Outdoor water use workshop available online

The Water Smart Outdoor Water Use conservation workshop hosted by the City of Atlanta is available online at http://atlanta.acrobat.com/p13639929/.

The free workshop focuses on innovative and unique ways to conserve water while maintaining a beautiful landscape. It features sessions on rain barrels, irrigation systems, green roof design, use of organic material, turf maintenance and caring for trees in a drought.

The workshop is one of a series of initiatives the Department is undertaking in its efforts to meet Mayor Shirley Franklin’s goal of a 10 percent reduction in water usage citywide. The City also is spending $1 billion on drinking water infrastructure improvements to repair leaks and repair and replace meters and mains; helping finance water conservation audits for large customers; and taking steps to reduce usage among its various departments.

Chastain Park Tennis Center available for review

The Initial Concepts for the Chastain Park Tennis Center are availalbe for review on the Conservancy web site www.ChastainParkConservancy.org. If you would like to make comments, please submit the form online or attend one of the Open Houses this weekend.

Open House Dates/Times - at the Tennis Center
Saturday, March 29, 10am - 12 noon
Sunday, March 30, 1-3 pm

Traffic Advisory: Sewer work closes Lindbergh Drive

Sewer rehab work requires closing of portion of Lindbergh Drive

What: Road closure on Lindbergh Drive

Where: Lindbergh Drive between Brookwood Drive and Plaster Avenue

When: Monday, March 31—Wednesday April 2

Comments: City contractors are working to replace sewer lines on Lindbergh Drive. The work will necessitate a road closure for three days. Message boards near the site will contain detour information. Motorists are urged to use alternate routes.

Traffic Advisory:Sewer repair closes West Wesley

Sewer repair requires lane closure on West Wesley Road

What: Single lane closure on West Wesley Road

Where: West Wesley Road between Westover Drive and Northside Drive

When: Monday, March 31 – Friday, April 4; 9 am – 4 pm

Comments: City contractors will be repairing a sewer line, necessitating the closure of one lane on West Wesley Road. Motorists are urged to use caution in the area and to use alternate routes if possible.

Volunteers needed

Skilled volunteers and supplies are still needed to continue the repair work to homes damaged during the March 14th tornado that tore through part of Atlanta. The Fuller Center for Housing of Greater Atlanta, Hands on Atlanta, and the Atlanta chapter of the National Association of The Remodeling Industry are continuing to repair a home at 1393 Glenwood Avenue that was damaged by the tornado. Construction on the roof frame will begin at 9 a.m. Thursday.

“Many of these homeowners were uninsured,” said Mark Galey, president of The Fuller Center for Housing of Greater Atlanta. "We have dozens of other homes on our list to repair. Donations are our biggest need right now, followed by a need for skilled volunteers who are able to lend a helping hand.” The Fuller Center, based in Americas, Georgia, is a non-profit organization dedicated to building and rehabilitating houses for people in need. For more information, call The Fuller Center at (404) 867-3258.

Reminder: Earth Hour this Saturday

Atlanta Goes Dark to Support Climate Change

On Saturday March 29 from 8 to 9 pm, Atlanta residents, stakeholders, and dozens of local businesses and communities will make a powerful statement in support for global action on climate change by cutting off all non-essential lights for one hour - Earth Hour. The event is designed to make a powerful statement in support for global action on climate change. Watch the video about the worldwide particiaption of 21 cities as a part of the Earth Hour video as the Video On Demand feature in this week's City Newsbytes.

Connect Atlanta

Dear Community Member,

Next week is your last opportunity to take part in workshops for the Connect Atlanta Plan. Please join us at City Hall East and share your thoughts and concerns about the future of transportation in Atlanta. Your input is critical.

March 24th through 27th - CITY HALL EAST - 675 Ponce de Leon
Kickoff Presentation: Monday, March 24th at 6:30pm
Recap Presentation: Thursday, March 27th at 6:30pm
Workshops: Open Monday through Thursday from 10:00am to 8:00pm
Directions: MARTA Bus #2 from North Avenue Station
Parking: In the first level of the parking deck from the Ponce de Leon entrance

Whether you can make it to the workshop or not, please take this transportation survey.

