WTF Roswell?

I've been wondering a few things lately.. I'm just going to get this all out in one post.

Why don't we partner more with non-profits such as the Trust for Public Land & the PATH foundation?  We could make a lot of things happen a lot faster if we decided to partner with these organizations.  The PATH Foundation would be a great partner for the Rowell Loop and the TPL might have some interest in helping us add park land along the River.  I'm just sayin.

What in the world was the city doing redesigning the city green plan behind the scenes? This one really bugs me.  We have a plan.  It's a really good one.  There are almost 600 supporters of the plan.  

Why in the world is the city having an internal charrette to look at alternative designs?  The DDA hired JB+a to do conceptual design work.  These are the same guys that designed Suwanee's Town Center.  No offense to staff, but I think the JB+a guys have a pretty good track record at desiging urban parks.  

Why wouldn't the city get significantly more involved in the architecture of the new school?  They get into intricate nuances on irrelevant buildings but but the city seems to be indifferent when the largest building to be built in Roswell in the last 10-15 years comes along.  It's run of the mill architecure that looks just like a handful of other schools recently constructed or currently being built in Fulton County.  I'm shocked that we didn't even ask if we could get some different colors that might be more fitting for Roswell.  It's mind bottling.  

Why do we give business owners on Canton St shit when they want to add harmless accents to their shopfronts?  Seriously guys.  A couple tasteful shutters by an entrance, some colorful shade curtains.  I happen to love the Mac McGee paint job but man.. how did they get that done when people who have all but made Canton St what it is want to make small, inconsequential tweaks have to go through hell and then can't do what they want to do?

Why can't we figure out the HBR/400 SE quadrant?  Someone grow a pair and just call it what it is.  It is the most valuable piece of land in Roswell that is going to be developed at some point and guess what.. there will be traffic and tall buildings and transit and all of the things that those loud people over there just can't stand.  

Why do we have over 1300 dead ends or cul-de-sacs in our city?  Seriously... that's whole lot of cul-de-sac.  What it does is force essentially EVERY driver on to Holcomb Bridge Road.

WTF is up with Stormwater?  If we can't figure this out, we are going to see development really slow down in the historic district.

WHY.. WHY..  WHY.. can't we get the damn sidewalks between the square and City Hall fixed?  This is the heart of our city and the sidewalks along the main thoroughfare are abysmal.

Does anyone here not understand that Alpharetta is about to eat North Fulton's collective lunch?  Hey Milton, Johns Creek & Roswell..  Alpharetta is going to eat your lunch.  Just thought I'd let you know.

I bet you thought I'd gripe about road signs.. I'm resigned to the fact that our governments will continue to treat all citizens as if they are complete and utter imbeciles.  

There.. I've said it.  I can now get on with my life.

Comments

[Scott Long]

Trust for Public land is how the City got the parkland along the Chattahoochee east of Don White Park. By that i mean the citizens raised money via donations etc. and Trust for Public land knew how to process the transaction and hand it over to the City --- so that definitely works and has been used.

I think a solid specific commitment from MARTA to put heavy Rail at SE 400 and Holcomb Bridge would go a long way toward helping the landowners decide what to do there. By solid i mean rock-solid with aerials of station placement, track placement, etc. -- exactly where they commit to putting it so the rest of the vision can come together.

[T D]

I can answer your question on no one is developing the SE corner of HBR/400. Because its abysmal, the streets, the exit itself, the bridge. Its the ugly sore or north fulton. Just try exiting 400S at HBR after work. There is 1 lane that goes about 4 ways. Its a disaster and Roswell ignores it. They don't spend a dime unless its Canton St.

[Michael D Hadden]

TD.. thanks for the comment.. I agree that the interchange is a mess. It would have been nice to get the $46M infusion there that T-SPLOST would have provided but now we're forced to do interventions in small chunks. There will be a few improvements made over there but they will be done piecemeal.

I do disagree on your assertion that the city does nothing unless it's around Canton St. The last major direct investment from the city around Canton St was in the early 90's when they put over a million into the sidewalks and lighting. There was the 'midtown street scape' project that put sidewalks and stamped concrete/faux brick center turn lanes up Alpharetta St from Norcross St to HBR. But, I don't see that as a Canton St investment. I'd make the argument that our city just really doesn't spend a dime unless the DOT wants to do it. Then, it's still an ordeal getting the money.

Aside from the DOT dominating the agenda, the problem with this city is that 'fixing' suburban infrastructure is a tall order especially when you're trying to remedy congestion issues. We built an environment that requires car travel for virtually everything... now we have to figure out a way to reduce congestion with minimal capacity to increase connectivity and diffuse traffic. Not an easy task.

[T D]

Michael, you're right. I should have said hwy 9 corridor. I noticed a sign for work beginning on the 400N exit ramp, although I wish it were the south ramp, i'm glad they are doing something. Do you have any idea what improvements they are planning to make on the N bound exit?

[T D]

One more thought, i think the city could do a lot to get businesses to move in vs Alpharetta if we went the route of Chattanooga, TN and built a fiber network.

[Michael D Hadden]

We would crush it with Fiber... But Avalon is moving Alpharetta in that direction.

Here's what the city site says about the two projects that will be started this year at the 400/HBR interchange..

Holcomb Bridge Road Westbound Through Lane and Streetscape
This Bond funded traffic operational improvement project will add a third westbound travel lane along Holcomb Bridge Road (SR 140) between Old Alabama Road and SR 400 northbound on-ramp. The project consists of turn lane and signal upgrades at the intersections of Old Alabama Road and Market Boulevard, new wide sidewalks, pedestrian lighting, and streetscape enhancements. Construction is expected to begin in late 2014.

Holcomb Bridge Road at SR 400 Northbound Ramp Intersection Improvement
This Georgia DOT funded traffic operational improvement will eliminate the Holcomb Bridge Road eastbound "trap lane" approaching Old Alabama Road. The project will add a right turn lane to the existing SR 400 northbound ramp (exit 7A), modify the existing traffic signal at the northbound ramp terminus, and extend the westbound left-turn lane to southbound SR 400. Construction is expected to begin in October.

[Scott Long]

Not sure if it's included in one of those two groupings, but a contract for the 400 "early off ramp" was awarded last year to Parsons Brinckerhoff. It would take drivers from NB SR400 to Old Alabama Road without requiring travel on Holcomb Bridge Rd. I saw some surveying type activity early on but have not seen much more activity beyond that. Maybe they've changed plans or maybe they're working on right of way.

http://www.roswellgov.com/DocumentCenter/Home/View/2758

[T D]

I'd love to see the early exit onto Old Alabama. I think that would also encourage development near the exit as well. I have not seen any surveyers on that side of Old Alabama, but I have seen them putting out markers on the east side of Old Alabama where they are building the new School adjacent to Martin's Landing.