Yellow Brick Toll Road

[atlantdav]

Although I have no dog in this fight, I would oppose it if still living in PC. I see no positive outcome in it, and very much doubt this would ever happen. All I see is a bypass route for the quick traveler, and not stopping in PC to support ANY business (other than a paid restroom!) It's a pipedream for those that will "maybe" benefit. Other than that, it a huge lost to others to wipe out green space and family land, much less having a potential huge tax burden if, just say, the private investors go belly up.....................it has happened!!!

 

[atlantdav]

My two cents worth is that if people want progress, and easy access to interstates all they have to do is move their butts to a more crowded closer to the interstate counties, and leave the "country" to us folks who prefer a more layed back, quiet, country home atmosphere.

:CLAP I agree!!! When I moved to PC in 2003, I knew damn well what my commute to work would be in Cobb Co. I chose PC because of it being rural

 

[Winchester]

This road will not help the people of Paulding County. It will be a short cut for truckers and vacationers trying to get AROUND Atlanta, not to Paulding. Most Paulding traffic is trying to access the commercial districts of Kennesaw, Marietta, and Atlanta from home. This road will bring noise, pollution, and an impediment to that east-west traffic by bisecting the county. This is the epitome of wrongheaded crony capitalism where the taxpayer gets the adverse quality of life effects, the private company gets the profit, and the politicians get a reelection cash cow for using their bully power to take what is rightfully someone else's.

NE Paulding is within striking distance of I-75, and all of southern Paulding is just 4 miles from I-20. We have excellent access by rail also. This road is not designed to serve the citizens of Paulding, it is designed to use them.

For many years the government of Paulding used residential developer money to line their pockets while trampling the rights of the citizens of this county. Now they are simply switching suppliers. We need commercial development. We need warehouses, factories, retail centers, and service industries. This is not the way to get those. This is not a case of if we build it they will come, this is a case of if we build it they will bypass us.

LTD, I beg to differ greatly. One, we have railroads in the County but we have NO ACCESS to the railroad, yet. One has been approved and it's the ONLY location in the County the railroad will allow it.

And how do you expect heavy industrial, warehouses, etc to be successful in this County without quick and direct access to an interstate? Dabbs Bridge will get a direct access point, but that's it. And we may be 4 miles to I-20 but the routes are almost all restricted for truck traffic. Hwy 92, Hwy 61 and hwy 101 are the only roads permitted for trucks and none of those have easy access.

I'm not saying THIS road project is a good thing as I have not kept up with the latest info. It may not be. But this County will never grow out of it's "bedroom" status until we have direct access to an Interstate. And the area where they want to run this road is less then 20% developed, so it would be the best location choice to put a major road.

The State has been working on this for a VERY long time. It's going to happen. When and how has not been fully worked out yet.

Winchester, I beg to differ. Putting a road in Paulding will not bring more business to an area that has no clue how to attract business. I realize you are in real estate but..........that just might be clouding your judgement. Certainly a real estate person can see the benefit of an express route around Atlanta but can you see the whole picture?? I feel you may be a little biased based on your line of work.

Why does Paulding County not have any businesses now?? Why did Shaw leave?? Don't tell me because there is no access, Polk County has several large businesses and are further away from interstate access than Paulding. I agree with LTD, it will be a by-pass not a direct route. Sure there might be a couple of businesses that pop up right next to an exit (if we even have one) but they will be gas stations and fast food. Maybe another Wal-mart.

Paulding needs to spend some time discovering what it takes to attract business to our area, it isn't a road that takes them 50 West of Atlanta. It isn't a road they will have to pay to use. It isn't a road that Polk County or Carroll won't even consider. They're grasping at straws and using the same analogies they've used it the past. 278 and the airport are a perfect examples of that.

Yes, I can see the whole picture, remember i said I have advanced studies in Commercial and I have owned a couple of businesses before getting into real estate.

I can give lots of examples of road projects have major effects of commercial development, as long as the planning for the area goes with it. Just look at Thorton Rd South of I-20. That area was all woods until they connected it to I-285 and I-20. Get off on some of the side streets and see the 200K to 500K warehouses and manufacturers. Mt. Zion Rd in Clayton Co and that whole surrounding area. I grew up in that area before they got the exit to I-75.

Like I said, I don't know if THIS road project is a good deal or not, I have not looked deeply into it. I'm not for or against it right now, don't know enough about it.

What Paulding needs to attract businesses is a progressive govt that Jerry Shearin tried to do. You need transportation, communications and infrastructure. These ALL cost major money that is out of the question right now. The "Toll Road" idea was a way to try and unite private investors/businesses and Govt's. To find an alternative way to fund these projects, get them done in years instead of decades, and to keep property owners from flipping the bill! If there isn't a way to create private/public projects, these projects will not get funded for decades if ever.

