New view of Sycamore Street looking south.
MARTA Plaza Redevelopment Project Update
March 2007 : Marta Plaza Opens!
Take advantage of the warm weather and visit the new MARTA Plaza adjacent to the courthouse square. The wider, more open plaza provides an improved area for community festivals and special events. The colorful images in the pavers and the fog fountain surrounding the Celebration statue should make this a fun place for kids to romp during the concerts in May. Images in the pavers include Creek and Cherokee symbols to honor the history of this corridor, which was a primary trail for Native Americans before Sycamore Street and the MARTA line existed.
The sycamore leaves refer to the name of the street that was here before the MARTA station opened in 1979. A map of Decatur and images of historic buildings can also be found on the plaza level. The lower station entrance at Church Street includes images of various modes of transportation.
The wider sidewalks on either side of the plaza and the addition of handicap ramps make it easier to move through and around the area. The decorative lights were the landscape architect’s creative solution to MARTA’s requirements for increased lighting. The new MARTA Plaza makes our downtown environment more walkable thanever, linking the square, the bandstand, and the adjacent shops and restaurants in a relaxed, open and visually interesting way. Come out and enjoy the new space!
January/February 2007: MARTA Project Nearing Completion
Started in October 2005, the project was contracted to be completed in 16 months. While the contractor believed it could be completed in 12 months, unforeseen problems with the waterproofing membrane around the MARTA station and delays in granite deliveries made that optimistic goal unachievable.
However, everything is still on schedule for completion within the contract period. As of mid-December, 12 of the 15 shipping containers of granite for the project had arrived and the remaining containers were on their way. At least one shipment of the long-awaited black granite needed for the stair treads had arrived.
The granite installer planned to bring in two or three additional installation crews after the first of the year to finish the granite work. Installation of the pavers on top of the plaza area was nearing completion and the focus in January will be on getting the plaza area completed and reopened to pedestrian use.
November 2006 Update
The sidewalk construction in front of the buildings on Sycamore Street was completed without a hitch over two weekends in late September and early October. The fencing along the sidewalk area has been moved back as much as possible to give a wider, more open feeling in front of the storefronts.
When the project is finished later this year, the actual sidewalk area will be even wider. Deliveries of granite began to arrive in late September and granite installation on the eastern entrance began in early October and moved up onto the plaza level. Street lamps were installed at the eastern entrance and were to be installed in the sidewalk along both sides of the station area throughout the month.
The project continues to be on schedule. Now that the finish work has begun, improvements should be visible daily. Drop by the area and take a peek at the progress and support the businesses in the construction area.
October 2006 UpdateThe concrete for the expanded plaza area and new stairs was poured in mid-September. The installation of the new sidewalks in front of the Sycamore Street businesses has been scheduled in two Sunday-Tuesday sessions. The sidewalk along this area is scheduled for completion the first week in October allowing the fence to be moved back in front of the businesses. The project is still on schedule for final completion by the end of December.
September 2006: MARTA Mall Update
Work on the MARTA project is moving forward on schedule. The construction on the interior of the station required to remove the skylights is complete and the new retaining walls are now in place. Workers are busy setting the forms to pour the new stairs that will provide better access from one side of the plaza to the other.
As with a home renovation program, much of the early demolition, structural and utility work made the MARTA project look like it was moving backward instead of forward. Fortunately now that the heavy construction is nearly complete, the finish work will proceed more quickly and the progress will be more evident.
Over the next month, scheduling will be finalized on sidewalk replacement along Sycamore Street in front of the retail and restaurant businesses. Not only will this part of the project improve access to the businesses, it will signal the beginning of the end of the construction.
Extra effort is being given to scheduling this sidewalk work to assure that construction takes place after hours and on the slower business days. The work will be completed in several stages to minimize impact on the businesses. Although some finishing work on the plaza is likely to continue through the end of the year, the major construction that has restricted access to local businesses is still scheduled for completion this fall.
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FREE TWO HOUR PARKING!
For all retail and restaurant customers, in the parking lot next door to Little Shop of Stories and Eddie's Attic, accessed from N. McDonough St. Use this convenient parkigng option to visit all of the great shops and restaurants in downtown Decatur.
 June 2006: MARTA Plaza Project Update
>Construction progress photos
Thanks to the negotiating skills of Mayor Bill Floyd, a compromise was worked out with the MARTA Project contractor that should improve the condition of the restaurants adjacent to the construction area.
The fence in front of the old Trust Company building will be permanently moved approximately 18 inches to create less of a bottle neck at that entry point. The contractor also agreed to move the fencing along the restaurant area approximately four feet every Friday afternoon to create a wider sidewalk area throughout the weekend.
Depending on the construction schedule, the fence may remain pulled back throughout the week. Creating a movable fence provides a flexible option that allows the contractor to keep the sidewalk area open as much as possible. The contractor also agreed to drop the green fence screen from the top half of the fencing, opening up visibility and making the area feel less constricted. Removal of the screen also allows visitors to view the progress of the construction.
The difference created by just removing the screening is remarkable. We encourage everyone to visit the businesses in the area and see for yourself how much progress has been made on the MARTA project. The project is still on schedule and should be completed by this fall, as planned.
