Atlanta, Top Green City?

Mayor Kasim Reed unveiled his ambitious plan for Atlanta to become one of the top 10 green cities in the nation.  Currently, Atlanta ranks 19th on SustainLane U.S. City Rankings.  Mayor Reed’s plan seeks to:

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions within the City 25% by 2020, 40% by 2030, and 80% by 2050

Reduce energy use for existing municipal operations 15% by 2020, 40% by 2030, and 80% by 2050

Make renewable energy 5% of total municipal use by 2015

Bring local food within 10 minutes of 75% percent of all residents by 2020

You can review the City’s complete Sustainability Plan Executive Summary here.

Atlanta City Hall East Deal Inked

Green Street Properties inked a deal to purchase Atlanta’s City Hall East (the old  Sears building) for $27 million.  The Atlanta City Council must still approve the sale.

Green Street Properties proposed redevelopment plans include 20% small and mid-box retail space, 40% residential and 40% office space.

Green Street Properties is “a national green consulting and development firm focused on creating sustainable urban properties. Green Street is a subsidiary of Jamestown, an international real estate investment and management firm that has acquired over $8 billion in US real estate.”  It is best known in Atlanta for Glenwood Park.

Revive285 Seeks Public Input On Eight Alternative Designs

revive285 seeks public comment on eight transportation alternatives developed to address the traffic problems on the northern I-285 corridor between I-75 and I-85.  The Georgia Department of Transportation and the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority launched revive285 top end in 2006. 

The eight alternative designs range from no action to elevated light rail.  You can review the alternatives here.  You can submit your questions or comments here. 

Atlanta Approves Bonds for Beltline

On Monday, the Atlanta City Council approved $117 million in bonds for the Beltline.  In 2006, Atlanta approved $200 million in bonds for the Beltline, which was ruled unconstitutional by the Georgia Supreme Court because school property tax revenues were being spent on redevelopment projects like the Beltline.  These newly approved bonds will only be based upon city and county tax revenues, not school property taxes.

DeKalb residents are both for and against the project.

Here is a copy of the Georgia Supreme Court opinion invalidating the 2006 bond.