Survey Link:
http://connectatlantaplan.com/survey.html

Valve repair work forces service interruption on Peachtree Road

What: Water service to be interrupted

Where: Addresses between 1690 and 2300 Peachtree Road, inclusive

When: Wednesday, March 12, 6 pm - Thursday, March 13, 6 am

Comments: City contractors are making emergency repairs to water valves near Piedmont Hospital. The repairs are necessary because of low water pressure at the hospital as a result of a main break yesterday. The work will necessitate an interruption of water service overnight. Customers may want to fill their bathtubs in order to have water to flush toilets.

http://www.atlantawatershed.org/news/advisory_details.aspx?id=250

Get Ready-MARTA is on the MOVE!

MARTA Public Meetings Scheduled

MARTA has scheduled a series of very important public meetings and requests your participation. The agency is conducting a study to re-examine its current system. MARTA has named the study MOVE which stands for "Making Operations Very Efficient." Why MOVE? Because it is what MARTA does. MARTA's core business is moving people throughout its service area and, with other partners, throughout the region.

The study will identify and propose actions to address several issues related to operations and customer friendliness. The operations that will be examined include bus, rail and paratransit service. The goal of the study is to develop strategies that will improve MARTA service, increase ridership and be more responsive to its customers. This is an opportunity to help MARTA develop solutions.

Eleven meetings are scheduled for the public to provide input on MARTA's existing conditions and to learn more about the study. All meetings are open to the public and you may attend any one that meets your schedule. Please see the dates and locations below and visit MARTA's website at http://www.itsmarta.com/ for additional information. If you are unable to attend any of these meetings you may submit comments to: contact@peqatl.com or by fax (770) 306-7754.

Monday, March 17, 2008

7:00-8:30 pm

South Fulton Service Center

5600 Stonewall Tell Rd.

College Park, GA 30349

Bus Routes 160 and 180 from College Park Rail Station

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

7:00-8:30 pm

Adamsville Recreation Center

3201 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr.

Atlanta, GA 30331

Bus Routes 73 from Hamilton E. Holmes Rail Station

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

7:00-8:30 pm

Georgia State Alpharetta Campus

3705 Brookside Parkway

Alpharetta, GA 30022

Bus Route 140 Windward Parkway from North Springs Rail Station

Thursday, March 20, 2008

7:00-8:30 pm

Chamblee Library

4115 Clairmont Road

Chamblee, GA 30341

Bus Route 70 from either Brookhaven or Chamblee Rail Stations

Monday, March 24, 2008

7:00-8:30 pm

John Birdine Neighborhood Center

215 Lakewood Way

Atlanta, GA

Bus Route 42 from Lakewood/Fort McPherson Station

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

7:00-8:30 pm

Peachtree Branch Library

1315 Peachtree Street

Atlanta, GA

Bus Routes 23,110 and 113 from Arts Center Station

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

7:00-8:30 pm

East Lake YMCA

275 East Lake Boulevard

Atlanta, GA 30317

Bus Route 28 from Edgewood/Candler Park Rail Station or Bus Route 22 from East Lake Rail Station

Thursday, March 27, 2008

7:00-8:30 pm

Gresham Recreation Center

3113 Gresham Road

Decatur, GA

Bus Route 34 from Inman Park Station

Saturday, March 29, 2008

10:00-11:30 am

Dunbar Recreation Center

477 Windsor Street, SW

Atlanta, GA 30312

Bus Route 49 from Garnett Station

Monday, March 31, 2008

7:00-8:30 pm

Clarkston Library

951 North Indian Creek Drive

Clarkston, GA 30021

Bus Route 125 from Avondale Rail Station

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

7:00-8:30 pm

DeKalb Medical Center Hillandale

2801 DeKalb Medical Pkwy

Lithonia, GA

Bus Routes 86 and 111 from Indian Creek Rail Station

Citizen Participation Opportunities

Want to get involved in the Beltline? A variety of citizen participation opportunities exist for anyone to provide input into how the Beltline will take shape. For updated meeting dates and locations please visit www.beltline.org or call (404) 614-8300.

