Residents, Businesses Debate One-Way Streets: Marietta Council

MARIETTA, GA — Last fall, Marietta City Council members voted to change portions of Lawrence Street and Washington Avenue to one-way roads. But since the unanimous vote, city leaders have faced both support and backlash from business owners and residents in the corridor — and at Tuesday's special council meeting to discuss the road plan, the debate sparked again.

The city's plan was to turn Lawrence Street and Washington Avenue — between Cole and Fairground streets — to one-way, making Lawrence run westbound and Washington eastbound. Business owners say closing off the road to two-way traffic could hurt their businesses, while some residents say pedestrian safety overrules business interests.

In the more than 40 minutes of public comment on the road plan Tuesday, eight people spoke against the decision, while five spoke in favor of it. Council Member Griffin Chalfant, who chairs the Public Works committee, made a motion to cancel the one-way project and reexamine traffic patterns in a year.

The motion passed 2-0-1, with Council Member Michelle Cooper Kelly abstaining. The issue will go back to the Public Works committee before a council vote June 9.

Marietta city leaders initially made the one-way decision to help improve pedestrian safety and reduce speed along these roads, which proponents of the plan say have become "cut throughs" for drivers to avoid busier streets, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.

Supporters also said that single-lane, one-way traffic would open up the opportunity for widening sidewalks in the area, according to the Marietta Daily Journal. Ron Miklosovic, a resident of Washington Avenue, said he gets worried about his wife and grandchildren walking on the road.

Miklosovic also said he's seen alcohol bottles scattered throughout the area, as well as people texting and driving, the MDJ reported.

“It’s not about convenience, it’s about pedestrian safety. That’s really what it comes down to,” Miklosovic said.

Steve Woodman, an attorney who works in the corridor, said his petition opposing the one-way streets had 213 signatures as of Tuesday from people who live and work in the corridor, the AJC reported.

“Residents have told me they don’t don’t want anymore one-way streets,” he said. “The problem is illustrated by the old saying, ‘You can’t get there from here.’”

He suggested keeping two-way traffic and widening the street and sidewalk; however, city officials said this would require purchasing expensive right-of-way land, according to the MDJ.

Marietta City Council meets again at 7 p.m. June 9 at Marietta City Hall, 205 Lawrence St.