A T L A N T A C I T Y C O U N C I L

Transcription

1 A T L A N T A C I T Y C O U N C I L H. Lamar Willis Councilmember Post 3-At-Large 55 TRINITY AVENUE, S.W. SECOND FLOOR, Suite 2900 ATLANTA, GEORGIA (404) May 26, 2004 Dear Taskforce Member: I would like to thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedules to attend the Special Entertainment District Taskforce Meetings. I greatly appreciated your time and dedication and look forward to working with you in the future. The Taskforce will be presenting its findings to the Public Safety and Legal Administration Committee on June 15, 2004 at 3:00 p.m. The presentation will be made by William Ciccaglione from Underground Atlanta and Cooper Holland who represents NPU M on the taskforce. I encourage you all to attend and voice your support for Underground Atlanta. There will also be a follow up meeting for the Taskforce on Monday, August 23, 2004, in order to receive an update of the progress at Underground Atlanta. I hope you all will be able to attend. If I can ever be of assistance, please do not hesitate to call me at Yours for a Better Atlanta, H. Lamar Willis

2 Entertainment District Security Taskforce Final Report May 5, 2004 Chair: Councilmember H. Lamar Willis, Post 3-At Large

3 Table of Contents Introduction I. Review of Underground Atlanta procedural and operational plans a. Security Plan b. Open Containers c. Wristbands d. Underground MARTA Station e. Surveillance System f. Loitering on the Property g. Update of Leasing of Property II. Review of current resources available provided by organizations and entities other than Underground Atlanta a. Atlanta Police Department b. Atlanta Fire Department c. GA State University Police Department d. MARTA Police Department e. State of GA Capitol Police f. Central Atlanta Progress Ambassador Force III. Potential for Additional Resources a. Police Department 1

4 b. GA State University Police Department c. Central Atlanta Progress Ambassador Force d. MARTA Police Quality of Life Issues I. Cruising a. Atlanta Police Department s Plan to Curtail Cruising b. Community Concerns c. Prosecution II. Loitering a. Legal Definition III. Panhandling a. Current City ordinance b. Prosecution IV. Littering a. Community Concerns Transportation Plan I. Plans for Accommodating Visitor Parking a. Valet Parking b. Procedures for Valet Parking II. Potential MARTA Rider Incentive Program a. Plan III. Alternative Transportation Methods a. Potential Alternatives for Transportation 2

5 IV. Taxi stands in Underground Atlanta and the Surrounding Area a. Location of existing taxi stands b. Potential for additional taxi stands Conclusion I. Projected Operations Procedures a. Security System b. Traffic Plan c. Signage d. Parking Alternatives i. Parking Options ii. Valet parking iii. Self Parking iv. Taxi stands II. Recommendations from the Taskforce a. Security System b. Traffic Plan i. Cruising ii. Traffic Congestion c. Parking Alternatives i. Valet Parking ii. Taxi Stands d. Financial Incentives III. Next Steps 3

6 a. Distribution & Presentation of Report i. Report Distribution to Public Safety & Legal Administration Committee ii. Report made available online iii. Presentation to the Public Safety and Legal Administration Committee iv. Presentation to the NPU and Homeowners Association b. Follow-up/Action Items i. Taskforce meeting ii. Directional Signs iii. Neighborhood Identification Stickers iv. APD Periodic Traffic updates for Downtown Residents v. Underground Atlanta Events Updates for Downtown Residents vi. Rider Incentive Program 4

7 Appendix I. Appendix A: Enabling Legislation to Create Taskforce II. Appendix B: Kenny s Alley Security Map III. Appendix C: Upper Alabama Security Map IV. Appendix D: Lower Alabama Security Map V. Appendix E: Open Container Legislation VI. Appendix F: Cruising Laws VII. Appendix G: Loitering Laws VIII. Appendix H: Panhandling Laws IX. Appendix I: Lanier Parking s Comprehensive Plan for Valet Parking at Underground Atlanta X. Appendix J: Definitions for Several other Alternative Transportation Options. 5

