the process

This planning process is being made possible by the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC).  The (LCI) program "awards planning grants on a competitive basis to local governments and nonprofit organizations to prepare and implement plans for the enhancement of existing centers and corridors consistent with regional development policies, and also provides transportation infrastructure funding for projects identified in the LCI plans.​​​

This study supplements existing plans in both cities (Chamblee and Doraville) and will help develop a plan and process to revitalize Buford Highway, addressing connectivity, affordable housing and pedestrian safety." 

public involvement

The consultant team is using a wide variety of public involvement strategies including:  stakeholder interviews; Open Houses at Plaza Fiesta (in Spanish) and 3rd Rail Studios (for the business community); interactive displays at Plaza Fiesta and the Farmer's Market; public meetings; a project website; social media input; online surveys in 5 languages; multi-language flyers; Cross Keys High School input sessions and presentations;  a steering committee made up of residents, business owners, and government leaders.

The steering committee meets monthly to discuss emerging ideas and to ensure different stakeholders' ideas and input are adequately represented.  The table below shows the individuals are serving on the Buford Highway Masterplan LCI steering committee.
The steering committee has previously met on the following dates to discuss:
  • August 30th.  We discussed the purpose of the LCI program, past studies, public engagement strategies, focus group interviews, and the formation of this project website!  Click HERE for a copy of the agenda.
  • September 30th.  We discussed future public forum dates, website and Plaza Fiesta studio implementation, in addition to the finalizing of survey questions for public forum and online survey. Click HERE for a copy of the agenda.
  • November 4th.  We discussed initial statistics and findings from the initial completed surveys and traffic study.  We updated the committee on public engagement via stakeholder interviews, interactive display and open house at Plaza Fiesta.  We shared completion of survey flyer in 5 languages and the finalizing of the date of the next public forum.  Click HERE for a copy of the agenda.
  • December 9th.  We reviewed the final concepts to be presented at the last public forum
  • January 27th.  We reviewed the edits to 23 big ideas that we presented after getting feedback from the community and city leaders.

In addition to the steering committee, the consultant team meets monthly with the city staff from Chamblee and Doraville along with representatives from the Atlanta Regional Commission.  These project management meetings allow for discussions around logistics, emerging concepts, and additional ideas from the community / city staff to be implemented into the plan.

The schedule

  • Data gathering (September -October 2016)
  • Focus Group interviews (September -November 2016)
  • Public Forum Kick Off meeting (Oct 12, 2016) ​
​                 Click HERE to review the presentation
  • Generate concepts (Nov 2016)
  • Business Community Forum
​​                 Click HERE to review the presentation
  • Public Forum Presentation of Concepts (Dec 14, 2016)
  • Finalize the plan (Jan-April 2017)

THE STUDY AREA

the team

The team is a collection of consultants who expertise in planning, transportation, community development, landscape architecture, and demographic expertise.

The following firms are part of the Buford Highway LCI team: