As always, I encourage your feedback and comments.  Please contact me at (404) 330-6049 or awan@atlantaga.gov if I can be of assistance.  I appreciate the opportunity to be your voice in our city government.



New 10th Street Bike Lane
Atlanta's first two-way cycletrack has been completed!   Cycletracks, also known as protected bike lanes, separated bikeways, or on-street bike paths are physically separated bikeways that allow bicycle movement in both directions on one side of the road.  

The 10th Street cycletrack connects the BeltLine's Eastside Trail to the bike route on Charles Allen Drive.  Future phases extend to Piedmont Avenue and Charles Allen Drive, itself slated for a cycletrack later in the year.

Many of you have shared your concerns about potential negative impacts this new feature may have on neighborhood traffic.  The City's Transportation Department will continue monitoring traffic flow and stands prepared to make adjustments if necessary.

10th Street Cycletrack

Additional information can be found on the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition website.

Piedmont Park Expansion Entrances
On June 20, 2013, the City and the Piedmont Park Conservancy (PPC) officially opened Piedmont Commons, the 12 1/2 acre addition as Phase I of the park's expansion.  Guests can now access Piedmont Park near Monroe Drive and Piedmont Avenue, as well as through new entrances to and from the Atlanta BeltLine.  If you have not yet had a chance to tour the area, be sure to do so!

With the anticipated increase in pedestrian traffic accessing the park into the expansion, the City is also looking into enhancing the crosswalks connecting the neighborhoods over Monroe Drive.  The Transportation Department has submitted an application for a grant from the Atlanta Regional Commission to fund such improvements, and our office is working concurrently with the Public Works Department on other short-term and long-term potential improvements and the funding sources for them.  I am hopeful that we will have something in place in the very near future.

Piedmont Commons (photo by Chris Nelson, PPC)

Atlanta's False Alarm Ordinance Amended 
In an effort to improve public safety and better allocate resources, the City of Atlanta has enacted a series of amendments to the existing False Alarm Ordinance.  In 2012, the Atlanta Police Department responded to 65,000 alarm system activations, 95% of which were false alarms or alarms that were cancelled en route.  These calls represent more than 6% of the total 911 dispatches.  With every call taking an average of 20-30 minutes, the equivalent of 8-12 full-time police officers were dedicated to responding to false alarms, thereby taking away valuable public safety resources from more pressing matters.

Under the amended ordinance, City of Atlanta residents and businesses are now required to register their security and burglar alarm systems.  The new ordinance will take effect on September 15, 2013 and residents will have until February 1, 2014 to register without incurring an unregistered alarm penalty:

Registered Alarms

• 1st False Alarm:  no fine
• 2nd False Alarm*:  $50 fine
• 3rd False Alarm:  $100
• 4th - 6th False Alarms:  $200
• 7+ False Alarms:  $500

Unregistered Alarms

• $150 penalty

Residents can register their alarm system for free online at www.crywolf.us/atlantaga or by calling 1.855.725.7102.
Make a note of your permit# upon successful registration.
You will need to give your permit# to your alarm company. 

False Alarm Ordinance YouTube announcement

Results from our peers suggest the City of Atlanta can reduce false alarms by over 30% in the 1st year and 50-60% in 3 years, putting 5-7 officers back on the streets.

A full copy of the amended ordinance can be found here.

Reminder:  Community Recycling Centers

The following items can be recycled:

• electronics ($10 fee for TVs -- cash only)
• stryrofoam
• on-site, secure paper shredding
• latex paint (fees apply)

2.  Click Yes when the following box pops up