Study Groups are the primary way for anyone to participate in the Beltline. Study Groups were created by City Council to enable direct input on the planning, implementation, and design of Beltline projects over the 25-year life of the Beltline. There are five Study Groups around the Beltline (N, NE, SE, SW, W), and they have standing meeting times and locations. Study Groups focus on topics ranging from park design to transit planning, depending on the projects and activities currently underway. At the present time, the primary focus is to support Master Planning of the Beltline's ten Sub Areas.

Northside (meets the 1st Monday of the month)

AGL Resources, Annex

10 Peachtree Place NW

Atlanta, GA 30309

Citizen Participation Advocate (CPA), Roland Young

(404) 588-5474

Ryoung@atlbeltline.org

Northeast (meets the 2nd Thursday of the month)

StudioPlex Community Room

659 Auburn Avenue

Atlanta, GA 30312

Citizen Participation Advocate (CPA), Rukiya Eaddy

(404) 614-8285

Readdy@atlbeltline.org

Southeast (meets the 2nd Monday of the month)

Zoo Atlanta, ARC Building

800 Cherokee Avenue, SE

Atlanta, GA 30315

Citizen Participation Advocate (CPA), Rukiya Eaddy

(404) 614-8285
Readdy@atlbeltline.org

Southwest (meets the 4th Thursday of the month)

Atlanta Metropolitan College

Academic Bldg, Rm A-210

Atlanta, GA 30310

Citizen Participation Advocate (CPA), Roland Young
(404) 588-5474
Ryoung@atlbeltline.org

Westside (meets the 4th Monday of the month)

Hands on Atlanta

Training Room A

600 Means Street

Atlanta, GA 30318

Citzen Participation Advocate (CPA), Rukiya Eaddy

(404) 614-8285

Readdy@atlbeltline.org

Quarterly Briefings are city-wide meetings held to provide an overview and update of Beltline activities and are held at a minimum of four times a year. These briefings are advertised broadly throughout the Atlanta area. Briefings for the remainder of 2008 are scheduled as follows: April 17, July 10, and October 16.

Master Planning Office hours are designed so that community groups can schedule a time to meet with Atlanta Beltline, Inc. planners to discuss the draft Master Plans before they are submitted for final approval. Beltline Master Plans include detailed land-use, transportation, and park plans around the Beltline. We have not yet determined the final dates for office hours. Please continue to check the website to determine the Office Hour schedules for each Sub Area.

City-wide conversations will provide a forum to develop the Beltline vision for specific issues requiring more in depth dialogue from different perspectives. Specific issues might range from transit supportive development to housing affordability. Please continue to check the website for the first city-wide conversation on transit supportive development.

A city-wide open house will provide the opportunity to comment on plans and ask questions in an informal public forum. Open houses will share plans and concepts for topics ranging from Beltline parks to transit. The first city-wide open houses will highlight Westside Reservoir Park to be located on the site of the Bellwood Quarry.

The community is represented on several Beltline boards and committees by neighbors that have been appointed by Beltline, Inc., City Council, Atlanta Public Schools, Fulton County Commission, the Mayor, and community groups. These boards and committees are listed below. Please check the website to see a list of the membership for these organizations:

• Master Planning Steering Committees for 6 of the 10 Sub Areas around the Beltline


• Tax Allocation District Advisory Committee ("TADAC")


• Beltline Affordable Housing Advisory Board ("BAHAB")

Atlanta turns off its lights!

Earth Hour Atlanta will take place on Saturday, March 29, 2008 from 8:00 to 9:00 pm. For one hour, residents, businesses and organizations are asked to voluntarily turn off non-essential lights to reduce energy consumption. The goal is to raise awareness about climate change and demonstrate that working together; the people of the world can make a difference in the fight against global warming.

Earth Hour is modeled after a successful event held in Sydney, Australia in March 2007. In 2008, Earth Hour will be celebrated globally in more than 20 cities with Atlanta, Chicago, Phoenix and San Francisco representing the four continental US time zones. Other cities across the world participating include Brisbane, Australia; Copenhagen, Manila; Tel Aviv and Toronto, Canada, and many more.

