From PHCA President Baron Jordan
_April 2008

As April begins, we find spring in full swing throughout Piedmont Heights.  Around the neighborhood, opportunities to monitor traffic considerations remain a high priority. Since the fall of 2007, representatives from PHCA have been working jointly with other neighborhoods, industry professionals, and city officials to refine a traffic calming plan to mitigate anticipated impacts from the redevelopment of Rock Springs Plaza on Piedmont Avenue.  At present, proposed changes along Piedmont from Cheshire Bridge to Rock Springs have been submitted to the City and are pending approval.  Details on improvements for Montgomery Ferry are still being discussed and have not been formally submitted.  The highlights of the traffic calming plan are provided below:

·        Implementation of a new mid-block traffic light on Piedmont between Wimbledon and Cheshire Bridge

·        Re-timing of existing traffic lights on Piedmont between Rock Springs and Cheshire Bridge

·        Creation of a new left-turn lane from Piedmont Avenue onto Piedmont Circle

·        Changes to the right-turn lane onto Cheshire Bridge from Piedmont

·        Sidewalks improvements and street-scaping along the east side of Piedmont Avenue

·        Restrictions on commercial delivery trucks traveling to the redeveloped Rock Springs Plaza via neighborhood streets

·        Restrictions on construction vehicles parking or driving on neighborhood streets during redevelopment construction

·        Intersection improvements at Montgomery Ferry and Piedmont

·        Traffic calming on Montgomery Ferry between Piedmont Avenue and Piedmont Way

·        Traffic calming on Windermere in Morningside

On a related note, representatives of the PHCA Planning and Transportation/Public Safety Committees met during March with City representatives to discuss how the concerns of Piedmont Heights can be included in the Comprehensive Transportation Plan now being prepared by the Connect Atlanta initiative.  The meeting resulted in the invitation for PHCA to submit a detailed inventory of all transportation issues to be submitted for inclusion and prioritization in the City’s plan.  To do this, PHCA will be looking street by street for details ranging from broken side walks in need of repair to interstate access and mass transit service.  While preparing this ‘master plan’ in no way ensures implementation, it is a great opportunity to get our wish-list included in the planning process which is expected to dictate public works initiatives in Atlanta for years to come.  The Transportation/Public Safety and Planning Committees will be working jointly to develop this plan and will be reaching out to residents for input as we proceed.

 As a final note on transportation related topics, PHCA received copies of the City of Atlanta and Mary Norwood’s response to the proposed redesign of the GA 400 and I-85 interchange.  Both responses suggest the GDOT plans should be modified to balance the interest of surrounding neighborhoods.  Copies of the documents are provided on the ‘News’ section of the PHCA website.  We have also received confirmation that our Open Records Request to review all documents associated with the proposed project has been received.  We will be coordinating with other nearby neighborhoods to review these items when available.

In BeltLine activities, the study groups are gearing up again after a temporary pause following a public outcry to review the established community input process and the Georgia Supreme Court’s ruling that funding for the Beltline via the planned Tax Allocation District was unconstitutional.  While the funding issue will remain a concern, the planning process now appears to be back on track.  The BeltLine planning process remains an important initiative for Piedmont Heights and we are well represented in the process by Elaine Murphy and Bill Seay.  Study group meetings are open to the public. For dates and times of all study group meetings check the ‘Calendar’ section of the PHCA website.

In other committee news, Membership and Communications has numerous events planned for the spring including Third-Thursday outings at neighborhood establishments, rummage and bake sale (assisting Gotham Park Committee) and low country boil in Gotham Park and a wine tasting in Virginia Highlands.  Our membership numbers have increased over 2007 and our communications continue to improve.  Ella’s e-Blast is a product of this committee and is providing a great service of local news to the community.

The Open Space and Community Service committee has a new chair in Amy Jordan.  There are two primary goals in 2008 for this new committee.  First is to improve public spaces in our neighborhood by securing sponsors to adopt limited areas for beautification. For an example, see the traffic island at Montgomery Ferry and Pelham sponsored by realtor Ken Price.  The second goal is to partner with nearby organizations to provide at least one easily accessible opportunity for our residents to provide a tangible contribution to community service.  An early idea is collecting school supplies and clothes for needy families in the fall. An additional note in community green space is that the nature trail and playground renovations are now complete on the campus of the Heritage School at Morningside Baptist Church.  This is a great amenity for our neighborhood.  The Heritage School encourages all Piedmont Heights residents to enjoy the space, but requests we be mindful of cleaning up after dogs whenever visiting the site.

The Gotham Park committee continues to move ahead with developing a master plan. Over the last month the Board has engaged in a robust review of resident input on the park and the planning process in which we are now engaged.  In April, the committee will be working with WXIA and Ruppert Nurseries to review options for implementing the tree buffer between the sites amid our current drought conditions.  Updates on all these topics are provided on the Gotham Park blog link on the PHCA website.

Last month the Board ratified our 2008 budget and completed our 2007 tax filing.  PHCA would like to thank David Lerner, CPA and Flagler Avenue resident, for his pro bono assistance fulfilling our financial reporting requirements.

Baron Jordan, President
Piedmont Heights Civic Association  
President@PiedmontHeights.org

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