Latest news with #AtlantaRegionalCommission
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Clayton County, 5 cities awarded $200,000 for housing market analysis by Atlanta Regional Commission
The Atlanta Regional Commission is giving Clayton County and the cities of Forest Park, Jonesboro, Lake City, Lovejoy and Riverdale $200,000 for a new analysis of the area's housing market. According to the Clayton County Board of Commissioners, the funding will allow the county to perform a technical, data-driven analysis of the current housing market in a bid to identify areas where improvements could make housing more affordable and accessible. Officials said it would also help cities hopefully find ways to best plan for growth, provide accessible senior housing and establish an appropriate combination of housing options. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] TRENDING STORIES: Marietta hotel fined women hundreds for smoking, but they say other activities tripped sensors If you're picking up someone at the airport, the cell lot will now have a new name 'Life doesn't feel real:' Family mourns GA 9-year-old found shot in car 'Housing is central to the county's Economic Development efforts,' Clayton County Director of Community Development Patrick Ejike said in a statement. 'The Community Development Assistance Program (CDAP) grant award enhances the county's approved and adopted 2039 Comprehensive Plan and the way forward Zoning Ordinance Rewrite project.' By doing so, Ejike said the county was is taking intentional and strategic steps to prepare what they'll need to have their economic development agenda and Moving Clayton Forward initiative progress. Officials said Clayton County was one of seven recipients for funding in the metro Atlanta area to get a grant from ARC's Community Development Assistance Program. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
ARC approves $207 million increase for long-term transport plan budget
The Atlanta Regional Commission announced last week that they'd amended their 2050 Metropolitan Transportation Plan, adding $207 million in additional budget for improvement projects. The section amended was for the 2024-2027 fiscal year Transportation Improvement Program and the new funding includes 25 projects across the Atlanta region, according to ARC on May 14. "The amendment reflects cost increases, changes to project timelines, and new projects that are exempt from air quality requirements, which include remaining projects funded through the 2024 TIP solicitation process," ARC said in a statement. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] ARC said the amended cost will impact changes to project timelines and new projects that are exempt from air quality requirements. More detailed information is available about the Transportation Improvement Program here, while updates on the amendment itself are here. TRENDING STORIES: 20 parks to close on Lake Lanier Judge rules that deputy who shot, killed DeKalb airman can't leave to seek employment As restaurant closures hit West Midtown, one Atlanta restauranteur offers a lifeline Here are the projects included with the additional funding: Cost estimate adjustments to: I-75 Commercial Vehicle Lanes in Henry County SR 20 (Cumming Highway/Knox Bridge Highway) Widening in Cherokee County Upper Riverdale Road Bridge Upgrade in Clayton County SR 13 (Peters Street) Bridge Replacement in City of Atlanta Projects that are exempt for air quality review include: 2024 TIP Solicitation Peachtree Safe Street project (City of Atlanta/Midtown Alliance) Marietta Boulevard Safe Street project (City of Atlanta) Federal Recreational Trail Program Rivers Edge Trail extension (Clayton County) Chattahoochee RiverLands Recreational Trail and Riverview Trailhead (City of Smyrna) Wheel Beautiful – Riverlands Scenic Universal Access Trail (City of Chattahoochee Hills) [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Henry County unveils new fixed bus route as part of transit master plan
The Brief Henry County is launching its own fixed bus route this fall. It's part of a transit master plan commissioners approved in 2022. The three-year pilot program will connect popular spots like McDonough Square, Piedmont Henry Hospital, and the Stockbridge Park and Ride Lot, all for $2.50 one way. HENRY COUNTY, Ga. - A new transit system is coming to Henry County this fall. The backstory Commissioners unanimously approved the three-year Henry Connect pilot program earlier this month. County leaders say projects like this are needed as the city continues to grow. In fact, according to the Atlanta Regional Commission, Henry County is one of the fastest-growing counties in the area, with nearly 22,000 new residents from 2020-2024. This pilot program is part of a Transit Master Plan commissioners approved in 2022. The county will get $1.6 million each year from the federal Congestion Mitigation Air Quality Grant. Henry County will also contribute $400,000. After three years, the county will determine if the route should continue. What they're saying "With the growth of Henry County, you just want to provide other options," Henry County Transit Director Taleim Salters said. Salters said they specifically chose smaller 32-seat buses to complement the existing on-demand service they have in the county, rather than bringing in larger buses like MARTA. "Henry County is really not quite ready for MARTA yet. This bus was built to make it kind of look like our existing bus service we already have, so it's kind of introducing them to mass transit," Salters said. Chair Carlotta Harrell sent FOX 5 a statement about the pilot project: "As Henry County continues to grow, we are continually looking for ways to help alleviate traffic congestion and increase mobility throughout the county. The new, fixed route is an additional offering through the Henry County Transit Department to help do just that. We are excited to provide alternative modes of transportation to our residents so they can travel across our county more quickly and efficiently." The Source The details in this article come from the Henry County Board of Commissioners.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Atlanta air quality gets failing grade in new American Lung Association national ranking
