The Atlanta City Council’s Transportation Committee voted Wednesday, June 11, to hold a controversial piece of legislation that would allow a “skybridge” to connect the State Capitol with a new legislative office building.
The $10 million elevated pedestrian bridge, which would be suspended over Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, is part of a $392 million facelift to the Georgia Capitol complex.
The state is required to obtain an easement from the city to build the walkway because its support pillars would be on Atlanta’s right-of-way, plus an air rights easement is needed to suspend the bridge over the roadway.
State officials said the walkway is designed to improve security and accessibility, but council committee members and preservationists disagree.
Atlanta City Council and transportation committee member Jason Dozier said the skybridge flies in the face of the city’s attempt to bring people back to Downtown and its streets.
“I’m a big believer that these hamster tubes don’t do anything to get people on the street or to patronize businesses,” Dozier said. “They don’t bring vibrancy.”
Dozier compared the skybridge to the series of elevated walkways connecting Peachtree Center and AmericasMart, which he said have been detrimental to street-level business.
“Thousands of people in Downtown aren’t interacting because they aren’t on the streets, but in these tubes,” Dozier said. “I’m opposed to it.”
Council and committee member Amir Farokhi voiced similar opposition to the plan, saying the skybridge made the Capitol complex less accessible to those making decisions under the Gold Dome.
“Downtown has long suffered from a paucity of street life because of decisions made in the 1960s and ’70s for pedestrian bridges in Downtown,” Farokhi said, deeming the skybridge “bad public policy.”
Atlanta Preservation Center Executive Director David Y. Mitchell said construction of the skybridge would damage the historic limestone facade of the circa-1885 Capitol.
However, Gerald Pilgrim, the Georgia Building Authority (GBA) chief of staff, told Axios that the skybridge’s design would minimize damage to the facade and also allow the restoration and reopening of the historic State Library.
The GBA considered an underground tunnel to connect the buildings, but at $40 million, it was deemed too expensive and would require demolition in the Capitol’s basement.
Mitchell, who spoke during public comment at Wednesday’s meeting, applauded the committee’s decision to hold the legislation.
“I’m proud of this committee and everyone who pays taxes in Atlanta should be, too,” Mitchell said. “This is a win for historic preservation.”
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