ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES
INVOLVING EVERYONE
The Northwest Atlanta Industrial Area is a complex mix of growing residential neighborhoods, active commercial corridors, multiple Community Improvement Districts (CIDs) and Tax Allocation Districts (TADs), and numerous industrial businesses occupying millions of square feet of industrial/flex space. The proximity and mixing of industry with residential and commercial uses can lead to conflicts and concerns over moving goods. This study aims to identify the priorities and needs of all stakeholders and propose ways to improve mobility and safety for everyone. Every voice matters.
PAST ENGAGEMENT
The Project Team has been committed to a participatory and inclusive planning process and developed various opportunities for the community to participate and provide feedback. Below are a few highlights from past events, and more summaries are in the Recommendations Report Appendix A.
October 26, 2022 • 5:00-7:00pm
COMMUNITY POP-UP #1
BANKHEAD MARTA STATION
1335 Donald Lee Hollowell Pkwy
Atlanta, GA 39318
The purpose of Community Pop-Up Events was for the project team to share ideas for potential recommendations, including concept diagrams at three key locations throughout the study area, and to obtain general input and feedback from community members. The idea behind the pop-ups was to meet people where they are – to set up tables at popular locations where people would already be, so that they did not have to take time out of their day to attend a meeting.
November 2, 2022 • 4:00-6:00pm
COMMUNITY POP-UP #2
URBAN TREE CIDERY
1465 Howell Mill Rd NW
Atlanta, GA 30318
The project team coordinated with Atlanta's Department of City Planning's Neighborhood Planning Unit team during this “Corner Conversation” with NPU-D residents.
August 24, 2022 • 10:00am -12:00pm
WALK & TALK TOUR #3
Walk and Talk Tours were designed to provide small group interaction with community members, document their concerns, and meet people where they are, with a focus on trying to reach people and communities that are often left out of transportation planning and decision making. Community members walked alongside project team
members and city staff, and shared observations and feedback about existing conditions, comfort, concerns, and opportunities for safer streets and moving goods.
At the last tour, several businesses in Amour Yards and residents from adjacent neighborhoods walked with Atlanta’s Department of City Planning (DCP) and Atlanta’s Department of Transportation (ATLDOT) staff to share first-hand observations in the industrial district.
August 17, 2022 • 6:00-8:00pm
WALK & TALK TOUR #2
The second Walk and Talk Tour was conducted on Wednesday, August 17, 2022 in the Bolton and Riverside neighborhoods. The focus of this tour was along Bolton Road, between Hollywood Road and Marietta Road. A total of 14 people participated, including residents, project sponsor Council Member Dustin Hillis, representatives of DCP and ATLDOT, and project team members. Berkeley Park, Bolton, and Riverside neighborhoods were represented.
June 22, 2022 • 6:00-7:30pm
VIRTUAL OPEN HOUSE #1
More than 50 people participated in the online open house meeting on Wednesday, June 22, 2022. Participants were able to log on at their convenience between 6:00 and 7:30 PM to review a project overview and participate in breakout sessions on transportation, land use and community development, and economic development and jobs. Participants were able to navigate freely to each breakout session and a project team member remained in the primary virtual room to greet attendees and assist with any technical difficulties. Within each breakout session, project team members facilitated interactive discussions and collected input.
WALK & TALK TOUR #1
June 8, 2022 • 6:00-8:00pm
Residents and business owners in the Blandtown neighborhood area participated in the study’s first Walk and Talk Tour to share their concerns and priorities regarding freight in northwest Atlanta. Together with participants, the project team walked along the Ellsworth Industrial/Old Chattahoochee corridor and documented concerns. Various perspectives, neighborhoods, and organizations were represented including Berkeley Park, Bolton/Riverside, Hills Park, Underwood Hills, NPU-G, and Upper Westside CID.