8 Introduction The Entertainment District Security Taskforce was created to address the security concerns of all interested parties that want to make Underground Atlanta a safe and viable Entertainment District. The taskforce is composed of 18 members all of whom have been selected as designated by Resolution 04-R See Appendix A for a copy of the enabling legislation to create the taskforce. Members of the taskforce are as follows: Councilmember H. Lamar Willis Chair of the Council's Public Safety and Legal Administration Committee Patrick Busko Representative selected by the Council President Deputy Chief Dunovant Representative of the Atlanta Police Department Chief Nathaniel Grissom Representative of the Atlanta Fire Department Deputy Chief Carlton Mullis Representative of the GA State Police Department Major Chris Lindahl Representative of the MARTA Police Department William Ciccaglione Representative of the Management Company Billy Rowland Representative of the Management Company Zelda Jackson Representative of District 2 Cooper Holland Representative of NPU M Erich Starett Representative of the Atlanta Downtown Neighborhood Association Kathleen Bertrand Representative of the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau Bo Laterveer Representative of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce Dave Wardell Representative of Central Atlanta Progress Lonnie Saboor Representative of the Atlanta Development Authority Councilmember Carla Smith Representative of the Council's Public Safety and Legal Administration Committee Captain Les Robinson Representative of the State of GA Capitol Police The two remaining taskforce members that have not been included in this list are the two representatives selected by the Mayor who were never appointed. The taskforce was assembled to make both legislative recommendations to the City of Atlanta and procedural and operational recommendations to Underground Atlanta as appropriate. Goal: To identify, address and resolve all the security issues relating to Entertainment Districts as designated by the City of Atlanta Code Objective: To ensure that all interested parties and their security concerns are addressed, and that the public and private sector work with the community to maximize its limited resources in order to provide for the necessary security measures for Entertainment Districts in the city. I. Review of Underground Atlanta Procedural and Operational Plans a. Security Plan: Currently, Underground Atlanta employs IPC International, an outside security company that has been employed for about 4 years and provides approximately 800 hours a week of security with additional security enforcement on weekends and during special events. See Appendix B, C, and D for copies of the Underground Atlanta security maps. 6

9 b. Open Containers: Open containers will not be permitted in Lower Alabama and Lower Pryor. However, current City law allows for open containers within the section of the property designated as Kenny s Alley. All activity will be contained inside the property and security will ensure that it does not spill out into other areas. Security personnel will staff all the passage doors from Kenny s Alley to Lower Alabama and Lower Pryor. People will not be allowed to exit of Kenny s Alley with open containers. See appendix E for a copy of the open container legislation. c. Wristbands: Customers who are already on the property will not be asked to leave Underground Atlanta at the close of normal operating hours; however, if they wish to stay they will be required to pay the cover charge. If customers do not wish to stay for the extended hours, they will have to leave the property as soon as they had completed their shopping and their dining. If establishments want to stay open for the evening activities, they will be allowed. Visitors who are already in the establishments will not be asked to leave, but if they wish to visit the other establishments within the property a wristband must be purchased. Fees will pay a portion of administrative, security, and talent fees, as a result, establishments would have a vested interest in requesting to see individual s wristbands. d. Underground MARTA Station: The entrance to the MARTA tunnel will be open to outside traffic and security personnel will monitor it; however, during the extended hours they will be stopped and asked to pay the cover charge if they attempt to enter Underground Atlanta. e. Surveillance System: A surveillance system is already operational and is constantly recording twenty-four hours a day on all 32-hand pan, tilt, and zoom cameras. There will also be at least one security officer within fifteen feet of each controlled entrance. In the case of a special event, the amount of security will be expanded depending on the nature of the event in order to accommodate the increased traffic. f. Loitering on the Property: This is not seen as a problem as long as people pay the cover charge and are not out of order they will be allowed to remain on the property. Individuals without a wristband will be escorted off the property. g. Update of Leasing of Property: Currently, Underground Atlanta expects to sign three leases. These leases are for a Latino dance club, a club to be called Future that will serve as a live music venue, and an additional venue in the old Red River space. There are also plans for a jazz club, a sports bar, a "speak easy" in Kenny's Alley, and the concept Coyote Ugly bar. Other possible negotiations are occurring with Huddle House, the Wet Willie's chain, and the owners of Atkins Park Restaurant, which is currently located in the Virginia-Highlands neighborhood. II. Review of current resources Available Provided by Organizations and Entities other than Underground Atlanta 7

