This week we launched construction for the new Midtown Streetscape in Roswell, a unique quality of life improvement project that represents a $1.9 million improvement on Highway 9. The augmentations begin at Norcross Street and continues north for two miles toward Holcomb Bridge Road. 

This long awaited plan was originally conceived and championed by former Roswell councilwoman Lori Henry. She, along with her city council colleagues, Mayor Jere Wood and former councilman David Tolleson garnered widespread support for the initiative. Their unyielding enthusiasm and dogged determination -- it was eight years in the making -- finally paid off, as they braved the snow and ice to attend the historic groundbreaking.

LCI: AN ACRONYM WE'LL COME TO LOVE

The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) has a program called the Livable Communities Initiative or LCI grant program.  What is the purpose of the LCI program?  The LCI program is designed to encourage investment and growth in existing activity centers that will enhance walk ability and in some areas offer a transit option.  By advocating this type of growth we are discouraging further sprawl.

This Midtown Streetscape will add trees and landscaping, lanes will be shortened six inches and a center lane will be added that will have a brick paved look with three pedestrian islands throughout the two-mile section.  This will result in slower speeds of traffic while encouraging a pedestrian friendly environment. It will spur new economic development along its corridor.

Another LCI grant that was just awarded two weeks ago was the $4 million Encore Parkway grant. Its purpose is to enhance the Encore Parkway Bridge by adding bicycle and walking lanes. This project will connect the North Point mall area to the Encore Park development, encourage pedestrian traffic and serve as a catalyst for new economic development as well.

At both ARC and DOT, we are looking at ways to streamline the environmental and permitting process so that a project like the Midtown Streetscape project does not take eight years to implement. These two programs will enhance the quality of our life we have grown accustom to here in North Fulton. They will also help to create new jobs. When it all comes together, it’s a beautiful thing.

Contact Brandon Beach at brandonlbeach@aol.com.