plan to beautify the downtown connector (Atlanta, Dallas: city hall, cost, moving)

[Newsboy]

Originally Posted by HayateWind

Does anyone remember the idea for the "The Big Cap?"

The concept was to build one giant bridge over the sunken parts of the downtown connector, re-knit the city's street grid and fill any remaining space with parkland and greenery on top. I thought this was an excellent compromise, and I absolutely love the idea of such a long and interconnected park area in the heart of the city like that.

The cost is the issue, but such an action like this would go a long way towards making the area more attractive.

So basically turn the Downtown Connector into one long tunnel through the central city? Again, the negatives (potential for enormous disaster) far outweighs any aesthetic positives. Not to mention what it would do to Atlanta's "brand" -- a lot of people (me included) ENJOY driving through that canyon of skyscrapers and admiring all the post-modern architecture, especially at night.

Folks, huge urban highways like the DTC (2nd largest daily traffic volume in the US) exist FOR ONE PURPOSE: To move huge amounts of vehicles. If they are pleasing to the eye, all the better. But that is not (and shouldn't be) the DOT's top priority.

[therealpattman]

Construct a park over it..... Like an overpass it would span most of the connector and offer a huge and unique experience as well as connect midtown and downtown.

[drs72]

Don't focus too much on the "urban forest" concept. They do put forward several other ideas like "vertical greening:"

http://www.atlantadowntown.com/_file...y-07-14-11.pdf

[noah]

I love the concepts. Like they did in Seattle something really cool can be done, but even small improvements will be nice. From a release last month:

The first award has been given to help fund the project.

I-75/85 Downtown Connector Gateway Bridge Improvements-
The project will upgrade two existing bridges along the I-75/85 Connector: Peachtree Street and
Capitol Avenue/Memorial Drive. Upgrades will include safety enhancements such as
replacement fencing, improved way-finding elements and enhanced pedestrian amenities. The
GTIB grant award amount is $200,000.

Midtown Gateway Bridge Improvements- The project will upgrade three existing bridges along the I-75/85 Connector: Peachtree Street, 10th Street and North Avenue. Upgrades will include safety enhancements to the bridges including improved signalization, replacement fencing, new way-finding signage, enhanced pedestrian amenities including upgraded crosswalks. The GTIB grant award amount is $200,000.

Governor Announces Transportation Infrastructure Project Awards | Downtown Atlanta

[alco89]

Originally Posted by drs72

Don't focus too much on the "urban forest" concept. They do put forward several other ideas like "vertical greening:"

http://www.atlantadowntown.com/_file...y-07-14-11.pdf

Yea, but what would that look like in the wintertime??? If it's something 'evergreen' then cool, but I doubt it.

As mentioned earlier, I enjoy driving down the connector and admiring the buildings. You can hardly get that kind of view anywhere else in the country. Also, think what it would cost to cap the connector, not to mention the extensive lane closures that would require. Isn't traffic there already bad enough?

There are some REALLY excellent ideas in this though. Where on Earth would the money come from?

[cabasse]

Originally Posted by Newsboy

So basically turn the Downtown Connector into one long tunnel through the central city? Again, the negatives (potential for enormous disaster) far outweighs any aesthetic positives. Not to mention what it would do to Atlanta's "brand" -- a lot of people (me included) ENJOY driving through that canyon of skyscrapers and admiring all the post-modern architecture, especially at night.

Folks, huge urban highways like the DTC (2nd largest daily traffic volume in the US) exist FOR ONE PURPOSE: To move huge amounts of vehicles. If they are pleasing to the eye, all the better. But that is not (and shouldn't be) the DOT's top priority.

i see what you're saying, believe me... but imagine if you could stand on top of the connector, say 30' in the air, and actually be able to walk around and seriously enjoy the skyline instead of haphazardly glancing at it while simultaneously driving the indy 500?

[Newsboy]

Originally Posted by cabasse

i see what you're saying, believe me... but imagine if you could stand on top of the connector, say 30' in the air, and actually be able to walk around and seriously enjoy the skyline instead of haphazardly glancing at it while simultaneously driving the indy 500?

INDY 500?! I'm guessing that the average speed -- at best -- on the DTC is about 45 mph, and quite often it's at a stop-and-go standstill. Indy 500?! LOL!

[HayateWind]

Originally Posted by Newsboy

So basically turn the Downtown Connector into one long tunnel through the central city? Again, the negatives (potential for enormous disaster) far outweighs any aesthetic positives. Not to mention what it would do to Atlanta's "brand" -- a lot of people (me included) ENJOY driving through that canyon of skyscrapers and admiring all the post-modern architecture, especially at night.

Folks, huge urban highways like the DTC (2nd largest daily traffic volume in the US) exist FOR ONE PURPOSE: To move huge amounts of vehicles. If they are pleasing to the eye, all the better. But that is not (and shouldn't be) the DOT's top priority.

I think the concept was only planned to be implemented between North Avenue and 17th Street Anyway, where the project made the most sense, so it wouldn't be like ALL of the connector. Just the areas where they can. For example, the Grady Curve couldn't be capped, because of how most of it sits very near ground level. And they wouldn't because arguably the best view of Atlanta (at least coming from the south) is there.

So don't worry, they left room for compromise. XD

[cabasse]

Originally Posted by Newsboy

INDY 500?! I'm guessing that the average speed -- at best -- on the DTC is about 45 mph, and quite often it's at a stop-and-go standstill. Indy 500?! LOL!

yeah yeah... you just haven't ridden with me at the wheel

[arjay57]

I don't see why the Connector can't easily be greened up. Obviously you can't put a tree where it creates a safety hazard, but there are many ways around that. You can also easily green up some of those humongous retaining walls and do better lighting. None of this costs a fortune and and there are several ways to raise the money.

If we really wanted to do it right, there's no reason whatsoever that we couldn't do what Dallas has done with the Klyde Warren Park over the Woodall Rogers expressway. (Except that folks in Dallas are willing to spend money on infrastructure).

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