Midtownatlanta.org

MIDTOWN SIDEWALK PROJECT

IMPROVING THE PEDESTRIAN EXPERIENCE

Through discretionary TSPLOST funds allocated to District Councilman for improvement in their neighborhoods, MNA was able to work with Councilmen Hall and Farokhi to allocate funds to sidewalk improvement in the Midtown Garden District. MNA and RENEW have worked together for more than two years to survey, evaluate, and select sidewalks in disrepair for inclusion in this project. We broke ground in early 2020 and completed the project in Fall 2020. This investment brings improved ADA compatibility and safe passage to our community.

MNA is continuing to seek additional funding to expand the improvements with a special focus on areas east of Monroe Drive.

Take a moment to read through our FAQs below to learn more about the project and method.

COMMUNITY TEAMWORK

MNA’s VIBE Committee, led by Chairman Dawn Landau, is overseeing the project for MNA to ensure we maintain focus on important community priorities and foster the momentum for these critical enhancements. Hours of time are being invested by your fellow resident volunteers who are captains of each section of this project. True teamwork! We appreciate their dedication to improving Midtown for all of us to enjoy.

MAP OF REPAIR ROUTE

PROJECT FAQs

WHERE ARE THE NEW SIDEWALKS LOCATED?

The sidewalks being repaired follow a specified route pictured in the map above. While our Midtown Garden District Master Plan (MGDMP) outlines a much larger area of disrepair, the funding limitations from the TSPLOST contribution required we find a way to prioritize one area over another. It is our hope that future sidewalk funding will be available to continue repairing our sidewalks. For the scope of the TSPLOST funded project, RENEW Atlanta and MNA referred to the MGDMP and agreed to primarily target major traffic thoroughfares based on local resident and visitor use and the level of disrepair along that route. We hope that the selection of these high volume streets will result in all of our residents enjoying some segment of this major community improvement in their daily route. Section 4.5 of the Midtown Garden District Master Plan summarizes the areas of sidewalk repair need and the community’s feedback on how to prioritize repair efforts.

ARE ALL THE SIDEWALKS ON A STREET REPLACED OR SPOT REPAIR?

We are focusing on the sidewalks in disrepair and/or those that are not ADA compliant. This means you may see a “square” here and there rather than a whole section being replaced. This helps to manage budgetary limits and maximize the improvement throughout the Garden District. In some cases, there are extenuating circumstances that inhibit the ability to bring the right of way into ADA compliance. The RENEW Atlanta team did their best to resolve conflicts highlighted by our VIBE team and we appreciate their teamwork in understanding the hurdles. However, our underground sewer line system and tree canopy continue to present the occasional conflict that requires more extensive solutions with ATL Watershed. We have those spots noted for future focus. If you have questions about a particular area, please email our VIBE Committee.

ARE THE DRIVEWAY APRONS REPLACED?

Similar to the sidewalks, the aprons are being replaced only where they meet a threshold for disrepair. The driveway apron is the portion that meets the street extending to the upper limit of the sidewalk. The area that extends beyond the sidewalk limit is the privately owned portion of your driveway and your responsibility to repair as needed. If your driveway apron was replaced, you received a flyer from Astra (the contractor) letting you know when your driveway access would be blocked for a short period of time.

WHAT IS THE STYLE OF A NEW MIDTOWN SIDEWALK?

The TSPLOST project was estimated by RENEW Atlanta three ways:

hex paver replacement
stamped hex poured concrete
brushed poured concrete

The costs between these options vary greatly with hex pavers being the most expensive. MNA referred to the MGDMP for guidance on the community’s desires for aesthetics vs function vs sustainable practice. It was clear that expanded ADA accessibility, safe passage, and sustainability were top priorities. Brushed concrete most effectively meets each of the MGDMP priorities.

If you have hex pavers in front of your home and are able to maintain them in good, ADA compliant condition, they will remain for as long as you sustain them. As sidewalks are repaired by the City of Atlanta for disrepair going forward, brushed concrete will be put in its place.

If you choose to repair the sidewalk in front of your home at your own expense, hex pavers are an option for you, of course. Please see the next question about existing hex pavers. It could be very helpful!

WHAT HAPPENS TO THE HEX PAVERS IN THE SIDEWALK BEING REPLACED?

The hex pavers are very hard to source today.

MNA worked with the RENEW Atlanta team to collect pavers in good condition before they arrived at that location for demolition and replacement. MNA stored the hex pavers and will make them available to residents that would like to place them in the sidewalk area in front of their home.

If you are interested in gathering some for your sidewalk area, you are welcome to email our VIBE committee when you are ready and arrange a time to gather some.

WHAT IS THE BEAUTY STRIP?

The beauty strip is also sometimes referred to as the “bi-way,” “right-of-way,” or the “furniture area.” It is the area between the street and the sidewalk. It is public right of way. The City of Atlanta asks residents to maintain that area in front of their property. With an emphasis on our “Garden District” community and a priority for creating green space wherever possible, the MGDMP offers helpful suggested planting plans for this area (pg 58). Keeping these areas planted rather than hardscaped helps to manage watershed runoff issues as well.

MY BEAUTY STRIP HARDSCAPE IS BEING REMOVED. WHY?

When the sidewalk in front of your home is being replaced, the contractor will need to demo a portion of the beauty strip as well to reframe the sidewalk. It will not be possible to avoid the effect of sidewalk replacement on the extended right of way (aka beauty strip.) The project team will demo any hardscape in the beauty strip and replace it with backfill dirt for planting.

If your beauty strip area has materials you would like to retain for use elsewhere on your property, you may remove them in advance for safe keeping. Our MNA VIBE committee will attempt to leave a flyer for you with advance notice. You will also receive a flyer from Astra, the contracting company.

The Midtown Garden District Master Plan outlines helpful suggested plant materials depending on your clearance and sunlight. Keeping this area planted rather than hardscaped helps to offset watershed runoff issues that are a major issue for the Garden District. Thank you for doing your part to help us solve our challenges organically and sustainably.

HOW IS THE CONSTRUCTION TEAM HANDLING TREE ROOTS?

The RENEW Atlanta team works with their contractor, Astra, to ensure that appropriate spacing is given for the tree roots and that demolition is careful not damage the root system. When a sidewalk is poured, special methods are used for underlayment that will allow the tree roots to breathe. Where MNA has questions about the handling of a complicated root challenge, we are consulting with the TREES Atlanta team for advice prior to any work commencing. If you have special concerns about a tree in an area of work, please email us.

I HAVE A QUESTION THAT IS NOT ANSWERED HERE. WHO DO I CONTACT?

If you have questions, email us. Likely, we will be able to assist but when we can not, we can follow-up with the appropriate ADOT or RENEW Atlanta team member to help find an answer together.