town center area cidw pic2 · 2019. 11. 5. · town center area cid 2002 2 history the town center...

23
1997 – 2002 Mission of the CID To ensure accessibility and mobility within the Town Center Area Board of Directors T.E. "Skip" Spann, Chairman; Spann Group LLC Mason Zimmerman, Vice-Chairman; Vice-President Pope & Land Kerry O'Brien; Treasurer; Vice-President Taylor&Mathis Carl Black; Carl Black • Buick • Pontiac • GMC James Daniel; Vice-President Vulcan Materials Co. Larry Thompson; Thompson Real Estate Development Ltd Karl Vittery; Vice-President Heidelberg Americas Lanie Shipp, Administrative Secretary Lynn Rainey, Legal Counsel; Jackel, Rainey, Busch & Reed, LLC 50 Barrett Parkway • Suite 1200, Box 340 • Marietta, GA 30066 Phone: 678.354.0701 • Fax: 770.423.0995 www.CobbRides.com [email protected]

Upload: others

Post on 04-Sep-2020

2 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: Town Center Area CIDw pic2 · 2019. 11. 5. · Town Center Area CID 2002 2 History The Town Center Area (TCA), situated between interstates I-75 and I-575, is an attractive location

1997 – 2002

Mission of the CID

To ensure accessibility and mobility within the Town Center Area

Board of Directors T.E. "Skip" Spann, Chairman; Spann Group LLC

Mason Zimmerman, Vice-Chairman; Vice-President Pope & Land

Kerry O'Brien; Treasurer; Vice-President Taylor&Mathis

Carl Black; Carl Black • Buick • Pontiac • GMC

James Daniel; Vice-President Vulcan Materials Co.

Larry Thompson; Thompson Real Estate Development Ltd

Karl Vittery; Vice-President Heidelberg Americas

Lanie Shipp, Administrative Secretary

Lynn Rainey, Legal Counsel; Jackel, Rainey, Busch & Reed, LLC

50 Barrett Parkway • Suite 1200, Box 340 • Marietta, GA 30066 Phone: 678.354.0701 • Fax: 770.423.0995

www.CobbRides.com • [email protected]

Page 2: Town Center Area CIDw pic2 · 2019. 11. 5. · Town Center Area CID 2002 2 History The Town Center Area (TCA), situated between interstates I-75 and I-575, is an attractive location

Town Center Area CID 2002

2

History The Town Center Area (TCA), situated between interstates I-75 and I-575, is an

attractive location for commercial and office establishments as well as residential

development. The TCA contains more than 8,000 residences and 45,000 business

employees. Because of its enviable position and the unprecedented growth in population

and economic markets in the metropolitan area, this area serves as an activity center for

most of northwest Cobb County in addition to Marietta, Kennesaw, and southern

Cherokee County, and as a regional activity center for the Atlanta metropolitan area.

Town Center’s role as major activity center is expected to increase with the introduction

of a transit system with two transit stations proposed to be

located near the Town Center Mall and the intersection of

Barrett Parkway and Cobb Parkway.

The rapid growth that has occurred, although desired,

has caused increasing problems with congestion, mobility,

and accessibility because of the development patterns

required by policies and regulations. Most of the existing

development in the TCA occurred less than 15 years ago; as

such, the development is predominantly auto-oriented.

Traffic congestion is already a daily occurrence, especially

along Barrett Parkway and Chastain Road, and will likely worsen as the area continues to

develop.

The TCA Community Improvement District (TCACID) was established in 1997

as a self-taxing district to promote infrastructure improvements and to deal with the

consequences of increasing development in the area. In the past, the majority of the

TCACID’s capital projects have been focused on transportation improvements with

monies collected from the CID and other public-private partnerships. A major shift in

focus occurred when the CID Board voted to expand its purpose to include parks and

recreation areas and facilities, as well as land use planning, development, and

improvement consistent with Cobb County’s coordinated and comprehensive planning.

Page 3: Town Center Area CIDw pic2 · 2019. 11. 5. · Town Center Area CID 2002 2 History The Town Center Area (TCA), situated between interstates I-75 and I-575, is an attractive location

Town Center Area CID 2002

3

With the majority of the TCA developed, the TCACID is focused on reframing

imminent development rather than attempting a retrofit of newly developed areas. The

TCACID is thus proposing a Master Plan to mold and guide developers and planners in

the future planning of this area.

