ARC funds $1.6 million in study grants to improve neighborhoods, including Little Five Points
The Atlanta Regional Commission included Little Five Points on a list of 10 areas that will share $1.6 million in grants to study ways to enhance mobility and quality of life. Credit: Kelly Jordan
By David Pendered
The ongoing effort to retool Atlanta’s Little Five Points neighborhood into a more pleasant place to spend time got a lift Thursday when the Atlanta Regional Commission included the neighborhood on a list of 10 recipients who will share a total of $1.6 million in study grants awarded through the LCI program.
The Atlanta Regional Commission included Little Five Points on a list of 10 areas that will share $1.6 million in grants to study ways to enhance mobility and quality of life. Credit: Kelly Jordan
Little Five Points and nine other communities were chosen to receive study grants in the competitive Livable Centers Initiative program, according to a statement the ARC released Thursday.
In Little Five Points, the $100,000 grant was awarded to develop a plan to redesign Euclid Avenue between Moreland and Austin avenues. The goal is to enhance the roadway for pedestrians and bicyclists, and add artificial intelligence programs that make it easier to navigate the area.
Once the studies of the 10 areas are complete, each project will be eligible to seek and receive federal funding. Eligible projects include sidewalks, multi-use trails, and intersection improvement.
Since 2000, the LCI program has provided $231 million fund efforts to improve the connectivity within 120 specific areas throughout the Atlanta region. In addition, ARC’s board of directors has allocated $314 million over the upcoming 15 years to to support transportation projects that result from LCI studies, according to ARC’s statement.
“The LCI program is an innovative way to help transform communities and improve quality of life across the Atlanta region,” ARC Executive Director Doug Hooker said in the statement.
“So many of us today want to live and work in dynamic, lively places where you can walk or bike to get your errands done, grab a meal, or visit with friends,” Hooker said. “These investments will help foster these kinds of spaces throughout metro Atlanta.”
The ARC provided this verbatim snapshot of each of the 10 recipients:
Gwinnett County
Grant amount: $400,000
Gwinnett County, in cooperation with the Gateway85 CID, Gwinnett Place CID, and Sugarloaf CID, will use its LCI grant to develop land use and development implications of potential bus rapid transit service connecting Jimmy Carter Boulevard to Sugarloaf Parkway.
Aerotropolis Atlanta Community Improvement Districts
Grant amount: $350,000
The Aerotropolis Atlanta CIDs in cooperation with the cities of East Point, Forest Park, Hapeville, South Fulton, and Union City, and Clayton County will continue the work of the Aerotropolis Greenway Plan by developing concepts within the jurisdictions to implement their “Model Miles”.
City of Alpharetta
Grant amount: $150,000
The city of Alpharetta will develop a concept study to connect the Alpha Loop Trail to the Big Creek Greenway with linkages to the planned North Point bus rapid transit station.
Town Center CID
Grant amount: $150,000
This study will focus on creating a walkable entertainment area along the Chastain Road corridor, including consideration of multi-use trail connections, alternative transportation opportunities, traffic calming, last mile connectivity, and sense of place.
City of Peachtree City
Grant amount: $128,000
The city of Peachtree City, one of the first recipients of LCI funds in 1999, will update its LCI plan to study the potential redevelopment of the City Hall area and nearby Aberdeen Village commercial district into more walkable, connected places.
Little Five Points Community Improvement District
Grant amount: $100,000
The Little Five Points CID, in cooperation with the city of Atlanta, will develop a plan to redesign Euclid Avenue through the area’s commercial district from Austin Avenue to Moreland Avenue, focusing on pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, wayfinding, greenspace and green infrastructure, technology-based parking management, and other smart city technologies.
City of Auburn
Grant amount: $96,000
The city of Auburn will use its LCI grant to create a blueprint for development within its downtown area to attract new jobs and residents.
City of Dallas
Grant amount: $96,000
This major plan update to the Downtown Dallas LCI study will establish new goals for the area and ensure that development regulations are aligned with the LCI plan.
Northlake Tucker CID
Grant Amount: $80,000
The project will focus on recreating the historic grid in downtown Tucker by prioritizing segments necessary to complete the grid, examining possible funding strategies, and addressing potential zoning issues.
City of Sugar Hill
Grant amount: $70,000
The city will design an extension of the Sugar Hill Greenway and perform a feasibility analysis of a crossing over State Route 20 to improve connections from residential areas to the city’s downtown. Sugar Hill will also examine pedestrian safety along the highway.
