Floyd: Passing Transportation Sales Tax a ‘Must’

Several Decatur and Avondale Estates transportation projects – from adding sidewalks along Scott Boulevard to making Clairemont Avenue more bicycle-friendly – may never become a reality, unless residents approve a regional, one-cent-sales-tax referendum next year.

“We have to do this. This transit tax has to be passed,” said Decatur Mayor Bill Floyd, who attended a regional transit meeting of local mayors and legislators Wednesday night. “We can no longer depend on the federal or state government to provide the funds we need to maintain our quality of life. This is our chance to do it.”

Avondale Estates Mayor Ed Rieker, also at the meeting held in the old Atlanta City Hall council chambers, said, "It's important to the growth of metro Atlanta as far as jobs and quality of life. It's just as important to Avondale Estates." 

The meeting was organized by metro Atlanta leaders to build support for the special local option sales tax (SPLOST). Several metro counties and municipalities have submitted to the Department of Transportation their multi-million-dollar “wish lists” of projects for their area, which could be funded if voters approve the tax next year.

A final list of DOT projects will be released in August.

Here are the projects requested by the City of Decatur:

• Safety improvements, including safety upgrades and bicycle and pedestrian facilities, on Clairemont Avenue, Commerce Drive and Church Street;
• A regional mobility management call center;
• Connecting South Columbia Drive to Decatur city limits through a multi-modal path;
• Safety improvements along Scott Boulevard inside the city limits;
• A Decatur transportation management center;
• And a Decatur circulator shuttle.

Here are the projects requested by the City of Avondale Estates:

• Improving the U.S. 278 and North Clarendon Road intersection;
• Improving the pedestrian crossings at North Avondale Road and Covington Highway; and
• Adding sidewalks from the Avondale MARTA station to North Clarendon Road.