We asked if you had questions and they came flooding in! We’re grateful for how engaged this audience is and happy to provide answers where we can.
“Where Am I Actually Supposed to Park?”
Fair question, we know the area has rapidly changed and finding parking now can feel more challenging. We built a parking map that shows lots, decks, current rates, and which businesses validate.
We are also putting together a short video walkthrough of how to use it. The district is more connected than most people realize. There’s also ample paid on-street parking available along Brady Avenue, 8th, 10th, and 11th.
“When will the Marietta Blvd and West Marietta Street intersection be fixed? Materials have been sitting there for months.”
The City of Atlanta is working closely with the railroad to make sure construction is able to continue. The containers you mention belong to the contractor hired to complete the bridge deck repair. When the CID inquired, the City was not able to provide a timeline for completion due to limited construction windows provided by the railroad.
“What about resurfacing at 17th and Howell Mill, and Huff and Howell Mill?”
The Howell Mill Complete Street project led by the City of Atlanta will be resurfacing Howell Mill from Huff Road to just south of Chattahoochee as soon as all the sidewalk, median, and bike lane project pieces in that area are done being constructed. Per the contractor, the resurfacing should be completed before the end of the year.
“What is the story with the data center planned near Ellsworth Industrial Blvd? Why was there no community input?”
The data center use proposed at 1611 Ellsworth Industrial Blvd was allowed under the property’s existing Industrial Zoning and the application was submitted before the Beltline ban on data centers. In those cases there is no public input required as the property owner is within their rights to develop. Their development proposal required them to obtain a Special Administrative Permit (SAP). You can read the City of Atlanta Staff Report released here.
A public hearing to go over variation requests was required and was held on October 24, 2024 – Upper Westside CID staff was in attendance to advocate that the applicant meet the intent of the Upper Westside Overlay. This process does not mean a data center will materialize; it just means that one is now allowed to develop per the plans submitted to the City. However, the Upper Westside Overlay requires that the floor area for data centers can only make up 50% of the total project floor area, so they would need to develop other uses concurrently and could not get an occupancy permit for the data center until the other uses also receive occupancy permits.
“What is Westside Stride, and can my business be part of it?”
SAVE THE DATE! Westside Stride is the district’s annual block party. On Sunday, November 8, we are teaming up with Atlanta Streets Alive to open Howell Mill Road to people instead of cars, from noon to 6 pm. Live music, an artist and makers market, food, and the buzz of 20,000 neighbors in the street.
If you run a business inside the district or run a nonprofit, this is your day. Applications close October 12th!
If you are a maker or food truck, check back next year for your chance to participation. Learn more on the Participate page at westsidestride.org.
That is the list for this round…
Keep the questions coming! Send us a message on Instagram, and we will feature the next batch in an upcoming edition or on a social post. See you on Howell Mill on November 8, in the street where the cars usually are.
*GIVEAWAY* Starts Monday October 5th!
Here’s a chance to own a piece of the district’s first decade.
We are giving away copies of our 10 year anniversary book, packed with the people and places that built the Upper Westside. Entering takes just 30 seconds!
Ends October 11th, winners announced October 12th.
A great way to stay involved with what’s happening in your community is to attend your local neighborhood association meetings (renters are welcome too!) or tune into an NPU (Neighborhood Planning Unit) meeting.
Participating in either means you get to learn about what developments and events are coming to your neighborhood. NPU meetings aren’t for the faint of heart, have snacks ready as they can go long. Your local neighborhood meetings are a great way to dip your toe in the water of public participation.
Stay Connected Wherever You Are
Follow us on our new Facebook page for real-time project and event updates. Find us on Instagram for a closer look at the district as it evolves. Connect on LinkedIn for development news and community milestones.
We have so much happening and we want you to see all of it.