Or would everyone prefer to pay for road improvement projects thru their property taxes? Because that is what will happen if we cannot find a solution.

 

[atlantdav]

I believe the infrastructure should be in place before even considering entertaining any business to relocate in PC, such as water, sewer, etc. Which is currently outsourced. As for road improvements on property taxes.........pfft. Get the local elected officials pushing for state $$$$$ since WE ALL pay taxes at the gas pump for such

 

[Winchester]

Drive around I-285, get off at every exit and drive 2 miles in either direction. Do this at every exit, or at least those that you feel like you can survive. That is what "development" you will find. You will find gas stations, fast food joints, bars, and cheap motels. The exceptions to that rule are industrial complexes that existed before I-285 was completed, including Fulton Industrial, Conley, and the Mountain Industrial area which isn't really served by an interstate, but by an expanded State Highway. We don't need that kind of development growing willy nilly around the few exits that will be here. What we need is prudent industrial development accessible from US 41, and Hwys 61 , 278 and 92. We should be fighting for the needed expansion of these arterial highways, and a zoning board with balls instead of buying into some "Developmental" toll road that will only develop the developer's and politician's bank accounts while leaving us with noise, congestion, pollution, and low quality development catering to the traveling public.

Hwy 92, Hwy 61, Hwy 101 and Hwy 278 are already planned and approved for major expansion projects. But with current funding issues, the first project is a minimum of 5 to 10 years off. That is Hwy 92, which was approved for expansion back in the late 80's.

I've attended most of the public GDOT meetings over the last 5/8 years and they have all kinds of road improvements planned...... over the next 30 to 50 years. I agree, these would make better sense to improve, if you could make them all "Limited Access" roads with few red lights. But that will never happen.

As for development connecting to Hwy 41, forget that idea. Too much residential development in those areas. Maybe, just maybe when they connect Dabbs Bridge to I-75 you might get something in that area but I doubt that project will even get started before the housing market returns back to what we saw 6 years ago and then it will be too late.

There are no easy answers to this. If we do not think outside the box some, and quickly, we are going to miss the boat all together.



And Dave, I moved here in 1989 when this County WAS rural. I have seen many, many changes since then. And I worked for Cobb Co also, so I knew what the drive was like also. Why did you move here? Good schools, easy living, quiet communities? Yeah, me too. The real flood of residential development started around 1998/2000 and lasted until 2007 locally. So wouldn't that make you part of the problem you complain about? I'm just saying, glad to have you here and you are welcome to come back if that Fla air gets too thick. ;-) But you moved here during the time our population doubled in this rural county.

And for those who think Paulding County is still a rural community? WRONG. We lost that status many years ago. The ONLY thing that managed to stop the housing construction was the economy. And when the economy comes back, so will all the builders. We cannot put gates up at the County line to keep people from moving here! In fact, the ARC has predicted by 2050 that Paulding County will have a population over 400K and could reach 700K. That is more then Cobb currently has. If you want land around you, better buy it now! This is the reality of what we will be facing for the rest of our lives. Predictions also show that the Atlanta "Metro" area will extend from Macon North to the Tenn/N.Car line and from AL to SC line. That doesn't sound very rural to me.

 

[Winchester]

I believe the infrastructure should be in place before even considering entertaining any business to relocate in PC, such as water, sewer, etc. Which is currently outsourced. As for road improvements on property taxes.........pfft. Get the local elected officials pushing for state $$$$$ since WE ALL pay taxes at the gas pump for such

So who's going to pay for it? The County cain't. The State is about broke. The Federal Govt is more then broke.

I agree with you. Infracture is a major key part. But where is the money coming from?

 

[atlantdav]

"And Dave, I moved here in 1989 when this County WAS rural. I have seen many, many changes since then. And I worked for Cobb Co also, so I knew what the drive was like also. Why did you move here? Good schools, easy living, quiet communities? Yeah, me too. The real flood of residential development started around 1998/2000 and lasted until 2007 locally. So wouldn't that make you part of the problem you complain about? I'm just saying, glad to have you here and you are welcome to come back if that Fla air gets too thick. ;-) But you moved here during the time our population doubled in this rural county."

I moved because of cheaper housing and quiet rural settings. Hated paying the increase in school taxes since I have no children. I did not complain, just stating my thoughts. I live in NC, NOT Fla.

Aside from that, I got involved in the community and met MANY wonderful people in PC and supported many groups and functions for the community. What I am saying, I would not trust anything purposed by the BOC or whatever they have named as IBA to be doing anything until "concrete" knowledge of said subject is presented.