10 a. Atlanta Police Department (APD): Currently there are 6 officers and a Sergeant on each watch during the day and 7 officers and a Sergeant on each watch during the evening at the mini-precinct located at Underground Atlanta. b. Atlanta Fire Department (AFD): AFD would be responsible for calculating the correct capacity for Underground Atlanta to ensure that there are no problems associated with overcrowding. They will also be responsible for inspecting blocked aisles and exits. They will begin their inspections as soon as the clubs are open. c. GA State University Police Department: There are currently no GSU police officers dedicated to Underground Atlanta; however, officers do patrol the perimeter of Underground Atlanta. d. MARTA Police Department: Currently, they have 7 officers at the 5 Points Station. e. State of GA Capitol Police: Capitol Police patrols Steve Polk Plaza, parts of Central Avenue, and parts of Walls Street. The State is willing to assist the all stakeholders when assistance is needed. III. Potential for Additional Resources a. Police Department: APD is considering extending its hours and staffing to help control the influx of people and traffic to the Underground area. b. GA State University Police Department: They currently have no concrete plan to handle any potential influx of people. c. Central Atlanta Progress Ambassador Force: They are considering extending their hours of operations until midnight and bringing in more people to provide assistance. d. MARTA Police: Currently, they believe that MARTA will not be greatly impacted and if necessary they will add resources. Quality of Life Issues It is of the utmost importance that quality of life issues are addressed to ensure that Underground Atlanta does not face the same challenges that other entertainment areas have faced throughout the City. In the process of the revitalization of Underground Atlanta, it is important to bring all necessary stakeholders together to address these issues from the beginning to ensure that they do not become greater problems in the future. Therefore, it is important that all parties are involved in the planning and formulation stage of the revitalization and are knowledgeable on the laws pertaining to certain violations that may impact the surrounding area of Underground Atlanta. I. Cruising a. Atlanta Police Department s plan to curtail cruising: In order to deter cruising and prevent traffic congestion, APD developed a plan where traffic can easily be restricted. This will be a 10-person plan with officers posted at each roadblock. The Police Department has proposed that 8

11 Peachtree Street will become a one-way southbound street from Wall Street to Martin Luther King Drive. Wall Street, between Peachtree Street and Central Avenue, will become a pick up, drop-off and taxi stand area. If congestion should become a problem, one-way streets around Underground Atlanta may be closed to alleviate traffic congestion. If severe traffic congestion occurs, traffic will be routed north of Underground onto Capitol and Piedmont. Southbound Peachtree traffic, north of Underground Atlanta, will be routed onto Marietta Street to Spring Street. Northbound Central Avenue traffic will be routed onto Trinity Avenue. Northbound traffic on Peachtree, south of Underground Atlanta, will be routed onto MLK. It is not anticipated that these roads will remain blocked for long periods of time. In the event that these roads remain closed, officers will be informed to allow any person stating that there are a resident of the area access to the blocked roads. b. Community Concerns: It is important to note the importance of residents of the area being able to access blocked roads. Passes should be provided to downtown residents that will allow them to bypass closed roads. The surrounding neighborhoods will be responsible for thinking of methods to identify residents of the area from others visiting for the nightlife. The officers that will be responsible for the roadblocks will be familiar with the community and will know and recognize decals that will be given to the residents in the area. c. Prosecution: The legal definition of cruising is passing the same point more than once that is located within a no cruising zone. The fine for a first time offense is fifty dollars, one hundred dollars for the second offense, and five hundred dollars for the third offense with the maximum fine being one thousand dollars. Enforcement is not strong; however, the APD is currently in the process of exploring alternatives to the address problems associated with cruising. It is important enforcement to be strong and uniform to ensure that problems associated with cruising do not become a problem in the Underground area. See appendix F for a copy of the related ordinance. II. Loitering a. Legal Definition: The State defines loitering as a misdemeanor in which a person is present at a given place at a given time in a manor that is suspicious. See appendix G for relevant laws. III. Panhandling a. Current City Ordinance: Panhandling is forbidden within 15 feet of public restroom, ATM machines, public phones, and public transportation stations and vehicles. It is also unlawful to panhandle people waiting in line in front of a building or in front of an entrance or exit of a public building. Se appendix H for relevant laws. 9

