key updates - boarddocs, a diligent brand · 4/20/2017 · trees atlanta continues planting the...

President and CEO Update Invest Atlanta

Board of Directors Meeting April 20, 2017

Key Updates

Government Affairs

ABI monitored bills introduced and debated during the 2017 legislative session. Of particular note were two bills in each chamber to create a state transit commission failed to pass this year, but remains alive for 2018. A second bill introduced by Rep. Chad Nimmer (R-Blackshear) HB 642 to allow commercial and commercial residential property owners to petition their local government to increase their ad valorem taxes as part of a Special Improvement District (SID) expected move forward in 2018.

Atlanta City Council passed legislation sponsored by Councilmember Joyce Sheperd placing a 150-day moratorium on self-storage facilities within a half-mile of the Atlanta BeltLine Corridor. The Atlanta BeltLine Design Review Committee has reviewed and rendered decisions on three facilities and three other property owners have presented an interest in siting facilities.

Public Grants

ABI partnered with the City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Resilience on a successful application to the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) Georgia Solar Rebate program for a solar installation to help build the first “off grid” farm barn at the Atlanta BeltLine Urban Farm adjacent to the Westside Trail. The barn and solar installation will be constructed this summer and completed by the end of September.

ABI submitted an application for a Fulton County Arts & Culture Grant for the maximum request amount of $75,000 to support Art on the Atlanta BeltLine 2017.

ABI submitted a proposal to the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) Multimodal Safety & Access Project for safety upgrade improvements to the intersection of Memorial and Bill Kennedy Way along the Eastside Trail. Project improvements include sidewalks, crosswalks, curb transitions, pavement markings, and signal phasing and timing. Notifications are expected by May 1st.

Ongoing Activities

Construction Updates

Westside Trail Construction – Construction continues with trail already installed between Washington Park and I-20 as well as between University and Allene Avenue. Handrails have been installed at the new Lawton/Donnelly ramp and stairs. Trees Atlanta continues planting the arboretum along sections of the corridor where Astra is substantially complete.



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Eastside Trail Extension Construction – The mid-block crossing at Irwin Street is under construction and the road will be re-opened to traffic within the next few weeks. The trail has been poured and the arboretum installed along most of Wylie Street. ABI is working with the contractor and City to coordinate temporary lane closures of the Krog Street tunnel to allow for the installation of new safety handrails. Lane closures will be limited to one direction at a time during non-peak travel times to minimize disruption.

ABI has finalized the approach and costs with Astra for Phase 2 of the trail to Memorial Drive and lights on the Eastside Trail. Work on these two components of the project will begin in early May.



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Transit Supportive Land Use Implementation Plan (TOD) – ABI has started the initial work for this Federal Transit Administration funded grant which will determine the design and development standards for Transit Oriented Development along the Atlanta BeltLine and crosstown street car connections, setting the tone for FTA match funding eligibility.

Sustainability Action Plan / Part 2 – In the next two months, ABI will launch the second level of implementation efforts for the Sustainability Action Plan to ensure broader based sustainability across all programs and projects, increased engagement externally with prospective development partners and the establishment of a more robust performance tracking process.

Affordable Housing

Atlanta Housing Authority Partnership- ABI is currently negotiating a Memorandum of Understanding with the Atlanta Housing Authority that will a provide a programmatic agreement for the entities to use in working together to advance a more robust rapid and cost effective delivery of affordable housing all around the Atlanta BeltLine. This will also serve as the master framework for joint investment and acquisition of parcels and accelerate delivery of affordable mixed income projects in areas such as the Engelwood District and Boulevard Crossing.

670 Dekalb Avenue- Sale/Acquisition has closed as planned and land has been transferred to North American Properties for implementation of this mixed-use, mixed-income development. North American Properties has reserved 20% of the units for affordable (creating36 affordable units in 1 and 2 bedroom configurations). The site is in the Old Fourth Ward and Inman Park neighborhoods within walking distance of Krog St. Market.

1016 Monroe-A request for proposal was issued October 25th. A short list has been established

and interviews will be conducted in April.

Economic Development

Conduit – The RFQ soliciting credentials and experience for collaboration to begin utilizing the Atlanta BeltLine conduit infrastructure was released late in January and closed March 9, 2017.

Murphy Crossing– An RFQ has been released to seek site management expertise to support our efforts to stabilize and activate the 16-acre site in Southwest Atlanta that is controlled by ABI. Responses are due on May 11, 2017.

