September 29 Atlanta Mayoral Forum
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Atlanta BeltLine: Parks, Historic Resources, and Transportation
Please join leaders of the Atlanta Preservation Center, Citizens for Progressive Transit, Park Pride, and PEDS on September 29 for a conversation with Atlanta mayoral candidates Lisa Borders, Mary Norwood, Kasim Reed
and Jesse Spikes about issues related to the Atlanta BeltLine.
Moderated by former City Council President Cathy Woolard, this forum is a
great opportunity to hear the candidates' views on walkability,
transit, historic preservation, park space and the BeltLine project. Tuesday, September 29
6:00 - 8:00 pm
All Saints Episcopal Church
634 W. Peachtree St. NW, Atlanta
View Map
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10th Annual Golden Shoe Awards
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 Reminder: Sept 15 Nomination Deadline
The deadline for submitting nominations for PEDS' Golden Shoe Award Competition is approaching. Nomination forms, which can be submitted via email,
must be received in PEDS' office by Tuesday, September 15.
Download the nomination form. (Word) (PDF)
Mark Your Calendar: Nov 10 Awards Celebration
The Golden Shoe Awards Celebration has been rescheduled for Wednesday, November 10 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Meet the people making metro Atlanta walkable. Buy tickets online. Become a new PEDS Member and receive one free ticket. |
Atlanta Public Works Takes Action on Accessibility
| Federal Intervention Prompts City to Inventory Missing Curb Ramps
A random inspection of Atlanta buildings and parks by the U.S. Justice Department, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported recently, found hundreds of violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act. PEDS isn't surprised, since we've warned City officials about curb ramp and sidewalk violations repeatedly.
PEDS President Sally Flocks met with Public Works Commissioner Joe Basista and Deputy Commissioner Sandra Jennings to discuss the impact of the settlement on the City's sidewalk and street resurfacing programs. Jennings reported that the City has inventoried all streets that have been resurfaced since January 1992 and that it plans to install curb ramps at all intersections that lack them. These streets will also be prioritized for sidewalk repairs once funding becomes available.
Local, Regional and State Agencies Seek Training
Together with PEDS' advocacy, federal intervention at the local and state level also raised awareness of the need for additional training. Eleven representatives of Atlanta's Public Works Department, including Commissioner Basista, plan to attend PEDS' Designing Pedestrian Facilities for Accessibility workshops next week.
We also expect a strong turnout by representatives of the Atlanta Regional Commission, Georgia Department of Transportation, Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas and Fulton counties, the cities of Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton, Peachtree City, Roswell and Sandy Springs, and numerous private firms. Several spaces remain open in the September 17 workshop. Register to attend here.
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Suwannee Installs Georgia's First HAWK Signal
|  PEDS applauds the City of Suwanee for installing Georgia's first HAWK signal -- a pedestrian-activated red light -- at a busy Buford Highway crosswalk. HAWK stands for High-intensity Activated crossWalK. PEDS has been pushing transportation departments to use these for years. This 11-Alive News video explains how they work.
HAWK signals are ideal for crosswalks on multi-lane, high-speed roads at locations that are not controlled by traffic signals or stop signs. PEDS thanks Suwanee for taking the lead on implementing this technology. Suwanee's proactive steps toward becoming a walkable city have helped make it one of CNN Money's "Best Places to Live."
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Mayoral Candidates Talk about Green Transportation
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At the Green Transportation forum PEDS co-sponsored earlier this month, questions from moderator Maria Saporta prompted replies that shed considerable light on mayoral candidates' lifestyles -- including their limited experience walking, bicycling, and riding MARTA in Atlanta. Check out Jeanne Bonner's blog.
Sally Flocks asked candidates how they would address the City's estimated $79 million backlog of broken sidewalks. Lisa Borders recommended implementing a "revolving fund," which could be kicked off with remaining Quality of Life bond funds. Mary Norwood preferred passing a new Quality of Life bond referendum. Kasim Reed said he wouldn't focus on sidewalk repairs during his first two years in office. Jesse Spikes believes the City needs to get its financial house in order before taking on new challenges.
The September 29 forum about the Atlanta BeltLine provides a great opportunity to follow up with more questions about funding, connectivity, pedestrian-friendly land use, and other issues. |
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Support PEDS!
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We can't stress enough how much your support means to us, especially in this tough economy. If you haven't done so already, please make a donation or renew your membership with PEDS. Your support fuels our efforts to make metro Atlanta communities, safe, inviting, and accessible for pedestrians.
Not yet a member? Join today
and add your voice to the hundreds of metro Atlantans who look to PEDS to make communities in metro Atlanta safer, more enjoyable places to walk.
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