Clifton Community Partnership

Other article:
Survey Says, Alternatives are an Answer
May 30, 2008
Source: Community Partnership Update/April 2008

Last month the Clifton Community Partnership sent out a survey to collect opinions about restoring rail transit to the Clifton community. Ninety-two percent of the 229 respondents said that restoring rail transit would provide a benefit to the area. Take a look at what your neighbors are saying about the possibility of rail transit rolling through the Clifton community.

Are people in the Clifton community more open to rail transit now?

I think it all depends on the type of rail. We always heard heavy rail was [the] answer and new tracks would have to be constructed, which would eliminate houses. That is why people ran. If it is light rail and/or existing tracks could be used then people are probably more open.
-Andrew Waddell – Emory Circle resident

I think people are realizing that we need other ways besides cars to move about. I like to use MARTA to get to the airport; I bike around my neighborhood. I would use a train to shop or get to the library if I could do that.
- Margaret VanDeman Blackmon – Druid Hills resident

As traffic worsens, people are more open to alternatives. Also, Emory has raised the price of parking (a good thing).
- Nancy Ciliax – Clairmont Heights resident

I think that residents are realizing that we must provide alternative methods of transportation to all of the commuters that travel into our community from other parts of the metro area each day. One person on a train is one less person driving down our neighborhood streets in their car.
- Linda Robitscher – Druid Hills resident

What are your concerns?

I would hope that [Clifton community] rail transit would be planned with an eye toward extending rail transit to other communities in the future.
- Christopher Foster – Druid Hills resident

I support rail and mass transit at any chance I get. My concern would be the general level of support and ensuring adequate ridership to make rail transit a successful program.
- Ingrid Blanton – Druid Hills resident

Some things that concern me are poorly planned routes or routes that encourage sprawl, failing to give preferential access to the poor, not integrating well with future and existing systems, [and] not having a bold enough vision.
- Jesse Turner – Druid Hills resident

Will there be a disproportionate impact on residents displaced or directly affected by construction?
-Marc Merlin – Druid Hills resident

Restoring rail transit should increase commuter convenience while decreasing traffic congestion, air pollution, danger to pedestrians, commuters and noise.
- Rolf W. Nygaard – Toco Hills resident

If the rail connects with MARTA, it would be of use, particularly for those going downtown or to the airport. I am retired (age 80), so I don't commute daily, but I run shopping errands often to Toco Hills and to Sage Hill.
-Robert S. Duggan, Jr. – Thomson Park resident

Would new rail lines be required, and where? Would there be convenient intermodal access to the stations?
- Renee Huskey – Druid Hills resident