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🗣️ QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“Bankhead has no representation whatsoever, so there was no way for me to get in on the ground floor.”
The Atlanta Regional Commission is gathering community feedback on relocating the city’s Amtrak station.
The region’s only station, known as Brookwood or Peachtree Station, is located on Peachtree Street near Deering Road, just north of Midtown. Built in 1918, it is small, outdated, not ADA-compliant, and about a mile from the nearest MARTA rail station, making connections difficult. Despite these challenges, ridership has been slowly rising. Amtrak plans to bring all its stations into ADA compliance by 2027 and is exploring expanded service to Savannah, Charlotte, and Nashville. These factors underscore the need for a new station in a more accessible location.
Residents at a recent Neighborhood Planning Unit K meeting said Bankhead should be considered. Ivy Bowman, chair of the Bankhead Community Association, argued Law Street could benefit more from an Amtrak relocation than from the townhome development currently under consideration. “The housing is fine,” Bowman said. “To me, the possibility of bringing Amtrak to NPU-K looks a lot better than 14 townhomes.” Bowman believes the relocation would bring development and resources to all of NPU-K, not just Bankhead.
ARC’S study is focused on identifying sites within this outlined area in downtown Atlanta.
“We can do something,” Bowman said. “Why does Bankhead continuously get overlooked for opportunities for economic development?” She expressed concern that an upcoming vote to rezone an industrial area—which she says has the necessary infrastructure for a station—to residential could hurt Bankhead’s chance to compete.
A resident identified as Mr. Antwon noted that the city council is in favor of moving the Amtrak station downtown. ARC’s study is focused on downtown as well.
“Bankhead has no representation whatsoever, so there was no way for me to get in on the ground floor,” Bowman said. “However, conversations and questions have been asked.”
(Documented by Dominique Huff; additional reporting by Ada Wood)
🔎 IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
👩🏾🚒 Neighborhood Planning Unit K
Atlanta Fire Rescue launched a drone unit to help assess fires and improve responder safety. (Documented by Dominique Huff)
☑️ Atlanta City Council Committee on Council
The committee appointed members to new boards overseeing the Ethics Office and the Inspector General’s Office. They also discussed filling the District 2 seat vacated by Amir Farokhi, who resigned in August. Accessibility rights advocate Carden Wyckoff has since been sworn in as the temporary District 2 representative. (Documented by Natalie Pilgeram)
🧱 GOOD FENCES MAKE GOOD NEIGHBORS?
Neighborhood Planning Unit K
Aniya Dion Mills, a new NPU-K resident, requested a variance to build a nine-foot fence around her home, exceeding the City of Atlanta’s six-foot limit. She cited safety concerns after a recent burglary and slow police response, noting that she waited four hours for officers to arrive. Mills said a taller fence would help protect her and her pets.
As an owner-occupant, Mills explained that recent renovations have drawn attention to her property. Neighbor Quinntinn St. Laurant said a taller fence might make the home stand out even more. Other neighbors shared concerns about the fence’s height potentially obstructing a nearby alley and driveway, suggesting a six-foot fence with vegetation instead.
The Bankhead Community Association supported Mills’ request, and the variance was approved.
(Documented by Dominique Huff)
❄️ ON THE SCENE
Neighborhood Planning Unit K
The Zoom meeting began nine minutes late because of AC issues at the in-person venue. Several on-site conversations were hard to hear online. (Documented by Dominique Huff)
🫱🏽🫲🏿 WHO’S WHO
Atlanta City Council Committee on Council
Nkoyoene Effiong Lewis will represent the League of Women Voters of Atlanta-Fulton County on the City’s Ethics Board. “As a former educator, an attorney in this city, a parent, and an engaged community member who wants to make sure that we maintain ethical governance that allows our community to feel that they can trust the leadership that is here, I am thrilled to have the opportunity to bring my skillset to the forefront,” said Lewis. (Documented by Natalie Pilgeram)
🗓️ COMMUNITY CALENDAR
Walk With A Doc
📅 September 27, 9 to 11 a.m.
📍 Rodney Cook Sr. Park (outdoor classroom), 616 Joseph E. Boone Boulevard NW, Atlanta
Coffee Power Hour: Self-Innovation for Entrepreneurs
📅 October 3, 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.
📍 Virtual
Editor: Heather Buckner
Contributors: Ada Wood and J.P. Irie
Fact Checker: J.P. Irie
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