repair the $80 million backlog of broken sidewalks in Atlanta!
Fortunately, Mayor Shirley Franklin and Public Works Commissioner Joe Basista recognize the need to use public funds to repair sidewalks. The "State of the City's Infrastructure" report presented to the Atlanta City Council recently identifies a $750 million backlog of existing infrastructure maintenance, including $79 million for replacing defective sidewalks. The report recommends a $250 bond referendum in 2009, which would include $34 million for replacing defective sidewalks and curb ramps. Mayor Franklin also recommended that the proposed federal economic stimulus package include $50 million for replacement of defective sidewalks.
PEDS encourages you to let your city council representative know that you support public funding for sidewalk maintenance. The current program--in which the city relies on property owners to manage maintenance--is as busted as the city's sidewalks. |
Be there: PEDS Members Party Jan 27
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Slice, a terrific pizza restaurant and bar in downtown Atlanta,
is hosting our 2009 annual meeting.
PEDS' Pizza Partyfor members and friendsJanuary 27, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.85 Poplar StreetJoin us to provide feedback on our priorities for 2009,
meet PEDS' leaders and elect new board members and officers.
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