ATLANTA'S BEST KNOWN STREET BECOMES A “GREAT STREET”
Today the Peachtree Corridor Task Force unveiled a bold new plan designed to transform the city's most well known thoroughfare into an international destination.
The Peachtree Corridor plan calls for dramatic changes to take place along more than 14 miles of roadway, from Club Drive and Peachtree Road to the north all the way down to Ft. McPherson. It also includes a “Downtown Loop” that connects Auburn and Edgewood Avenues to Peachtree in order to bring together many of Atlanta's most popular tourist attractions, including the Martin Luther King Historic Site and the BeltLine with Centennial Olympic Park, the Georgia World Congress Center, the Georgia Aquarium and the World of Coca-Cola.
One of the recommended changes would be to the name of the street itself with the plan calling for the entire stretch simply to be called “Peachtree” and extend all the way to Fort McPherson.
In addition to the name change, the plan calls for a return of streetcars to the city center for the first time in decades, wider sidewalks, bicycle lanes and new parks and public spaces featuring extensive landscaping and artwork,. It also calls for significant improvements to roads in the southern end of the project, as well as the creation of a large linear park in that area.
By the time of its completion, total capital expenditures on the project are projected to reach nearly one billion dollars and will be paid for using city, state, federal, corporate and philanthropic funds.
The Peachtree Corridor Task Force took about a year to come up with the plan. Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin unveiled the details of the report at a City Hall news conference Monday morning.
“Today, we mark the beginning of a public-private partnership that will transform Peachtree into one of the world's most dynamic and beautiful streets,” she said. “When finished, the project will link our city's people and commerce and provide a comprehensive plan for Atlanta's continued spectacular growth.”
The task force was co-chaired by Tom Bell, Chairman & CEO of Cousins Properties and Egbert Perry, Chairman & CEO of The Integral Group, and was comprised of individuals who represent constituencies along the Corridor.
“We have worked hard to bring together all elements of our community in an effort that truly represents the best in public-private partnerships,” said Mr. Bell. “We are enthusiastic about the work we've done and the recommendations we now turn over to the mayor and the city. When finished, Peachtree will serve as a magnet for our city filled with new amenities, housing opportunities and specific plans to prepare for and accommodate the inevitable growth of this vital corridor.”
Mr. Perry added, “Today marks the beginning of the effort to make this vision a reality. We look forward to the input from interested individuals as we work toward making this plan even better. We are convinced that this project will significantly improve the quality of life for our citizens, and enhance the environment for business people and commuters, while creating wonderful and memorable experiences for visitors to our great city. We are excited to bring them together in a new vision of urban life."
The task force report now goes before the public, government agencies and other interested parties for their input. A public hearing will be held on Saturday, May 5th at City Hall.
For additional details, visit
www.peachtreecorridor.com.
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