12 b. Prosecution: When dealing with cases that involve panhandling, it is important to have all elements of the offense clearly stated when they are entered into the system during the booking process to avoid increased risk of the case being dismissed. IV. Littering a. Community Concerns: Event flyers and signs create a problem because of the mass amount of flyers and signs that end up in the trash and on the streets. Transportation Plan A major concern associated with the redevelopment of Underground is traffic. Traffic congestion and cruising and other related problems cause severe problems and challenges for visitors, residents, and establishments when traffic plans are not implemented. In order for Underground Atlanta to be successful, a comprehensive transportation plan with contingencies for anticipated and unanticipated traffic congestion must be put in place. Alternative transportation solutions are crucial to alleviate traffic congestion; therefore, it is important to explore every option available to Underground Atlanta in order to curtail traffic congestion and problems associated with cruising. I. Plans for accommodating visitor parking a. Valet Parking: Valet parking will be located in parking deck A where at some point in the afternoon all cars will be cleared to the right of the entrance in preparation for valet service to begin. In order to cut down on waiting time, visitors will be able to pay at a kiosk while the valet retrieves their car. It is unsure as to how much the charge for this service will be. Preliminary figures estimate the cost to be anywhere between five and ten dollars. There are about 1,260 spaces in both parking decks and while not all the spaces will be used for valet parking it will provide an additional source of revenue for the City of Atlanta. Visitors will be allowed to self park if they do not want to utilize valet parking. b. Procedures for Valet Parking: The use of Martin Luther King Drive as a staging area for cars will be avoided but if necessary for big events they will first use the area designated for overflow in the deck first and then use the street as a last resort. Lanier will delay the retrieval of cars of those who appear intoxicated. The procedure for handling inebriated guests wanting to claim theirs cars will be a delay of the process for retrieval of cars until individuals have sobered up or until law enforcement is notified. If a guest decides that he or she would like to leave his or her car in the deck overnight and take a taxi home, their car keys will be secured until the next day and the person will not be charged for additional hours from that point in time. See appendix I for 10

13 Lanier Parking s comprehensive plan for valet parking in Underground Atlanta. II. Potential MARTA Rider Incentive Program a. Plan: MARTA s plan to encourage visitors to Underground Atlanta to take alternative transportation by illustrating its convenience, with 25,000 free spaces available at MARTA stations throughout the city. Visitors can park at any MARTA station and pay the $3.50, for a roundtrip ticket, to ride MARTA to Underground Atlanta. MARTA will also adjust operation schedules for special events; however, the current schedule calls for the departure of the last train at 1:15 a.m. with service resuming at 5:00 a.m. MARTA and Underground will be collaborating in order to create a financial incentive for visitors to take MARTA. III. Alternative Transportation Methods a. Potential Alternatives for Transportation: In order to maximize usage of available parking spaces, it is important to consider effective parking management. Shared parking with other nearby establishments that will not be using their parking lots during the night hours and preferential parking for people who carpool could possibly assist in minimizing the influx of traffic coming into the area. See appendix J for a copy of definitions for several other alternative transportation options. IV. Taxi stands in Underground Atlanta and the Surrounding Area a. Location of Existing Taxi Stands: There are currently two taxi stands located at Underground Atlanta. One taxi stand is located at the corner of Pryor and Martin Luther King Drive, which holds about 10 cars. The second taxi stand is located sat the corner of Central Ave and Wall Street, and it holds about 14 cars. b. Potential for additional taxi stands: The option to establish temporary taxi stands or request additional permanent taxi stands for the area exists. Taxi stands should be located as close to the Underground property as possible for convenience. The turn around in front of World of Coca Cola would be a good place for a taxi stand because people who were not familiar with the area would not likely be able to locate the existing taxi stands. Another possibility would be that a temporary taxi stand could be placed between Peachtree Street and Alabama Street, which would operate after MARTA s regular schedule of operations, has ended. The possibility exists for the establishment of a staging area near Underground Atlanta, and much like hotels have a whistle or buzzer, Underground personnel could call for taxies when they are needed. II. Projected operations Conclusion 11

