DeKalb Gateway Beautification Will Increase Pride, Attract Businesses and Reduce Crime

DeKalb completes interstate and roadway beautification

The major gateways and highly travelled interstates that channel tens of thousands of vehicles through DeKalb County everyday have received multimillion dollar facelifts.

The project to beautify approximately 20 acres along I-20 and I-85, including Chamblee Tucker, Flat Shoals and Candler Roads, is now complete. 

These roadways and interchanges are among the most highly traveled highways in metro Atlanta. 

“These enhanced gateways will create positive first impressions of our county for tens of thousands of travelers,” DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond said. “No matter where you enter or leave DeKalb—north, south, east or west—these beautified gateways will send a message that DeKalb County is a welcoming place to live, work and play.”

The Gateway Beautification Project is designed to increase community pride, attract new business investments and reduce crime.
 

According to research conducted by Eugenia C. South, faculty director for the Urban Health Lab at the University of Pennsylvania, litter and blight mitigation efforts, along with the planting of new grass and trees, resulted in a decrease in criminal activity in urban high-crime areas. 

“We are confident these investments will improve public safety and enhance the quality of life,” CEO Thurmond said.

Russell Landscape won the bid to design and install the projects which include pruning existing vegetation and planting new trees such as bald cypress, maples, crape myrtles and an array of flowering trees. Russell is also providing weekly maintenance.

Additionally, accent plants such as hydrangea, ornamental grass, holly, abelia and perennials were planted in large masses with curves and undulations to create movement within the landscape that is easily viewed by travelers.  

LED streetlights also have been installed along the interstates, as part a partnership between DeKalb County and Georgia Department of Transportation.

“I thank GDOT Commissioner Russell McMurry and GDOT for their partnership in this Gateway Beautification Project,” Thurmond said.

The Gateway Beautification Project is the crown jewel of the county’s eight-year blight eradication and beautification initiatives, which began in 2017 and totaled more than $20 million, which included:

•    The demolition and abatement of nearly 700 properties since 2017. 
•    Increased maintenance, mowing, tree trimming, herbicide, litter removal and curb bumping of county properties and rights-of-way.
•    Worked with MARTA to clean up and beautify bus stops in the county.