The Master Plan will incorporate the following elements:

Demographics

Land Use

Traffic/Transportation

Visioning/Stakeholder Coordination

Funding

Recognizing that these goals are relevant to the entire study area, the TCACID

plans to incorporate land use, transportation, and urban design issues and opportunities.

This Master Plan will play a critical role in determining the future well being of the area.

The Master Plan will be critical in combining past efforts with new information

and analyses into a comprehensive approach to tackle the sprawling atmosphere,

congested highways, and underutilization of land. Study results should showcase the

integration of land use policy, regulation, and transportation investments with urban

design tools. The concept of land use integration with transportation programming and

projects is essential to the plan. Reviewing the development standards for this area and

reframing the mode of development via land use integration and other programs will be

very important to the continued success of this area. Established development will

reassure property owners and investors that the TCA is a secure investment.

The TCACID looks forward to the possibility of addressing the multitude of

problems and opportunities in the area with a comprehensive study that will analyze

transportation congestion, land use, and housing development policies, as well as

development design. The TCACID recognizes that the current reliance on the

automobile will become a deterrent to future growth.

Page 4: Town Center Area CIDw pic2 · 2019. 11. 5. · Town Center Area CID 2002 2 History The Town Center Area (TCA), situated between interstates I-75 and I-575, is an attractive location

Town Center Area CID 2002

4

Background

The TCA is heavily congested. Ernest Barrett Parkway carries more than 70,000

vehicles each day. With such a high rate of growth, this area cannot sustain its present

activity or continue with future development that caters to the single occupancy vehicle.

The TCA has been progressive in the pursuit

of LCI goals in its efforts to meet targets set

by the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC)

for vehicle miles traveled, average travel

time, vehicle hours traveled per capita,

percent of travel in congested conditions, and

percent of home-based transit trips. To

accomplish this, the TCACID formed a

Transportation Management Association, CobbRides, in 1999 (more information is

included under Local Initiatives). Programs include ridesharing, van and carpooling, flex

time, telework commuter programs, and public information campaigns.

The TCACID has initiated several projects to relieve existing transportation

problems including: a traffic study to determine an east/west reliever that would cross

over or under I-75 and Busbee Parkway; a sidewalk program to promote pedestrian

connectivity; and lane alignment and a signalization study to relieve some of the existing

congestion. The TCACID also joined with the Cumberland CID to privately fund a $3.8

million plan for a transit system connecting the TCA to the Cumberland area and on

toward Midtown. Governor Barnes allocated an additional $2.8 billion over the next five

years to implement this project. Although each of these projects are designed to alleviate

some of the existing transportation problems, none address the land use, housing, and

urban design policies that dictate the type and scale of growth.

Page 5: Town Center Area CIDw pic2 · 2019. 11. 5. · Town Center Area CID 2002 2 History The Town Center Area (TCA), situated between interstates I-75 and I-575, is an attractive location

Town Center Area CID 2002

5

The TCACID is also in need of a study that will address housing issues. The

Cobb County Comprehensive Transportation Study projects an additional 16,407

employees within 20 years. Population is swelling in the area in tandem with

employment figures. The total residential population in TCA and 1.5-mile radius

approaches 25,000. The United States Census predicts population growth of an additional

73 percent. Furthermore, the travel patterns of the area’s residents demonstrate a shift

from intra-regional to inter-regional activity.

Cobb County residents travel more than 30 minutes to work each day, according

to 2000 Census data. This figure has certainly increased over the past decade with the

traffic congestion and metropolitan Atlanta’s booming economy. While this data may not

be whetted to the level of the TCA, it shows an alarming trend, which shifts our work-

live-play environment to eat-sleep-drive.

The housing trends for the TCA tend to reflect upper income levels; there appears

to be a lack of adequate existing moderate and lower income housing. With less than a

third of the entire county’s residential mix categorized as multifamily, the TCA has a

current total of 3,500 middle-income units.

