Please know that we have been working assiduously to have resurfacing on Mt. Paran Road as well as other District 8 roads that are in dire need of attention.
Neighborhood donations/support for projects:Channing Valley: Playground renovations
Chastain Park: Donations to Horse Park & Tree House Restoration
Collier Hills: Trails
Loring Heights: Playground improvements
Memorial Park: Peachtree Creek Master Plan
Springlake: Park improvements
Paces: Standing Peachtree Greenspace
Peachtree Battle: Betty Young Park and PATH
Wildwood: Beaverbrook Park Improvements
Traffic Calming/Improvements:Ardmore Park: Stop signs
Argonne Forest: Stop signs and catch basin repair
Brandon: Sidewalk repairs and stop signs
Castlewood: Speed cushions and stop signs
Chastain Park: Stop signs
Collier Hills: Speed cushions and stop signs
Kingswood: Stop signs
Margaret Mitchell: Stop signs
Peachtree Battle: E. Rivers School signage
Randall Mill: Striping
South Tuxedo Park: Stop sign
Wesley Battle: Stop signs
Wesley Battle/Margaret Mitchell intersection: Adding left turn lanes
Westminster/Milmar: Pooling remediation
2024 Committee Assignments:Because of Council President Shipman’s expressed interest, I will serve on the Public Safety & Legal Administration, Zoning, and Community Development & Human Services Committees. The purview of these committees include the update of the Zoning Code, the review of the Comprehensive Development Plan, and Phase Two of the Tree protection Ordinance.
Finally, I want to publicly thank my Chief of Staff: Jim Elgar for his tremendous work during these past two years. Jim is the hardest working person I know and I am fortunate to have him supporting us all in District 8 with his extensive knowledge, professionalism, and dedication to our office and to our City.
As always, I appreciate having the opportunity to serve you.
Mary
Department updates and partner organizations:My office enjoys excellent partnerships with the City’s departments as well as with organizations within the Buckhead community. I am happy to share their summaries of their District 8 activities (itemized below):
THE ATLANTA POLICE DEPARTMENT:
Two percent crime reduction overall for Zone Two (would be 3rd straight year finishing down in crime)
Down 28 percent in Violent Crime in 2023.
Down or even in seven out of nine Part I Crime categories (only increase in shoplifting and car theft)
Currently leads the entire city with over 36,000 traffic stops.
Currently leads the entire city with over 7,600 arrests.
Fourteen Zone Two Officers have been presented Excellence Awards in 2023.
Zone 2 HQ:
Carpet replaced throughout the Zone Two Precinct.
New toilets installed in Zone Two Precinct restrooms.
Gift cards distributed to every Officer assigned to Zone Two.
THE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATIONTennis & PickleballReceived approved legislation by City Council for Agape Tennis Academy to oversee operations and management of Atlanta's tennis centers (Bitsy & Chastain)
Vendor to provide tennis lessons by certified instructors
Plans to build a top-tier experience that will enrich and expand recreational opportunities
Made pickleball accessible to players
Golf CentersRepaved cart paths at Chastain
Park Improvements and Additions Repaired playground, amenities and drainage at Ardmore Park
Hosted groundbreaking for kayak launch and park access improvements at Standing Peachtree Greenspace
Replaced playground through neighborhood fundraising and grant: replaced parking lot at Tanyard Creek Park
Designated Woodward Way parklet (Betty Young Park) as an official park from DWM
Other Contributions Helped facilitate the development of the RFP (Request for Proposals) for the Chastain Master Plan and participated in the selection process for master plan consultants
Contributed to discussions regarding the Atlanta Memorial Park Conservancy Watershed Study
Evaluated the quality of parks and Chastain Tennis Center via QPAT Park & Recreation Evaluations (Activate ATL Recreation and Parks for All comprehensive master plan)
DEPARTMENT OF WATERSHED MANAGEMENT (DWM) 522 Peachtree Battle Avenue NW & 2499 Sagamore Drive NW Stormwater ProjectProject Start Date: May 2023
Project End Date: September 2023
DWM contracted Ruby-Collins, Inc. to install a 24 inch stormwater line at 522 Peachtree Battle Avenue NW and 2499 Sagamore Drive NW. The project improved the storm drainage system and provided new upgrades to the aging infrastructure.
Creek and Road Stabilization Project at 709 Woodward Way NWProject Start Date: May 2023
Project End Date: August 2023
DWM contracted Ruby-Collins, Inc. to perform creek stabilization at 709 Woodward Way NW. The aim of the project is to prevent further erosion and restore the stability of the road. Through this initiative, DWM intends to ensure the long-term preservation of the area and mitigate any potential environmental risk.
Emergency Sewer Point Repair at 559 Woodward Way NW/ Sagamore Drive NWProject Start Date: October 2023
Project End Date: November 2023
DWM contracted Ruby-Collins, Inc. to perform an emergency point repair to the 10-inch sanitary sewer line at 559 Woodward Way NW. The project addressed the damaged infrastructure and ensured the proper functioning of the sewer system in the area.
Clean Water Atlanta: Sewer Group 4 - Contracts A & B Project Start Date: March 2023
Project End Date: December 2023 (2 contracts in progress)
DWM contracted Ruby-Collins, Inc. and Rockdale Pipeline to perform structural upgrades to deteriorated, small diameter sewers at 15 locations in District 8. These improvements will reduce the number of sanitary sewer overflows into streams & creeks and extend the life of the sewer collection system for an additional 50+ years.
PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS:THE ATLANTA BELTLINEIn 2023, Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. (ABI) continued our mission to build a more equitable and inclusive Atlanta by delivering transformative public infrastructure that enhances mobility, fosters culture, and improves connections to economic opportunity.
Over the last year, ABI opened a completed segment of the Northeast Trail and began further construction on segments of the Northeast, Southside, and Westside Trails. We head into 2024 with increased momentum and optimism. By the end of 2024, the northern segments of the mainline trail will reach 100% design, and 85% of the 22-mile loop will be under construction or complete.
We expanded our land holdings for new affordable housing, affordable commercial opportunities, and job creation. Our team aided small businesses through our BeltLine Marketplace and BeltLine Business Ventures programs, worked with commercial districts, and launched our digital inclusion & innovation strategy. We are grateful for support from our federal partners, our BeltLine Tax Allocation District partners at the City of Atlanta, Fulton County, and Atlanta Public Schools, and generous philanthropic leaders.
[Check out our Top 10 highlights here:
Atlanta BeltLine, Inc.'s Top 10 of 2023 - YouTube]
LIVABLE BUCKHEAD Livable Buckhead had another successful year working with partners to make sure Buckhead remains a thriving community for many years to come. We continued work on PATH400 and have reached 35% completion on the last major segment of the trail in Buckhead. The next time you drive south on GA 400 into Buckhead, take a peek to the right when you approach the Wieuca Rd. overpass, and you can catch a glimpse of our progress!
In 2023, Livable Buckhead encouraged Buckhead residents and workers to get physically active through our annual walk challenge and 5K, and we hope you will join us for those events in April and May 2024. Thanks to excellent help from Ebony and Erin at the Mayor’s Office of Special Events, Livable Buckhead hosted a full slate of community events throughout 2023.
Last year we worked with partners including Councilwoman Norwood and the Atlanta Police Department to support public safety efforts, including a program to educate people on the important role they can play in reducing crime by simply removing valuables and locking their vehicles every time they leave them. Thank you, Councilwoman Norwood, for your leadership – we look forward to more partnerships in 2024!
