Rethinking Five Points revival; 'drastic' transit cuts; ATL bike rodeo

DOWNTOWN—Just when it seemed the summer of drama over MARTA’s plan to remake Five Points station was on vacation, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens is asking the transit agency to scrap its current (paused) plans for peeling off the station’s faulty canopy and consider a temporary, 10-year fix instead, according to the AJC.

The mayor has asked for a cost analysis on the temporary solution. But agency CEO Collie Greenwood expressed fears to MARTA’s board of directors today that compiling that cost comparison could take a full year—and ultimately bump up the cost of the $230-million remake of the canopy and surrounding plazas.

Other hazards of delaying, according to Greenwood, could be lost federal funding and lawsuits from contractors who were ready to begin demo work at MARTA’s largest and busiest station this month and had spent funds in doing so. Some board members, as the newspaper relays, have sided with Greenwood in being skeptical a delay of Five Points’ redo is the proper tactic.

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CITYWIDE—In a compelling but disconcerting report this week that’s alarmed local transit supporters, Saporta Report relays how a proposal to drastically reduce metro Atlanta’s Xpress commuter bus system could have real impacts on people’s lives—and why it’s a source of concern for suburban commuters and community leaders in places like Midtown, who fear an inundation of more cars.  

Officials say the plan—called “Redefining the Ride”—is necessary given Xpress’ precipitous drop in ridership since 2019, when average daily ridership was 7,685 commuters versus just 771 during the heart of the pandemic. According to officials with the ATL, or Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority, ridership has been steadily rising in more recent years but remains far below its pre-COVID peak. The solution, according to ATL, could be to slash the system’s current 27 routes (55 stops) to 10 routes (12 stops), while cutting the Xpress’ 27 park-and-ride lots to 17, all by sometime next spring.

Here’s a couple of graphics that paint the troublesome picture:

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BUCKHEAD—Who’s ready to rodeo—on two wheels? [UPDATE: 1:45 p.m., July 19: This event have been cancelled due to inclement weather, according to city officials.] 

The Atlanta Department of Transportation sends word that a “pedal together” bike safety rodeo is going down this weekend as a means of teaching kids skills and techniques needed to be safer bicyclists in the city. Fifty bike helmets are being donated by partner group Safe Routes to School, and all attendees will score safety items including bike lights and reflectors, plus tips on properly fitting helmets.

The free event takes place from 11 a.m. to noon Saturday at Buckhead’s Mountain Way Common park (684 Mountain Drive NE). Other partners include Livable Buckhead, Propel ATL, Georgia Commute Schools, and the Safe Kids Fulton County Coalition.

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CHAMBLEE—The City of Chamblee and MARTA are planning to officially unveil the north ITP’s city latest public art installation Monday morning—a 2017 sculpture by artist Phil Proctor called “Metaphysica” that “explores the possibilities of physical existence… beyond the five human senses,” per officials. It was purchased by the Chamblee Public Arts Commission with funds from Georgia’s hotel-motel fees, which are meant for boosting tourism.

The sizable, vibrantly red piece will be placed on the Peachtree Road side of Chamblee’s MARTA station, and it looks like this:   

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