With employment opportunities supporting

those of middle- to low-income populations, a

demand is emerging for both permanent and

temporary housing opportunities within the

study area. The trend for the lower income

residents is the use of extended stay motels for

permanent or transient residences. This phenomenon has been difficult to track because

adequate data has not been collected from these sources. What is known, however, is that

the misuse of these facilities for permanent housing needs does not benefit the area

socially or economically, as there are no opportunities for community development and

integration within the larger community.

The 2003-2005 Transportation Improvement Program includes more than $55

million for transit service between the Cumberland and Town Center activity centers. A

Page 6: Town Center Area CIDw pic2 · 2019. 11. 5. · Town Center Area CID 2002 2 History The Town Center Area (TCA), situated between interstates I-75 and I-575, is an attractive location

Town Center Area CID 2002

6

transit system will provide an alternate transportation choice for the many residents and

employees within the two CIDs.

Currently, the Northwest Corridor project is

included in the Governor’s Statewide Transportation

Choices Initiative. Stations are anticipated near the

Town Center Mall and near the intersection of Barrett

Parkway and U.S. 41 (Cobb Parkway). This future

system raises the question as to how these residents and

employees will access the proposed rail stations. Currently, CobbRides and the TCACID

are working with GRTA, CCT, and the Georgia Department of Transportation (DOT) to

establish a circulator in the area, which could lead to a

shuttle system based around the proposed stations. For

the transit system to be effective and for the TCA to

become a true live, work, and play environment, a

unifying plan of action is needed to identify those barriers

to Transit Oriented Development (TOD) as well as additional transportation measures

needed to make the rail station areas accessible and easy to use.

Study Area

More than 45,000 people are estimated to work in the TCA, which is adjacent to

both I-75 and I-575. The area currently contains 5,400 single-family homes, 3,485

apartment units, 1,003 extended stay hotel/motel rooms, 5.2 million square feet of retail

space, 4.2 million square feet of commercial space, and 2.3 million square feet of light

industrial space.

The proposed study area will focus on the TCACID boundaries: Cobb Parkway

to the west, Bells Ferry to the east, Chastain Road to the north and Barrett Parkway to the

south. Although not included in the study area, the proposed scope of work will include

reviewing connectivity to the surrounding area including Cherokee County and Bartow

County.

Page 7: Town Center Area CIDw pic2 · 2019. 11. 5. · Town Center Area CID 2002 2 History The Town Center Area (TCA), situated between interstates I-75 and I-575, is an attractive location

Town Center Area CID 2002

7

Study Tenets

Plagued by high rush-hour traffic counts, constant congestion, unfriendly

pedestrian land planning, and single use developments, the TCACID has historically

pursued individual projects to mitigate negative impacts caused by intensive and

extensive commercial development. The TCACID is now seeking to restructure its

development patterns and transportation projects to promote a healthier economic, social,

and environmental climate.

A number of new residential projects encourage a diversity of medium to high-

density mixed income neighborhoods, employment, shopping, and recreation choices at

the activity center level, including an AMLI mixed-use development, Ridenour, and

Shiloh Valley. Each of these projects begins to address the needs of the employment

crunch in the area. However, these projects are not sufficient for the level of

development in the area. A shortage of housing opportunities in this area remains, as

evidenced by reverse commuting patterns from Smyrna and South Cobb. One of the

study goals for the TCA is to provide a live-work-play environment. By reviewing

existing development patterns and policies that shape these patterns, the TCACID will be

able to identify the barriers and necessary incentives to promote a more balanced housing

mix within the activity center.

An additional goal will be to

increase accessibility, mobility, and

connectivity for current and future

residents and employees within the

TCA. This can be accomplished by

providing access to a range of travel

modes including transit, roadways,

walking, and biking to enable access to

all uses within the study area. The proposed plan will assess land uses, transportation

infrastructure, and design elements as essential components for promoting transportation

alternatives. One of the most important aspects of this study is a review of land use

policy around the proposed transit station areas. This review will include an inventory of

Page 8: Town Center Area CIDw pic2 · 2019. 11. 5. · Town Center Area CID 2002 2 History The Town Center Area (TCA), situated between interstates I-75 and I-575, is an attractive location

Town Center Area CID 2002

8

existing and future land uses and zoning in the study area. Results from this study will

identify transit-supportive policies and tools to implement appropriate land use policies.

