Commission Chairman Wants BRT Referendum on 2016 Ballot

Cobb County voters could have a huge local issue to weigh in on when they go to the polls to pick the country’s next president in 2016.

Cobb County Commission Chairman has publicly announced his support for a referendum on a proposed 25.3 mile-long bus rapid transit (BRT) line that would link Kennesaw State University to the Arts Center MARTA station via Cobb Parkway, the Marietta Daily Journal reports. If voters approve the BRT proposal, a new bus-only lane would be constructed along the entire route.

Commissioners told the MDJ they all support the idea of a referendum, and Commissioner Bob Ott said he would propose a motion to make the referendum call binding during the July 14 meeting.

An unofficial poll conducted by Atlanta Business Chronicle reports that 72 percent of respondents believe Cobb County voters should approve a BRT referendum, despite Cobb’s long history of resistance to higher taxes and public transit encroachments.

In 2012, Connect Cobb projected the economic impact of their plan to be significant; the group believed the transportation initiative would spur the creation of 1.2 million sq. ft. of new retail space, 11,000 new housing units, and the creation of over 50,000 jobs in the area.

Connect Cobb will host an open house on the BRT proposal from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on June 29 at Cobb DOT Headquarters at 1890 County Services Parkway in Marietta, according to that agency’s Facebook page. The open house will allow visitors to review the environmental assessment for the project, look at project displays, and talk with project staff. There is no formal presentation planned for the open house.