Part of the "West More - Economic Development" initiative
Create a more unified Douglas County through walkability improvements and an intra-county vanpool. The recommendation includes connecting Arbor Place Mall and West Pines Golf Course to Downtown Douglasville through a pedestrian bridge, improving sidewalks within Douglas County, building a pedestrian/non-motorized greenway to and around Douglas County, and using 15-passenger vans on specific routes to connect residents with retail, industrial, employment, education, and consumer opportunities that are not safely accessible without a personal vehicle.
Tracks connectivity from downtown to the Riverside industrial corridor through Fairburn Road sidewalk improvements.
Tracks creation of an intra-county vanpool using 15-passenger vans.
Tracks pedestrian bridge construction cost per linear foot.
Tracks the proposed pedestrian bridge connecting Arbor Place Mall, West Pines Golf Course, and Downtown Douglasville.
Tracks collaboration between regional authorities, businesses, community, and local governments through the pedestrian bridge.
Tracks Dog River Park acreage described in the expected impact section.
Tracks possible reduced pedestrian bridge clearance option.
Tracks economic vitality of existing businesses through sidewalk improvements.
Tracks funding identified for short-, medium-, and long-term projects.
Tracks federal transportation grants for vanpool development and implementation.
Tracks access to employment opportunities, post-secondary education offerings, and consumerism through intra-county transportation.
Tracks active and passive recreational use of Dog River Park.
Tracks encouragement of a healthy lifestyle through greenway access.
Tracks the number of listed action steps.
Tracks engagement with local and state legislators for possible legislative support.
Tracks milestone completion dates.
Tracks PATH Foundation’s public-private partnership model for greenway development.
Tracks sidewalk improvements connecting existing sidewalks and improving walkability.
Tracks sense of community, collaboration, and connection for Douglas County.
Tracks LCI grant use for the pedestrian bridge and sidewalk improvements.
Tracks community support and buy-in of proposed projects.
Tracks proposed annual budget for the intra-county vanpool.
Tracks protection and conservation of Dog River drinking water quality.
Tracks visible partner/resource organizations listed for project implementation.
Tracks legislative support and buy-in of proposed projects.
Tracks greenway’s role as an economic development catalyst.
Tracks sidewalks as a tool to promote walkability for all ages.
Tracks Douglas County greenway development cost.
Tracks the proposed greenway connection from Centennial Olympic Park to Sweetwater Creek State Park.
Tracks new resident attraction from the Douglas County Greenway.
Tracks nominal passenger fee for intra-county vanpool participation.
Tracks town hall meetings to receive residential and business support.
Tracks confirmation of sidewalk improvement and greenway locations.
Tracks the number of visible timeline phases.
Tracks desirable commercial development supported by the greenway.
Tracks whitewater rapids and kayaking opportunities at Dog River.
Tracks the recommendation’s goal to create a more unified Douglas County through walkability improvements.
Tracks vanpool routes that provide access to retail and industrial areas.
Tracks transportation access for residents without safe access to resources because of lack of sidewalks/pathways and no public transportation option.
Tracks coordination with Atlanta Regional Commission for a Downtown Livable Centers Initiative grant.
Tracks engagement with Douglas County Board of Commissioners and DOT to identify RideShare vans.
Tracks sidewalk construction cost for streets not prepped with curb and gutter.
Tracks the proposed pedestrian bridge width.
Tracks potential housing attractiveness from sidewalk improvements.
Tracks improved walkability and public safety between parks and to/from Atlanta.
Tracks federal Recreational Trails Program grants for the Douglas County Greenway.
Tracks FY 2015 RideShare budget comparison.
Tracks sidewalk construction cost for streets prepped with curb and gutter.
Tracks the goal that opportunity is not limited by a personal vehicle.
Tracks use of WIB/WIOA funds as seed money for the vanpool.
Tracks pedestrian safety improvement from sidewalk construction.
Detailed visible budget: Intra-County Vanpool: annual budget proposed at $750,000; FY 2015 RideShare budget was $786,000. Pedestrian Bridge: 10-foot-wide prefabricated “Steadfast” type pedestrian bridge at $1,200 per linear foot with design, engineering, installation, and administration costs; 8-foot-wide clearance may reduce cost. Sidewalk Improvements: $500,000 per mile for streets prepped with curb and gutter; $1 million per mile for streets not prepped with curb and gutter. Douglas County Greenway: approximately $1 million per mile of trail based on PATH Foundation costs, depending on land ownership, cleanup expenses, and other variable costs.