While in my tenure in PC, as a taxpayer voter, the airport was shot down TWICE. The guru in charge decided to go forth since no dime would come out of ANY taxpayers..................pfft. To this day PC taxpayers are footing the admin and maint costs. Now, the courthouse and admin bldg only has what.........another 25 year bond on it? Is that structure fully utilized????

But, I did move there and worked in Cobb knowing what my commute would be. Additionally, I will admit I purchased some high dollar items in Cobb on my way home because the sales tax at the time was 2% lower than PC

Again, I have met and am still in contact with many wonderful people I have had the pleasure of calling my friends in PC

 

[honeybunny]

Anyone else planning on going to the meeting tomorrow evening ? ? ?

 

[I'm Floored]

Anyone else planning on going to the meeting tomorrow evening ? ? ?

I'm planning to, but I know my youngest has a couple of big tests. It will depend on how his studying is going!

 

[naturegirl]

I have another meeting I have to go to or I'd be there. If anyone goes, please keep us posted. In the mean time, here's a pretty good blog on a lot of stuff that's been going on with this. It's not dead, just put to sleep - probably til after the election next year.

http://pctollroad.blogspot.com/p/toll-road-maps.html

Whoops this is the same link honeybunny posted earlier.

 

[dapandlap]

Drive around I-285, get off at every exit and drive 2 miles in either direction. Do this at every exit, or at least those that you feel like you can survive. That is what "development" you will find. You will find gas stations, fast food joints, bars, and cheap motels. The exceptions to that rule are industrial complexes that existed before I-285 was completed, including Fulton Industrial, Conley, and the Mountain Industrial area which isn't really served by an interstate, but by an expanded State Highway. We don't need that kind of development growing willy nilly around the few exits that will be here. What we need is prudent industrial development accessible from US 41, and Hwys 61 , 278 and 92. We should be fighting for the needed expansion of these arterial highways, and a zoning board with balls instead of buying into some "Developmental" toll road that will only develop the developer's and politician's bank accounts while leaving us with noise, congestion, pollution, and low quality development catering to the traveling public.

Hwy 92, Hwy 61, Hwy 101 and Hwy 278 are already planned and approved for major expansion projects. But with current funding issues, the first project is a minimum of 5 to 10 years off. That is Hwy 92, which was approved for expansion back in the late 80's.

I've attended most of the public GDOT meetings over the last 5/8 years and they have all kinds of road improvements planned...... over the next 30 to 50 years. I agree, these would make better sense to improve, if you could make them all "Limited Access" roads with few red lights. But that will never happen.

As for development connecting to Hwy 41, forget that idea. Too much residential development in those areas. Maybe, just maybe when they connect Dabbs Bridge to I-75 you might get something in that area but I doubt that project will even get started before the housing market returns back to what we saw 6 years ago and then it will be too late.

There are no easy answers to this. If we do not think outside the box some, and quickly, we are going to miss the boat all together.



And Dave, I moved here in 1989 when this County WAS rural. I have seen many, many changes since then. And I worked for Cobb Co also, so I knew what the drive was like also. Why did you move here? Good schools, easy living, quiet communities? Yeah, me too. The real flood of residential development started around 1998/2000 and lasted until 2007 locally. So wouldn't that make you part of the problem you complain about? I'm just saying, glad to have you here and you are welcome to come back if that Fla air gets too thick. ;-) But you moved here during the time our population doubled in this rural county.

And for those who think Paulding County is still a rural community? WRONG. We lost that status many years ago. The ONLY thing that managed to stop the housing construction was the economy. And when the economy comes back, so will all the builders. We cannot put gates up at the County line to keep people from moving here! In fact, the ARC has predicted by 2050 that Paulding County will have a population over 400K and could reach 700K. That is more then Cobb currently has. If you want land around you, better buy it now! This is the reality of what we will be facing for the rest of our lives. Predictions also show that the Atlanta "Metro" area will extend from Macon North to the Tenn/N.Car line and from AL to SC line. That doesn't sound very rural to me.

Winchester, do you have more info on the Dabbs Bridge Rd. connection to 75?

 

[Winchester]

Drive around I-285, get off at every exit and drive 2 miles in either direction. Do this at every exit, or at least those that you feel like you can survive. That is what "development" you will find. You will find gas stations, fast food joints, bars, and cheap motels. The exceptions to that rule are industrial complexes that existed before I-285 was completed, including Fulton Industrial, Conley, and the Mountain Industrial area which isn't really served by an interstate, but by an expanded State Highway. We don't need that kind of development growing willy nilly around the few exits that will be here. What we need is prudent industrial development accessible from US 41, and Hwys 61 , 278 and 92. We should be fighting for the needed expansion of these arterial highways, and a zoning board with balls instead of buying into some "Developmental" toll road that will only develop the developer's and politician's bank accounts while leaving us with noise, congestion, pollution, and low quality development catering to the traveling public.

