Archeological Survey of Proposed Streetscape Improvements on Chamblee Dunwoody Road, DeKalb County, Georgia

DeKalb County is proposing to construct a variety of streetscape improvements, including new sidewalks and lighting, along both sides of Chamblee Dunwoody Road for a distance of 1.4 km (0.87 miles), from its intersection with Buford Highway westward to its intersection with American Industrial Way. Although precise designs have not been formulated, typically, the sidewalk will be 1.5 m (5 ft) wide with a .6 m (2 ft) wide grass strip next to the highway. The entire project lies within the existing right-of-way of Chamblee Dunwoody Road, a two to three lane road that dates back to at least the beginning of the twentieth century. The project may use federal highway funds (Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century), and thus an archeological survey was required to ensure that significant sites (i.e., those eligible to the National Register of Historic Places) are not adversely affected. Archival research showed that no recorded archeological sites or historic structures lie within or close to the project corridor. Mid-century aerial photographs and a 1954 USGS topographic map show that about 15 houses existed along this portion of the highway at that time. The project area was archeologically surveyed on April 23, 2000. The entire project area lies within highway shoulders that have been heavily graded for development or cut and filled for highway construction. Three areas that were not graded and paved were shovel tested, and no cultural material was recovered. No cultural resources were encountered in the project area. We conclude that the project will have no adverse effects on significant cultural resources.