Newsletter

GOVERNOR PERDUE JOINS 250+ GUESTS TO CELEBRATE PCIDs’ 10 YEAR LEGACY OF SUCCESS

It was a beautiful day for a celebration with Governor Sonny Perdue and many other elected and appointed officials on site to commemorate the 10 year anniversary of the PCIDs and the PTC. Governor Perdue congratulated the PCIDs and PTC boards and partners on a decade of successful transformation in the Perimeter market and dedicated the award-winning Perimeter Center Parkway, which has experienced $8.4 million in improvements including the addition of bike lanes, sidewalks, lighting and redesigned intersections with pedestrian crosswalks, signage and ADA-compliant ramps. The parkway improvements were achieved through a collaborative partnership between the Atlanta Regional Commission’s (ARC) Livable Centers Initiative, the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority’s (GRTA) Fast Forward Bond Program and DeKalb County. The Governor also recognized the service of DeKalb PCID Chair Robert P. Voyles, presenting him with a proclamation honoring his tenure.

Dunwoody Mayor Ken Wright and DeKalb County CEO Burrell Ellis heralded the work of the PCIDs and applauded the strength of the partnerships that have kept Perimeter at the forefront of economic development and prosperity in the state of Georgia. CEO Ellis congratulated Mr. Voyles by declaring September 29th ‘Bob Voyles’ Day’ in DeKalb County.

The day began with the kick-off of the $18 million Hammond Half-Diamond Interchange project that will provide a new gateway to the Perimeter. The interchange, which was the only project let by GDOT in the final quarter of 2008, will include a 9-lane bridge and on/off ramps for GA400 – one northbound entrance ramp from Hammond Drive onto GA400 and one southbound exit ramp from GA400 onto Hammond Drive. The project is expected to reduce extreme traffic congestion throughout the district and represents the power of what public/private partnerships can accomplish.

Sandy Springs Mayor Eva Galambos spoke to the innovative collaboration of the PCIDs with local governments to promote change and growth in the Perimeter. The City of Sandy Springs Development Authority – led by State Representative Wendell Willard – joined forces with the PCIDs, which invested $5 million in the project, to accelerate the engineering of the Hammond Half-Diamond Interchange, providing a savings of $500,000.

Taking part in the outdoor celebration were Chuck Altimari, Vice President of UPS and Fulton PCID Chair, GRTA Executive Director Dick Anderson, ARC Transportation Planning Division Chief Jane Hayse, Hines Senior Vice President and DeKalb PCID Vice Chair John Heagy and Dale Hughes, Senior Vice President of Legal Affairs and Strategic Investments for Cox Enterprises, Inc. and Fulton PCID Vice Chair. Vice President of CH2MHill and PTC Chair George Howroyd and PTC Director David Southerland recognized Clean Air Commuter Champions for their commitment to improving metro Atlanta's air quality problems. The PTC has worked diligently to encourage Perimeter’s commuters to take advantage of public transit options, vanpooling and ridesharing.

More than 250 guests shared in the festivities of the day and had the chance to learn more about the work of the PCIDs and the PTC. PCIDs President and CEO Yvonne Williams cheered as Governor Perdue proclaimed, “If the legacy of success that the PCIDs and PTC have enjoyed over the last 10 years is any indication, the future is bright for Perimeter.”

PCIDs WELCOME NEW COO, DAVID M. PURCELL

The PCIDs are excited to welcome new Chief Operating Officer David M. Purcell. David joins the staff of the PCIDs with more than 30 years of experience with Georgia Power.

"David brings a wealth of experience in the area of general management with him," said PCIDs President and CEO Yvonne Williams. "We are proud to announce we have a seasoned professional joining our team to fulfill our COO role.”

“If I can succeed in helping this team to succeed in attaining their goals and instill in them some of the sound principles and lessons-learned – and have a little fun along the way doing it – I can say my role on the team was accomplished,” said Purcell.

Along with his managerial experience and leadership expertise, David boasts a history of public service and has acted as Chair for several boards including Senior Connections, Inc., the Partners in Education Foundation, the DeKalb Historical Society, the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce and as Marketing Chair of the DeKalb Workforce Investment Board. He served on the boards of The United Way, DeKalb Technical College and the DeKalb unit of the American Heart Association. He was appointed by Governor Sonny Perdue to the City of Dunwoody Commission and also served as Interim Director of Economic Development for DeKalb County from 1999 to 2000. In 2005, he received a commendation from Governor Perdue for his dedication to improving education.

David Purcell’s 7 Guiding Principles of Leadership
“Take Charge”

1. Leaders help people succeed
2. Don’t confuse management with leadership
3. Set goals that everyone can understand
4. Set high standards
5. There is always room for improvement
6. Take charge
7. Do what’s right

THE PCIDs ARE EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THE LAUNCH OF THEIR NEWLY REDESIGNED WEBSITE!

