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Clifton Community Partnership Update June 2010

Contents: Final Phase of Dowman Drive Enhancements; Saba Reopens in Emory Village; Economic Growth Sparked by Federal Investment in University Research; Emory's Model for Walkable University Campuses; Zero Waste Commencement Goal Realized; DeKalb Library Patrons Check Out Audiobooks, Kiss Late Fees Goodbye; Celebrate Summer in Virginia-Highland; From Oxford, a Direct Line to Emory's History; Five Questions: Jason Morgan
June 2010

Final Phase of Dowman Drive Enhancements

Work has resumed in the final phase to complete Emory's main entrance at Dowman Drive. These improvements are a continuation of the project that was started last summer with the new and welcoming ingress to campus. Streetscape improvements will be concentrated to the fronts of the B. Jones and Administration buildings and will complement the landscaped plaza and courtyard of the newly constructed Oxford Road Bookstore and Admissions Office.
Roadwork on Dowman Drive began shortly after Emory's Commencement and is expected to end in August.

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Saba Reopens in Emory Village

It has been some time since diners have been able to enjoy handmade pasta dinners and homemade desserts in Emory Village. Well, the wait is over!
Saba reopened its Emory Village location last month. The restaurant, which is also famous for its delicious sandwiches and family-friendly atmosphere, caught fire in September. For hours of operation and menu, visit www.saba-restaurant.com.
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Economic Growth Sparked by Federal Investment in University Research 

A new report demonstrating the link between federally funded basic research and economic growth highlights four Emory startup companies among its 100 "successful stories." The report, "Sparking Economic Growth: How federally funded university research creates innovation, new companies and jobs," was released by the Science Coalition and traces the origins of 100 companies to breakthrough research conducted at a university and sponsored by a federal agency.
Since the 1990s, Emory has turned federal research funding into more than $775 million in licensing revenues from drugs, diagnostics, devices and consumer products. These funds have been returned to laboratories and scientists as a new source of funding for continued research.
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Emory's Model for Walkable University Campuses

Last fall, Emory received a grant from the Urban Land Institute to develop a Walk N' Roll campaign that includes curriculum related to healthy design, awareness-building efforts related to Emory's pedestrian-only campus core and an online sustainability map with walking tours, videos, social media and podcasts. The interactive map (www.sustainability.emory.edu/html/map/index.html) will feature an assortment of visual arts images, civil rights landmarks, historical markers and local amenities like ATM locations -- all found on Emory's campus. 
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Zero Waste Commencement Goal Realized 
Emory held its first zero waste Commencement last month and the event was similar to the zero waste New Student Orientation held in August. The University composted food, biodegradable service ware and recycled plastic water bottles and aluminum cans.   
The main components to any successful zero waste event are recycling and diversion from landfills. "The Commencement season is the culmination of this year's efforts to raise awareness about composting and recycling," said Deena Keeler who organizes campuswide recycling efforts for Emory Recycles. "We had volunteers at these events to provide information to graduates and guests about where to put their waste."
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DeKalb Library Patrons Check Out Audiobooks, Kiss Late Fees Goodbye

DeKalb Public Library is making it easier than ever to access bestselling books in high demand. The library's new service, OverDrive, affords patrons the opportunity to check out new releases and popular titles 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year as downloadable audiobooks. All that is required is a library card and internet access.
Current patrons can check out two titles at once and can choose the length of their checkout time from a range of one to three weeks. The downloads automatically expire at the end of the checkout period, so patrons don't have to worry about lost items or late fees. Patrons can also place requests for books already checked out.
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Celebrate Summer in Virginia-Highland 
Sponsored by the Virginia-Highland Civic Association, the 27th annual Virginia-Highland Summerfest will be held June 5 -- 6 at scenic and historic Virginia Avenue, between North Highland Avenue and Park Drive.
This year, Summerfest supporters can celebrate the beginning of summer by shopping for original art in a variety of media, and enjoy great food and an exceptional array of live music. This year's event also features a 5K race on Saturday morning, along with activities designed for children in the KidFest area of John Howell Park, which is adjacent to Arcadia.
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From Oxford, a Direct Line to Emory's History
Commencement is a special moment for every graduate, but for one Emory senior who received her diploma May 10, the day was uniquely historic. Hena Chun '08Ox -- '10C is the great-great granddaughter of Yun Ch'i-ho 1893C, a Korean who was Emory's first international student. Chun is the first of Yun's direct descendants to graduate from Emory.
When it came time to apply for college Emory was the only school in the South that Chun considered, because of her great-great grandfather's importance in its history -- and Emory's influence on him. After deciding to come to Emory, she decided to begin her college career on the Oxford College campus, as the actual place where Yun had studied. 
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Five Questions: Jason Morgan, MARTA planner leading Clifton Corridor Transit Initiative
1. Can you explain the Clifton Corridor Transit Initiative?
The Clifton Corridor Transit Initiative was begun by MARTA in spring 2009. Our goal is to identify both short- and long-term transit improvement options for the area extending from the Lindbergh Center to the City of Decatur (including the CDC, Emory University, and the areas of LaVista, North Druid Hills and Clairmont roads, and the DeKalb Medical Center district).
The first step toward making the project eligible for various federal funding options is conducting an Alternative Analysis (AA) which involves evaluation of the best possible technologies (light rail/streetcar, bus rapid transit, express buses, or combinations of options) and alignments available to address the access and mobility limitations within the corridor. The AA will result in an alignment and technology that will be presented to the community and decision makers for critique. Eventually, a locally preferred alternative (LPA) will be presented to the MARTA and Clifton Corridor Transportation Management Association (CCTMA) boards and the Atlanta Regional Commission for adoption.
2. What are the next steps for this project?
A recommended alignment and technology must be adopted for this project. We are anticipating having this recommendation ready to present to MARTA and CCTMA boards by March 2011. The preferred alternative must then go through an environmental analysis which involves identifying all environmental and social impacts posed by the project and strategies for mitigating these impacts. The project must then go through preliminary engineering, design, and final design which can take up to four years.
The above are required steps to maintain eligibility for Federal funding, however MARTA will research other funding opportunities and will continue to work on developing and implementing shorter term solutions (bus route changes and bus stop coordination with CCTMA) to help prepare the corridor for the construction of the selected alternative.
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