EPA
WHAT IS
PROJECT XL?
SUM MARY OF
THE ATLANTIC
STEEL PROJECT
SUPERIOR
ENVIRONMENTAL
PERFORMANCE
United States
Environmental Protection
Aoencv
Off ice of the
Administrator
[Mail Code 18021
EPA-100-F-99-026
August 1999
f http://www.epa.aov1
Project XL:
The Atlantic Steel
Redevelopment
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Project XL, which stands for "excellence and Leadership," is a national
initiative that tests innovative ways of achieving better and more cost-effective
public health and environmental protection. The information and lessons
learned from Project XL will be used to assist EPA in redesigning its current
regulatory and policy-setting approaches. Project XL encourages testing of
cleaner, cheaper, and smarter ways to attain environmental results superior to
those achieved under current regulations and policies, in conjunction with
greater accountability to stakeholders. It is vital that each project tests new
ideas with the potential for wide application and broad environmental benefits.
As of August 1999, fourteen pilot experiments are being implemented and 25
additional projects are currently in negotiation.
On September 7, 1999, EPA and Jacoby Development signed a Final Project
XL Agreement which will remove barriers to construction of an urban
redevelopment project in Atlanta. This redevelopment project will explore new
ways to meet community, environmental and economic interests.
Jacoby proposed a mixed-use (residential, retail, office, and entertainment)
redevelopment of a 138-acre site in midtown Atlanta that was formerly the
home of Atlantic Steel. An essential component of the Atlantic Steel
redevelopment project is construction of a bridge which would cross an
Interstate highway adjacent to the site and link the site and the surrounding
community with a nearby rapid transit station.
The Atlanta metropolitan area is one of the fastest growing regions in the
country. In part due to its rapid growth, Atlanta has failed to meet federal air
pollution standards and as a result is barred from building certain types of road
projects. The prohibition on new road projects also applies to the bridge linking
the Atlantic Steel site with the rapid transit station. However, projects that will
reduce air emissions can be approved as Transportation Control Measures
(TCMs). EPA has never evaluated a project of this size and complexity as a
TCM. Through Project XL, EPA is using an innovative approach to approving
the entire Atlantic Steel redevelopment project as a TCM.
Improving access to the Atlantic Steel site is essential for completion of the
redevelopment. Construction of interchanges and a bridge across the
interstate for cars, pedestrians, bicycles, and public transportation will improve
access to the site. The bridge would serve as a vital link between the Atlantic
Steel redevelopment site, the west side of midtown Atlanta and the
Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) Arts Center station.
The Atlanta region will continue to grow. If the Atlantic Steel site is not
redeveloped, the growth it represents would locate at other sites in the Atlanta
region. EPA and Jacoby believe that construction of the bridge and
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FLEXIBILITY
APPROACHES TO
BE TESTED
STAKEHOLDER
INVOLVEMENT
CONTACTS
redevelopment of the Atlantic Steel site will produce less air pollution than an
equivalent amount of development at other likely sites in the region. The
combination of the site's location, design elements and connection to the
public transportation system are expected to work together to reduce growth of
auto traffic in the Atlanta region. The project will also accelerate the clean-up
of an underused former industrial site in midtown Atlanta.
Because Atlanta cannot currently get federal approval for new road projects,
the proposed bridge cannot be built without the flexibility being provided by EPA
under Project XL. There are two components to the flexibility. First, EPA will
view Atlantic Steel's location, transit linkage, site design, and other elements
together as a Transportation Control Measure. The second component of the
flexibility is an innovative approach to evaluating the air quality benefits of the
project. EPA analyzed Atlantic Steel's expected air quality benefit compared to
an equivalent amount of development at other likely sites in the region. Based
on the EPA analysis, redevelopment of the Atlantic Steel site will produce
significantly less air pollution than an equivalent quantity of development at
other sites in the region and can therefore be approved as a Transportation
Control Measure.
Will the combination of location, linkage to transit, and design
characteristics of a development project result in significant,
measurable emissions reductions?
Can the application of "smart growth" site design principles (pedestrian
friendliness, mix of uses, etc.) make a difference in travel patterns,
even in Atlanta - where people drive more per capita than any other
city in the country?
EPA and Jacoby participated in a number of public stakeholder meetings to
discuss the project and the Final XL Agreement. EPA and Jacoby have also
participated in meetings with an Environmental Justice Focus Group and
several meetings regarding the proposed bridge at the invitation of the City of
Atlanta and/or the Georgia Department of Transportation and the Atlanta
Regional Commission. EPA received valuable feedback on the Project
Agreement from national and local environmental and transportation groups
and other interested organizations and individuals. A Stakeholder Participation
Plan, minutes from public meetings, and public comments and responses are
posted on the Project XL web site at: http://www.epa.gov/projectxl.
EPA Region 4:
EPA HQ:
City of Atlanta:
Project Sponsor:
Michelle Glenn, Region 4, 404-562-8674
Tim Torma, 202-260-5180
Dan Cohen, 404-330-6899
Brian Leary, 770-622-7797
More information about Project XL is available on the Internet at
http://www.epa.gov/ProjectXL or via the Project XL information line at 202-260-
5754.
FOR ELECTRONIC
INFORMATION
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