New photos, courtesy of Town Square Condominium resident Matthew Rao, provides an interesting bird's eye view of construction at the MARTA project. Even with construction under way, it is clear how much more open the area will be when the project is completed. |
Decatur Deals
for July/August
Don't mind the MARTA construction – Sycamore merchants are open for business. Click for coupons you can use at Siam, Raging Burrito, Birdi's, Sage and Sushi Avenue. Offers expire Aug.30.
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FREE TWO HOUR PARKING!
For all retail and restaurant customers, in the parking lot next door to Little Shop of Stories and Eddie's Attic, accessed from N. McDonough St. Use this convenient parkigng option to visit all of the great shops and restaurants in downtown Decatur.
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Get Your Sycamore Street Frequent Shopper Card!
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New! Be a Sycamore Street Frequent Patron
Participating businesses in the MARTA construction area are now offering a "Frequent Patron" card. Get special discounts when you shop or dine, and turn in your completed cards for monthly drawings and a special grand prize at the conclusion of the construction project.
Present your card to be stamped or initialed every time you shop or dine at the businesses listed on the card during the MARTA construction project. The participating businesses include: Sushi Avenue, Siam Thai, Azul, Raging Burrito, Sage on Sycamore, Birdi's, My Friend's Place, Jake's, Little Shop of Stories and Eddie's Attic.
After six visits to any of these businesses, all you have to do is turn in your completed card(s) for monthly drawings for Decatur Dollars gift cards valued at $50 each. Completed cards will also be eligible for a grand prize drawing at the dedication of the completed MARTA Plaza project. You can complete as many cards as you like to increase your chances of winning. Businesses retain the right to establish minimum purchase amounts. |
Visit these businesses in the construction zone and get a "ringside seat" for this exciting project in progress:
· Sensational Subs
· Panda Cafeteria
· B & L Medical Laboratory
· Vibes Music & More
· Shields Market
· Azul
· Raging Burrito
· Several Dancers Core
· Sushi Avenue
· Siam
· Sage on Sycamore
· Birdi's
· My Friend's Place
· Joe Nardone Atty. at Law
· Eddie's Attic
· Little Shoppe of Stories
· Jake's Ice Cream |
January 2006: Opening Up the View
>Construction progress photos
The MARTA mall redevelopment project is right on schedule. While the demolition phase has been messy and noisy, it is easy to see how the final project will look. Already the view of the square from Church Street has opened up dramatically. The removal of the old entry canopy now makes it possible to see the bandstand from Church Street. A peek through the cracks in the fence coverings reveals how wide the sidewalk area will be, and the removal of the walls and large planter boxes has made the plaza area more open and less of a barrier between the two sides of the square.
We will work to open up viewing holes in the fence netting after the holidays to help downtown visitors keep track of the progress. Please make a point of supporting the retailers and restaurants in the area during the next few months of construction.
Participating businesses in the construction area are now offering a "Frequent Patron" card. After six visits to one of these businesses, patrons can return the completed card for monthly drawings for $50 Decatur Dollars gift cards and special discounts from downtown businesses. Completed cards will also be eligible for a grand prize drawing at the dedication of the completed project. Customers can complete as many cards as they want to increase their chances of winning.
December 2005 Update: MARTA Plaza Progressing
Decatur citizens and downtown workers can monitor the progress of the
MARTA Plaza Redevelopment Project through the construction fence and by peering around the Pete the Cat paintings (like the one at right) that have been hung around the construction site. please continue to patronize the Sycamore Street shops and restaurants . . . they're all open for business throughout the project.
The MARTA project is underway and right on schedule! Demolition is the first order of business. The removal of the planter walls has already made the area look more open and inviting. In order to complete the demolition of the planter walls and remove the skylights, the fencing along the Sycamore Street block has been moved closer to the buildings.
Extra security lighting has been installed and all businesses remain open. Please make a special effort to visit these businesses over the next few months as we work to complete the demolition portion of the project.
Artist James Dean has completed six Pete the Cat panels to help brighten up the fencing. He continues to work on additional panels. Eight residents and neighborhood groups volunteered to paint their own panels for the fence. James plans to paint "Pete" into these panels once they are installed.
Check back here for updates and information as the project progresses. To learn more about James Dean and Pete the Cat visit
www.petethecat.com.
October 2005:
MARTA Plaza Redevelopment Project Is Underway!
>Construction progress photos
The MARTA Plaza Redevelopment Project got underway in September. Adjacent businesses remain open and the community is encouraged to watch the renovation progress as they shop and dine.
James Dean, creator of the famous Pete the Cat art series, has graciously agreed to work with us on creating a public art project to decorate the construction fence throughout the project. He will paint a series of panels featuring Pete the Cat and the businesses in the construction area. In addition, we are asking neighborhood groups, schools and other community groups to design and paint their own panels to place on the fence. James will come back and paint Pete into these community creations throughout the year. If you or your group would like to participate, please contact the Downtown Development Authority to arrange to pick up a panel.
In the coming months, we invite you to walk around the square and look for Pete the Cat among the many murals that will help us celebrate the seasons and activities that make our city home.
To learn more about James Dean and Pete the Cat visit www.petethecat.com.