March 17, 2008

FROM: A.J. Robinson President, CAP/ADID
Update 3/17/08 4 PM
Update 3/18/08 10AM
Update 3/19/08 1 PM

Omni Hotel Update 3/20/08

Tornado Recovery Letter from Mayor Franklin

As we all try to grasp the impact of the damage from the tornado last Friday, we can be comforted by the fact that no lives were lost in Downtown, even with the extremely large crowds that were present.

This City, and especially Downtown, has shown its resilience throughout our history, and there’s no reason to doubt we will come back even stronger.

On a very telling note, as we surveyed the swath of damage, there standing right in the storm’s path down the Marietta-Edgewood corridors stood the symbol of Atlanta, The Rising Phoenix, unscathed and still rising skyward.

Special thanks should go to the Atlanta Police Department and Atlanta Fire and Rescue Department for their prompt and focused response in the aftermath of the storm.

In somber reflection of everything that has transpired since late Friday evening, it could have been much, much worse. From the reports that we are receiving from our members who were affected, the damage seems more toward blown out windows followed by water damages.

Yet unreported on, our residential population appears to have weathered the storm reasonably well in comparison to others. Some windows were lost at 123 Luckie, The Metropolitan and The Healey Buildings (some internal damage also). Georgia State student housing units received some damage to the roofs as well as windows. Our residential neighbors to the west in Vine City and the east in Cabbagetown shouldered the brunt of the storm that seriously damaged many homes and apartments.

Moving forward, there will be a great deal of information that needs to be shared – about events, transportation, public works, public safety and a host of other details related to the direct impact and restoration that has already begun.

We will keep you informed through a number of different communications vehicles we regularly use in the normal course of our efforts. If you want others in your company or organization to receive this information, please have them go to www.atlantadowntown.com/newsletterSignup.asp to sign up.

Please feel free to contact the following key staff members related to the respective areas:

Public Safety/Public Works – David Wardell, dwardell@atlantadowntown.com

Transportation/Mass Transit – Angie Laurie – alaurie@atlantadowntown.com

Events - Wilma Sothern – wilmas@atlantadowntown.com

Watch for more information as we will bring you updates as soon as new information is available.  If there is other information you need please let us know.

Businesses who need special assistance in moving in construction equipment for recovery repairs should contact APD. The following was received this morning from APD related to those issues:

As expected, Downtown Traffic for the morning ingress is challenged by the numerous programmed road closures.  This is further hampered by cars maneuvering to gain access to specific parking facilities.  Zone 5 Police are manning specific checkpoints for road closures in support of building recovery operations.  While the police traffic motorcycle units are mobile and responding to backups as they are identified.  

It is important that Downtown return to normal traffic as soon as possible and that recovery be organized and coordinated.  As soon as the buildings with broken glass have that glass secured, the adjacent streets can be reopened for through traffic.  However, scheduled repair and construction will require further closures as appropriate.  

The Atlanta Police ask that you let them know the following information as soon as possible, and as the situation dictates:

• Date/time windows or hazardous situation(s) will be secured
• Notify them of a crane or major logistics support item(s) requiring access through closed areas, or need police escort through or to a site. 
• Road closures required for certain tasks, e.g. clearing glass or debris from the roofs or windows, removing large vehicles and equipment, etc.  

The points of contact at APD are LT Tom Padgett, tpadgett@atlantaga.gov (primary) and LT Wayne Whitmire, jwhitmire@atlantaga.gov (secondary).  Please, make every effort to contact one of these points of contact.