Atlanta area business and civic groups are starting an advertising campaign this week to build support for a historical referendum to fund transportation projects for the region, reports Ariel Hart.
Buoyed by better than expected fundraising, backers of a proposed 1 percent sales tax increase are kicking off four months of advertisements ahead of the July 31st referendum, with a series of ads highlighting the need to alleviate, and offer alternatives to, the chaos of Atlanta's traffic.
"In the referendum, for the first time in Atlanta's history, voters from across the region will vote together as one district. They will decide whether to approve a 1 percent sales tax across 10 counties, to fund a list of transportation projects in those counties. The regional list totals $6.14 billion. In addition, about $1 billion will be sent back to the counties and towns where it was raised, based on the amount of people and lane miles in each," writes Hart.
Opponents are already lining up to protest the mix of transportation projects to be funded by the tax increase, of which more than half is intended to fund mass transit. "I agree we've got a traffic problem," said [Bob] Ross, who, like many of the opponents, is a tea party member. "My concern is over half the money is coming from what's pitched as a solution, but has very little impact on road congestion."
FULL STORY: Transportation referendum campaign starts
Atlanta Business Group Unhappy With City's Inaction on Transportation Projects
The Midtown Alliance is urging the city to give more control to community improvement districts to speed up procurement or risk losing out on federal funding.
Property Tax Could Fund $7 Billion Transit Plan in Austin, Displacement Mitigation Included
A $7 billion transit investment plan for Austin would include $300 million toward preventing displacement of communities in neighborhoods located near planned transit investments.
6 Electric Buses Coming to Atlanta
A federal grant puts Atlanta among the vanguard of cities introducing electric bus technology to the streets.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning
SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.
The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs
The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.
Seattle's Plan for Adopting Driverless Cars
Equity, safety, accessibility and affordability are front of mind as the city prepares for robotaxis and other autonomous vehicles.
As Trump Phases Out FEMA, Is It Time to Flee the Floodplains?
With less federal funding available for disaster relief efforts, the need to relocate at-risk communities is more urgent than ever.
With Protected Lanes, 460% More People Commute by Bike
For those needing more ammo, more data proving what we already knew is here.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)