Community Improvement Districts: Improving Parks and Places

Piedmont Park

Atlanta BeltLine

Turner Broadcasting Techwood Campus

Atlantic Station

Georgia Instituteof Technology

Emory UniversityHospital Midtown

Atlanta Botanical Garden

High Museum of ArtAtlanta SymphonyAlliance Theatre

Federal Reserve Bank

MARTA (public transit)

Savannah Collegeof Art and Design(SCAD) Atlanta

0 0.25 0.5

Miles

Midtown Context

Updated March 2014MidtownATL.com

15 min drive by interstate

25 minMARTA ride

Midtown

Downtown

Buckhead

Airport

TOAIRPORT

Atlanta Downtown

Improvement District

1995 - 2015

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW

Atlanta Downtown Improvement District

Governance

9 member Board of Directors, 6 elected by Downtown commercial

property owners; 2 are appointed by the Mayor and Council President; 1 is

the Councilmember whose council district encompasses the largest

geographical area within the district

Corporate Structure

501(c)(3)

Funding

Tax levy annually (currently 5 mils) on commercial properties plus grants and

contributions

Founded

By leadership of Central Atlanta Progress in1995 and reauthorized 2002 and

2008 and 2014

ADID’S NEW HOME

WORK PLAN

In partnership with Central Atlanta Progress

• Planning

• Economic Development

• Policy Advocacy

• Marketing and Communications

• Public Safety, Cleanliness and Hospitality

• Transportation

• Infrastructure

• Sustainability

CURRENT ADID PROGRAMS

Public Safety, Cleanliness and Hospitality Ambassador Force Clean Team Operation Shield Operation Best Foot Forward

Woodruff Park Partners for Hope

Capital - Infrastructure Atlanta Streetcar Traffic Signal Upgrades Parking I-75/85Connector Sidewalks

GreenSource: Sustainability & Transportation Better Buildings Challenge Transportation Demand Management Waste Stream

StreetsAlive Landscaping Trees Public Art Banners Street Lights

Economic Development Streetcar Sites/Buildings Sweet Auburn zoning Pop-Up Retail Redevelopment catalyst

Marketing Annual Meeting Restaurant Week Streetcar Communications Web Presence and

Social Media Program Media Relations Community Outreach and Promotions

About 6 acres of green space in the heart of the City

In early 1970s, originally known as Central City Park, created through

generous donation from Robert W. Woodruff

DOWNTOWN PARKS AND

PUBLIC SPACES

DOWNTOWN PARKS AND

PUBLIC SPACES

Background ADID began revamping use

and look of Woodruff Park

in 2004 upon expiration of

MOU between the City and

GSU

DOWNTOWN PARKS AND

PUBLIC SPACES

Early Programming 100 Days in Woodruff Park

Beach Volleyball Tournament

Concerts

DOWNTOWN PARKS AND

PUBLIC SPACES

Inspiration In 2005 ADID hired Dan Biederman of

New York City’s Bryant Park to develop a

revitalization plan for Woodruff Park

DOWNTOWN PARKS AND

PUBLIC SPACES

In 2007, the City’s Department of Parks, Recreation

and Cultural Affairs with ADID approved and began

implementation of the current MOU and developed a

MASTER PLAN

DOWNTOWN PARKS AND

PUBLIC SPACES

Master Plan Design & Implementation Four objectives were outlined :

Promote quick and efficient rehabilitation of

Park’s infrastructure

Increase park users through additional program

activities

Create revenue-producing food service

attractions

Create attractive, safe and comfortable spaces

Infrastructure & Repairs Repaired broken granite pavers

Replaced cracked and missing seat walls

Installed anti-skating devices

Before After Before After

Repairs

DOWNTOWN PARKS AND

PUBLIC SPACES

Repairs

DOWNTOWN PARKS AND

PUBLIC SPACES

Fountain

Repairs

DOWNTOWN PARKS AND

PUBLIC SPACES

Landscaping

Repairs

DOWNTOWN PARKS AND

PUBLIC SPACES

Planter Boxes Installed custom planter boxes along the Parks’

granite seat wall in an effort to beautify the Park

and modify seating

Repairs

DOWNTOWN PARKS AND

PUBLIC SPACES

Reading Room

Repairs

DOWNTOWN PARKS AND

PUBLIC SPACES

Dedicated Staffing Resources ADID-funded Park Attendants,

Downtown Ambassadors and

members of the Clean Team work in

Woodruff Park during operating

hours from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. each

day

Repairs

DOWNTOWN PARKS AND

PUBLIC SPACES

Programming and Amenities ATL Playground

Bike Repair Station

Bocce Ball Court

Chess Court

Solar Powered

Recycle Bin

Speaker’s corner

Streetcar Stop (2)

Table Tennis

Public Restroom

ATL Playground

Repairs

DOWNTOWN PARKS AND

PUBLIC SPACES

Notable Park Visitors

www.WoodruffPark.com

Downtown Daffodil Project

The success of ADID’s commitment to Woodruff Park is evident

in the private investment that has been attracted to the

properties adjacent to the park.

