22 Days! TIA/TSPLOST Tough Questions Answered

Another installment of the Frequently Asked (tough) Questions regarding the TIA/TSPLOST vote on July 31st.

See our previous post for: I don’t trust government (to either pick the projects, spend the money or deliver the projects).

This week's question: I don’t support any new taxes / now is not the time to be raising taxes.

Answer:

• 87% of people agree that traffic has gotten so bad something must be done about it. This is that opportunity. If not now, when? 
• Because of our long commute times, the Texas Transportation Institute estimates that Atlantans are already paying a “congestion tax” of $924/yr for the wasted time and fuel we spend sitting in traffic. However, based on the average amount of goods people buy, this transportation opportunity will only cost roughly $122/year – about the amount of a cup of coffee per week. Isn’t it worth an investment of $122/yr to reduce the amount of time and money we waste sitting in traffic, not to mention the job opportunities we may be losing because of our traffic reputation. 
• Economists say that cities are either in a period of rise and growth or they are in a period of decline. They don't stay in the status quo. If we don't do something to build more infrastructure, our region will likely begin a period of decline. So, this is really a vote and investment for our future – creating jobs and getting home faster to spend more time with our families rather than spending time stuck in increasingly growing traffic. 
• Georgia is ranked 48th nationally in transportation infrastructure spending and metro Atlanta is ranked 91 out 100 among metro regions for access to transit. Regardless of where you are and who you speak with, everyone can agree that we have a traffic problem. Transportation investment is expensive and we are behind in this state and this region. 
• Of the various funding options, a sales tax increase was the least regressive and fairest funding mechanism on the table. If we were to raise the gas tax, it would come at a cost of nearly 25 cents on the gallon -- hardly affordable for a working class family. Not only will the residents of our region contribute to our transportation investment, but also visitors and other commuters traveling and purchasing items within the 10-county region. 
• This referendum is not a choice between no tax and a new tax. It’s a choice between public investment that will create jobs and attract businesses such as Caterpillar, and an uncontrollable congestion tax that will send jobs and businesses packing to regions that are making visionary investments in their growth and prosperity.

Brookhaven Cityhood Forum- Tomorrow!

Join the Brookhaven Reporter tomorrow (Monday, July 9th) for an open forum about Brookhaven cityhood. Voting July 31st!

26 Days! TIA/TSPLOST FAQ

With 26 days until the vote to untie transportation in Atlanta, we thought we would address some of the outstanding questions and concerns citizens have. Stay tuned for new questions and answers each week!

We will start this segment off with a big-un...

Question: 

I don’t trust government (to either pick the projects, spend the money or deliver the projects).

Answer:

• This is different than anything we’ve ever done before in transportation because YOU GET TO VOTE ON THIS. 
• The 157 defined regional projects that are on the list were 9 months in the making in a very open and transparent process and were developed with input from over 200,000 citizens. 
• That list cannot be changed over the 10 years by law– meaning voters know exactly what they are getting in advance of the referendum vote. 
• The law creating the tsplost also created a citizens oversight committee which will have responsibility for producing annual audits of the projects. That's never been done before on any previous splosts.

To learn more about the Transportation Investment Act and its impact to our future growth and development, visit these websites:

• Untie Atlanta: Advocacy Group
• Atlanta Regional Commission: Regional planning and intergovernmental coordination agency for the 10-county area
• Transform Metro Atlanta: Educational Group
• T-SPLOST.com: Fact sheet & Project list

34 Days until the 7/31 vote!

There is only a little more than a month until one of the most important votes in Brookhaven history. And no, I don't mean the vote on cityhood...

July 31st marks the vote for the future of transportation in Metro Atlanta and the state of Georgia. Also known as the Transportation Investment Act (TIA) 2012 or TSPLOST, the vote next month is a defining moment in our economic growth and development. Traffic is killing our city. Businesses leave (or choose not to come) to Atlanta every year because of our increasing transportation problems: lengthy commutes, limited alternative transportation options, vast environmental impacts, and millions of dollars wasted in gas, time, and maintenance. Atlanta is WAY behind on transportation. Our city spends less on transportation than almost any other area (48th in the nation for capital transportation expenditures) and at the same time are the 9th most congested. While other cities are exploring ways of getting people out of cars and into transit, Atlanta continues to just maintain (70% of our funds are spent on maintenance).

We finally have a solution. The 2012 TIA represents a bi-partisan program that will invest 8.5 BILLION dollars over the next 10 years to help to untie our traffic knot and make our region more competitive again. It means a penny sales tax region-wide to support transportation projects throughout the Atlanta region (and others throughout the state). All funds raised will stay in the 10-County region and can be used to support a wide range of projects. A very important item to note is that all the projects have already been decided upon- this is not something where the money will be used, politically, in a different way than was promised.

The Transportation Investment Act called for the formation of a Regional Roundtable, made up of county commissioners and mayors from all ten counties. Projects considered for funding by the referendum can be found here (PDF).

Investments in regional transportation will help create and support hundreds of thousands of  jobs -- and will free up our clogged roadways so we can be more productive at work and spend more time at home. Investing in our region will bring jobs, prosperity and an improved quality of life for decades to come.

