|
|
|
|
|
Anna Thomas / photography Editor
|
|
Construction begins for a new commercial area located on Jones Bridge Rd.
|
|
|
|
By Noona Oh
Opinions Editor
|
|
As the metropolitan area of Atlanta is continuing its third consecutive decade of
fast-paced growth, many Georgians are beginning to feel the effects of urban sprawl. In
recent years, people have flocked to the area from all over the country because of its sundry
of appealing qualities such as affordable housing, good education and mild weather. In many metro counties, the population has more than doubled due to rapid growth.
An increase in population has swollen the number of people on the road, creating traffic
congestion and ridiculously longer commutes, which leaves drivers tense and frustrated. A
trip, which may have taken five minutes only a few years ago, can take up to 30 minutes today with almost no utilization of or push for public transportation.
During the summer, the metropolitan area is plagued with smog alerts with increased air
pollution. The Centers for Disease Control reported a 35 percent increase in emergency room cases involving respiratory complications.
The uncontrolled urban sprawl has most noticeably taken a toll on the environment and
left water supplies dwindling. Alpharetta once sheltered deer and foxes, but today they are no where in sight, except as road kill.
Overdevelopment and bulldozing land have left a surplus of office space standing empty
with strip malls popping up at every turn. At the intersection of State Bridge and Morton
Road, construction companies have bulldozed much of the wooded area in preparation for a
new commercial area. The horse farm also located along Morton Road will be relocated and replaced by a business complex.
"I'd like to see more of nature instead of my view being overrun with technology and buildings," comments junior Jarryd McCree.
Construction is continuing at such a fast rate that regulations have a hard time keeping up
with the changes. As a result, the one percent sales tax increase was enforced in Fulton
County to help build more schools and pay for public works. However, the tax revenues are not sufficient to cover the demands created by the alarming growth.
Chattahoochee's own problems with overcrowding have been eased with the building of
Northview High School. Another high school will be constructed at the intersection of Webb Bridge Road and North Point Parkway, to open fall 2004.
The excessive asphalt and concrete on an acreage once covered by pine trees is a
concern to many Georgians dealing with the issue of "boomburbs." Many find themselves in a nostalgic state, missing the untouched landscape that once stood here. |
|