14 a. Security System: IPC International, an outside security company that has been employed for about 4 years and provides approximately 800 hours a week of security with additional police enforcement on weekends and during special events. At this time according to Underground Atlanta staffing levels appear to be adequate. See Appendix B, C, and D for copies of the Underground Atlanta security maps. b. Traffic Plan: In order to deter cruising and prevent traffic congestion, the APD has developed a plan where traffic can easily be restricted. This will be a 10-person plan with officers posted at each roadblock. It will be up to the discretion of the APD watch commanders as to when the traffic plan will be implemented. A map of the streets surrounding Underground will be provided to neighborhood residents so that they are able to plan alternate routes home. A communication network will be created to inform residents of when the traffic plan will be implemented. There is a distribution list of residents that the neighborhood will provide for the APD to send messages informing residents of their action plans. Underground Management will provide the APD and the neighborhood residents a yearly marketing calendar so that they are able to prepare traffic plans in advance for special events. Underground Atlanta will also provide a link to the APD s traffic plan on its website so that guests are aware of the traffic situation at Underground before they arrive at Underground Atlanta. c. Signage: Central Atlanta Progress has committed to providing the APD with signs alerting drivers of location of roadblocks so that alternate routes can be taken before reaching the roadblocks. The police officers on duty will be responsible for putting these signs out before roads are blocked. d. Parking Alternatives i. Parking Options: Central Atlanta Progress will conduct a survey to find all parking decks and parking lots in the Underground area in order to acquire an exact figure for the number of parking spaces available to Underground Atlanta. ii. Valet parking: Lanier Parking will be responsible for Underground Atlanta s valet parking services. See appendix I for Lanier Parking s comprehensive plan for valet parking in Underground Atlanta. iii. Self Parking: If visitors do not want to take advantage of valet parking, they will be allowed to bypass valet parking and park their own cars. The upper portion of parking deck A will be primarily for self parking. iv. Taxi Stands: There are currently two taxi stands with the potential for the addition of both permanent as well as temporary stands. III. Recommendations from the Taskforce 12

15 a. Security System: It is recommended that there be signage alerting guests that there is a surveillance system in an attempt to curtail any inappropriate behavior. It is also advisable to inform visitors that they must wear their wristbands at all times. b. Traffic Plan i. Cruising: Enforcement must be severe from the start in order to curtail problems associated with cruising before they begin ii. Traffic congestion: It is suggested that there be decals or another identifying feature for residents of the surrounding neighborhoods to have so that they are able to bypass blocked roads to get home. The neighborhood will begin creating a decal for the residents to display in their cars so that they are easily distinguished from visitors and allowed to pass through blocked roads. c. Parking Alternatives i. Valet parking: It is recommended that there be signage alerting guests of valet service in deck A. ii. Taxi stands: It is also recommended that there be signage letting guests know of the location of all taxi stands in the area. The taskforce has additional recommendations on possible locations for taxi stands. These recommendations include a stand in front of World of Coca Cola, with a staging area on Martin Luther King Drive, where Underground personnel can call for taxies when they are needed. A temporary taxi stand could be placed in between Peachtree Street and Alabama Street. This location would be operation when MARTA buses were not operating. d. Financial incentives: It is suggested that there be collaboration between Underground Atlanta and MARTA to create a financial incentive to take public transportation to MARTA. With more people taking MARTA it will relive traffic congestion around the Underground area. Possible suggestions are discounted entrance fees or discounted restaurant or club fees. IV. Next Steps a. Meetings: i. Report Distribution to Public Safety & Legal Administration Committee: Councilmember Willis will distribute the report to Public Safety & Legal Administration Committee members. ii. Report made available online: Report will be made available online at and at iii. Presentation to the Public Safety and Legal Administration Committee: The taskforce will present its findings before the Public Safety and Legal Administration Committee on June 15, 2004 at 3:00 p.m. 13

16 iv. Presentation to the NPU and Homeowners Association: The NPU and Homeowners Association representatives will present the taskforce findings at their respective meetings. b. Follow-up/Action Items i. Taskforce meeting: A follow-up taskforce meeting is scheduled for Monday, August 23, 2004 to update taskforce members of progress and to fine tune the overall plan. ii. Directional Signs: CAP will work with APD to provide directional signs for street closings around Underground Atlanta. iii. Neighborhood Identification Stickers: ADNA will work with APD to develop and finalize neighborhood identification stickers for downtown residents. iv. APD Periodic Traffic updates for Downtown Residents: ADNA will provide the APD with an list of downtown residents so that residents can receive periodic updates from the APD about upcoming road closings. v. Underground Atlanta Events Updates for Downtown Residents: Underground Management will work with ADNA to keep them updated on scheduled events that may create elevated levels of congestion so that downtown residents can plan alternative routes home in advance. vi. Rider Incentive Program: Underground Management will work with MARTA to create a rider incentive program to encourage visitors to take MARTA to Underground Atlanta. 14

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