U.S. Rep. Bourdeaux Proposes National Grant Program to Fund Suburb Greenway Expansion

At a press conference held at Jones Bridge Park on Wednesday U.S. Congresswoman Carolyn Bourdeaux (D-GA), who represents the 7th District, announced a plan to provide funding to expand suburban greenways and other environmentally friendly transportation projects. The project would benefit Peachtree Corners as well as the many surrounding, growing suburban communities in the Atlanta metro area.

To be funded by Congress, the project called FutureFit the Suburbs, is a vision to address the transportation needs of the metro area’s expanding inner and outer suburbs. Funds would focus on building and expanding greenways in Gwinnett and surrounding suburbs.

The plan includes four initiatives:

· The National & Regional Greenways Act would create a grant program to fund active transportation projects, including the construction and connection of national and regional greenways.

· Building Up the Suburbs (BUS) Act would provide more flexible funding for transportation projects specifically serving suburbs, while lowering emissions and congestion. Those would include Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and Express Lane Transit (ELT).

· Mall Upcycling: Use incentives through low interest and guaranteed loan programs for private investment and redevelopment of large, blighted areas where malls are abandoned.

· Infrastructure Bank: Create a national infrastructure bank to leverage the power of public-private partnerships to fund and support environmentally sound infrastructure projects which in turn are good for the environment and the economy.

Representing Peachtree Corners at the press conference; Mayor Mike Mason, Mayor Pro Tem Weare Gratwick and Councilmembers Phil Sadd and Eric Christ. Other dignitaries attending included Gwinnett County Commissioner Ben Ku, Joe Allen, executive director of the Gwinnett Place Community Improvement District, Doug Hooker, executive director of the Atlanta Regional Commission and Norcross Mayor Craig Newton.

“Expanding and connecting our greenways improves our entire area,” said Mayor Mike Mason. “Multi-use trails and regional greenways benefit our city in multiple ways, including raising our home values. Our suburbs are growing quickly so providing infrastructure funding to these areas is an investment for the entire metro Atlanta area. Peachtree Corners, and all of our surrounding neighbors, would gain from additional environmentally friendly transportation projects.”

Source: City of Peachtree Corners release