From Decatur’s Casie Yoder…

Construction at Trinity and E. Howard will begin in full on Monday, September 29.

Here is what travelers need to know:

· E. Howard will be closed for bike-ped-car traffic including the PATH trail for an 18-24 month period starting this weekend.
· In addition, there will be no sidewalk service on the south side of Trinity Street between Church Street and E. Howard Avenue. For this reason, there will be no mid-block crossing on Trinity.
Alternate routes will be posted on the street this weekend. Here is a snapshot of those alternate routes:

· The alternate PATH bike route will be on Church Street and E. Ponce de Leon Avenue.
· The alternate pedestrian routes for the E. Howard will be on Church Street and E. College Street.
For more information, please contact the City of Decatur, Design, Environment & Construction Division at 678.553.6570.

From Decatur Police Sgt. Jennifer Ross…

This Saturday, September 27th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. drop by and turn in your unused or expired medication for safe disposal in front of the Decatur Police Department, located at 420 West Trinity Place, Decatur, GA 30030. The goal of the DEA “Drug Take Back” program is to prevent pill abuse and theft by giving everyone the opportunity to turn in potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs for disposal. Decatur last participated in the drug take back program in April 2014 and took in 150 pounds of prescription drugs.

West Ponce de Leon Ave, Decatur GA

With a number of new residences being built downtown, it seemed only a matter of time before a neighborhood association popped up.  And here it is!  George writes in…

I am working to create a downtown decatur neighborhood association and would appreciate your support in publicizing the organizational meeting scheduled for November 12 at 7:00 at the Decatur Recreation Center.  I have been working with the planning department and Commissioner Scott Drake, as well as other residents.

The Facebook page is Decatur Downtown Neighbors.  I am happy to discuss with you if you need additional information.

On the site’s Facebook page you begin to a get a sense already of some of the groups’ initial concerns.  Here’s a post accompanied with pictures of the city’s vacant parking lots…

Despite all the development underway, there are many sites whose future has not been decided. The new residents will need new amenities (like a park), and the City should look at these sites to ensure a good quality of life for the growing number of downtown residents.

Photo of future development site – Callaway Building – courtesy of Downtown Neighborhood Assoc. Facebook page

Feel free to use this post to make comments and ask questions about local topics not discussed here over the past week.

Comments close on Monday.