Earth Hour is an initiative of World Wildlife Fund (WWF). Our initial partners in Atlanta include the City of Atlanta and Creaxion, a local marketing firm. Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin accepted WWF’s invitation to represent the Eastern Time Zone of the US in Earth Hour 2008 as a way to complement the recently launched “Sustainable Atlanta” environmental initiative. Dozens of major landmark buildings in Downtown, Midtown, Atlantic Station and Buckhead will go dark in honor of the event---as will neighborhoods across the city. Leading up to Saturday, March 29, WWF is working with a large cross-section of public and private entities to ensure their participation the initiative.

A steering committee comprised of local business and civic leaders has been formed to ensure the success of Earth Hour Atlanta. The committee includes city officials, local police and fire departments, electrical utilities such as Georgia Power, and private and public organizations to coordinate logistics in Atlanta. While there are no specific energy reduction targets for this year’s initiative in participating U.S. cities, Georgia Power will measure the drop in electricity use during the event, and will provide additional logistical support and assistance.

Mayor Franklin is calling on citizens and business leaders across Atlanta to support Earth Hour. She hopes that our great city will be a beacon of action and change for the rest of the world to see.

The event on March 29 is only one step in ongoing efforts to fight climate change. To encourage long-term benefits, all participants will be encouraged to replace older light bulbs with energy efficient compact fluorescents and pledge to take actions that will reduce their energy consumption in the year ahead.

How Can Atlantans Participate?

• Turn off the lights


• As part of a global campaign to raise awareness about climate change and demonstrate that working together, the people of the world can make a difference in the fight against global warming, we ask skyscrapers, businesses and individuals to voluntarily turn off the lights in their own home or business for one hour on Saturday night, March 29. Also turn off/unplug other non-essential electrical equipment – such as idle cell phone chargers, computers, microwaves, electric toothbrush, etc.


• Businesses open to the public during this time are encouraged to participate and can do so in a safe manner by remaining in full compliance with all laws and proper safety standards. For instance, theater marquees could go dark while the show goes on in the light; hotels will maintain lobby and hallway lights, but guests will be encouraged to participate in this environmental event during that hour.


• Restaurants could darken their exteriors, but have their kitchen lights on, and may get creative with battery-powered lanterns and other dim lighting.


• Homeowners could have a one-hour family time, free from computers and TV, and play games by flashlight, or read stories by the fireplace. All lobby, hallway lights and elevators will remain on in high-rise condominiums, and condo owners will be encouraged to participate voluntarily.

Earth Hour is about living in a modern world while doing the right thing. Therefore, we are asking people to turn off lights for one hour and come up with fun ways to celebrate the impact they’re having on their environment. For more information about participating in Earth Hour, please contact Sunni Hickman at 404-495-4442 or sunni@creaxion.com. Earth Hour 2008 complements Atlanta’s recently launched Sustainable Atlanta initiative. Sustainable Atlanta focuses on improving green programs and policies like water and energy conservation, reduced solid waste and emissions, and improved recycling rates. For More Information on Sustainable Atlanta, visit here. For More Information on Earth Hour, Visit www.earthhourus.org

Free Water Conservation Kit and Workshop

The City of Atlanta's Department of Watershed Management invites you to attend "Water Smart," an outdoor water use efficiency workshop on Friday, March 28, 2008 at 8:30 am-2:00 pm, which will be held at the Atlanta Civic Center's Piedmont Room (395 Piedmont Avenue, NE Atlanta, GA 30308). The workshop is free and open to the public, please RSVP by calling Miltresa McMichael at (404) 546-1265 or email mmcmichael@atlantaga.gov.

Who should attend?

• Atlanta's Irrigation customers
• Landscape professionals
• Large commercial water users
• Residential customers
• Anyone who is interested in maintaining a beautiful landscapes in a drought

Workshop Topices:

• Irrigation systems
• Greenroof design
• Caring for your trees in a drought
• Use of organic material in a sustainable landscape
• Turf maintenance
• Rain barrels
• On-line certification class

For a FREE Water Conservation Kit that contains a low-flow showerhead, kitchen and bathroom faucet aerators, flow measurement bag, and toilet dye tablets and instructions visit http://www.atlantawatershed.org/.

