News

Public input is essential to the success of ATL Zoning 2.0. We’ll be working closely with Atlanta’s residents, businesses, and property owners to explore, draft, test, and refine the new Zoning Ordinance and Official Zoning Map well before the official adoption process begins.

The process includes thirteen rounds of public meetings and workshops, not including the official adoption process.  The Atlanta Zoning Ordinance Rewrite’s public process starts with Idea Labs. Idea Labs are opportunities for planning and zoning experts to share ideas that might be appropriate to incorporate into the new Zoning Ordinance. Ideas presented are all subject to refinement as the new Zoning Ordinance is discussed and vetted through the public process.

MORE INFORMATION

Idea Labs 2: Coding after COVID-19 / Sustainability

VIRTUAL ON ZOOM

Tuesday, November 9, 2021

6:00 pm-8:00 pm

REGISTER HERE  This Idea Lab will explore how COVID-19 has changed cities and how they can be more environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable.

Idea Labs 3: Urban Ecology / Coding for Mobility and Access

Tuesday, November 16, 2021

6:00 pm-8:00 pm

REGISTER HERE This Idea Lab will examine how zoning can affect how we move around, access daily needs, and embrace Atlanta’s natural systems.

Idea Labs 4: Coding for Place / Unlocking Residual Space

Idea Labs 4: Coding for Place / Unlocking Residual Space

Tuesday, December 14, 2021

6:00 pm-8:00 pm

REGISTER HERE: This Idea Lab will examine how zoning can be tailored to Atlanta’s unique neighborhoods and make better use of space within them.

Review the District 6 Candidate Discussion 

Review the Small Biz Candidate Forums

Cheshire Bridge Demolition to Begin Week of November 8th
All Bridge Access Restricted Through End of Construction

ATLANTA—The City of Atlanta Department of Transportation (ATLDOT) announced utility relocation work is complete on the fire-damaged Cheshire Bridge over South Fork Peachtree Creek, clearing the way for demolition work to begin the week of November 8th.

The bridge was closed to traffic after a fire severely compromised its safety and efficacy in August of this year. A demolition contractor was selected in late September and vendors have been working to move power, water, gas, cable and phone lines off the bridge and around the construction zone.

Final preparations are scheduled to be completed by Sunday, November 7th. Investigative demolition work—as well as bridge sidewalk and overhang removal—will then take place, with major demolition scheduled to begin later that same week.

“We are grateful for the patience and continued support of the local community in the face of the tremendous inconvenience caused by the Cheshire Bridge closure,” said ATLDOT Commissioner Josh Rowan. “Issues encountered during the utility relocation process have delayed the start of demolition, but work should progress well from this point.”

The designated contractor will work seven days a week on a 24-hour-a-day schedule to complete the demolition. This aggressive schedule will ensure the safety of the public, while preparing the bridge for construction in 2022.

“We are currently preparing a bid package for design and construction and expect to have a contractor on board soon after demolition is complete,” Rowan said. “We remain committed to getting the bridge demolished and replaced as safely and quickly as possible.” 

About ATLDOT:  The Atlanta Department of Transportation serves as both the coordinating agency for all transportation matters within the city government and as the point of contact for residents and external agencies. ATLDOT’s goal is to provide a safer, more equitable and more sustainable transportation network throughout the city.

Southbound Armour Traffic Gains Lane to Westbound Monroe Dr. Next Week as Roundabout Work Continues              

ATLANTA – Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) contractors will switch the existing traffic patterns at the intersection of Monroe Drive and Armour Drive next week as construction of the Monroe-Armour Roundabout continues at the intersection in the City of Atlanta, Fulton County.  When the project is complete, the single lane roundabout will enhance driver and pedestrian safety and improve mobility through this busy intersection.

Weather and on-site conditions permitting, construction will move to Stage 2, with these traffic shifts in place between Monday, November 8 and Friday, November 12:

• Two lanes of traffic will be able to travel southbound on Armour Drive from under the SR 13/Buford Connector bridge to the Monroe Drive intersection for access to westbound (right turn) access onto Monroe. This additional space was created by widening Armour Drive in Stage 1. This week, crews are scheduled to restripe Armour for the two travel lanes.
• Monroe Drive traffic lanes will be shifted north so that crews can begin widening the southern lane.  Once the traffic shift is achieved, flaggers will be on-site to help direct drivers through the area.

