Georgia DOT to move controversial Castleberry Hill pedestrian signals
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The pedestrian signals outside the Swift & Co. Lofts in Castleberry Hill. Photos: Courtesy of David Mitchell/Atlanta Preservation Center
The Georgia Department of Transportation said it will relocate pedestrian signals that are inches from a resident's window and the facade of a historic building.
Why it matters: The signals, which were installed last year outside the Swift & Co. Lofts building on Peters Street in Castleberry Hill, drew swift backlash from residents and historic preservation advocates.
The latest: Georgia DOT spokesperson Natalie Dale told Axios the agency in August began reviewing potential changes to the project to address community concerns.
- GDOT will move the two pedestrian poles farther from the building and install granite curbing at two intersections in Castleberry Hill.
- Dale said the work is expected to be done by the end of the year.
Catch up quick: The signals were installed as part of improvements GDOT made in the area and sit up against the residential building. One of the signals was installed with its front facing toward Peters Street.
- The other is perpendicular to the ground-floor window of a residence, with the face of the signal pointed toward Peters' intersection with Fair Street.
- In other words, when the light is active, the white walk signal or the orange countdown and the accompanying hand could shine brightly into a person's living space.
What they're saying: Rebecca Bily, chair of the transportation and code enforcement committee of the Castleberry Hill Neighborhood Association, told Axios that GDOT's decision to move the signals is "a big win for us."
- She said plans also call for painting the signals' mast arms black, which would align with standards and regulations outlined in the National Register of Historic Places.
- The Castleberry Hill neighborhood has been listed on the register since 1985.
- "We're very happy," Bily said. "We're happy they took our concerns into consideration."
The intrigue: Since Castleberry Hill is on the national register, a federal easement is in place on the Swift & Co. building that prevents changes to its facade that would alter its historic character and value.
- Historic preservationists argued that placing the signals inches from the building's exterior did just that.
The bottom line: David Mitchell, executive director of the Atlanta Preservation Center, told Axios that GDOT's decision to move the signals is "affirmation that what we do is important."