The Town Center Community Improvement District (CID) has been awarded $160,000 from Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) through the Livable Community Initiative (LCI) grant to conduct an operational study of Bells Ferry Road from Chastain Road to Barrett Parkway. This grant includes a 20% match that is being met by the Town Center CID making the total investment $200,000. As a boundary road for the district, this corridor serves consistent vehicular travel daily. The goal for this study is to fully understand the operational movements along Bells Ferry Road, which could include but is not limited to, vehicular travel, pedestrian and bicycle movement, influence of the Noonday Creek Trail and Trailhead. It could also include the impact of traffic from the Managed Lanes and Big Shanty Road on the corridor and retail, residential and elementary school movements. In addition, the study will evaluate what recommendations may align with future County improvements including a bridge renovation and regional trail extension.
With this information, the final report would provide a list of potential solutions to relieve the traffic in the area with the least amount of impact to the surrounding community along with a preliminary concept design and cost estimates. This particular corridor has never been studied by the CID and the growth of the area has prompted a more in-depth look at its function.
“We are proud of our continued partnership with the Atlanta Regional Commission to study and improve the infrastructure and quality of life for the Town Center community. We are grateful to ARC and Cobb County for their support of this project that focuses on the eastside of our district,” states Tracy Rathbone Styf, executive director of the Town Center CID.
The project will be advertised for bid this summer with expectations for award in early fall.
The Town Center CID conducts studies regularly and all current studies can be found on the website at http://www.towncentercid.com/vision/studies/.
About the Town Center CID
Founded in 1997, the Town CID is dedicated to the betterment of the Town Center area through transportation infrastructure, safety improvements, beautification and other projects that enhance property value by increasing interest and investment in the community. The Town Center CID utilizes funds from voluntary commercial real estate taxes to implement its projects. For more information, please visit www.towncentercid.com.
About the Livable Centers Initiative
Created as a way to reduce vehicle miles traveled and improve air quality, ARC’s Livable Centers Initiative (LCI) is a grant program that incentivizes local jurisdictions to re-envision their communities as vibrant, walkable places that increase mobility options, encourage healthy lifestyles and provide easy access to jobs and services.
LCI program goals include:
- Providing access to a variety of travel modes including transit, roadways, walking and biking
- Encouraging mixed-income residential neighborhoods, employment, shopping and recreation options
- Developing an outreach process that promotes the involvement of all stakeholders
To learn more about the LCI program and the impact it has had on the Atlanta region, visit atlantaregional.com/lci.
About the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC)
The ARC is the official planning agency for the 10-county Atlanta Region, including Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Dekalb, Douglas, Fayette, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, and Rockdale counties as well as the City of Atlanta and 73 other cities. The ARC serves as a catalyst for regional progress by focusing leadership, attention and planning resources on key regional issues.