Stage 2 construction plans are estimated to take place from now until early winter 2022, including widening the Monroe section of the project, implementing the new lane shift with the temporary traffic signal adjusted to maximize travel through the area and beginning to install lighting at the intersection.  

These closures are needed to provide safety for drivers and workers. Drivers should expect traffic delays related to this construction next week and are advised to alter their travel routes and/or allow additional time for travel to/from destinations near the project area.   
To minimize delays in the area, several measures have already been implemented, including:  

• Timing of traffic signals at the intersections of Armor Drive at Monroe Drive and at the SR 13/ Buford Spring Connector ramp have been adjusted to maximize traffic flow. 
• Traffic control measures including temporary barriers, flaggers, on-site message boards and signage alert approaching drivers to choose alternate travel routes and/or allow additional travel time through the area.
• “Don’t Block the Box” signage has been installed at Armour Drive at SR 13/ Buford Spring Connector to prevent vehicles from blocking the intersection.
• Work hours are limited to daytime (9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.) during the week and overnights (8:00 p.m. until 5:00 a.m.) Friday through Monday morning to avoid traffic impacts during peak travel times.  

Once complete, features of the new Monroe-Armour Roundabout will reduce delays and improve travel through the intersection, including:

• On Armour Drive southbound, a new right turn lane and left turn lane;
• On Monroe Drive westbound, a shared right turn and through lane;
• On Monroe Drive eastbound, a shared left turn and through lane; and
• The existing right-turn only lane on the SR 13 exit ramp to the intersection will be converted to a shared left and right turn lane.
• In addition, sidewalks, curb and gutter and a bus stop will be constructed.

The $1.6 million project is scheduled for completion in April 2022, weather and on-site conditions permitting.  

Message boards and signage will advise drivers to slow their speed through the area.  Motorists are advised to expect some traffic delays, exercise caution, and reduce their speed while traveling through work zones. Before heading out, get real-time information on work status and traffic conditions. Call 511, visit 511ga.org, or download the Georgia 511 app. 

Read the presentation with all the project details

Contact Info: 

Akara Tan, GDOT Project Manager

Work Cell: (404) 809-0098

Email: atan@dot.ga.gov

Akara Tan, Construction Project Manager

Project Email: Armour-MonroeRoundabout@dot.ga.gov

(this email connects to GDOT project staff including the project manager)

ATLANTA SMALL BUSINESS CANDIDATE FORUM SERIES: 9.24-9.26

Please join the Old Fourth Ward Business Association and idealDESIGN in amplifying small business voices during this City of Atlanta election on November 2nd!

FILL OUT THE SMALL BUSINESS FORM NOW!! 

YOUR INPUT WILL BE USED AT THE FORUMS STARTING SEPTEMBER 23RD!  

At-Large Seats - Atlanta Small Business Candidate Forum
Fri, Sep 24, 6:30 PM
Our Bar ATL • Atlanta, GA

• IN-PERSON: Recording will be provided following the event

City Council President - Atlanta Small Business Candidate Forum
Sat, Sep 25, 10:30AM

• VIRTUAL: Recording will be provided following the event

Atlanta Small Business Mayoral Forum
Sun, Sep 26, 1:00 PM
The Roof at Ponce City Market • Atlanta, GA

• In-Person + Live Stream

REGISTER NOW

The Atlanta Department of Transportation has completed the response and recovery efforts associated with the fire on August 4, 2021, which severely compromised the efficacy of Cheshire Bridge over South Fork Peachtree Creek. Below is a summary of rebuild activities for August 23-27, 2021 that have been completed, are in progress, and planned for implementation.

Overview of activities COMPLETED:

• AUGUST 23 – Evaluated bids received for bridge demolition; Office of Procurement has confirmed C.W. Matthews Contracting Co., Inc., as best responsive bidder. Contract negotiations have been initiated.
• AUGUST 23-27 – Finalized relocation sequencing for maximum safety, expediency, and efficiency.
• AUGUST 27 – Completed final draft of emergency design/build RFP for GDOT review.

Overview of activities IN PROGRESS:

• Completing final contract revisions in preparation for signatures and execution by August 30 or August 31.
• Implementing utility relocation sequencing, with about 70-80% of pre-demolition relocation complete. Site meeting to discuss progress and challenges scheduled for Thursday, September 2.
• Confirming construction access points and placement of cranes and other large equipment.
• Securing title reports for all adjacent properties for rebuild project files.
• Evaluating and counterprogramming against risks to timely demo, design and rebuild.

