What Would You Like to See Mapped on Decatur’s New MEGAMAP?
Decatur Metro | April 18, 2011
OK, I made up the name “MEGAMAP”…not to mention put its name in ALL-CAPS.
But regardless, GIS freaks and busy bodies, this is your lucky Monday!
Decatur just released “One Map Decatur”, which essentially is “One Decatur Map to Rule Them All…”.
Zoning maps, parking maps, park maps, historic district maps. It’ll make your head swim. But now the City of Decatur has put all that stuff in one handy map! And it looks like tax information and building permits will also be added eventually, though that functionality didn’t work for me earlier.
Here’s the city blurb on the subject…
In Fall 2010 the City launched geographic information system (GIS) and services for the City of Decatur. This program includes maintenance of the city’s existing data sets, on site staff support and the creation of maps that show a variety of infrastructure and services. GIS integrates hardware, software, and data for capturing and displaying all forms of geographically referenced information. It allows us to visualize data in many ways to analyze patterns, trends or to plan for future infrastructure costs.
As part this program the city has a web based mapping tool that provides basic maps and search functions so residents can explore the city’s data too. We will continually update this tool so keep visiting our site for new information or send in suggestions of what you would like to see included.
Hmm…what to map, what to map….
Latest from Decaturish
I just searched for my address – the map got my street correct, but not my house…
Likewise. Google Earth knows where I am and so does my GPS, but not Decatur GIS.
Ditto for me. And the 4 options it gave instead of our location were addresses on our street but not ones that actually exist.
Recommended bike routes. The Google group Bike Decatur is working on a map.
Also needs bike parking locations.
Too bad it was built in Flash.
No iPhone/iPad for Apple fans in Decatur.
1+
“I just searched for my address – the map got my street correct, but not my house…”
My house in 30030 was located outside the city limits.
Neighborhood association boundaries and public transportation routes would be good information to add.
1. Where to refill my growler.
2. Where one can buy weed, but not meth.
3. Nelliebelle’s house.
4. The best route from my house to the 5th Avenue 4/5 Academy.
5. The one place in Decatur where Republicans can gather without a bunch of Democrats looking askance at us.
6. Pizza joints that will serve food without cheese. Ick.
I second Decatur’s Token Republican regarding #2 on his list:
2. Where one can buy weed, but not meth.
At least someone said it.
So far not impressed.
Gosh, I think this is neat. The city border is more distinct that what one sees on many maps and shows interesting zigs and zags and even a loop de loop. Even the distant aerial view shows incredible detail of the lines on the DHS football field. And I love some of the icons–open book for library, doggy bone for dog parks, little school house for schools, Japanese flag-like dot for CSD Central Office, etc. . But I was disappointed that nothing happens when you click on “Tax Information”. I was hoping that I could click on house lots and see tax bills overlaid on them so I could figure out if what we’re paying is reasonable.
So well thought out.
Like how Private schools are denoted by the letter “P” and Public schools are denoted by the….oh wait…
Mfff. It not only could not find our house it put us on another street.
If the house it puts you in is better than yours, it might be worth filing a title lien…
Whew, thank goodness I don’t need a map to find my house, or anything else in Decatur–whew, again.
What if it were a Marauder’s-type map (ala Harry Potter)?
Need to talk to the Mayor? Just find him on the map!
Oooooo…a Marauder map would be WAY cool! My avatar could be a tiny little 10-Cane bottle with a lime…
or to find out “where’s the meter maid?”
+1
Cool. This is the beginning of a great resource.
My wish list:
1. correct house locations, mine’s wrong too
2. 100 year Floodplain delineation
3. tax info search option by address instead of parcel
4. Active building permit and active rezoning application locations
5. Safe Routes to School corridors
6. Show Fifth Avenue on the school map. Maybe if folks actually see the location of Fifth Avenue on a city map we can stop having this silly conversation about how much more convenient/walkable Fifth Avenue will be than Glennwood for Most of Decatur.
Definitely need Fifth Avenue on the map. It’ll be open in 3 1/2 months.
Too bad one loses the aerial photo when zoomed in beyond a certain scale. As for data — actual tax data would be nice, as would home sales data (MLS and FMLS?). And let’s not forget about crime data.
Just thought of one! Location of all Decatur shuttles, Cliff buses, pedicabs at any given time.
Agreed. Just like this:
http://emory.transloc.com/
Then, add real time location of all police units, school buses, pizza/food delivery vehicles, etc. Combine it all with real time cameras at intersections, “crosswalk cams”, dash cams, etc.
Other ideas:
1) Bathroom locations with cleanliness ratings.
2) Restaurant health scores (for those who keep score)
3) Parking lot availability/rates
4) Playground monitors (so parents can meet/avoid crowded playgrounds)
Also length of lines, e.g. at:
– Eddie’s Attic
– Library Book Events
– Taqueria del Sol
– Post Office
- Age of children in home: Maybe an app can help CSD improve its enrollment projections.
As I mentioned on the other topic – it would be wonderful if handicapped parking spaces were marked!
Decatur owned passive green spaces are missing. N
It got my street correct, but put me in the wrong house. I guess that’s not too bad. It looks like the new 4/5 Academy is highlighted in yellow on the map just like the other public schools, it just doesn’t have a nifty little schoolhouse icon on it yet (maybe because it is not actually open yet?)
Oh, and I’d love a “Marauder’s Map”-style feature. I’m just not sure what I’d most want to track on it.
Hmmm…now that I think of it, it’d be useful to know which restaurants are teeming with kids at any given time…
I’m glad this is a soundless medium so I can “say” that with a straight face– pokin’ that bear, yes I am! ;-P
It would be nice if they identified the names of the items being highlighted when you scrolled over them with your mouse.