Mayor Franklin announces formation of Peachtree Corridor Partnership

ATLANTA (June 1, 2007) – Today Mayor Shirley Franklin announced that the Peachtree Corridor Partnership – a collaboration between the Atlanta Development Authority, the Atlanta Committee for Progress and the three community improvement districts operating along the Peachtree Corridor – has appointed Raymond Christman as its chairman. Under Mr. Christman’s leadership, this initiative will work with relevant property owners and neighborhood groups, members of Atlanta City Council and other interested parties to determine how to best implement the recommendations of the Peachtree Corridor Task Force. A key focus will be assessing the financing mechanisms for the Corridor recommended by the task force.

Mr. Christman recently retired as president and CEO of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta and is active in Atlanta-area civic and non-profit causes, including serving as chairman of the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta. For the Peachtree Corridor Partnership, he will be responsible for determining the full scope of improvements and enhancements proposed for Peachtree with implementation of a funding strategy targeted by the end of 2007.

“Ray is a highly credible leader and we are fortunate to have him take over this priority initiative,” said Mayor Franklin. “We are determined to move the innovative work of the task force forward, in cooperation with our partner organizations, so that we can transform Atlanta’s most famed street into a shining symbol of our city.”

Mr. Christman was a member of the task force and served as chair of its Housing Choice Subcommittee. “In the spirit of other great cities with prominent avenues, such as Chicago’s Michigan Avenue and New York City’s Fifth Avenue, this diverse task force developed recommendations to allow Peachtree to become one of the world’s premier boulevards,” he said. “I’m excited to be part of the effort to make the vision a reality.”

The Peachtree Corridor Partnership is an interim entity, not the permanent organization recommended by the task force to design and build the recommended improvements to the Corridor.

“The Peachtree Corridor Partnership will help insure that the holistic vision of the task force – including public space, streetscape, transportation, road and parking improvements – will be realized sooner rather than later,” said Tom Bell, president and CEO of cousins Properties and chair of the mayor’s task force. “Working together, I'm confident the partners will secure support from all key parties.”

According to a survey conducted on behalf of the Peachtree Corridor Task Force, approximately one quarter of a million adults travel to Peachtree every day. The report of the task force included recommendations to:

• Revitalize the city’s signature street, supporting the demand for new businesses and shops which will create and retain jobs;

• Make the corridor a preferred destination for visitors, residents, and businesses with shopping, dining, and new open and green space;

• Make the thoroughfare more pedestrian-friendly and transit-oriented via a modern streetcar that connects with the rest of the city through MARTA and the proposed Beltline; and

• Promote economic opportunity by encouraging the millions of visitors to Atlanta’s downtown attractions to experience all of Peachtree Street.

“Peachtree is such a critical part of both Atlanta’s history and future,” said Egbert Perry, Chairman & CEO of The Integral Group and co-chair of the task force. “It will take a real partnership to help bring the corridor to its full potential and, true to her form, that’s what the mayor has assembled.”

Starting immediately, Mr. Christman said he envisions first meeting with City Council members, key property owners and other stakeholders along Peachtree to understand their views. He said he intends to work closely with the three groups who have already developed plans related to sections of the Peachtree Corridor – Central Atlanta Progress/Downtown; Midtown Alliance; and the Buckhead Community Improvement District.

Susan Mendheim, Executive Director of the Midtown Alliance said, “We are enthusiastic about the opportunity to help make the vision of the task force happen and believe that Ray Christman’s appointment can move us even faster down that path.”

In creating a vision for the corridor, the mayor’s task force worked for more than a year in consultation with dozens of private and public sector experts and guided by the Atlanta Committee for Progress (ACP). For a complete report on its findings and recommendations, please visit www.peachtreecorridor.com. Created by Mayor Franklin in 2003, ACP is comprised of top business and academic leaders brought together to collaborate with and advise the City of Atlanta on economic development initiatives and business recruitment strategies. ACP brings private expertise to public policy issues and continues the tradition of public-private partnership that has always served Atlanta well.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Rebecca Wallace for the Peachtree Corridor Partnership
404-310-3179

Beverly L. Isom
Director of Communications, Office of the Mayor
404-330-6558 Office
404-886-2334 Cell

Catherine H. Woodling
Media Relations Officer, Office of the Mayor
404-330-6763 Office
404-886-2963 Cell

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