Anonymous account uses art to fill holes and create a rallying cry: ‘Fix ATL’

Fix-ATL means two things.

First, it’s a handle for an anonymous social media account covering sidewalk holes across the city. Second, it’s a call to action to fix the city of Atlanta.

And it all began as an art project.

Editor’s note: The person behind the Fix-ATL social media account wished to remain anonymous for fear of legal repercussions. SaportaReport will refer to them as “Z” throughout the article.

It began with a missing water meter lid in their neighborhood, one that had been there for years, just across from the high school. Z had some woodworking experience and decided to create a hidden “secret garden” project on a whim to cover the gap.

“The initial plan was to make a bunch of secret gardens in locations that were not hazards necessarily, but more so just locations that were unkempt and didn’t look so great for the eyes,” Z said.

But it snowballed. One repair was all it took for Z to notice an issue.

“But after that first patch, that’s when it became clear this was a systemic issue. Because when you see that one hole, it leads to noticing a lot of other ones in the neighborhood,” Z said. “After that neighborhood, it was clear this was a problem occurring all over the city.”

The typical path to repair a missing or broken water meter lid is to contact ATL 311 and file a report. Then, the Department of Watershed Management will replace the lid. Problem solved.

But Z (and other volunteers) tried this route. They called it “relatively abysmal in terms of wait times and efficacy.” Some ATL 311 employees would ask for an address, while others would ask for location coordinates. Z offered up a list of documented holes, but the agency would only accept a few spots at a time.

Once accepted, many holes didn’t get covered quickly. Some did with ill-fitting meter lids that were made for differently sized holes. According to Z, the city has several water meter lid sizes, so it’s easy to pick the wrong one.

It all moved too slowly for Z. So they started making patches. Each is constructed to withstand relatively large amounts of downward force, with three-quarter inch plywood and support glued underneath. Most patches are sealed with paint and wood stain.

The patches are artistic. But they also represent a punk attitude towards a city responsibility. “Obviously, citizens should not be responsible for this,” Z said. “So the buck stops with the city employees and most likely the management who are accepting the status quo of a very inefficient process.”

Z placed the first Fix-ATL patch in April. Now, Fix-ATL is about to put down its 40th wood patch – and there are plenty more to come.

In a statement to SaportaReport, a representative from the Department of Watershed management recognized the “important role community members play” in identifying damaged or missing covers, but discouraged Fix ATL’s DIY approach. Here’s an excerpt:

DWM strongly discourages anyone from installing temporary or homemade covers on water meters, manholes, or other utility infrastructure. While these actions may be well-intentioned, unauthorized modifications can create additional safety hazards, interfere with maintenance activities, and, in the case of water meters, violate City code by tampering with utility equipment. Altering or covering a water meter may also prevent accurate meter readings and affect the Department’s ability to provide reliable service.

We encourage residents who observe damaged or missing water infrastructure to continue reporting these issues through ATL311 rather than attempting to repair or modify the equipment themselves. This approach helps ensure repairs are completed safely, correctly, and in accordance with applicable standards and regulations.

The Department remains committed to protecting public safety, maintaining reliable water infrastructure, and working in partnership with the community to keep Atlanta’s neighborhoods safe.

Z expected the response. “There’s tons of arguments to be said against a patch of this material to be placed on the city property,” Z said. “I think that the likelihood of injury is significantly lower compared to the negligence the city has allowed to exist.

Besides, the patches aren’t really a fix. “At the end of the day, a piece of wood is only good for garnering attention,” Z said. They’re designed to withstand weight, but the idea is to just draw awareness to the hazard so people can avoid it.

“Ultimately, our goal is to pressure the city to fix the infrastructure with art, and secondarily, to introduce more accountability,” Z said.

That’s why each patch is brightly colored. Some have designs, like the wood cover near the Plaza Theatre designed to mimic its marquee. The wood often has an orange flag stuck on top, too.

Fix-ATL’s main goal? Simple. Get city leadership to fix the holes. Right now, Z and their team are tracking water meter holes and manhole covers. They’re both easy to replace. But in the future they aim to look at sidewalk potholes and “unknown drainage holes” that will take more planning and funding to fix.

“That’s where we plan on going in the long term,” Z said.

They have not heard from the city, though Z suspects they just “haven’t been annoying enough.” But their profile is growing. Now, people reach out with holes they have known about for a long time. Demand is growing – the Instagram account full of video updates already has 4,500 followers.

But for Z, a long-term Atlanta resident, it’s about making the city better.

“If we want to become a true metropolis, one of the leading cities in the world, we need to make it a place where everybody can see all of the great parts of Atlanta without a car,” Z said.