After brief social time, 2007 President Whitney Rusert welcomed approximately 65 people. Thank you to Nadia Rahali and The Loudermilk Center for the space and great food!

Businesses applying for new or existing change of ownership licenses:

• Creative Presence Partners, Inc. (Jeff Morford), "NCAA Big Dance Event." Parking lot on Centennial Park Drive between Luckie Street and Andrew Young International Blvd. (New license.)

Transportation Symposium Speakers

Beltline Partnership
Rob Brawner, Senior Project Manager Beltline Partnership; Member, Steering committee of the Downtown Connector

Rob explained the concept of the Beltline as an initiative to connect neighborhoods by creating new greenspace. The Beltline Partnership has been busy acquiring properties such as the 200 acre property that will become Westside park. There are an estimated 50 other projects currently occurring in areas adjacent to the Beltline, with an estimated vale of $1.5B. Next steps for the project include engineering studies to determine the most feasible path. The project is expected to be in the planning stages for five years, moving into construction in year 6.

MARTA
Ryland Mclendon, Acting Director of the Office of Transit System Planning - Department of Planning

Ryland explained that the Beltline is one of MARTA’s biggest current priorities. Beyond this project, MARTA is considering three other possible corridors for expansion: (1) I-20 East for bus rapid transit (BRT); (2) I-20 West for BRT; and (3) the “C loop” or Clifton Corridor. These are in various stages of the federal process. Surveying indicates that consumers prefer rail to BRT. The MARTA stations that will connect to the Beltline include Lindberg, Inman Park Reynolds, West End, Ashby. MARTA is also considering heavy rail into Gwinnett county. Infill stations are also being considered, but planning decisions are currently driven by issues of ridership and engineering constraints. MARTA has also been working with CAP on the Downtown Circulator/DASH, due to disappointing success of the Tourist Loop.

Georgia Brain Train
Paul Snyder, Account supervisor with the public relations firm of A. Brown-Olmstead Associates

Paul explained the intent of the Brain Train is to connect Downtown Atlanta, Gwinnet and Athens and to relieve traffic congestion. The project will be heavy commuter rail from outside the cities, seeking to connect universities initially. Support for the project exceeds 70% in Gwinnet and other locations. There are 12 proposed stops, with Athens already having built a multi-modal station that could connect to the Brain Train. Comparable projects across the country have been successful. The cost of the project is expected to be $400M and above. Benefits to Atlanta include the multi-modal station in downtown and congestion relief.

Atlanta Streetcar
Mike Williams Owner, Making Projects Work Consulting

Mike explained that the Atlanta Streetcar project is comparable to the Portland Street Car, and is intended to help passengers finish their trip home, picking up where MARTA currently leaves off. A 2003 feasibility study proposed the Peachtree Corridor with 44 stops. The project would cross the Beltline in two areas (West End and Piedmont). Costs would be $400M and above. The Mayor’s Task Force will recommend the project as key to revamping the Peachtree Corridor.

CAP’s Transportation Management Authority (TMA)
Angie Laurie, Director of CAP’s Downtown Transportation Management Association

Angie explained that the CAP TMA promotes options for how people get to work each day by working with employers and employees in the downtown area. The TMA has various programs designed to first attract and then retain commuters, ultimately pulling more cars off the streets downtown. Such programs include initiatives like the Commuter Rewards Program, which utilizes financial incentives to boost participation. CAP also has a Parking Demand Management Action Plan currently.

Flexcar
Liz Wattenberg

Liz explained that FlexCar looks at all 24,000 downtown residents as potential members. There are currently 41 FlexCars in Atlanta, including various types of vehicles (trucks and Mini-Coopers, for example), and another 14 will be added soon. FlexCar members can use the service hourly or daily. Rates include gas and insurance, and there are currently promotional offers waiving sign-up fees. Every FlexCar shared replaces 15 individual vehicles.

Q & A for panel

Speakers answered questions from the audience.

Calendar Dates:

• No Happy Hour this month. (Your opportunity to do reconnaissance for the HH Committee!)
• Next Festival Committee Meeting, Tuesday, Feb 20 at 7pm at The Metropolitan, in the basement vault
• Next ADNA (business) meeting Tuesday, March 13, 6:30pm at the Fulton County Downtown Library