The land use criteria must also be harmonious to livable place principles, namely comfort

and image, uses and activities of the center, sociability, access and linkages using

pedestrian site planning, and the expansion of pedestrian facilities. In addition, each of

these modes of transportation will need to be integrated to maximize the use of each

mode.

Linking higher density residential communities to large, relatively dense mixed-

use nodes will also be a primary goal. Mixed land uses, which allow workers and

residents to complete errands without automobiles, well-designed facilities, pedestrian-

oriented facilities, and other transit-sensitive site planning can be just as important in

making transit work as the amount and density of development.

The connectivity of alternate modes of transportation must also be linked to

preservation of greenspace. One major project currently underway, the Noonday Creek

project, includes pathways along the waterway. The combination of a multiuse active

recreation trail and the protection of Noonday Creek create an aesthetically pleasing,

functional, and environmentally sensitive venue. The trail will traverse the multiple

internal nodules of the TCA and connect with surrounding activity centers such as

Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield and Lake Allatoona.

As a result of the Master Plan, the TCACID will be poised to assess the degree to

which any transit projects are likely to be supported by proper land use patterns and

policies. This will include the current land use conditions, the future goals of the region,

and the strategies in place to achieve these goals. For the value of the transit investment

to be maximized, a community should have in mind a land use pattern that is consistent

with the transit investment. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, the review of the local

government strategies and plans will be used to assess the likelihood that the transit-

supportive land use patterns and design can be achieved.

Page 9: Town Center Area CIDw pic2 · 2019. 11. 5. · Town Center Area CID 2002 2 History The Town Center Area (TCA), situated between interstates I-75 and I-575, is an attractive location

Town Center Area CID 2002

9

The emphasis will be on transit-supportive land uses, densities, and design. It is

critical to look at a healthy mix of housing, office, and retail. Existing or proposed public

facilities and other high transit trip producers located within the study area could

potentially be well served by including in the study.

Access to I-75, I-575, and U.S. 41 are the mainstays of commercial activity.

However, future development of the area is conditional on maintaining transportation

accessibility and mobility. The TCACID should monitor businesses and be aware that

they may seek alternate locations with new infrastructure and accessibility.

Businesses and residents are already feeling the constraints of automobile-

oriented mobility. A number of “big box” retailers have located in the immediate

surroundings of these intersections. Their penchant for short-term land occupation in

search of more lucrative markets is well known. The study must address techniques and

innovative solutions to retain these vital magnets in such a manner that they support the

activity center. This will also aid in the reduction of additional large infrastructure

projects. Utilizing existing infrastructure is obviously the most efficient use of resources.

Although much of the development of the TCA has occurred in the last 15 years,

some of the large retailers offer mixed-use redevelopment possibilities. Many of these

“big box” stores are vacant; however, there is little incentive for property owners to

redevelop. Tenants continue to pay leases on vacant stores in an effort to keep

competitors out of the area. The Master Plan will identify those areas for redevelopment

to integrate improvements that will allow for more accessibility and mobility.

The current development patterns contain vast amounts of underutilized property.

The Master Plan will identify these areas for further development by reviewing land use,

policies, existing plans, and marketing techniques. By identifying specific transportation

investments, Cobb County will be more likely to implement the land use policy changes in

support of the Master Plan. In addition, the TCACID will have readily identified policies

and strategies to further support the results from the LCI study.

Page 10: Town Center Area CIDw pic2 · 2019. 11. 5. · Town Center Area CID 2002 2 History The Town Center Area (TCA), situated between interstates I-75 and I-575, is an attractive location

Town Center Area CID 2002

10

Many of the towns in Georgia are fortunate enough to have a historic town center,

making the creation of a community identity somewhat easier. The TCA has been

developed within the past few decades and does not contain a historic core. The TCA

does maintain a community image of a shopping, living, and working environment.

However, boundaries for this area are obscured by miles of roadways, and its image is

slowly being tarnished with a reputation for traffic congestion. The Master Plan can help

establish clear boundaries of the TCA community center while upholding an image for

live, work, and play.

