Town Planner, Bulb-Outs, Rickshaws and Food Trucks

Historic Gateway Master Plan Contract

It's looking like the city may be awarding a $110k contract to a team led by planning and landscape architecture firm jB+a at Monday's council meeting.  This comes as a surprise and small disappointment to us as two of the three finalists for the contract were Tunnel-Spangler & Walsh (TSW) and Duany, Plater-Zyberk (DPZ).  These two firms are at the forefront of New Urbanist planning.  TSW master planned Glenwood Park, Woodstock Downtown and the modification of the DPZ Vickery Village town center plan.  DPZ is known most notably for their designs of the towns along the beaches of South Walton, Seaside, Rosemary Beach and Alys Beach.  

Comparing the three firms, it's quite obvious where the experience is.  DPZ has master planned over 200 villages and town centers.  TSW has master planned over 100.  jB+a has a more challenging resume to figure out in the master planning area but they did do work on the Sewanee town center and presented plans that they did for the downtowns of Mooresville, NC and Macon, GA.

When you're in the market for a heart surgeon, who do  you want performing the procedure? A Resident (JB+a), A General Surgeon (TSW) or the Best Heart Surgeon in the World (DPZ)?

I'm sure jB+a and team will do a fine job but I can't help but think we missed an opportunity to get a world class planner into our historic district.  (Click here for the memo)

Bulb Outs on Mimosa

We love this.  The city is planning on taking down a number of no parking signs along Mimosa.  You know how we love those road signs.  While they are at it, they will be installing 8 bulb outs along the street to bring curbs closer to the traffic lanes.  This will improve crossings and aesthetics and help reduce speeds on the road .  The project will also add 7 parking spots along the street bringing the total to 141.  Here's a link to the proposed map.

Rickshaws on Canton

Here's another recent item that we love.  Anything we can do to promote regular, everyday bicycling in the historic district is a good thing.  Having bicycle cabs (pedicabs) will definitely do that.  Continued visibility of bicyclists on the road is a key to improving bicycle safety.  When we see moms and kids regularly riding their bikes in the historic district, we will know that we are a truly bicycle friendly community.  But pedicabs are a great start.  I can't wait to take a ride on one.  I just hope they will come all the way down to the square. (Link to Story on the Roswell Patch)

Food Trucks

The Roswell Neighbor reported last week that the city is looking into how it can accommodate the rapidly growing supply of food trucks in our metro area.  Currently no food trucks are allowed to operate in Roswell however there have been some that have applied for permits.  However, we do have a 'food truck' inside INC which severs some sweet street food.  Personally, I haven't had the opportunity to enjoy any of the food trucks in the metro area (save the King of Pops) and it would be nice to have that opportunity here in Roswell. Check out the Atlanta Street Food Coalition's website to see what trucks could make their way out to Roswell one of these days...

Comments

[Darin]

That's good news on the bulb outs. I've seen some of those pop up around downtown and midtown Atlanta in the past decade and it's impressive how much safer it feels to cross the street as a pedestrian when the distance is a little less -- and also when it's more difficult for cars to make those rolling-stop right turns at a red light (always dangerous for pedestrians).

[Lee at rootsinalpharetta.com]

We're starting to see food trucks venture up to Alpharetta's office parks and farmers markets. It's a nice little treat. Surprised they have not been to Roswell as much.

[Matt @ bikeroswell.com]

Amen on getting bicycling in the historic district. Check out Bike Roswell!'s course offerings for educating cyclists so they feel confident tackling those streets - http://www.bikeroswell.com/education/

[Michael D Hadden]

Thanks for the comments guys... Lee, I haven't been able to make it out of the office when we've had food trucks on Windward. I'll try next time.

Darin, Each time I've been down to Midtown, I've been impressed at the pedestrian safety improvements that are beng made. I haven't seen it as much downtown but I don't get there as much but the area around Centennial Park has gotten much better and your favorite Broad St. is great.

Matt, I completely agree. We need better education and visibility. One thing I'd love to see is a Bike Roswell shop in the HD... talk about increasing visibility. I'd put it right in the gas station next to the Mail Annex where the soccer shop used to be. Make a statement to everyone who drives there that Roswell is a Bike Friendly City!