Nuptial Announcement- Moreland and Glenwood to be Married?
In 2006 and 2007 a few folks came together with the Southstar Community Development Corp., and started working on the South Moreland Livable Centers Initiative (SMLCI), which was adopted and approved by the City of Atlanta and the Atlanta Regional Commission in 2008-2009.
Among the nearly 200 recommendations contained therein, the number one priority project was the realignment of the Moreland and Glenwood roadway intersection, a point where more than 30,000 cars and trucks pass through our neighborhoods every day.
Now, after a courtship that lasted nearly 10 years, a public meeting has been scheduled by the City on Thursday, July 23rd, which may represent the culmination of this sometimes enlightening and frustrating process. The meeting's at 6PM at Iconium Baptist Church, 542 Moreland Ave. SE. (Corner of Moreland and Glenwood, parking and access in the rear),
About four years ago, a transportation planner working under contract with the City developed several preliminary proposals which were vetted thru NPU-W, EACA and SAND. This was the subject of several community work sessions and a final recommended plan was adopted and approved which involves the widening of Glenwood, new signalization, new and upgraded bike and pedestrian facilities and certain streetscape enhancements.
The primary concerns with the current intersection alignment revolve around safety and vehicular congestion. While the proposed plan(s) address these functional matters, there has been considerable discussion and interest in recognizing the ways that this intersection serves as a major gateway to our communities and how this might be best realized in terms of both physical features and additional assets. It is hoped that this type concern will also be addressed at the July 23rd meeting.
Three or four years ago, the projected total project costs were apx.$1.1 million and about 80% of that was to come from non-local sources, as the project is considered to be of regional importance. Currently, we understand the projected costs exceed $3 million and slightly more than 50% will come from non-local sources.
It is our understanding that the primary source of local funding will come from the allocation of local council district monies contained within the larger 'Renew Atlanta Infrastructure Bond' fund.
Despite the accepted regional nature of the project, it was not included on the 'citywide bond project list', but instead required City Councilmembers Natalyn Archibong and Carla Smith to jointly devote a relatively large portion their respective local district infrastructure budgets towards this major community gateway project.
So try to find the time early in the evening of July 23rd to come find out how this romantic tale might transform our community.'