The Master Plan will be geared toward developing an action plan with both

transportation projects as well as local initiatives, marketing strategies, land

use/housing, and urban design policy recommendations. The transportation-related

projects will not only help to increase accessibility, mobility, and connectivity, but also

provide incentives for the local government to take action supporting these types of

initiatives. In addition, it is hoped that projects identified in the will provide incentives

for the types of development and redevelopment recommended in the plan. Often, by

improving the surrounding area, property owners are prompted to improve their own

properties. Increased transportation alternatives will provide additional incentives to

develop underutilized land such as parking lots. The Master Plan should identify those

infrastructure incentives that will induce the county to make the necessary policy actions

to fully implement the plan.

Page 11: Town Center Area CIDw pic2 · 2019. 11. 5. · Town Center Area CID 2002 2 History The Town Center Area (TCA), situated between interstates I-75 and I-575, is an attractive location

Town Center Area CID 2002

11

Local Initiatives

The TCACID has undertaken the following projects to promote accessibility and mobility in the TCA.

Expanded the purposes of the CID to include parks and recreational areas and facilities, as well as the planning, development, and improvement of such areas in consistency with Cobb County’s coordinated and comprehensive planning.

Funded the Northwest Corridor Transportation Study in conjunction with the Cumberland CID. The study expands on the transit system for the corridor listed in the RTP and builds upon other studies performed for the area – $3.4 million.

Funded a Pedestrian/Bike Study to develop a comprehensive sidewalk, green area, and bike path plan in 1998 for $36,000.

Funded the engineering and 20 percent local match for construction of a comprehensive sidewalk program to connect sidewalks where there are gaps, and provide sidewalks on at least one side of every major artery in the CID area.

Participated in the local share of Surface Transportation Program (STP) funds to complete a comprehensive sidewalk program in 2000 to 2003, at an estimated cost of $1 million.

Funded $75,000 for the engineering for the widening of northbound exit 269 on I-75 to four lanes with two lanes turning east and the others turning west. Funded $300,000 towards ROW for east bound turn from exit 269 to Roberts Court.

Funded a study and application for signalization and lane alignment on Chastain Road and Barrett Parkway at $92,000.

Funded the study and conceptual design of Noonday Creek at a cost of $128,000. Estimated cost of implementation $5 million.

Funded a study to determine the feasibility of an HOV exit/entrance near exit 271. Future plans for HOV lanes are shown from 1-285 to exit 271 at I-75.

Funded a traffic study, concept analysis, and preliminary design for an east/west connector to cross Barrett Lakes Boulevard and 1-75 to relieve congestion on Barrett Parkway and Chastain Road for $364,530.

Funded the study, engineering and design for improvements on Chastain Road at I-75 and I-575 and Barrett Parkway at I-575 at a cost of $918,683.

Funded $305,203. for engineering and design for Barrett Parkway and Cobb Parkway and Barrett Parkway at Costco.

Page 12: Town Center Area CIDw pic2 · 2019. 11. 5. · Town Center Area CID 2002 2 History The Town Center Area (TCA), situated between interstates I-75 and I-575, is an attractive location

Town Center Area CID 2002

12

Formed a Transportation Management Association, CobbRides, to address traffic congestion and air quality issues in the area. Funding for the TMA has been provided by the TCACID, CMAQ grant, ARC’s Commute Connections program, GDOT and the Clean Air Campaign. CobbRides mission is to:

Mobilize the business community to support recommendations to change commuting behavior.

Promote alternative modes of transportation via carpool, vanpool, flextime, and teleworking commuter programs.

Generate public awareness about transportation issues and

alternatives to single occupancy travel.

The TCACID funded a study to determine the feasibility of a bus circulator for the TCA to encourage ridesharing. The circulator would be in partnership with CCT and would operate midday Monday through Friday. The study is complete and in the hands of CCT and the Cobb Board of Commissioners.