Just a few points to consider:

• We need more money invested in transportation in Atlanta, period. It will happen one way or another (gas tax, property tax, etc.). This is by far the most economical and well laid out plan we've ever had. To think of getting that many mayors and government officials together and then to agree on a project list ever again is highly unlikely. 
• Transportation improvements take time! Part of this money will go to create the infamous Atlanta Beltline, but even if that gets 100% funding, it's still years and years (I think ~ 20) away from final completion. We need to start these projects now for future generations. Wouldn't it have been great for those before us to do the same?
• We can't afford not to. There are other states and urban areas just waiting for us to say no. Business will move away taking jobs and economic growth with them. We will become stagnant and known as a place where we aren't willing to invest in our failing infrastructure. 

Now for you local folks, here is a list of what the TIA will do directly to improve DeKalb County:

• $700 million: Extension of rail transit from Lindbergh to Clifton Corridor
• $25 million: Corridor improvements for North Druid Hills from Buford Highway to Lawrenceville Highway
• $25 million: Construction of a new connecting route between Buford Highway and Peachtree Industrial
• $10.6 million: Interchange improvements to I-20 E at Panola
• $25 million: Replacements and expansion of Clifton Road bridge over the railroad to allow for bike/ped lanes
• $142 million: local improvement projects such as intersection improvements, sidewalks, signal timing, etc.

For more information on projects and how to get involved, please see the links below:

• Untie Atlanta: Advocacy Group
• Atlanta Regional Commission: Regional planning and intergovernmental coordination agency for the 10-county area
• Transform Metro Atlanta: Educational Group
• T-SPLOST.com: Fact sheet & Project list

Library Coffee Co- Closing 5/31

Sad, sad news to report today... our beloved local coffee shop Library Coffee Co is closing its doors after over 3 years in business. We had heard rumors a week or so ago that the owner has sold/leased the space for a new sushi restaurant. As much as I love sushi... local coffee shops are so much better. We are very sad to see this place go- we have many good memories of happy hours, wine tastings, live music, and sunday coffee walks with the pup. I doubt a sushi restaurant will have half as much atmosphere (or $3 draft beers!). We will keep you posted on any updates, and see below for the email from the owner.

Yes, the rumors are true! After an awesome 3 and a half year run we are closing our doors on May 31st. While it is truly sad to close our doors, I have an amazing offer and life opportunity that I simply cannot pass up. Brookhaven has been part of my life for 11 years and our goal when we opened up was to try and give Brookhaven it's own independent meeting space/café. While that was a resounding success, it has truly been an honor to serve the community.

Secondly, AND MUCH MORE IMPORTANT, I have 12 employees who are losing there jobs, half of which I have worked with for over 3 years. I do feel an obligation to do my best to transition them to new opportunities and I would greatly appreciate any of your efforts to that end. If you have or know of jobs available please get in touch with me so I can help any or all of them transition to a new job.

Owning and operating Library Coffee Company has fulfilled one of my many dreams and I thank each and every one of you who has been part of the experience.

BE HUMAN

Sincerely,

Brian Kahan
Owner, Library Coffee Co.
Be Human.

Cheers to 3 great years... We will miss you,

BHReview

Brookhaven Farmers Market- Starts this Saturday!

The Brookhaven Farmers Market is opening this Saturday, May 5th! We attended this many weekends last year and enjoyed the likes of High Road Creamery, West Wind Farms, and other local vendors.

This year, opening day vendors include: Double B Farms (new!), Phoenix Gardens, Dillwood Farms, Harvest Moon, and Noring Farms. There will also be Watsonia Farms (organic fruit),  along with other newbies Dunwoody Honey, Mo' Mint & Thyme, Darby Farms, Happy Hogs, and One Screw Loose (love all these names!). Other activities include Chef Matt Swickerath (of the award winning Valenza Restaurant) will be demonstrating how to make fresh mozzarella cheese at 11am. 

The market also welcomes back Sweet Tea Factory, West Wind Farms, Mad Mama's Gourmet, High Road Craft Ice Cream, King of Pops, 2 Fun-Guys Mushroom Logs, The Cheese Course and Monica's Handmade Bath and Body.

For a full description of the Market, please visit read the market newsletter.

Revitalization of Briarwood Park- We need your help!

A group of community leaders in the surrounding Brookhaven neighborhoods have gotten together to create a "Briarwood Park Revitalization Project." Their goal is to renew interest in revitalizing the entire park. As we have previously blogged, the park is in need of some updating and refreshing. 

There is a very important meeting community meeting this Saturday (5/5 at 3pm) at the Briarwood Rec Center to discuss the options for this park. Our Dekalb County CEO, Burrell Ellis, will be in attendance, and the purpose of the meeting is to discuss the immediate and future plans for the Briarwood Park, which includes the pool, the two tennis courts, the rec center and playground.

With a meaningful commitment and support from the community, they fully expect the results will include a renovation of the pool, concession stands and bathrooms in addition to adding a gated entrance, privacy fencing and landscape buffer. Many of you may not know that there is already a new sprayground (children's water featured playground) opening this summer in place of the kiddie pool. The park has a lot of potential, and our community needs to come together so that the county sees how serious we are about utilizing it.

If you are available, please try to be at the Briarwood Recreation Center at 3pm this Saturday, May 5th. Everyone's attendance at the meeting will really help to support the effort to clean the park up and make it a safe, enjoyable place for residents to spend time. Come hear what the plan is for Dekalb County, and what the county has in terms of clear vision with allocated funding and specific improvements planned and available for review.

This outreach effort is being sponsored by the following community leaders:

• Rob Turner (Drew Valley)
• Ron Heller (Drew Valley)
• Jared Levitt (Brookhaven Fields)
• Jeff Beck (Ashford Park)

Hope to see you at the event!