Northwest Atlanta residents fight bus depot proposal

ATLANTA - Residents in Northwest Atlanta are voicing their concerns about a proposed bus depot in their area.

The proposed bus depot is located at the Atlanta Housing Authority’s Bankhead Courts housing project on Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway.

More than 100 community members attended the meeting Thursday to voice their concerns.

“Donald Hollowell is already packed with traffic and adding a bus depot and busses and additional traffic will still negativity impact the community,” said Pastor Randy Glover whose church is in the neighborhood.

Some residents are concerned because of the traffic patterns adding that the busses would have to use already congested residential roads.

"The major north south connection from where this proposed bus depot may locate is Bolton Road, which is a two lane road and is already burdened with people coming into the city from Cobb County,” said Dustin Hillis who lives in the area.

Atlanta City Council Member, Felicia Moore said she understands wanting to have bus depot in the north area of the city, but just not in the proposed area.

“A location needs to be found where you can put them out on a major corridor and when they are going to their location which is the north cluster Douglas those areas that they can diverge and get there without impacting the residents,” said Council Member Moore.

Another concern for residents is the proposed bus depot’s proximity to the Chattahoochee River.

"It is around 1200 feet from the Chattahoochee River,” said Hillis. “Atlanta needs to be embracing the river instead of adding more industrial use and commercial use to river area.”

The meeting was not just about stating their opposition, but also proposing solutions including maybe having the busses on school property or finding multiple smaller locations.