Hwy 92, Hwy 61, Hwy 101 and Hwy 278 are already planned and approved for major expansion projects. But with current funding issues, the first project is a minimum of 5 to 10 years off. That is Hwy 92, which was approved for expansion back in the late 80's.

I've attended most of the public GDOT meetings over the last 5/8 years and they have all kinds of road improvements planned...... over the next 30 to 50 years. I agree, these would make better sense to improve, if you could make them all "Limited Access" roads with few red lights. But that will never happen.

As for development connecting to Hwy 41, forget that idea. Too much residential development in those areas. Maybe, just maybe when they connect Dabbs Bridge to I-75 you might get something in that area but I doubt that project will even get started before the housing market returns back to what we saw 6 years ago and then it will be too late.

There are no easy answers to this. If we do not think outside the box some, and quickly, we are going to miss the boat all together.



And Dave, I moved here in 1989 when this County WAS rural. I have seen many, many changes since then. And I worked for Cobb Co also, so I knew what the drive was like also. Why did you move here? Good schools, easy living, quiet communities? Yeah, me too. The real flood of residential development started around 1998/2000 and lasted until 2007 locally. So wouldn't that make you part of the problem you complain about? I'm just saying, glad to have you here and you are welcome to come back if that Fla air gets too thick. ;-) But you moved here during the time our population doubled in this rural county.

And for those who think Paulding County is still a rural community? WRONG. We lost that status many years ago. The ONLY thing that managed to stop the housing construction was the economy. And when the economy comes back, so will all the builders. We cannot put gates up at the County line to keep people from moving here! In fact, the ARC has predicted by 2050 that Paulding County will have a population over 400K and could reach 700K. That is more then Cobb currently has. If you want land around you, better buy it now! This is the reality of what we will be facing for the rest of our lives. Predictions also show that the Atlanta "Metro" area will extend from Macon North to the Tenn/N.Car line and from AL to SC line. That doesn't sound very rural to me.

Winchester, do you have more info on the Dabbs Bridge Rd. connection to 75?

Not handy but I'll see if I can find it. Basicly, they are converting 3rd Army Rd in Cobb Cty to connect I-75 to Dabbs Dridge Rd in Paulding Cty. This is a GDOT project with the help of Cobb DOT.

 

[dapandlap]

Drive around I-285, get off at every exit and drive 2 miles in either direction. Do this at every exit, or at least those that you feel like you can survive. That is what "development" you will find. You will find gas stations, fast food joints, bars, and cheap motels. The exceptions to that rule are industrial complexes that existed before I-285 was completed, including Fulton Industrial, Conley, and the Mountain Industrial area which isn't really served by an interstate, but by an expanded State Highway. We don't need that kind of development growing willy nilly around the few exits that will be here. What we need is prudent industrial development accessible from US 41, and Hwys 61 , 278 and 92. We should be fighting for the needed expansion of these arterial highways, and a zoning board with balls instead of buying into some "Developmental" toll road that will only develop the developer's and politician's bank accounts while leaving us with noise, congestion, pollution, and low quality development catering to the traveling public.

Hwy 92, Hwy 61, Hwy 101 and Hwy 278 are already planned and approved for major expansion projects. But with current funding issues, the first project is a minimum of 5 to 10 years off. That is Hwy 92, which was approved for expansion back in the late 80's.

I've attended most of the public GDOT meetings over the last 5/8 years and they have all kinds of road improvements planned...... over the next 30 to 50 years. I agree, these would make better sense to improve, if you could make them all "Limited Access" roads with few red lights. But that will never happen.

As for development connecting to Hwy 41, forget that idea. Too much residential development in those areas. Maybe, just maybe when they connect Dabbs Bridge to I-75 you might get something in that area but I doubt that project will even get started before the housing market returns back to what we saw 6 years ago and then it will be too late.

There are no easy answers to this. If we do not think outside the box some, and quickly, we are going to miss the boat all together.



And Dave, I moved here in 1989 when this County WAS rural. I have seen many, many changes since then. And I worked for Cobb Co also, so I knew what the drive was like also. Why did you move here? Good schools, easy living, quiet communities? Yeah, me too. The real flood of residential development started around 1998/2000 and lasted until 2007 locally. So wouldn't that make you part of the problem you complain about? I'm just saying, glad to have you here and you are welcome to come back if that Fla air gets too thick. ;-) But you moved here during the time our population doubled in this rural county.

