1. 10 Years of Action by ARC Managing Growth in the Region Dan Reuter, Atlanta Regional Commission

2. Post Riverside Downtown Smyrna In 1988, Post Riverside and Downtown Smyrna were new town center projects.

3. Blueprint Midtown Decatur Strategic Plan In 1998, “small area planning” was occurring in Decatur and Midtown

6. 1983 Ga Constitution inhibits regional solutions and grants immense authority to local governments to manage growth. #1 Local Government Home Rule Three Big Issues to Remember Atlanta Zoning Maps Online

7. #2 Funding Authority at State Level Georgia Department of Transportation (DOT) under federal rules has primary authority for 85 to 90% of new transportation construction funds. Roads and access drive new development. Region has little control over transportation investments. Three Big Issues to Remember

8. #3 Limited Transit Funding MARTA rail system was completed to its current size in 2000. The MARTA system was built with substantial federal construction funding. State does not fund transit operations. Georgia is one of few without state assistance. Funding available for new fixed-guideway or other major transit expansions is now very limited. Three Big Issues to Remember

9. Metropolitan Area Planning and Development Commission Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) originally created in 1947 with regional planning responsibility for 10 counties. ARC produces the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) Federally designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for transportation planning in the 20 county region. ARC produces a Regional Development Plan (RDP) ARC manages local government comprehensive planning rules for a 10 county area under Georgia law administered by Georgia DCA. ARC staff’s the Metro North Georgia Water Planning District . ARC serves as a regional Area Agency on Aging and Regional Workforce Board. ARC Planning Responsibilities

13. #2 Transit Planning Board (TPB) created Concept 3 plan for regional transit! ARC helped initiate and supports TPB.

17. Atlanta – 17 Cherokee – 4 Clayton – 5 Cobb – 11 DeKalb – 15 Douglas – 2 Fayette - 2 Fulton – 15 Gwinnett – 14 Henry – 2 Rockdale – 1 Outside – 6 Total – 94

19. Midtown Peachtree Pedestrian Improvements

20. Decatur MARTA Plaza Redevelopment

22. #5 Greenspace Planning Developed tools and data to help local governments and non-profits during past 3 years

23. Protected Lands Database – All greenspace sites in 20 counties

24. Green Infrastructure Toolkit Resource for Protecting Land Set of tools available to local governments in Georgia that can be used to acquire and preserve greenspace

26. Summary During past 10 years, ARC has led the region towards greater sustainability with local governments, partner NGOs and private developers. But…. We forecast much more growth will occur through natural increase (births) and migration (persons attracted to region for jobs, retirement, etc.) Need to focus all public and private planning towards sustainable growth and development.

27. Population 65% Increase, 2000-2030 Employment 75% Increase, 2000-2030 Forecasting Economy Atlanta economy (as measured by GDP) is larger than 35 U.S. states, as of 2005. The region’s population (28-county MSA) is larger than 30 states, as of 2007. Atlanta’s GDP is 67% of the State of Georgia GDP, as of 2005 (also, Atlanta’s population is 54% of the state’s pop).

28. Source: U.S. Census 2000 1990 1970 1950

31. Atlanta Regional Commission 40 Courtland Street, NE Atlanta, Georgia 30303 www.atlantaregional.com/lci Dan Reuter, AICP [email_address] 404.463.3305 For More Information