Planners from the Athens-Clarke County Planning Department are in the library at JJ Harris Elementary School this afternoon, there from 5:30 til 7 to talk about the County’s plans for future growth. Today’s session is one of several planned for the next three weeks, with City Hall looking for input on the plan that will guide growth and development over the next two decades.
From the Athens-Clarke Co government website...
The Athens-Clarke County Transportation and Public Works Department is seeking public input through October 25, 2023 on potential complete street improvements to help reimagine the North Avenue corridor.
Public engagement forums are planned for Saturday, October 14 from 9:00 to 11:00 AM at the East Athens Educational Dance Center (390 McKinley Drive) and Thursday, October 19 from 5:30 to 7:30 PM at Howard B. Stroud Elementary School (715 Fourth Street). Staff will be available to share information about the project and receive feedback from residents.
An online survey is also available at www.accgov.com/northavenue and will be open through Wednesday, October 25. The website includes background information and a link for subscribing to project updates.
In 2022, ACCGov was awarded $25 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation to make complete street improvements along North Avenue from downtown Athens, at the intersection of North Avenue and Willow Street, to just north of State Route Loop 10 (SR-10) at the intersection of Freeman Drive/Collins Industrial Boulevard. The grant program aims to make transportation systems safer, more accessible, affordable, and sustainable for the area.
Though construction isn’t scheduled to begin until fall of 2026, ACCGov wants to hear from residents and users of the North Avenue corridor about concerns and possible improvements. Initial feedback will be used to inform the design of the area, and additional public input will take place as the project moves through the design phase.
Funds are coming from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Discretionary Grant Program. The $25 million grant is one of the largest grants ever received by Athens-Clarke County.
For more information on the North Avenue Improvements project, call the Athens-Clarke County Transportation and Public Works Department at 706-613-3440 or email engineering@accgov.com.