City continues to seek public input on "Connect Atlanta" transportation plan

Last fall, the Bureau of Planning began a yearlong process to develop the Connect Atlanta Plan, the first comprehensive transportation plan for the City of Atlanta. The Connect Atlanta Plan will guide the next 25 years of transportation policy and investment in ways that contribute to Atlanta’s larger vision of creating a more modern, vibrant, and sustainable city. The time has come to make recommendations for each neighborhood. The public is invited to join a series of open, multi-day workshops. For more information visit www.connectatlantaplan.com or call 404.330.6800.

Intown South & Southside - March 10-13 (NPUs S, T, V, X, Y, Z)

Location: Atlanta Metropolitan College - Academic Building #500 1630 Metropolitan Parkway,SW

Kickoff: Monday, March 10th at 6:30pm

Recap: Thursday, March 13th at 6:30pm

Workshops: Open Monday through Thursday from 10:00am to 8:00pm

Directions: MARTA Bus #54 south from Oakland City Station or Bus #95 from West End Station

Parking: Available on Metropolitan College campus, next to Atlanta Technical College

Northeast & Eastside - March 24-27 (NPUs E, F, M, N, O, W)

Location: City Hall East - 675 Ponce de Leon Avenue, NE

Kickoff: Monday, March 24th at 6:30pm

Recap: Thursday, March 27th at 6:30pm

Workshops: Open Monday through Thursday from 10:00am to 8:00pm

Directions: MARTA Bus #2 (Ponce de Leon/Avondale Estates) from North Avenue Station

Parking: Available in first level of parking deck from Ponce de Leon entrance

New Solid Waste Services Collection in Effect

Yesterday the Office of Solid Waste Services launched a new solid waste collection process that will establish long-term improvements in operations, customer service and environmental sustainability. The new collection improvements will not only create a more cost-efficient collection process, but residents will benefit from a safer, cleaner and greener Atlanta. The most noticeable changes in the new solid waste collection process include:

• New collection days for most customers


• Weekly collection of waste materials (garbage, recycling and yard waste)


• Yard waste will not be collected in plastic bags. It must be placed in paper yard waste (kraft) bags or a container clearly labeled “yard trimmings"


• Only 5 additional bags of garbage are allowed in addition to the contents of your Herbie Curbie for garbage collection

For more information and to do a search of the online directory which indicates collection days by street, visit http://www.atlantaga.gov/government/publicworks/swsi_013008.aspx

Chastain Park Master Plan Approved

Today the Atlanta City Council approved allowing the Chastain Park Conservancy to move forward with its master plan for the 268-acre park off W. Wieuca Road. Members approved a resolution (Legislative Reference # 08-R-0345) accepting the plan on behalf of the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs.

As part of the plan, the Chastain Park Conservancy is proposing:

• A new Recreation and Community Center to include two basketball courts (double the current capacity) as well as other multi-use, community and recreation facilities, and an attached parking structure;


• Kiosks and wayfinding signage throughout the park;


• Pedestrian safety improvement which will include the widening and extension of the current path system;


• The reclamation of 12 acres of current park space that have been overgrown by invasive plants;


• Parking improvements and traffic calming and control measures in the surround community;


• The rehabilitation of the historic Chastain Arts Center building, along with two new outbuildings for additional studio space.

“Under this new master plan Chastain Park will be a state of the art park in the years ahead,” said City Councilmember Clair Muller, who represents the area. “The goal of the community and the park conservancy is to have a safe, clean, green, educational, and entertainment venue that all Atlantans can be proud of.”

According to Chastain Park Conservancy Executive Director Mark A. Root, the implementation of all of improvements under the new master plan is expected to cost $36 million and will be accomplished primarily through capital campaign fundraising. The plan was developed through broad public input, including suggestions from park lease holders and the local civic associations. To view the plan please visit the Conservancy's website: http://www.chastainparkconservancy.org/MasterPlanUpdates/tabid/3341/Default.aspx