Comments on: MARTA Staff Recommends Light Rail Through Emory/CDC/DeKalb Medical for Clifton Corridor

By: DawgFan

DawgFan — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 18:41:26 +0000

Pretty coldhearted, brianc. You are OK with people’s home being taken so you can have a light rail which, although you think you will take benefit of the new route and can finally give up your car, you will ride maybe once a year, if ever. What street do you live on? I am gonna call MARTA and suggest they put a station where your house sits. Hope you are adequately compensated…

For the record, I am not stating that eminent domain is improper or should not be used, or that it might not be proper in this case. My problem is with the callousness and the “better them than me” selfish attitude and complete disregard for the extremely reasonable and legitimate concerns of the impacted homeowners. Do you honestly believe you wouldn’t object if you lived there? If so, pinch yourself and wake up.

By: DawgFan

DawgFan — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 18:26:33 +0000

There is nothing problematic at all about acting in one’s self interest and preserving/protecting your property or home. What is problematic is someone who lives on the other side of town demanding light rail down Clairement while completely discounting the objections of the howeowners who would be negatively affected. It is very easy to support such a proposal if you live in, for ex., Oakhurst. You get all the benefit and none of the costs. Sorry, but the homeowners who will be directly burdened don’t automatically have to “take one for the team”, and their opinions/concerns should be given a great deal of weight.

BTW, the public property is being used for the “greater good” as it is a road.

By: Decatur Metro

Decatur Metro — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 18:07:03 +0000

Great info. Thanks!!

By: Pablo

Pablo — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 18:00:15 +0000

Just to clarify a little bit, the option down Clairemont direct to Decatur Station wasn’t officially removed from consideration until April 2011, and even then it could still have been added back into the plan. At the time, MARTA gave these reasons for eliminating the option:

1) The options to connect with downtown Decatur have been under discussion with the community for nearly two years (as well as during years of previous studies), and the Decatur Commission has declined to support such an option at this point.
2) Introduction of a light rail or streetcar system along Clairemont Avenue between Scott Boulevard and downtown Decatur precludes the ability to widen sidewalks and add bike lanes without right-of-way takings within the historic district which was not supported by the surrounding community,
3) Heavy rail subway construction to the Decatur Station is highly expensive and disruptive and would require reconstruction of the Decatur Station

By: Chris

Chris — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 17:53:28 +0000

Bobby, the corridor may never be built if the T-SPLOST does not pass. However if it does this is the timeline. (Info from presentation I saw on the Clifton Corridor).

1 – 1 1/2 years of environmental study
2 -4 years for planning
2 – 4 yerars for construction.

Also the T-SPLOST pays to North Decatur road only IF it was heavy rail. It pays all the way to Avondale if it’s light rail (much cheaper).

So figure that the tax goes into effect in the beginning of 2013, you could see the project finished between 2018 – 2022.