Page 13: Town Center Area CIDw pic2 · 2019. 11. 5. · Town Center Area CID 2002 2 History The Town Center Area (TCA), situated between interstates I-75 and I-575, is an attractive location

TCACID Projects and Studies 1998 - 2002

PROJECT COMMITTED PD TO DATE REMAINING

I-75 NB Ramp 75,000.00 75,000.00 I-75 NB ROW 300,000.00 300,000.00 Barrett Reliever Study 84,900.00 75,311.01 9,588.99 N. Barrett Reliever 250,000.00 214,254.80 35,745.20 S. Barrett Reliever 29,630.34 29,630.34 0.00 Ped/Bike Study 36,000.00 36,000.00 0.00 Sidewalk Project 280,000.00 64,657.80 215,342.20 Roberts Court Ext. 36,300.00 36,300.00 0.00 Chastain Traffic Study 92,168 92,168.00 0.00 Chastain Rd Improvements 826,515.00 795,715.62 30,799.38 Barrett Pkway/Cobb Pkway 198,723.00 172,461.30 26,261.70 Rail Study 1,725,000.00 1,574,825.18 150,174.82 Barrett Pkway/Costco 106,480.00 17,139.75 89,340.25 Noonday Creek Study 23,000.00 18,188.90 4,811.10 Noonday Project 110,000.00 63,680.00 46,320.00 Bus Circulator Study 57,150.00 57,150.00 0.00 2,857.50 2,857.50 0.00 Transportation Study 40,000.00 38,657.25 1,342.75 CobbRides Program 200,000.00 200,000.00 0.00 Funding 1/03 - 5/04 300,000.00 3,817.59 296,182.41 4,773,723.50 3,867,815.04 905,908.80 Shaded indicates "Study"

Page 14: Town Center Area CIDw pic2 · 2019. 11. 5. · Town Center Area CID 2002 2 History The Town Center Area (TCA), situated between interstates I-75 and I-575, is an attractive location

Town Center Area CID 2002

14

Revenue for the Town Center Area CID is based on the Cobb County Tax Digest. Below

are the assessed taxable values of the properties subject to taxes for year 2002 and immediately

preceding five calendar years.

Town Center Area CID Revenue – 1997 through 2002

Assessed Value

Taxes Levied

% Increase

$ Increase

1997 171,392,896 856,964 100% 856,964

1998 244,163,966 1,220,819 42% 363,855

1999 279,238,243 1,396,191 14% 175,371

2000 297,550,307 1,487,752 6% 91,560

2001 298,023,072 1,490,115 .2% 2,363

2002 390,410,961 1,952,054 31% 461,939

Total $8,403,895.00

Page 15: Town Center Area CIDw pic2 · 2019. 11. 5. · Town Center Area CID 2002 2 History The Town Center Area (TCA), situated between interstates I-75 and I-575, is an attractive location

Town Center Area CID 2002

15

Board of Directors Carl Black, CobbRides Chairman; Carl Black Buick • Pontiac • GMC T.E. "Skip" Spann, CobbRides Secretary/Treasurer; Spann Group, LLC James Daniel; Vice-President Vulcan Materials Kerry O'Brien; Vice-President Taylor&Mathis Larry Thompson; Thompson Real Estate Development Ltd Karl Vittery; Vice-President Heidelberg Americas, Inc Mason Zimmerman; Vice-President Pope & Land Executive Management: Mary Lou Stephens Lanie Shipp

Page 16: Town Center Area CIDw pic2 · 2019. 11. 5. · Town Center Area CID 2002 2 History The Town Center Area (TCA), situated between interstates I-75 and I-575, is an attractive location

Town Center Area CID 2002

16

CobbRides is a Transportation Management Association (TMA). It was started in

1998 as a program of the Town Center Area CID. Its mission is to build public awareness

about transportation issues and alternatives to single occupancy travel. In addition, to

mobilize the business community to support efforts to change commuter behavior.

CobbRides serves as an advocate for property owners, employers, employees and

daily commuters to encourage improvements in the TCA. Pedestrian crossings, better

signage, bus stops and sidewalks have been among the issues CobbRides has pursued.

Funding for the TMA has been a combination of TCACID, Atlanta Regional

Commission (ARC) and the Clean Air Campaign (CAC). CobbRides also participates in

ARC’s metro-wide rideshare database and ARC’s Guaranteed Ride Home program.

Each spring, CobbRides participates in the Smog Campaign in association with CAC.

The focus of each program is to encourage ridesharing whether by carpooling or

vanpooling.

