If You Were Atlanta's Mayor? (Savannah, Macon: budget, travel, job)

[Motion]

How would you improve what you think needs to be improved with the city?

[goozer]

Well, I think Shirley Franklin is doing a pretty good job in improving Atlanta. That said, you can't fix everything all at once (but given the big budget deficit, it looks like she tried). If I were mayor, I would definitely make it a priority for police to eliminate panhandling downtown. I would love to see downtown look like midtown in 5-10 years. Also, I would try to keep pushing on with the beltline project (which was just dealt a blow yesterday when it was ruled that school taxes could not be used for funding). I think it is critical that Atlanta develop more park space and bike trails. Most cities have some sort of waterfront (even Macon) that draws people into the city for recreation. Atlanta doesn't have that.

[Merin]

We need more Police ASAP. I would give the current officers raises and try to double the police force. How would I pay for it?? Good question, I haven't worked out all the kinks yet

[atlantagreg30127]

There would first be a sweeping change in the leadership of varied departments in the city. New Police chief, new city manager, new accounting personnel, etc. Evaluations would go under way to weed out the bad police officers and new budgeting put into place to replace them with newer, better paid officers, with a new chief hired on long-term service records and not personal friendships.

A "zero tolerance" law would be put into effect for anyone over the age of 14 who commits a crime that involves weapons. Home invasions, mugging, car jacking, etc... if a weapon is used in the crime, that person would get an automatic 25 year sentence with no parole. If they commit a second such crime after getting out, then it would be life in prison with no parole.

The proposed Peachtree trolley system would be changed. Atlanta streets are simply not made to handle such a system on a large miles-long scale such as they have planned now - they're too narrow and small and cannot be widened along Peachtree. Instead, a downtown trolley "loop" would be created with a trolley that takes downtown visitors and workers to the Aquarium and Centennial Park/CNN area, looping through Five Points, going east to the Atlanta Zoo, and back again. A new "express Peachtree" bus route would be added to the current route, which would make only limited stops up and down Peachtree at major retail areas, hospitals, etc. - not a stop every block.

I would get the city involved in trying to work with suburban leaders (seriously, not the way they've pretended to do it) to expand MARTA rail further into Gwinnett, North toward Alpharetta, East to Stone Mountain Park, and Westward outside of I-285.

I would actually enforce the anti-panhandling and loitering law downtown, and in all other districts intown.

Gee, the list could go on and on. Bring me my crown!

[pinetreelover]

Originally Posted by atlantagreg30127

Gee, the list could go on and on. Bring me my crown!

Or in Shirley Franklin's case - your big, paper flower for your lapel !

[Vampgrrl]

In addition to the above very practical ideas, encourage more downtown retail development...it sucks to step out of the Marriott and there is NOTHING street level.

Redevelop Underground (ie. turn it over to a developer and tear all that crap mallification of the 80s out of there). UA could be a really neat place but as it stands, it sucks, badly.

And security is going to be the name of the game in terms of development of downtown, let UA grow more organically rip the fakeness out...and I'm not unopposed to allowing 1 Casino like Harrahs downtown (I live in a city with 1 Casino now, and it really is a net positive for the area)

[blackrabbit]

Originally Posted by Motion

How would you improve what you think needs to be improved with the city?

Congestion charging for anyone driving inside the i285 and use the revenue to fund better public transport.

Impact fees for builders and great land use restrictions.

Expand MARTA light rail.

Market Atlanta as a place to stay over in as opposed to a flight changeover place for international travellers.

Ensure safety downtown.

[cocopuffy]

I would not opposed a TAD or tax increase to create funds to improve and expand our police force.

Push for state and federal funding for transit in the metro Atlanta area.
also...nix the midtown portion of the trolley and push for it downtown where it could do the most good and not duplicate marta.

More bike paths on the streets...specifically Peachtree street!

go after truant kids and their parents! I see kids all over the city roaming around and they need to be in school somewhere.

[netdragon]

I'd market the living daylights out of Atlanta, build more mass transit and increase the density of Bolton and South Atlanta. I'd try to get the suburbs to jump on board with expanding rail out to the outer metro. I'd push the state to better collect Atlanta to the port of Savannah through high speed rail. I'd also try to improve schools in areas that have potential for being future family areas (like Grant Park and Bolton). I'd build more parks as well.

[blackrabbit]

Originally Posted by netdragon

I'd market the living daylights out of Atlanta, build more mass transit and increase the density of Bolton and South Atlanta. I'd try to get the suburbs to jump on board with expanding rail out to the outer metro. I'd push the state to better collect Atlanta to the port of Savannah through high speed rail. I'd also try to improve schools in areas that have potential for being future family areas (like Grant Park and Bolton). I'd build more parks as well.

High speed rail to Savannah is a great idea.