Henry County is starting a local bus route in 2025. An ongoing study this year has been looking at public art and pedestrian access around the future bus stops. Attendees at a community workshop this week had the first chance to see the art concepts.
The study prepared concepts for bus stops in unincorporated Henry County, as well as the cities of McDonough and Stockbridge. The study will conclude by January 2025.
Henry County Bus Stop Study
Henry County hired Sizemore Group, LLC in November 2023 to complete its local bus stop study. The study is entitled the “Henry County Bus Stops Creative Placemaking Plan.” The study objectives were the following:
- Develop creative concepts for bus stops and corresponding signage along Henry Connect bus route LB-17, with arts and culture components that clearly and meaningfully further the Livable Centers Initiative and specific project goals.
- Identify locations for sidewalks, crosswalks, landscaping, streetscapes, and other strategies and infrastructure to ensure safe access to bus stops.
- Develop a framework of policies and programs to help accomplish the projects and concepts.
Sourced from Community Workshop Presentation July 16, 2024.
So far, the plan has held two community workshops in April and July. They also conducted an online survey during the summer. The study held its third and final community workshop on October 22. The plan is slated to be complete by January 2025. This coincides with the new bus route beginning service early next year.
Henry County Bus Stops Art Concepts
Attendees at the October 22 workshop had the opportunity to see the public art concepts. They also provided their input to further revise the concepts. The three concepts include the following:
Henry County Stop
- Resembles a large “H” after the county logo
- Proposed location: Jonesboro Road at Mt. Carmel Road in front of the under-construction RaceTrac gas station
Stockbridge Stop
- Features musical elements inspired by the Stockbridge Amphitheater
- Proposed location: North Henry Blvd in front of Stockbridge City Hall
McDonough Stop
- Resembles a historic train station
- Proposed location: Jonesboro Road at Doris Street in front of Alexander Park West
All photos credit Sizemore Group, LLC / Henry County.
The study’s next steps include developing a cost-estimate to install each art design. There are also grant opportunities available which could help pay for their construction. Sizemore Group will make a final presentation before the Henry County Board of Commissioners when the study is complete. This will be in early 2025.
About the Bus Route
Henry County was selected to receive a federal grant in 2022 to cover the start-up costs for a new local bus route. The grant covers three years of operations. That route will now begin service in early 2025.
The route connects McDonough and Stockbridge. Some points of interest along the route include the McDonough Square, Jonesboro Road at Foster Drive, Piedmont Henry Hospital, Stockbridge City Hall and the Stockbridge Park & Ride Lot. The county estimates the route will take one hour to complete from end-to-end. A round-trip would last two hours.
The initial operating hours are proposed to be Monday through Friday, 6 am to 6 pm. That’s according to an August presentation (PDF link - 15 pages). The proposed fare is $2.50 per trip. This would be consistent with other transit operators in the Atlanta area.
The county has not yet determined the route’s frequency. Options under consideration are 30, 45 and 60-minute frequencies. The shorter frequencies provide better service, but they have higher operating costs. For example, a 30-minute frequency would cost $1.3 million in annual operating costs. By comparison, the 60-minute frequency would have an annual cost of $650,000. The federal grant was up to $1.6 million annually.
Presently, 23,800 residents live within a half-mile of the route’s bus stops. The route also provides a connection to 9,100 jobs along its route.
Featured image shows the concept art for a Henry County bus stop. Sizemore Group / Henry County photo.
