Chamblee Chooses Less Car Congestion and Commuting

Traffic congestion, the bane of metro Atlanta, may actually be having a
positive effect on one DeKalb County city. The daily crush of cars has
led some drivers to consider giving up their vehicles and moving to
more commuter-friendly areas where public transportation, shopping and
living spaces are all within a short walk of one another. That's
exactly how Chamblee wants to be envisioned. This city of about 10,000
residents is positioning itself as a destination for those who want to
live and work without being dependent on their cars. 'We have a golden
opportunity to create a really livable community here,' said Eric
Clarkson, a longtime Chamblee City Council member who takes over as
mayor in January. 'We have this phenomenal location with MARTA plunked
down right in the middle of our city. The people who came before me saw
the chance to develop an exciting district that has all the makings of
a city on the move.'

"The work began a few years ago with a Livable Centers Initiative grant
from the Atlanta Regional Commission. The money provided the spark for
an overhaul of the city's downtown. Construction brought retail spaces
and condominiums along a streetscape of wider sidewalks and more green
space. 'The whole idea was to go back and redesign areas so people can
live without an automobile,' said City Manager Kathy Brannon. 'Instead,
they can use public transportation and walk to shops and restaurants
nearby. People are tired of commuting and, once their children leave
home, they realize there's no need to live way outside the Perimeter.
And young people are probably a lot smarter than we all were: They know
life is too short to spend it sitting in your car.' The concept has
gone over so well that the city is looking to redesign its zoning to
incorporate more livable centers..."

Source: BikeWalk.org