Overview of activities PLANNED:

• Arrange for GDOT bridge team review of draft Emergency Design/Build RFP.
• Execute contract and issue NTP (Notice to Proceed) to selected contractor (C.W. Matthews).
• Confirm preliminary schedule for demo.
• Finalize and issue Emergency Design/Build RFP.

The Piedmont Enhancement Project is Atlanta Gas Light's latest commitment to strengthen the safety, reliability, and resiliency of its infrastructure.

Join Atlanta Gas Light for a virtual community event to learn about the impact of the project in the Buckhead community and how the project is assisting the company with meeting its energy commitments in Atlanta. 

READ MORE

Beginning in January 2021, after many unresolved ATL311 reports in 2020, the Piedmont Heights Alliance and Piedmont Heights Civic Association created an ATL311 Task Force to address, escalate and get solutions to ongoing infrastructure issues in our neighborhood.

The Piedmont Heights Alliance's ATL311 Task Force has been working very closely with City of Atlanta's ombudsman and Salethea J. Graham and Commissioner City of Atlanta, Department of Customer Service| ATL311 regarding the ongoing issues on Armour Drive NE under the the MARTA overpass.

February 3, 2021 Status of Armour Drive NE

There are numerous potholes on Armour Drive near 342 Armour Dr NE, Atlanta, GA 30324, under the MARTA/Atlanta BeltLine bridge (on the curve) that are unfixable. There have been several ATL311 reports by Piedmont Heights Alliance as well as Emily Baker with Preferred Office Properties- who manage 6 buildings in the Armour Yards area.

The pothole will be patched, inadequately, and then open again a day or two later.

We need a permanent fix to these problems. This was also the site of  much flooding due to a traffic cone stuck in the drain. We did fix this problem in August 2019 with help from the Atlanta Beltline and Jennifer Ide after months of consistent work.

This area also has a huge drain that is broken, graffiti and constant sand dumping by the concrete plants that impacts businesses in the district.

RESPONSE FROM Mikita K. Browning, Commissioner City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management on February March 17, 2021

• Team review of sand and potholes as a base line
  
• Backhoe was ordered to remove excess sand as well street sweeper
  
• Graffiti covered
• Drain basin fixed.
  

Information about the Application Portal.

Registration for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) will begin Friday, April 30 at 9 a.m. EDT and SBA will begin accepting applications via the application portal on Monday, May 3 at 12 p.m. EDT. The application portal will remain open to any eligible establishment until all funds are exhausted.

How to prepare.

In preparation, qualifying applicants should familiarize themselves with the application process in advance to ensure a smooth and efficient application. Follow the steps below. 

• Register for an account in advance at restaurants.sba.gov starting Friday, April 30 at 9 a.m. EDT. If you are working with Square or Toast, you do not need to register beforehand on the application portal.
• Review the sample application, program guide and cross-program eligibility chart on SBA COVID-19 relief options. 
• 
  
  

FULL INFO ON RRF

Restaurant Revitalization Fund WEBINAR: What Small Businesses Need to Know Plus Updates and Answers to your PPP, EIDL, and ERTC questions

WATCH NFIB 4.28 WEBINAR

 UPDATE REGARDING APPLICATION PROCESS

Thank you for your interest in the Restaurant Revitalization Fund program. Regardless of where you are in the application process, please review the following reminders and helpful hints about moving forward: 

What to expect next:

1. As outlined by Congress, the SBA will focus their reviews on the priority applications that have been submitted. Applicants who have submitted a non-priority application will find their applications remain in a Review status while the priority applications are processed during the first 21 days. Applicants in this status should not anticipate any outreach from the SBA during this period. 
2. Following a successful application submission, all applications will first enter a stage called “IRS verification”. This process may take up to seven days and allows the SBA to validate your application submission.
3. If you have questions about the award calculation, see the program guide, pages 7–9.
4. The 4506T form is signed with your application during the e-sign process. You do not need to submit an additional 4506T.
5. If you are entering a state in the address section(s) use the abbreviation in capital letters (e.g., PA, TX, ME, WA, etc.).
6. For application support, you may submit a message using the platform inbox. For quick answers, this may be your best route.

As a reminder, per federal award program guidelines that require the same and equal information be provided to each applicant, SBA’s team members are limited on responses they can provide to applicants, including specific questions regarding RRF eligibility, potential award amount, and other detailed information.

Thank you,
SBA Restaurant Revitalization Fund Program