News

ADVOCACY IN ACTION! 

October 2022: We notified all of our members and supporters via email about the upcoming GDOT roundabout project and the proposed 10 month detour and asked for public comment. With your help, we recieved over 500 comments. Thank you!

November 2022: Piedmont Heights Business Alliance and the Piedmont Heights Civic Association personally spoke with our District 57 House Representative, Stacey Evans, and District 6 City Councilmember Alex Wan at our Annual Neighborhood Meeting on November 13th regarding our concerns about the 10 month detour impacting businesses and residents at the Monroe and Buford Spring Connector slated for 2024. 

December 2022: Both organizations cowrote a letter expressing our concerns, suggestions and long standing impact on our community due to other infrastructure projects. READ THE LETTER HERE! 

State Representative Stacey Evans and Distict 6 City Council Representative Alex Wan met with GDOT representatives in December 2022 to discuss their plans to install a roundabout at the entrance of Monroe Drive and Buford Highway Connector across from Fire Station 29. GDOT had recently solicited input from the community about this project, and many of you had voiced your concerns about the initial indications that the interchange would be completely shut down for 10 months during construction.

We are relieved to share with you that we received assurances that such an extended closure is now off the table. Instead, the construction will be staged in such a way that sections of the interchange will be closed for much shorter durations (needed due to the extensive site grading work that will be required). Additionally, we learned that this work is not slated to begin until mid-2024 as GDOT spends the bulk of next year in the design process.

Rep. Evans and Councilmember Wan will remain in close communication with their team and continue to share out all information on this project as received. 

GDOT is currently collecting feedback for the proposed roundabout at State Route 13/Buford Spring connector and City Street 520/Monroe Drive. This proposed plan would close the exit for 10 months which will cause a negative impact to all businesses on the Armour/Ottley Loop AND SURROUNDING PIEDMONT HEIGHTS BUSINESSES!

Piedmont Heights Business Alliance is seeking support of the Ansley Park Civic Association, Piedmont Heights Civic Association, Morningside-Lenox Park Association, Woodland Hills Neighborhood Association, Lindbergh LaVista Corridor Coalition, Livable Buckhead and Lindridge Martin Manor Neighborhood Association to write a collective letter to GDOT expressing their objection to this project timeline.

Piedmont Heights Alliance and the Piedmont Heights Civic Association have been in contact with our House Rep Stacey Evens and also contacting our  city representatives to gain support for our objection.

The comment period for this project is open until November 11, 2022. All organizations agree the comment period is unacceptable and will require additional time to properly recommend alternatives to this proposed plan.

Further project details can be found here.

VIEW THE Presentation 

LEAVE COMMENTS HERE

If you would like to join our efforts, please reach out to: discover@pihialliance.com

Join Piedmont Heights Business Alliance to help us move this effort forward. 

http://pihialliance.com/membership

As part of the “Clean Water Atlanta” Consent Decree Program, Department of Watershed Management (DWM) contractors will be performing Sewer Group 4 (SG4) Small Diameter Rehabilitation - Contract A. This work is being done to improve the City of Atlanta’s sewer system within your community. Please see project fact sheet 

SG4-A is the renewal and rehabilitation of selected portions of the City of Atlanta sewer collection system, as designated by the engineer throughout the course of the initial Closed Circuit Television Video (CCTV). CCTV sewer inspection refers to the process of using a camera to see inside of pipelines, sewer lines, or drains. CCTV cameras allow professionals to see the root causes of sewer issues without needing to conduct more invasive methods like digging or removing walls or flooring to gain access to plumbing.

The CCTV investigative work is scheduled to begin between October 3, 2022 - October 24, 2022, and last approximately 10 – 14 weeks, weather permitting. Operational hours for the crew members will be Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Construction work is tentatively scheduled to begin during the 1^st quarter of 2023.

Due to the nature of the construction work that will be done to repair and rehabilitate sections of the sewer line, there will be lane closures and road closures involved in this project. Additional notification will be given prior to the closures and construction work beginning.

Have a great day!

Tarin Love

City of Atlanta | DWM | Public Information Officer -Office of Communicaitions & Community Affairs

72 Marietta Street | Atlanta, GA, 30303 | 7^th Floor

office 404-546-3227 | cell 678-975-8638 |Email: tarinlove@atlantaga.gov

Project construction is underway , with projected opening of at least one lane of traffic in each direction by October 31, 2022.

Other Details

Crews completed pouring the concrete base at the foot of the bridge in August 2022.

 Crews are currently working on the shore wall for span #3, temporary sub-deck at span #2, and continuing work along wall #1.

 Sewer line replacement is underway at the northwest corner of the bridge.

 Utility work is being finalized for the remaining companies.

 Information about this project are available on the ATLDOT website at: https://atldot.atlantaga.gov/cheshire-bridge-updates. 

 We're back from summer break and the HEAT IS ON! 

Please take 5 minutes to read this email...you'll be happy you did. 

 WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!!  PiHi Business Alliance is 58 members strong!! 

Antiques & Beyond and The Shopping Center Group

 SHARE YOUR FEEDBACK ON POTENTIAL ARTISTS

ART ON THE BELTLINE 2022-2023 

CHECK OUT THE ARTISTS & GIVE FEEDBACK HERE BY FRIDAY AUGUST 12TH!

 TUESDAY AUGUST 16TH @ 7PM 

NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING UNIT  (NPU) F MEETING

All business owners with a commercial address located in Atkins Park, Lindridge/Martin Manor , Morningside/Lenox Park, Piedmont Heights and Virginia Highland need to register with NPU-F in order to attend and vote! 

REGISTER HERE

 THURSDAY AUGUST 18TH @ 6:30PM

NORTHEAST TRAIL STUDY GROUP VIRTUAL MEETING              REGISTER HERE

Join Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. (ABI) as we continue the process of updating the Subarea 6 Master Plan. The Subarea 6 geography includes neighborhoods of Ansley Park, Midtown, Morningside/Lenox Park, Piedmont Heights, Sherwood Forest, and Virginia-Highland.

The purpose of this meeting is to present the findings from the design workshops that took place May 16th through May 26th of 2022. We will then review the draft master plan goals and receive your feedback on the draft recommendations for land use (e.g. mixed use, housing, commercial services), mobility (e.g. trails, sidewalks, bikes, transit), parks and greenspace.

CHECK OUT ALL OF THE CONSTRUCTION UPDATES HERE

 MARK YOUR CALENDARS! 

PIEDMONT HEIGHTS BUSINESS ALLIANCE QUARTERLY MEETING

• MONDAY, AUGUST 22ND FROM 9:30AM-11:00AM
• • 9:30-10:00 AM: Coffee & Donut networking sponsored by Nakato
  • 10:00-11:00 AM: Business Meeting
• RSVP HERE

Please join us on Monday, August 22nd at Nakato Japanese Restaurant for our quarterly meeting! 

Everyone is welcome!!! 

• Our District 6 Councilmember Alex Wan WILL BE IN ATTENDANCE to give us an update on the district including Cheshire Bridge. 
• FreightATL Update including an Armour Ottley Walk and Talk on 8/24. 
• Atlanta BeltLine Update- Northeast Trail Construction
• Invest Atlanta will present on three small business programs: 
• • ATL in Business
  • Atlanta Open For Business Fund Programs
  • • Commercial Property Improvement Grant
    • • Webinar: Tuesday August 9 @ 6pm
  • Atlanta Recovery Loan
    

 CHESHIRE BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION

Estimated completion by October 31, 2022

See all the updates here

CELEBRATING LGBTQ+ HISTORY

A COMMUNITY DISCUSSION

SATURDAY AUGUST 27, 2022  @ 10AM

The Department of City Planning, Historic Atlanta, and City of Atlanta Division of LGBTQ Affairs will host our kick-off event to share information on the LGBTQ+ Historic Context Statement. Join us on August 27th from 10am - 1pm at the Out Front Theater. 

MORE INFORMATION + REGISTER

 STATE OF THE BELTLINE

TUESDAY AUGUST 30, 2022 @ 7:30AM

REGISTER HERE- IN PERSON OR VIRTUAL

Thank you for supporting the Piedmont Heights Alliance! 

NORTHEAST TRAIL CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

• Northeast Trail – Segment 1: A 60% design package is expected next month for this segment, which runs from the northern end of the Eastside Trail to Westminster Drive.
• Northeast Trail – Segment 2: Clearing is well underway around the Piedmont Avenue bridge, with crews at work prepping the easternmost bay under the bridge for the multiuse trail to come through. The trail alignment and location of the future ramp at the northeast corner of the trail / road intersection can be viewed in this Northeast Trail presentation from April 13.
  Work on light poles installation along the paved portion of the trail continues. That section will remain open, although we appreciate your patience in cases where the work may extend onto the trail.
  The short, unpaved section to the north will remain open to trail users until construction commences on that segment. ABI will notify the public of trail closures on other sections as construction advances. Construction activities are expected to continue for the next year.
• Northeast Trail – Segment 3: A 60% design package was received this month from the design team, Heath & Lineback, and is under review by the ABI team.
• Details on each Northeast Trail segment can be found in our design and construction updates section: Segment 1, Segment 2, Segments 3.

MEETING: NORTHEAST STUDY GROUP-SUBAREA 6 MASTER PLAN UPDATE

THURSDAY AUGUST 18, 2022 FROM 6:30-8:00PM

REGISTER FOR ZOOM HERE

Join Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. (ABI) as we continue the process of updating the Subarea 6 Master Plan. The Subarea 6 geography includes neighborhoods of Ansley Park, Midtown, Morningside/Lenox Park, Piedmont Heights, Sherwood Forest, and Virginia-Highland.

