The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) announced their annual Livable Centers Initiative (LCI) grants this week, the 25th year for LCI investments. The program began as an effort to reduce vehicle miles traveled and improve air quality. As the metro Atlanta region has exploded over the past two decades, vehicle miles are unlikely to have improved much (data is difficult to find but some reports show a tripling of miles traveled over the last 25 years).
This year’s LCI grants total $940,000 for five communities: Atlanta, Fayetteville, Gwinnett County, Powder Springs and the Town Center Community Improvement District. Each grant was at least $140,000, up to $280,000, for planning studies to help improve traffic, walkability and connectivity. In Atlanta, $140,000 will be used in preparation for the U.S. Soccer World Cup, updating wayfinding and signage to help the many visitors expected to travel to Atlanta. The $280,000 grant for Gwinnett County will be used for a master plan on Jimmy Carter Boulevard, including pedestrian and bicycle access to transit locations, future land-use recommendations and “transit-oriented developments.” The Town Center CID will receive $200,000 in recognition of the intense growth in the region since the last LCI plan ten years ago. Increased enrollment at Kennesaw State University, Cobb County’s airport and the more than 50 percent growth of the City of Kennesaw’s population over the last twenty years are just some examples of the urgent need for an updated plan.
“We are excited to partner with our newest round of grant recipients who share ARC’s commitment to create thriving communities for all,” said Samyukth Shenbaga, Managing Director of Community Development at ARC. “As we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the transformative LCI program, we are proud to work with these visionary communities to ensure inclusive, innovative, and resilient outcomes.”
Also this week, the ARC announced it received $543,000 in federal funding to study disparities in health care access, noting the closure of two hospitals that served the south side of the metro region. The study will examine mileages to the nearest emergency room services, collect data on ambulance response and transport times, and the rates of referrals to other facilities. Parts of the metro area south of Interstate 20 are now 45 minutes or an hour away from the nearest emergency room, particularly depending on the time of day.
“We know that health care access in the Atlanta region varies greatly by your ZIP code. It’s time for action to address these disparities,” said Andre Dickens, ARC Board Chair and Mayor of the City of Atlanta. “This study is a critical first step that will provide the hard data we need to make informed decisions that can save lives.”