In 2015 and 2016, Woodruff Park’s neighborhood will

experience an influx of over $255 million in investment in the

form of renovated office space, new retail establishments, the

expansion of Georgia State University’s campus and a new

entrepreneurial hub and tech business incubator of “next-

generation” office space.

www.WoodruffPark.com

DOWNTOWN PARKS AND

PUBLIC SPACES

Results

DOWNTOWN PARKS AND

PUBLIC SPACES

Margaret Mitchell Square

Andy Young Tribute at

Walton Spring Park

PUBLIC SPACES AND

DOWNTOWN PARKS

Flower baskets

Streetscape Improvements

ANNUAL MEETING – MARCH 31

7 AM - Registration & Breakfast

8 AM - Program

Georgia World Congress Center

www.AtlantaDowntown.com

SOCIAL MEDIA

www.AtlantaDowntown.com/Be-Downtown.com

#BeDowntown

AtlantaDowntown DowntownAtlanta DowntownAtlanta

Park Pride March 23, 2015

Photo: Jared Davis

#MidtownATL

Photo: Jared Davis

#MidtownATL

#MidtownATL

#MidtownATL

Open Space

#MidtownATL

Midtown Station

#MidtownATL

#MidtownATL

#MidtownATL

#MidtownATL

Working Together to Build Buckhead’s Future

Buckhead Community Quick Facts:

• 28 square mile area (20% of COA)

• 4 miles north of CBD • 23 million sf office • 5,527 hotel rooms • 17,281 single family homes • 82,718 residents • 140,000 daytime population

(19% of COA) • 3 rail stations, 10 bus routes, 2 rail lines • 8.6 million sf retail development

1500 retail outlets 33,313 parking spaces 40% purchases by visitors from 100+ miles away

Who Is Who?

Buckhead CID Quick Facts: • Inception Year - 1999 • Millage Rate - 3 mills • Annual Revenue - $4 MM • Service Area (2.5 sq miles)

• Expansions • Inception to Date

• $53.6 MM spent • 98.3MM Leveraged

Livable Buckhead, Inc.

Mission: Livable Buckhead is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization focused solely on positioning the Buckhead community for future investment by implementing strategies that enhance quality of life.

Programmatic Overview:

• Greenspace

• Energy Efficiency

• Commute Alternatives

• Recycling

•Arts and Culture

• Development and Landuse

Transportation Improvements

Alternative Modes

Sustainability

Creating Community

Economic Development/Quality of Life

Projects/Initiatives

Working Together Greenspace Projects Overview

• Greenspace Plan Funding • PATH400 Design Funding • SPI-9 Funding • SPI-12 Funding • Charlie Loudermilk Park

Development • Capping GA400 • Lenox Road Gateway • Pedestrian Connectivity

• Greenspace Plan Implementation • PATH400 Design Development • SPI-9 Zoning Implementation • SPI-12 Zoning Implementation • Charlie Loudermilk Park

Programming • Mountain Way Common • Park land acquisition/brokerage • Land Trust

Livable Buckhead

Buckhead CID

Why Parks and Greenspace?

• Need

• Economic Vitality

• Quality of Life • Regional Connectivity

• Leverage Community Assets (art and history)

• Health

• Education

• Air Quality

• Placemaking

• Water Quality

• Wildlife Habitat and Trees

Why Parks? Need

16 Plazas + 0.3 Acres 2 Central Gathering Spaces + 4 .0 Acres 13 Neighborhood Parks + 19.5 Acres 3 Beltline Parks + 24.0 Acres 4 Community Park + 3.5 Acres 17 Community Greens + 17.0 Acres 15 Dog Runs + 0.3 Acres 2 Destination Dog Parks + 2.0 Acres Natural Areas +9,300 Acres

Trails + Greenways + 36.0 Acres Street + Sidewalk Improvements + 20 Miles

Total Vision + 106.6 Acres

Why Parks? Need

Why Parks? Economic Vitality Homes adjacent to the park ( within 100 ft.) 22.3% price premium relative to homes ½ mile away

Source: Miller, 2001; Farr, 2008

Homes within 300 ft. 15% price premium

Homes within 600 ft. 5% price premium

Insignificant after 1,300 ft.

