ATLANTA, GA -- Earlier this year, the Atlanta Bridgescape Competition launched, soliciting participation from multi-disciplinary teams on two bridge enhancement projects in Midtown and Downtown Atlanta, GA. This competition is part of the ongoing effort to elevate the experience of travelers along the Connector and improve the environment on the bridge surfaces.

Phase one of the competition was a "call for ideas" seeking creative approaches to enhance the 10th Street Bridge in Midtown and the Courtland/McGill Bridge in Downtown. Three finalists have been selected for 10th Street and two for Courtland/McGill.

The second phase is underway with the short-listed teams further developing their ideas, including their feasibility for implementation based on a budget of up to $3 million each. Final submissions are due on May 5th and the winners will be announced during the American Institute of Architects National Conference in Atlanta, which is being held from May 14 to 16. The 17,000 conference attendees will have an opportunity to view the finalists' designs during the conference.

"The design teams short-listed in Phase I produced some bold concepts," said Midtown Alliance President and CEO Kevin Green. "We are eager to see how these creative ideas can be translated into real projects that greatly enhance these bridges and their approaches."

Between May 6and 12, the public will have a chance to weigh in on the competition finalists as part of the People's Choice Award, which will be administered online at www.AtlantaBridgescapeCompetition.com. The winner of the People's Choice Award will be announced during a reception on May 12 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Cornerstone Village, located at 800 Peachtree Street, Suite D. The reception will also feature a display of all of the finalists' designs.

"The Atlanta Bridgescape Competition was launched with the intention of securing solutions that go beyond beautification to address issues like connectivity, pedestrian and bicycle mobility, and sustainability," said CAP President A.J. Robinson. "We received some very innovative ideas that I am confident will result in impressive transformations for both bridges."

This competition is a collaborative initiative led by Midtown Alliance, Central Atlanta Progress/Atlanta Downtown Improvement District, the Atlanta Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the Architecture and Design Center, and is sponsored by Cardno. Visit www.AtlantaBridgescapeCompetition.com for more information.