And for those who think Paulding County is still a rural community? WRONG. We lost that status many years ago. The ONLY thing that managed to stop the housing construction was the economy. And when the economy comes back, so will all the builders. We cannot put gates up at the County line to keep people from moving here! In fact, the ARC has predicted by 2050 that Paulding County will have a population over 400K and could reach 700K. That is more then Cobb currently has. If you want land around you, better buy it now! This is the reality of what we will be facing for the rest of our lives. Predictions also show that the Atlanta "Metro" area will extend from Macon North to the Tenn/N.Car line and from AL to SC line. That doesn't sound very rural to me.

Winchester, do you have more info on the Dabbs Bridge Rd. connection to 75?

They're going to build a new exit on 75 near Third Army Rd.?

 

[Winchester]

Drive around I-285, get off at every exit and drive 2 miles in either direction. Do this at every exit, or at least those that you feel like you can survive. That is what "development" you will find. You will find gas stations, fast food joints, bars, and cheap motels. The exceptions to that rule are industrial complexes that existed before I-285 was completed, including Fulton Industrial, Conley, and the Mountain Industrial area which isn't really served by an interstate, but by an expanded State Highway. We don't need that kind of development growing willy nilly around the few exits that will be here. What we need is prudent industrial development accessible from US 41, and Hwys 61 , 278 and 92. We should be fighting for the needed expansion of these arterial highways, and a zoning board with balls instead of buying into some "Developmental" toll road that will only develop the developer's and politician's bank accounts while leaving us with noise, congestion, pollution, and low quality development catering to the traveling public.

Hwy 92, Hwy 61, Hwy 101 and Hwy 278 are already planned and approved for major expansion projects. But with current funding issues, the first project is a minimum of 5 to 10 years off. That is Hwy 92, which was approved for expansion back in the late 80's.

I've attended most of the public GDOT meetings over the last 5/8 years and they have all kinds of road improvements planned...... over the next 30 to 50 years. I agree, these would make better sense to improve, if you could make them all "Limited Access" roads with few red lights. But that will never happen.

As for development connecting to Hwy 41, forget that idea. Too much residential development in those areas. Maybe, just maybe when they connect Dabbs Bridge to I-75 you might get something in that area but I doubt that project will even get started before the housing market returns back to what we saw 6 years ago and then it will be too late.

There are no easy answers to this. If we do not think outside the box some, and quickly, we are going to miss the boat all together.



And Dave, I moved here in 1989 when this County WAS rural. I have seen many, many changes since then. And I worked for Cobb Co also, so I knew what the drive was like also. Why did you move here? Good schools, easy living, quiet communities? Yeah, me too. The real flood of residential development started around 1998/2000 and lasted until 2007 locally. So wouldn't that make you part of the problem you complain about? I'm just saying, glad to have you here and you are welcome to come back if that Fla air gets too thick. ;-) But you moved here during the time our population doubled in this rural county.

And for those who think Paulding County is still a rural community? WRONG. We lost that status many years ago. The ONLY thing that managed to stop the housing construction was the economy. And when the economy comes back, so will all the builders. We cannot put gates up at the County line to keep people from moving here! In fact, the ARC has predicted by 2050 that Paulding County will have a population over 400K and could reach 700K. That is more then Cobb currently has. If you want land around you, better buy it now! This is the reality of what we will be facing for the rest of our lives. Predictions also show that the Atlanta "Metro" area will extend from Macon North to the Tenn/N.Car line and from AL to SC line. That doesn't sound very rural to me.

Winchester, do you have more info on the Dabbs Bridge Rd. connection to 75?

They're going to build a new exit on 75 near Third Army Rd.?

Well, hopefully within the next 10 years.

 

[honeybunny]

The meeting last night was pretty impressive,
the crowd looked to me to be over 400 people.

When the Mayor said that Paulding was the only county in the metro area
without a major expressway... most everyone started clapping n cheering.

 

[I'm Floored]

I'm glad to see so many made it out. I did not, since I had to go home and take care of our new family member! When you have time, please give us some info from the meeting.

 

[unionmom]

Didn't make the meetings and haven't read the whole thread but my feeling is ...

No flippin way to a toll road but an outer perimeter/by-pass is a must in the area and it makes sense that Paulding is trying to make a heavy play to get it within the county lines and not be skipped over on this one.

 

[Winchester]

Here's a brief article:

http://dallas-hiram.patch.com/articles/austin-toll-road-won-t-happen