The following are just a few of the things you can expect to find while visiting the new site:

• An interactive project map, showcasing past, present and future improvements that can be found within the market
• We want to know what you think about all the great things going on in Perimeter. To help us better address your needs, we’ve added a “Customer Feedback” section where you’ll be able to contact PCIDs staff members to answer your questions.
• We created a new section featuring “Perimeter Perspectives” where residents and visitors share their views on what makes Perimeter a premier urban center.
• Log-on to catch up on all the PCIDs highlights with our Redesigned E-Newsletter.
• Signing up to receive the e-newsletter straight to your inbox is now easier than ever with our on-line subscription!
• Get a behind the scenes look at PCIDs Board and Staff members
• Browse our online photo gallery featuring the projects, places and people that make Perimeter such an easy place to live, work, walk and play
• Explore the Connected Districts Map. This tool provides a snapshot of the walkable areas of Perimeter that are home to wonderful dining options, exceptional retailers, award winning hospitals, offices, hotels, MARTA and much more. Visit today to learn more about amenity-rich Perimeter!

Visit www.PERIMETERCID.org to find out just how convenient, connected and accessible the Southeast's premier walkable urban center is today!

PERIMETER NOW ENJOYS TWO MORE COMPLETED ENHANCEMENT PROJECTS

Mt. Vernon at Ashford Dunwoody Road and Peachtree Dunwoody Medical Center

Two areas of Perimeter have completed major transformations. The northern section of Ashford Dunwoody Road from Meadow Lane to Mt. Vernon Highway, part of a $2.5 million improvement plan, and the Peachtree Dunwoody Medical Center Streetscapes on Peachtree Dunwoody Road wrapped construction in early October.

The PCIDs worked together with DeKalb County, Georgia Regional Transportation Authority (GRTA) and the Dunwoody Home Owner’s Association (DHA), to pave the way for the enhancements at Mt. Vernon and Ashford Dunwoody Road.

By utilizing bond funds awarded through Governor Perdue’s Fast Forward Bond Program and administered through GRTA, the intersection of Mt. Vernon Highway and Ashford Dunwoody Road underwent a redesign of pedestrian crossings, ADA-compliant ramps, enhanced pedestrian signage, updated intersection markings, improved signal timing, illuminated street signage, video detection, traffic signal poles and mast arms. In addition, the intersection was designed in a manner in which the continual right turn movement will be realigned to the north and allow for a “pocket park” feature at the southeast corner of the intersection accessible to pedestrians.

“This unique project touches the entire community, both business and residential,” said PCIDs President and CEO Yvonne D. Williams. “We are proud of this partnership and thank the DHA for participating with us for a better overall design. It keeps our corporate brand strong and creates a green area for Dunwoody to enjoy.”

The Perimeter corporate market is rapidly becoming an urban activity center rich with amenities, pedestrian friendly sidewalks and enhanced connectivity. To achieve this goal, the PCIDs contracted with Pond & Company to design streetscape enhancements, landscaping and pedestrian lighting along Peachtree Dunwoody Road adjacent to Northside Hospital and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite. Completed this month, improvements include a redesign of pedestrian crossings, ADA-compliant ramps, new landscaped medians, improved signal timing and new sidewalks. This project was made possible through a Livable Centers Initiative (LCI) grant from the Atlanta Regional Commission and will create more efficient traffic patterns through upgraded signal timing and video detection. This project will allow improved motorist and pedestrian safety by enhancing visibility at intersections with updated markings, sidewalks and pedestrian signage.

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE – PERIMETER CENTER WEST AND ATMS PROJECTS NEAR COMPLETION

Construction is nearing completion on enhancements that will span the length of Perimeter Center West from Mt. Vernon Highway to Ashford Dunwoody Road. As many commuters in the district have noticed, the crew of JJE Constructors, Inc. is hard at work bringing this multi-million dollar project to life.

The revitalization of Perimeter Center West, which began construction in August of 2008, includes the repaving of the entire corridor. Decorative traffic signal poles and mast arms, improved signal timing, bike lanes and lushly landscaped, drought resistant medians will also be included in this project. Pedestrian upgrades consist of 8’ sidewalks and redesigned crossings with countdown timers and ADA-compliant ramps.

This major infrastructure improvement package is part of Governor Perdue’s Fast Forward Bond Program and received $5.8 million in funding from the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority (GRTA). PCIDs leveraged $1.3 million to ensure the expedited completion of this project by November 2009 – a goal which is well underway.

Another project nearing completion is the district-wide Automated Traffic Management System (ATMS). To maintain its standing as the premier urban center in the southeast, Perimeter must provide a multi-modal, pedestrian, and commuter friendly environment. The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) sees great success with the ATMS implementation in other parts of the state. In addition to improving air quality by lessening the number of idling cars on the road, ATMS works with traffic signals, allowing them to function more efficiently by continuously adjusting to 'real-time' traffic conditions, rather than using a pre-set pattern based on the time of day. By partnering with GDOT, the PCIDs are confident that these systems will provide a better way to manage traffic flow, thereby decreasing harmful effects of idling vehicles on the environment as well as smoothing the flow of what can become 'stop and start' traffic patterns.