Current/Updated Economic Development Numbers



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o 7,200 PERMANENT JOBS created since 2006 (through end of 2104 – source: On the Map – U.S. Census Data), toward a goal of 30,000 permanent jobs by the year 2030

o 26,600 ONE YEAR CONSTRUCTION JOBS created since 2006, toward a goal of 48,000 one year construction jobs by the year 2030

o $3.7 BILLION in new private investment since the beginning of the project, with estimated $1.1 billion pipeline of projects projected to complete in the next 18-24 months.

Design & Public Art

Signage and Wayfinding Master Plan – ABI has finalized the locations of our new safety and security signage package for the Westside Trail, Eastside Trail and Eastside Extension. Foundations for the signs will start to be installed in the coming weeks to expedite installation once trail segments are completed. Signage along the Northside Trail will be installed concurrent with lighting and cameras this winter.

Enota Park – ABI is currently developing an RFP for Design Services for Enota Park with the intent of having a Design Team under contract this summer.

Boulevard Crossing Park – As part of the larger Englewood Partnership, ABI is evaluating the

potential of including a regional stormwater facility at Boulevard Crossing Park (similar to Historic Fourth Ward Park) to help incentivize new developments. ABI will start to develop a RFP for Design Services for Boulevard Crossing Park in the next quarter.

Southside Trail Design – ABI has received the 50% design package for the final section of trail.

There is a public meeting on April 24th to share the progress of the design and solicit feedback.



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With five large scale, permanent works in development alongside our continued, successful Art on the Atlanta Beltline, we see significant movement forward improving the portfolio of art for the city.

Reynoldstown Pavilion and Public Space-At nearly 80% design; a public meeting is planned for April 24th.

Sun Trust Columns-agreement with owners signed; removal being planned.

Birth of Atlanta Sculpture- This 1996 Amy Landesberg piece consists of a steel frame with seven pairs of perforated metal that commemorates the founding of Atlanta. We continue to negotiate with the city.

Excelsior Steam Engine- installation is complete; historic signage being developed.



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Schrager Foundation Sculpture-drainage and sub-base completed; final paving installation is

underway.

Transportation

NEPA1 Streetcar Envionrmental Clearences o Crosstown Downtown (Purple Line) Corridor- ABI is working towards a consensus with

AUC and the larger community around a preferred alignment to Beltline West. The Administrative Draft Categorical Exclusion Document is expected to be submitted to FTA by May 2017.

o Atlanta BeltLine East Corridor - We are preparing Environmental Assessment (EA) documents for two options to cross the existing Hulsey Yard and MARTA bridge – (i) tunnel underneath DeKalb Avenue and Hulsey Yard and (2) Connecting Beltline transit to MARTA’s King Memorial rail station. We plan to submit both documents to FTA by end of June 2017.

MARTA TRANSIT -ABI is providing support to the City in coordination with MARTA to solidify

program delivery agreements that will establish roles and responsibilities for implementation of Atlanta Light Rail Program (which includes the Atlanta BeltLine) as a part of the MARTA ½ cent sales tax program.

RENEW Atlanta Support Services o Ralph David Abernathy Boulevard Complete Street Project- The team of Volkert Inc. was

selected for this project and we executed a contract in early March and issued a Notice to



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Proceed. We are currently compiling the project database and community engagement materials for an April 17 public meeting.

o University Avenue Corridor Scoping Study- Procurement was advertised on March 21 with a pre-proposal meeting scheduled for April 14, 2017. The proposals are due April 21 at 3pm.

Community Engagement & Planning

Innovative Zoning – ABI is working with the City’s Department of Planning on adoption of a new Industrial-Mix (I-Mix) Zoning category. It was introduced to City Council in mid-March and is currently within the NPU review process. The I-Mix District would allow certain light industrial uses to coexist with mixed-use development and supportive housing options, allowing underutilized industrial properties to incorporate entrepreneurial innovation and incubator space to coexist with start-ups where owners are also residents.

ABI has completed the latest round of technical corrections on the Atlanta BeltLine Overlay and submitted to the City’s Office of Planning for adoption. The technical corrections will be introduced in April to City Council.

The first Quarterly Briefing of 2017 was held on March 30th at Atlanta Technical College. Atlanta

BeltLine, Inc. presented a review of programs and progress. A special presentation followed with

facilitated panel discussion entitled a “Conversation on Affordable Housing”. Panelists included

David Jackson with ABP, Valerie Bernardo, City of Atlanta Department of Housing, Catherine

Buell, Atlanta Housing Authority, James Alexander, ABI, Dillon Barnes, Columbia Ventures. The

panel was moderated by Sameera Fazili with the Federal Reserve Bank.

key updates - boarddocs, a diligent brand · 4/20/2017 · trees atlanta continues planting the...

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