Archaeological Assessment of the Proposed 17th Street Extension (GDOT Project NH-7141-00(900)) and the Atlantic Steel Redevelopment Project Atlanta, Georgia

At the request of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), Jacoby Atlantic Redevelopment, Ltd. (JAR), and Atlantic Steel Industries (ASI), Parsons Engineering Science (Parsons ES) has prepared an archaeological assessment of the proposed 17th Street Extension (GDOT Project NH -7141-00(900)) and Atlantic Steel Redevelopment Project, located in northwest Atlanta, Georgia. The objective of this assessment is to assist the EPA, GDOT, JAR, and ASI in the various aspects of Section 106 compliance, including documentation of archaeological resources. The Atlantic Steel Redevelopment Project entails redevelopment of the 138-acre former Atlantic Steel Mill property, and construction of a new multi-modal bridge (which would carry cars, pedestrians, bicycles, and mass transit) from the Atlantic Steel property across I-75/85 along the line of 17th Street. Access ramps to and from I -75/85 and the 17th Street bridge would be added, as would other surface street roadway improvements at selected intersections adjacent to the project area. The project area includes the Atlantic Steel Mill site and a "buffer" area that includes visual impacts to the surrounding area. The project area is bounded roughly by 14th Street on the south, Northside Drive on the west, Trabert Avenue and the 1-75/85/Brookwood Drive interchange on the north, and Peachtree Street on the east.

The archaeological assessment consisted of a literature and records search, and a windshield-level field reconnaissance. No archaeological sites had been recorded previously within the confines of the Atlantic Steel project area, and none were observed during the windshield survey due to ground cover consisting of historic fill, structures, or paved surfaces. Most of the project area has been disturbed due to development and grading.

The only portion of the project area that appears to have the potential to yield archaeological resources is the intersection of Hemphill A venue and Northside Drive. The roadbed of Hemphill Avenue may contain buried trolley tracks, and the area beneath or alongside Hemphill Avenue could contain original water pipes associated with the National Register-listed Atlanta Water Works Hemphill Avenue Station. Both of these resources would be potentially eligible for listing in the National Register. It is recommended that a qualified archaeological consultant monitor any subsurface construction that is to occur in the vicinity of Hemphill Avenue. Should the remains of either the trolley tracks or the water pipes be located, the archaeological consultant should document these resources according to Georgia Historic Preservation Division and Georgia Department of Transportation guidelines.