Members of the Dunwoody City Council and staff joined with partners from the Perimeter Community Improvement Districts (PCIDs) and Perimeter Mall to break ground on Phase 1 of the Ashford Dunwoody Path today. The ceremonial event kicked off construction of the project along the stretch of path near Hammond Drive.
“Connectivity is important to our Dunwoody Council, our residents and our business community,” said Dunwoody City Mayor Lynn Deutsch. “We are grateful for our strong partnerships with the PCIDs and Perimeter Mall, providing funding to make this next step possible.”
Link to video of the groundbreaking
Phase 1 will include a two-way, raised bicycle path (also known as a cycle track), a wider sidewalk, new pedestrian streetlights, and landscaping along Ashford Dunwoody Road in front of Perimeter Mall from Hammond Drive north to Perimeter Center West, where it will connect with a section that has already been built in front of the Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar. The developer built this part of the path last year as part of its rezoning agreement.
The cycle track will be separated from the roadway by a wide landscape buffer. Most of the existing trees will be retained, and new oak trees will be planted to replace the oak trees that require removal for the project.
“The PCIDs is thrilled to partner with the City of Dunwoody to construct this key section of the trail fronting Perimeter Mall,” said Ann Hanlon, PCIDs Executive Director. “We are thankful to Brookfield Properties, which owns the mall, for management’s commitment to working with our team over the past five years to finally get this project underway. This will provide greater pedestrian safety and walkability options along this busy corridor.”
This project is included in the City’s transportation plan and aligns with the current draft of the Dunwoody Trail Master Plan, which is being developed in partnership with the PATH Foundation. Most of the $1.5 million construction cost will be split 50/50 between the City and PCIDs. Decorative pavers, posts, benches, and trash cans will be fully funded by PCIDs. The City’s share of the cost will be funded through hotel/motel taxes.
The Ashford Dunwoody Path has been split into phases for funding purposes. Future phases of the project will connect north to Mt. Vernon Road. This stretch of the path includes another recently-completed section in front of Perimeter Marketplace between Meadow Lane Road and Ashwood Parkway. This section was also built by the developer.
Original source can be found here.
