Peachtree Street downtown gets changes as test

Planters and traffic cones are popping up on Peachtree Street downtown as the city tests ways to turn the corridor into a place that prioritizes pedestrians and bicyclists.

The project is part of the city’s effort to transform the popular street into a “shared space,” which gives walkers and bikers additional space and allows cars to drive through at slower speeds.

The city last week installed planters, wheel stops, cones and new paint striping along three blocks of Peachtree, between Baker and Ellis streets, to reduce the car lanes and try out the new layout. A new crossing was also added at Peachtree Center.

“This is just the beginning of a cultural shift of how we use public space in the city,” said Monique Forte, the Department of City Planning’s project manager for the study. “We want to test it to make tweaks along the way, so we can create a space that embodies the culture of our city and a beautiful experience for all of the users of this space.”

The final design could involve eliminating curbs, installing special pavement or adding seating along the road — design elements more commonly found on popular pedestrian-friendly corridors in Europe.

The city cited Bell Street in Seattle and Exhibition Road in London as inspirations. There, walkers and bikers take priority, with special paving denoting that cars should drive slower. They also have public seating areas.

The city will collect data and feedback on the demonstration project on Peachtree before adjusting the layout and making any permanent changes. Residents can share their thoughts through an online survey.

“The demonstration project will allow us to give space back to people, rather than focus solely on vehicles, and fulfill a need for more public spaces in our city,” Commissioner of City Planning Tim Keane said in a statement.