The first three years were mainly focused on public awareness. CobbRides

procured billboards, mall signs and theatre spots. CobbRides formed a partnership with

the Cobb County Communication Department to produce ad spots on commuter choice

options and air quality issues. The spots ran between regular programs seven days a

week.

In 2000, CobbRides started a holiday shuttle which proved to be highly successful

and continued in 2001 and 2002. The shuttle operated the first Monday after

Thanksgiving through the last Friday before Christmas. It was during midday from 11:00

to 3:00 accommodating employees during their lunch schedules. Each time a rider

boarded, they filled out a survey form that has provided valuable information in planning

programs for the following year. Town Center Mall has donated $500 each year for a

drawing on the last day of the shuttle which has been an excellent incentive for people to

ride and complete the survey. The following is key information received from the survey:

1. Present form of commuting to work

2. If available, would they consider bus, carpool, vanpool, rail, transit

3. Number of companies participating

4. Number of employees from each company

5. Programs/incentives that companies were presently offering

Page 17: Town Center Area CIDw pic2 · 2019. 11. 5. · Town Center Area CID 2002 2 History The Town Center Area (TCA), situated between interstates I-75 and I-575, is an attractive location

Town Center Area CID 2002

17

The Holiday Shuttle was successful in:

1. Offering a visible and tangible service

2. The wrapped vans were 5 rolling billboards proclaiming “Ridesharing is Fun”

3. Building a database of employees in the TCA

4. Using data to advocate for a permanent shuttle/circulator in the TCA

5. Analyzing data to plan and prepare better programs

In 2001, CobbRides began focusing on nurturing their partnered companies to

increase participation within the companies and gain respect and recognition from upper-

management. It is worthy to note that as the economy tighten and companies downsized

after September 11th, interest increase from companies to participate in programs. This

was due to CobbRides offering programs and incentives without a cost to the company.

One of the most effective programs is the Guaranteed Ride Home (GRH) program

that is offered by ARC and administered through CobbRides. If an employee has used an

alternative other than driving alone to work and then has to leave because of an

emergency, GRH will provide a taxi for them to go home. This is a tremendous incentive

for someone who is considering carpooling or vanpooling.

CobbRides serves as an advocate for the business area working to improve

pedestrian crossings, sidewalks, adding bus stops…CobbRides is the one-stop call for

businesses to find out who, where and how to solve a transportation issue.

Funding: 1998 - Submitted application to ARC, created website

1999 - $187,500, 80% ARC, 20% TCACID

2000 - $215,000, 80% ARC, 20% TCACID

2001 - $200,000, 80% ARC, 20% TCACID

2002 - $117,477 from ARC/CAC, $117,340 from TCACID

2003 – TCACID has agreed to guarantee $300,000 1/1/03 – 5/31/04

CobbRides will continue to seek ARC/CAC funding

Page 18: Town Center Area CIDw pic2 · 2019. 11. 5. · Town Center Area CID 2002 2 History The Town Center Area (TCA), situated between interstates I-75 and I-575, is an attractive location

Town Center Area CID 2002

18

CobbRides January 1999 Through December 2002

Rideshare Applications Submitted

618

Partners (Companies with Guaranteed Ride Home contracts)

35

Employees represented by Partners 13,889

Webhits

712,126

Number of Employer/Property Managers Meetings - - Only tracked in 2001& 2002 244

Number of Commuter Fairs/Promotional Activities - - Only tracked in 2001 & 2002 103

CCT 10 day passes sold - 5,860 daily passes 586

Page 19: Town Center Area CIDw pic2 · 2019. 11. 5. · Town Center Area CID 2002 2 History The Town Center Area (TCA), situated between interstates I-75 and I-575, is an attractive location

Town Center Area CID 2002

19

2002 CobbRides Holiday Shuttle Number of riders 470

Number of boardings 1648 Daily average 110 Number of companies 38 Company offers:

Flex Time 17 (45% of companies Pref Parking 4 (11% of companies Telework 2 (5% of companies)

Would use if available:

Rail 261 (56% of riders) Van 176 (37% of riders) Carpool 191 (41% of riders) Bus 157 (35% of riders)

Currently commuting by:

Bus 1 Carpool 37 (8% of riders) DAC 413 (88% of riders) No answer 19

Zip codes 90 different zip codes (50 did not complete)

Page 20: Town Center Area CIDw pic2 · 2019. 11. 5. · Town Center Area CID 2002 2 History The Town Center Area (TCA), situated between interstates I-75 and I-575, is an attractive location

Town Center Area CID 2002

20

Holiday Shuttle Ridership 2000-2002

2000 (year one) 2001 2002

Week 1 Monday 54 27 35 Tuesday 8 15 94

Wednesday 54 6 138 Thursday 6 52 78

Friday 26 26 68 148 126 413

Week 2 Monday 84 78 64 Tuesday 40 24 192

Wednesday 86 8 156 Thursday 0 70 122

Friday 38 118 84 248 298 618

Week 3 Monday 87 110 112 Tuesday 30 33 128

Wednesday 64 10 192 Thursday 30 98 110

Friday 54 22 75 265 273 617

Subtotal 661 697 1648

Week 4 Short season Monday 98 N/A Tuesday 77 N/A

Wednesday 24 N/A Thursday 113 N/A

Friday 50 N/A 278 362 N/A

Grand Total 939 1059 1648 Daily

Average 47 53 110

Page 21: Town Center Area CIDw pic2 · 2019. 11. 5. · Town Center Area CID 2002 2 History The Town Center Area (TCA), situated between interstates I-75 and I-575, is an attractive location

Town Center Area CID 2002

21

Smog Campaign

Bicycle Safety Clinics

Guaranteed Ride Home Programs

Holiday Shuttle Billboards

Page 22: Town Center Area CIDw pic2 · 2019. 11. 5. · Town Center Area CID 2002 2 History The Town Center Area (TCA), situated between interstates I-75 and I-575, is an attractive location

Town Center Area CID 2002

22

Promotions with Company Partners

Page 23: Town Center Area CIDw pic2 · 2019. 11. 5. · Town Center Area CID 2002 2 History The Town Center Area (TCA), situated between interstates I-75 and I-575, is an attractive location

Town Center Area CID 2002

23

Town Center Area CID 50 Barrett Parkway, Suite 1200, Box 340

Marietta, GA 30066 Phone: 678.354.0701 • Fax: 770.423.0995

[email protected] CARL BLACK BUICK PONTIAC HEIDELBERG AMERICAS, INC CARL BLACK, PRESIDENT KARL L. VITTERY, VP 1110 ROBERTS BLVD 1000 GUTENBERG DR KENNESAW GA 30144 PO BOX 100003 Phone: 770-424-2200 KENNESAW, GA 30144-9203 Fax: 770-419-8128 Phone: 770-419-6884 [email protected] Fax: 770-419-6902 [email protected] POPE & LAND TAYLOR&MATHIS MASON ZIMMERMAN, VP KERRY O'BRIEN, VP 3225 CUMBERLAND BLVD 3500 LENOX ROAD SUITE 400 SUITE 500 ATLANTA GA 30339 ATLANTA, GA 30326 Phone: 770-980-0808 Phone: 770-795-1330 Fax: 770-984-8630 Fax: 770-420-1371 [email protected] [email protected] SPANN GROUP, LLC VULCAN MATERIALS SKIP SPANN JAMES DANIEL, VP 141 SABLE TERRACE N.W. PO BOX 8834 MARIETTA, GA 30064 GREENVILLE SC 29604 Phone: 770-428-4245 Phone: 864-299-4785 Phone: Cell: 404-518-0514 Fax: 864-299-8872 [email protected] [email protected] THOMPSON REAL ESTATE DEV., LTD LANIE SHIPP, EXECUTIVE MGT LARRY THOMPSON, PRESIDENT MARY LOU STEPHENS, EXE. MGT 4387 PAPERMILL ROAD Phone: 678-354-0701 MARIETTA GA 30067 Fax: 770-423-0995 Phone: 770-955-9611 [email protected] Fax: 770-971-5083 [email protected] LYNN RAINEY, ATTY JACKEL, RAINEY, BUSCH & REED 211 ROSWELL STREET MARIETTA, GA 30060 Phone: 770-218-8100 Fax: 770-421-6034 [email protected]