Phase I Archaeological Survey of the MARTA I-20 East Corridor Alternatives, Dekalb and Fulton Counties, Georgia

From December 11 through 19, 2012, and on February 21 2013, Edwards-Pitman Environmental, Inc. (EPEI) conducted Phase I archaeological survey for the proposed Interstate (I)-20 East Transit Initiative for the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) in Dekalb and Fulton counties, Georgia. The proposed project would consist of a Heavy Rail Transit (HRT) extension beginning at the existing Indian Creek MARTA station and running south parallel to I-285, then east paralleling I-20 to The Mall at Stonecrest in eastern DeKalb County, with new stations proposed at The Mall at Stonecrest, Lithonia Industrial Boulevard, Panola Road, Wesley Chapel Road,and Covington Highway, and an expansion of the existing Indian Creek station. The proposed project would also consist of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service between the new Wesley Chapel Road station and downtown Atlanta, operating in High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV)/High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes and general use lanes on I-20 and existing surface streets in Fulton and DeKalb counties. BRT stations would be constructed at Candler Road, Gresham Road, and Glenwood Avenue, and platform stations would be constructed at Flat Shoals Avenue and Bill Kennedy Way. A review of the Georgia Archaeological Site File (GASF) at the University of Georgia (UGA) in Athens showed 44 previously recorded sites located within 1 kilometer of the project area, mostly clustering at the western and eastern ends of the corridor. In the vicinity of the proposed BRT routes in and around downtown Atlanta, previously recorded sites are predominantly historic. Two historic house sites were previously recorded near the Indian Springs station. Many prehistoric and historic artifact scatters have been identified in eastern DeKalb County near the proposed terminus of HRT expansion. None of these previously recorded sites are located within the project's area of potential effect (APE). Phase I archaeological survey of the I-20 East Transit Initiative resulted in the identification of two new archaeological sites, 9DA463, a twentieth century house site, and 9DA464, a twentieth century artifact scatter. A standing stone chimney and house pad are present at 9DA463, located outside the project's APE. Accurate site boundaries via shovel test delineation could not be determined at 9DA463 because most of the site was located outside the surveyed area. Within the APE, survey recorded only a small surface scatter of historic ceramics and glass; no surface features were present, all shovel tests were negative, and soil profiles indicated significant disturbance. The portion of 9DA463 within the project's APE does not contribute to its NRHP eligibility due to disturbance and lack of integrity; overall eligibility, due to incomplete delineation, remains unknown. Survey results at 9DA464 included a single positive shovel test and small surface collection in which clear glass shards were recovered. Due to low artifact density, lack of features, and its severely compromised integrity, 9DA464 is recommended ineligible for the NRHP under Criterion D. Background research indicated a former streetcar route along Flat Shoals Avenue in Atlanta, which suggests the possible presence of archaeological resources related to Atlanta's historic streetcar system. Construction of a platform station is proposed in this location. No extant track or features related to the former streetcar route were identified during survey; however, survey was unable to determine whether such features are still present below the modern paved road. No negative effects to possible historic streetcar-related archaeological resources are anticipated because depth of disturbance from platform station construction at Flat Shoals Avenue will be limited to 2 inch milling and resurfacing of the pavement. No further archaeological investigations within the APE are recommended. Should the design of the proposed project change, additional archaeological work may be necessary.