Reference no: EM132545610
PMAP 4061 Introduction to Policy Analysis - Georgia State University
Moreland Avenue Bridge Project
Goals of Assignment
The goal of this project is to research the real life question of whether tobuild a bridge spanning Moreland Avenue. You willresearch and write a policy analysisin sixpolicy analysis stepsoutlined in Meltzer and Schwartz with recommendations based on your analysis of the compiled data. In this way mimicking the type of analysis done by professionals.
Background
A neighborhood group has lobbied for a pedestrian bridge crossing Moreland Avenue just south of North Avenue. This wouldconnect two sections of Freedom Park in the Inman Park-Candler Park area. This idea was proposed in the Moreland Corridor Livable Communities Initiative Update report (Pg. 33) produced by Atlanta Regional Commission, though its reasoning and justification is left unwritten.
Activities and deliverables
Review the resources posted on iCollegeand researchany other relevant materials,and write a policy analysis guided bysteps below:
1. Research Background of the Topic
Before making any decisions, learn more about the issues involved. What parts of the Moreland Avenue Bridge Project (MABP) don't you understand? What would you like to know that isn't explained? Where should you look? And what answers have you found?This should be a short list of questions (eg: Where is the proposed Freedom Park bridge site? What is a pedestrian bridge?) and an bibliography with accompanying notes outlining what answers you learned from each source.
2. Problem Definition.
How are you defining the problem? Who arethe key stakeholders? What makes this a problem and how did you verify thisas a problem? Could this problem be defined differently (provide an example)? What other details ensure this is the correctly defined problem to analyze?This should include research background, the problem definition, and some inventory of data you will need to evaluate the alternate policies. This draft paper should not be more than two (2) pages. (1 inch margins, 11-12pt font, single spaced with double spacing between paragraphs).
3. Identify Alternative Policies
Are any policy alternatives presented? What other alternatives or variations do you suggest? You willneed to do some information gathering on the topic. There should be at least four alternatives including a "no build".This draft paper should not be more than one (1) page.
4. Establish Evaluation Criteria
What evaluation criteria are youusing? In what ways are the criteria relevant to the key stakeholders? What other criteria might be included or viewed as appropriate? What additional data or information needs to be collected? There must be at least three defined criteria. This includes a list of data you will need to evaluate the alternate policies. This draft paper should not be more than two (2) pages.
5. Technical Analysis, Display and Distinguish among Alternative Policies,
What methodsor techniques are you using to evaluate the defined alternatives? Explain what you are doing and list any assumptions. Provide a Goeller scorecard display of your alternatives and criteria. Data calculations may be included in a separate spreadsheet. One method must be a financial analysis from the cost numbers you compiled. Excel spreadsheets showing calculations are recommended.This draft should not be more than four (4) pages.
Goals of Assignment #1
The goal of this assignment #1is to generate questions and begin to research the background and details ofthe MABP. It should draw from multiple sources (newspapers, case studies, blogs, interviews). You may not use Wikipedia as a source, though it may be a useful starting point.
Tasks
1. Review the resources on iCollege and review Chapter 7 of the Meltzer and Schwartz book
2. Write down a list of questions you regarding the Moreland Avenue Bridge project. (eg: Where is the proposed Freedom Park bridge site? What is a pedestrian bridge?) You may find that as you research each question, you need to refine or add new questions.
3. Perform research drawing on method outlined in the readings to answer your questions about the Moreland Avenue Bridge, writing down and summarizing the information you found related to the questions
4. Provide a written summary of your questions, sources, and research findings. You should have at least six (6) sources including any items posted on iCollege.
5. Your write up should generally offer enough background information to write intelligently about the topic. You may not be able to ask or answer all your questions at this time, so you may include text describing what you don't know or what questions need answers. It is likely you will have new questions and seek new answers in later assignments.
Below are some of the questions raised in previous neighborhood discussions. Answers may be easy and agreement can be reached but each of these concerns should be directly addressed. The point of this letter is to insure that the discussions are part of the development of the updated overall Freedom Park Master Plan and not as a separate issue.
1) What is the design and the length of the handicap ramp? The maximum grade requirements for ADA accessibility will require a very long ramp.This concern was a huge negative for each of the affected neighborhoods when the bridge was not approved as part of the initial Freedom Park Master Plan. This creates a difficult situation for someone in a wheelchair. Some haveproposed moving ADA access to Mansfield Ave., raising the question: if wheelchair access at grade is acceptable , why is this not also acceptable for bikers?
2) Is the Freedom Park Conservancy willing to divert limited resources to fund a bridge rather than usingfunds to make improvements throughout the park for the benefit of all affected neighborhoods?Freedom Parkneeds work: signage, sidewalks, lighting, plantings, improvements, etc. Is consideration being given to the needs of the existing park infrastructure before embarking on an expensive new project?
3) Have less expensive options to improve the Moreland crossing been explored? Less expensive options might be implemented as a test to see if a bridge is truly needed before spending $3million to $7million on a bridge.
4) Will the bridge be open underneath or have earth berms under the ramps and abutments where the berms meet Moreland?
5) If the bridge is open underneath, how does it avoid becoming a hang-out area for homeless and/or urban campers?
6) If the bridge is not open underneath, what consideration has been given to the effect on the immediate neighbors' view of the park? Are immediate neighbors being involved in the process?
7) What are the statistics of motor vehicle - pedestrian or bike accidents at this intersection?
8) Could the proposed funding be better used to improve multiple existing at grade intersections throughout Freedom Park, enhancing connectivity throughout the park rather than just one intersection? Is it fair to the other affected neighborhoods, such as the Old Fourth Ward and Poncey-Highlands to spend money on one location rather than making multiple intersection improvements?
9) One of the reasons given for the bridge is "fluid connectivity" to the Beltline for the residents of Candler Park and Lake Claire. What happens when pedestrians/bikers traveling west reach N. Highland? Will another bridge be suggested? It would be very high and long. Engineers for the Presidential Parkway bridges determined that one continuous bridge from the Carter Center to the park land east of Moreland would be needed.These bridges were solidly rejected in the planning process for Freedom Park.
10) What is the plan to avoid/mitigate graffiti? Witness numerous areas in the park that have had problems with graffiti.
11) There are transmission lines on the west side of Moreland and distribution lines on the east side of Moreland Ave. Has Georgia Power agreed to move these lines?
Attachment:- Introduction to Policy Analysis.zip