The purpose of this meeting is to present the findings from the design workshops that took place May 16^th through May 26^th of 2022. We will then review the draft master plan goals and receive your feedback on the draft recommendations for land use (e.g. mixed use, housing, commercial services), mobility (e.g. trails, sidewalks, bikes, transit), parks and greenspace.

10:00 AM	Welcome. Thank you to Nakato for hosting and providing coffee and donuts.  Introductions: Your Name, Business, Location, # of Years in Piedmont Heights
10:15 AM	PiHi Membership  http://pihialliance.com/membership 58 Members. 23 new members in 2022!  Beautify PiHi April 30, 2022 Recap  http://pihialliance.com/Cheshire-Bridge-4.30.22 Cheshire Bridge Banner Campaign 5 banners installed. One more location identified!  Planning in PiHi Atlanta BeltLine SubArea 6 Master Plan: Last Self Guided Workshop at Ansley Mall is Thursday March 26th. Closes @ 7pm. FILL OUT THE SURVEY & INTERACTIVE MAPPING HERE: https://planningatpond.com/beltline6/beltline6-home/ Northwest Fright Study:FreightATL.com  Industry Insight #2 – May 26 2022 | 6 – 7 PM  Register at this link  FreightATL@atlantaga.gov   Residents or business owners/operators that may be interested in participating, FILL OUT THIS FORM ATL311 Task Force - Virtual  Wednesday June 1, 2022 @ 3pm!   Southern Center for Human Rights (SCHR) Are you interested in being part of a cohort of concerned community members? Sign up here  Resurgence Grant deadline is Friday April 27, 2022
10:25 AM	District Updates + What do we need to know?  Cheshire Bridge: Sachi Takahara and Jan Epstein The Heights: Jay Bolas , Wimbledon Salon Suites The Market: Craig McCallister,  Felix’s Atlanta Armour West: Alison Gopal, Northwoods Properties/Armour Yards The Point: Open Monroe Curve: Open Armour East: Open
10:45 AM	PRESENTATION + Q&A: Pre-Arrest Diversion Initiative (PAD) Chyna Quarker chyna@atlantapad.org    Read for more information: http://pihialliance.com/blog/12158868
11:00 AM	Adjourn

• Project Overview:  Freight ATL: Northwest Atlanta Industrial Area Freight Study will address freight movement, traffic operations, and related planning needs in northwest Atlanta. The study is supported by the Atlanta Regional Commission, Atlanta City Councilmember Dustin Hillis (District 9) and Invest Atlanta. Atlanta Department of City Planning is leading the study to ensure that Atlanta’s transportation system can sustain the area’s competitive industrial sector and high quality of life in the neighborhoods that support it. (See project website for more – link below)
• Residents or business owners/operators that may be interested in participating, please add them to this form
  

• Project Timeline:  This project will be active through May 2023.
• Project website is live and can be accessed here: https://www.freightatl.com/
• Several project documents are in various stages of draft development:  Review of Best Practices, Inventory & Assessment, Industrial Development & Jobs Analysis, Industrial Traffic Study
• Study Advisory Committee (SAC) met 5/12; next SAC meeting will be in July. The SAC is comprised of representatives of stakeholder agencies and organizations who will be key in balancing the needs and concerns of industry and neighborhoods, and in advancing implementation of study recommendations. The SAC will provide input on and inform the overall direction of the study.
• Upcoming meetings & events:
• • 5/25 – 5/26:  Industry Insight Sessions – 5/25 (9:00-10:00am) and 5/26 (6:00-7:00pm)

  • Industry Insight #1 – May 25 2022 | 9 – 10 AM 

    Register at this link: 

    https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAqfuiupzsjH9HULDVkfYI-WaCKTiHY7yQ8 

    OR 

     

    Industry Insight #2 – May 26 2022 | 6 – 7 PM 

    Register at this link: 

    https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAtdOGrrz0sH9DJ6e_BkFjG7HJ8D4xTtmLs 

    
    

• Industry Insight Sessions are small group discussions among people directly involved in goods movement and industrial development. Participants will share challenges and opportunities to developing an efficient and safe transportation system that helps support a competitive industrial sector in Atlanta. They will also provide firsthand information to inform supply chain analyses and business linkage studies. 

  • 5/25:  Community Insight Sessions happening 5/25 (6:00-7:00pm)
• Community Insight Sessions are facilitated small group discussions with community members to establish a rapport for ongoing engagement. Community Insight participants will offer a vital perspective on safety and mobility concerns that may not be reflected during other engagement activities. They will be asked to collaborate in developing a shared vision for the study goals, identify key concerns, brainstorm potential solutions, refine draft recommendations, and increase study awareness and participation
• • 6/8:  Walk and Talk tour #1:  Ellsworth Industrial Blvd/Chattahoochee Ave – 6:00-8:00pm
• Walk and Talk Tours will take place in different locations throughout the study area. These tours allow participants to meet on-site, document concerns, and see challenges first-hand. The second round of tours will take place in August at a different location.