Dekalb Ave. overhaul planned (Atlanta, Stone Mountain: activity, suburban, horses)

[jeoff]

Originally Posted by cqholt

Where is the proof the station had no power? That is a major issue and one that every news outlet would cover (because some of them can't pass up an opportunity to bash MARTA.)

Well, I know the eastbound lane from was down at Candler Park station last week during evening rush hour for sure. I was there dropping a friend off--there was a crowd of people waiting for buses to ferry folks to the stations, and traffic was backing up on Oakdale and Dekalb.

[cqholt]

ReNew Atlanta will be hosting their first public input meeting on the DeKalb Ave Complete Streets project this Thursday Nov 17, 6-8pm at Liberty Baptist Church.
Photo Pick: DeKalb Ave Complete Street by Carl Holt - SaportaReport

[cqholt]

Under the Renew Atlanta Bond, passed by City of Atlanta voters in 2015, there is a plan to upgrade a portion of DeKalb Avenue to a Complete Street, a street that offers safe, comfortable, and convenient access to community destinations and public places–whether walking, driving, bicycling, or taking public transportation.

This would ensure streets are safe for people of all ages and abilities, balance the needs of different modes, and support local land uses, economies, cultures, and natural environments.

Community meeting on DeKalb Avenue improvements is Nov. 17 - Atlanta INtown Paper

[Jhakai]

Just went. Had to dip out early because I had other engagements but what I gathered from it was that it was largely informational/comment gathering meeting. It seemed like the large discussion amongst people was whether there should be a permanent center turn lane or a turn lanes at intersections with a bike lane and there were some fringe opinions of having a buffered bike lane . Should be interesting what the city comes up with in a few months.

[magnetar]

Thanks for reporting back, Jhakai.

[cqholt]

Stayed for the entire event. There was a divide between those who support Complete Streets and those that prefer the same old way of thinking (cars over people.) At one point a North-of-DeKalb resident made the comment, 'I'm not a bike commuter because I have a REAL job.' There was mindset divide between those that support complete streets (South-of-DeKalb_ and those that prioritize cars (North-of-DeKalb.)
There will be more meetings.

[red92s]

Originally Posted by cqholt

Stayed for the entire event. There was a divide between those who support Complete Streets and those that prefer the same old way of thinking (cars over people.) At one point a North-of-DeKalb resident made the comment, 'I'm not a bike commuter because I have a REAL job.' There was mindset divide between those that support complete streets (South-of-DeKalb_ and those that prioritize cars (North-of-DeKalb.)
There will be more meetings.

I live south of Dekalb, commute by bike, and think improvements here should favor auto traffic. You've got your priorities, other people have their own. Condescension about any ideas that don't mirror your own isn't going to change minds. People are speaking to the issues and problems they see, while you are outright dismissing them. I suspect if there was a referendum on this particular topic, giving preferential treatment to a few dozen bikes at the expense of many thousands of cars wouldn't go over well. You can insult and deride people for being outmoded all you want, but that isn't going to do much to address their legitimate concerns.

The Renew Atlanta bond was passed coming up on two years ago. It'd be nice, at this point, if they could actually demonstrate that they can accommodate turn lanes and bike lanes in the space available along the entire corridor. That's been the promise since before voters were asked to decide on it, but I don't think they've conclusively demonstrated that yet. It'd also be nice to know, if the inclusion of bike lanes is such a public necessity, why the scope of that project only runs from Inman Park MARTA to the city limits?

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by red92s

I live south of Dekalb, commute by bike, and think improvements here should favor auto traffic. You've got your priorities, other people have their own. Condescension about any ideas that don't mirror your own isn't going to change minds. People are speaking to the issues and problems they see, while you are outright dismissing them. I suspect if there was a referendum on this particular topic, giving preferential treatment to a few dozen bikes at the expense of many thousands of cars wouldn't go over well. You can insult and deride people for being outmoded all you want, but that isn't going to do much to address their legitimate concerns.

A few dozen? They presented the weekday average numbers and the vehicle count is 10-15K, bikes/peds 250. That is more than a few dozen.
Either way the contraflow lane is going away.

[JPD]

Originally Posted by red92s

Condescension about any ideas that don't mirror your own isn't going to change minds. ... You can insult and deride people for being outmoded all you want, but that isn't going to do much to address their legitimate concerns.

The only condescension and/or insult I saw in CQ's post was the quote from the person who said they don't ride a bike to work because they have a real job.

[cqholt]

The Renew Atlanta bond was passed coming up on two years ago. It'd be nice, at this point, if they could actually demonstrate that they can accommodate turn lanes and bike lanes in the space available along the entire corridor. That's been the promise since before voters were asked to decide on it, but I don't think they've actually demonstrated that yet. It'd also be nice to know, if the inclusion of bike lanes is such a public necessity, why the scope of that project only runs from Inman Park MARTA to the city limits?

I can see from this comment you did not attend. The scope of the project is Peachtree to City Limits. Since the TSPLOST passed, there is a plan to extend the Stone Mountain PATH from Rocky Ford Rd to Inman Park/Renyoldstown Station. That section of the corridor has enough ROW to accommodate that, it's the section west of there where the MARTA go aerial and Hulsey Yard backs up to DeKalb. They did talk about improving bicycle infrastructure on parallel streets between Inman Park/Renyoldstown Station and Downtown, in order to prioritize left turn lanes at signals.