$3.6 Million: Decatur's T-SPLOST Share

If the sometimes called T-SPLOST passes July 31, Decatur stands to collect $3.6 million over 10 years for local projects.

That the information Decatur City Hall provided when Patch asked about the city's local share. City Planner Amanda Thompson said in an email:

"Current GDOT estimates show that Decatur will receive $360,880 in 2013 per year for our 15% direct share from the sales tax. If this estimate remains steady over 10 years that will result in $3,608,800."

Residents of the 10-county Atlanta metro region will vote July 31 on a referendum that would fund $8.5 billion in transportation improvements through a regional one percent sales tax.

Some projects that will benefit Decatur are on the larger project list, . That project would connect the Avondale Marta station by light rail with Emory University, the CDC and the Lindbergh Center.

Thompson went on to explain how the 15 percent would be spent locally.

If the TIA is passed there are two ways Decatur will benefit – Portions of the Clairemont/Commerce/Church Street improvements and pedestrian improvements to East College Avenue are included in the large, multi-county project list. There are also three MARTA stations within the city limits that will receive upgrades as part of the large project list.

The City Commission recently reviewed a 10 year Capital Improvement Program to discuss funding options for various building and transportation projects. As part of this review, they considered how to spend the TIA local share.

If the TIA is passed there are two ways Decatur will benefit – Portions of the Clairemont/Commerce/Church Street improvements and pedestrian improvements to East College Avenue are included in the large, multi-county project list. There are also three MARTA stations within the city limits that will receive upgrades as part of the large project list. Decatur will divide its 15% local share between the following categories: unfunded transportation improvements, Transportation Enhancement and Livable Centers Initiatives grant matches and maintenance of existing bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure.

 In the 2008 Community Transportation Plan, the community prioritized reconstruction of intersections as the highest priority overall for transportation improvements and the installation of sidewalks and bicycle lanes as the highest priority for corridor improvements. In addition to sidewalk and crosswalk improvements throughout the city, the following projects have been funded with General Obligation bonds and grants:

Oakhurst Streetscapes - Phases 1 & 2

Downtown Streetscapes - Phase V

McDonough & Candler Railroad Crossings

North McDonough Streetscapes - Phase IV

Commerce/Church/Clairemont Ped Safety & Bike Lane Improvements

 W Ponce de Leon Bicycle Lane

The following transportation projects adopted in the 2008 Community Transportation Plan and the 2010 Strategic Plan have NOT been funded. They are not listed in any particular order; however the Atlanta Avenue intersection is next on the list for grant funding so it can be coordinated with the other railroad crossing improvements.

Adopted, but Unfunded Transportation Projects (2012)

Atlanta Avenue RR Crossing

2,000,000

S Columbia Multi Use Path

2,500,000

Howard Ave road diet

4,200,000

Circulator Shuttle

10,000,000

Sharrow Bicycle Network

500,000

MARTA bike lockers

100,000

College Ave Pedestrian Tunnel

5,000,000

S Candler bike lanes

1,500,000

PDL Ave Dtwn to east city limit Ped Improvements

1,500,000

New Street in Fairview Ave to Trinity

500,000

TOTAL

27,800,000

The City Commission will consider exactly how to allocate the TIA funds as part of the budget process each year with in the categories of unfunded transportation improvements, Transportation Enhancement and Livable Centers Initiatives grant matches and maintenance of existing bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure.

Avondale Estate would receive about $796,350 over 10 years if the referendum is approved.