Why Parks? Economic Vitality Commerce to Community

• Commercial Properties – Tenant Recruitment – Tenant Retention – New

Industries/Millenials – Land Values

• Residential Properties

– Property Values – Quality of Life

• Atlanta and Georgia

“The location and potential PATH400 brings to Buckhead was a top factor in the decision to locate Atlanta Tech Village in Buckhead. PATH400 complements the spontaneous interactions integral to the office culture and community of Atlanta Tech Village.

-- David Cummings, Techpreneur and Founder of Atlanta Tech Village

100 300 600

Why Parks? Quality of Life

• Social Interaction • Programming Kids Residents Employees

Why Parks? Connectivity

PATH400 is more than a

trail for Buckhead - it

is a critical connection in the Atlanta

region’s trail network.

Why Parks? Health

• Obesity • 16.5% of GA kids 10-17 are obese • Causes of obesity – screen time

and lack of physical activity • 1,000 of those kids are in

Buckhead • Asthma

• 12% of Ga kids 0-17 have asthma • Cost the nation $2 billion per year • 10 million days of school

absenteeism • 1500 live in Buckhead • Alternative commute option

“for the first time in history, the next generation will not live longer than their parents.” Loyola University Health System Study

“Asthma is the number one reason for emergency room visits at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Loyola University Health System Study

Why Parks? Education

• 2 Atlanta Public Schools 1100 students within 5 minute walk

• Hands on/Experiental Learning – Outdoors • History and Heritage – Lowrey Stevens Cemetery • Science/Ecology

• Mountain Way Common • Blue Heron Nature Preserve

• Civics • Public Private partnerships • Interaction of infrastructure with the environment

• Cultural Resources • Bike/Walk to School

Why Parks? Culture

Greenspace Success Stories

Mountain Way Common

• GDOT Land - 8-11 acres • Bridge - Park Pride Legacy Grant • Park Pride Vision - Water Quality

MARTA Bridge/ Tower Place Park

Buckhead CID GA400 Gateway

Buckhead CID Pedestrian Connectivity

Buckhead CID Charlie Loudermilk Park

• Renovation of Existing Park

• Central Gathering Space

• Activate Theater

• Programming

• Sense of Place

Buckhead CID Capping Ga 400?

Dallas did it, why can’t we???

Rezoning SPI-9

• Mixed use

• Cultural facilities

• Public art

• Open space

• LEED certification

• Child care

• Workforce housing

• Outdoor dining

• Area-wide stormwater management

SPI-9: Streetscape Standards Type 1 Street

Type 2 Street

Type 3 Street

Buckhead Core Rezoning (SPI-12)

• Changed from density to height maximums

• Introduced new “block” concept

• Combined multiple layers of zoning

• Eliminated existing conditions

• Sign Ordinance Changes

• Strengthened Open Space Requirements + Incentives

• Transit Oriented • Established DRC

Success Stories: PATH400

• 5.2 Miles • Multiple Experiences • Spine of Greenspace

System • Regional Connections • $30 Million • 47% Funding in Place • 18+ Partners

• Agency Partners: • Land Ownership • Encroachment Permit • Design Review • Funding

PATH400 Leadership

• Lead Partners: • Design/Public Engagement • Construction

Expertise/Funding • Local Funding

• Consultant Partners:

PATH400

Progress to Date

• Concept to construction in 3 years • Design Complete • Agency Agreements In place • Phase I Complete • Phase II Underway • Phase III Mobilizing • 4 Easements Secured • 47% of Funding Raised • Awards Earned • People Using It

Still to Come

Tower Place

Sidney Marcus Miami Circle

Buckhead Collection Vision

Park Land Acquired/Added By Livable Buckhead and COA • 13 acres PATH400 • 8 acres Mountain Way Common • 1 acre Benning Property • 1 acre 519 Old Ivy • ~1 acre Tower Place Conservation

Easement • ~2 acres - City Place Development

By Others in District 7 • ~5 acres - Land o Lakes – Blue

Heron • ~ 3 acres Lenox Road – COA

Total 34 acres (32% of goal)

Working Together to Build Buckhead’s Future