According to the Atlanta Regional Commission, transportation contributes about 10% of air pollution in the region. John McCosh/Georgia Recorder (file) The American Lung Association's 2025 annual air quality index gives failing grades to Georgia's population center for smog and air pollution. The American Lung Association's 'State of the Air' report released Wednesday ranks Atlanta third worse in ozone pollution and fourth worse in year-round counts for particle pollution in the Southeast. The association's 28th annual report examines data during a three year window from 2021 to 2023, a period during the transition out of a pandemic that kept the roads clearer due to more people working from home. Atlanta's grade also slips from a C to F for ground-level ozone pollution after recording 5.5 unhealthy days per year compared to 1.8 days in the 2024 report. Atlanta's ozone emissions ranks 48th worst out of 228 cities across the country, which is the third worst metro area in Southeast. Atlanta ranked 67th worst nationally in the Lung Association's 2024 findings. The 2025 report issued Atlanta a failing grade for short term spikes in particle pollution levels recorded above the federal standard. Atlanta, which received a failing grade in 2024, was ranked 34th worst out of 204 nationally and tied for fourth worst metro area in Southeast. The report measures levels of ozone, which is one of the components of smog that becomes worse during the summer as Georgia's dog days set in. The program also tracks the amount of particle pollution emitted from industrial sources such as power plants. Nearly half of the U.S. population live in areas with unhealthy levels of air pollution, the report says. Danna Thompson, advocacy director for the Lung Association in Georgia, said that poor air quality, particularly caused by ozone, poses a health risk to children and the elderly, as well as people suffering with pre-existing conditions like asthma or heart disease. She said it's important that commuters help reduce emissions, especially in metropolitan areas where the amount of smog is affected by the number of cars and trucks traveling along roads and highways. 'When heading into higher temperatures in the summer in the South, we certainly really encourage people to consider taking and using other forms of transportation, whether it's biking, walking, taking trains because cars and the trucking industry do impact air quality,' Thompson said. According to the Atlanta Regional Commission, there has been a significant reduction in air pollution emissions since 2010. ARC publishes online transportation-related emissions data, which has included Environmental Protection Agency data since 2020. According to the regional commission, transportation contributes about 10% of air pollution in the region, while power generation and manufacturing are also major sources of air pollution Thompson said the lung association is concerned about the potential rollback to Clean Air Act regulations that are designed to protect the public and environment. Last week, President Donald Trump administration's EpA granted a two-year exemption allowing several power plants across the nation, including Georgia Power's coal-firing Plant Bowen and Plant Scherer bypass federal emission regulations for mercury and other air pollutants. Thompson said it's tough to determine what is the largest factor that changes the levels of pollution recorded on a year to year basis. Thompson said the report highlights the need for the EPA to set up more air quality monitors in Georgia since only 27 of 159 counties currently have the equipment used to measure how safe air is. 'It's hard to pinpoint one factor that causes the air quality to to be worse,' she said. ' The ozone is like a powerful oxidant. It's like household bleach. When it's inhaled, ozone damages the tissues in our respiratory tract.' The 2025 American Lung Association report other notable findings for Georgia include Augusta ranking among cleanest in the nation for ozone smog while also tying for fourth worst in the Southeast for year-round level of particle pollution. Savannah was dinged from an 'A' to a 'B' because of higher levels of ozone smog. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Atlanta City Council approves funding, plans for the ‘Stitch'
At Monday's Atlanta City Council meeting, three ordinances passed to approve the Interstate 75/85 'Stitch' project to move forward. The three ordinances create an ad valorem tax on properties in the Stitch Special Services District, approve financing from partners of the City of Atlanta and formally create the district and set its boundaries, according to officials. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The project, first proposed in 2019, is intended to reconnect communities in downtown Atlanta that were separated by the creation of the Downtown Connector. As proposed, the project would build an urban park above the connector as a physical cap. TRENDING STORIES: Rep. Williams announces more federal funding to connect Atlanta downtown neighborhoods The Stitch: New rendering released of park to reconnect communities split by downtown connector Atlanta Regional Commission approves $265 million for transport projects across metro area Over $150 million promised to reconnect Atlanta communities with 'The Stitch,' Ga. lawmakers say Atlanta councilman fighting to reconnect communities lost to I-75/85 connector 70 years after downtown connector split Atlanta, there's a new effort to 'stitch' it back together $400 million project would put park, buildings over Downtown Connector Channel 2 Action News previously covered when Atlanta-area U.S. Rep. Nikema Williams secured additional federal funding for the project, saying it would help transform the community. Other supporters of the project previously told Channel 2's Tyisha Fernandes that the Stitch will correct what some call an intentional effort to 'tear neighborhoods apart' to make traffic better. Mike Green, the developer, told Fernandes that the Stitch is meant to both provide affordable housing and reconnect Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s neighborhood to the city. 'Really the idea is to bring those two histories together through this development and do something that not only serves what we need now, but also can serve that place for the future of our city,' Green said previously. Now approved by the Atlanta City Council, the 14-acre project will be able to take the next steps toward construction. Details of the Stitch master plan are available online here. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
