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Below
are minutes for the March 14, 2006, meeting of the Atlanta
Downtown Neighborhood Association, which held in the Georgia-Pacific Auditorium. Notes were written by Whitney Russert, ADNA Secretary.
After a brief socializing opportunity, ADNA Board member Camille Smith welcomed 51 ADNA members and guests, including a nice mix of business, residents and interested parties. Georgia-Pacific facilities manager Dennis Forrest also welcomed ADNA to the building and encouraged future use of the building.
VP of Public Policy Chris Ciovacco introduced Cooper Holland of Central Atlanta Progress, who along with Dave Wardell outlined new improvements and programs planned to attract new visitors to Woodruff Park. Although the dog park plan has been eliminated due to space concerns expressed by the Atlanta city government, there is plenty of reason for optimism for downtown residents and businesses:
- Improved cleanliness and security (Ambassadors, Clean Team and a designated Park Attendant)
- Talks with vendors (Chick-fil-A, Starbucks)
- New, portable tables and chairs will replace fixed benches in May (to allow for more flexible seating arrangements)
- Improved lighting (to discourage illegal activities)
- More flowers and improved landscaping
- Regular programs to attract visitors (Jazz on Wednesdays, Lunch on Broad musicians and Green Market on Fridays)
- Special programs ("Atlanta Reads" with Mayor Franklin, film screenings)
- Recreation (chess, bocce ball courts, Wi-Fi, speakers for Satellite Radio, yoga, tango lessons, and jugglers)
Identification that will be printed on the portable tables and chairs, "I belong in Woodruff Park," stems from the numbers philosophy of Bryant Park (NYC) boosters, "Solution by Dilution." As ADNA supporters and residents, let’s all get behind this effort and use the park!
Jennifer Ball spoke about CAP’s "Imagine Downtown" campaign to attract developers and investment to the city center. She distributed maps and fliers (which can also be found at www.centralatlantaprogress.org). Immediate improvements to the neighborhood include streetscape and signage.
She also warned of Peachtree St. closing south of Marietta to Alabama St. for viaduct repairs, due to take place beginning in June (a 24-month project) and commuter bus waiting zones that will be relocated to Forsyth St in the same blocks. For further info contact City of Atlanta Department of Public Works.
Heather Alhadeff gave an update about FlexCar, an hourly membership club for commuter car rental. This intriguing program is still under study by Central Atlanta Progress, but the initial focus is on obtaining convenient and inexpensive parking spaces for rental vehicles. If any residents or businesses can help with this (or for more information,) contact heather@centralatlantaprogress.org.
Heather also reported on the Transportation Management Association Parking Study and alternative-mode usage study, which should be completed this summer.
One of the items that came out of the parking study was an idea for an interactive website with a downtown map showing attractions, highlighting nearby parking (number of spaces, cost, location) and proximity to attractions. This would address visitor’s perception of limited parking, visitor confusion and repeated trolling for spaces, a source of pollution.
Questions for the speakers addressed the following topics:
- Public feedings at the park (CAP encourages those participating to direct resources and funds to appropriate agencies)
- Capital improvements to Woodruff (putting a walkway through the center where people naturally cross is a prohibitive expense)
- Commuter Rewards Program (see CAP website for ca$h rewards and incentives to change commuter behavior)
- A perceived increase in panhandling (recent legislation decriminalized panhandling, directing violators to social services. Arrests for disorderly conduct are hard make; violations should be reported to Trudy Boyce (tboyce@atlantapd.org).
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