I have been talking a lot about whats happening in the world right now. I could keep doing this but its not getting us anywhere, and personally I need to expand this blog to encompass not only issues facing our world, but local opportunities that could give Atlanta the jolt the city needs to compete and grow in the 21st Century.
THE ATLANTA BELTLINE:
The Beltline is a transit/economic development project that is located along a 22 mile rail corridor that surrounds Atlanta. The project's motives are to completely redevelop and connect all 45 of Atlanta's neighborhoods through walking/biking trails, and high speed rail that will connect with existing MARTA lines. The proposal calls for $2.8 billion in funding and it is currently the largest-most wide ranging urban redevelopment project in the US.
MY VIEWS:
The Beltline in my opinion is one the greatest proposed initiatives to happen to Atlanta since I've lived here. They have been planning this project since 2004 and in recent years it has picked up significant pace receiving support from the City of Atlanta and State Legislators. I recently was able to speak briefly with a State Senator whose district resides in many of these neighborhoods that will benefit from the forming the Beltline. She believes as do I that we are finally seeing a shift in the ideals that have shaped Atlanta over the last several decades. Businesses, communities, and governments know that Atlanta's traffic woes are a huge problem for the future growth of our city and although we are among the best states to do business with because of our large corporate tax breaks that alone won't stop cities like Charlotte and Jacksonville who are currently investing heavily in transit to take our businesses and capitalize on our failure to act. There have been too many times where the City of Atlanta has received potential federal funding for major transit projects and has failed to act. Atlanta Beltline Website - Good Information
We now are seeing a light emerged not only with the Beltline, but the Atlanta Street Car that will connect East and West Atlanta for the first time since the connector was constructed some 40+ years ago. The street car which just got $9 million in funding to go along with our $45 million federal transit grant will connect Centennial Olympic Park with the MLK National Historic Site, it will also be connected to the Beltline corridor. Atlanta Street Car Article
Atlanta has the potential to be a beacon of light in the Southeast and people from all over are now beginning to believe in that potential. The Beltline will bring an urban revolution to our city and will ensure our competitiveness and growth for the 21st Century. We will finally be a biker friendly city, we will insure that our Atlanta remains "the city of trees," the proposed redevelopment will bring thousands of acres of green space and created a number of jobs for our beleaguered state economy. We have a bright future ahead in this city and as long as we stay informed and active in our community failure is not an option.
Cheers
THE ATLANTA BELTLINE:
The Beltline is a transit/economic development project that is located along a 22 mile rail corridor that surrounds Atlanta. The project's motives are to completely redevelop and connect all 45 of Atlanta's neighborhoods through walking/biking trails, and high speed rail that will connect with existing MARTA lines. The proposal calls for $2.8 billion in funding and it is currently the largest-most wide ranging urban redevelopment project in the US.
MY VIEWS:
The Beltline in my opinion is one the greatest proposed initiatives to happen to Atlanta since I've lived here. They have been planning this project since 2004 and in recent years it has picked up significant pace receiving support from the City of Atlanta and State Legislators. I recently was able to speak briefly with a State Senator whose district resides in many of these neighborhoods that will benefit from the forming the Beltline. She believes as do I that we are finally seeing a shift in the ideals that have shaped Atlanta over the last several decades. Businesses, communities, and governments know that Atlanta's traffic woes are a huge problem for the future growth of our city and although we are among the best states to do business with because of our large corporate tax breaks that alone won't stop cities like Charlotte and Jacksonville who are currently investing heavily in transit to take our businesses and capitalize on our failure to act. There have been too many times where the City of Atlanta has received potential federal funding for major transit projects and has failed to act. Atlanta Beltline Website - Good Information
We now are seeing a light emerged not only with the Beltline, but the Atlanta Street Car that will connect East and West Atlanta for the first time since the connector was constructed some 40+ years ago. The street car which just got $9 million in funding to go along with our $45 million federal transit grant will connect Centennial Olympic Park with the MLK National Historic Site, it will also be connected to the Beltline corridor. Atlanta Street Car Article
Atlanta has the potential to be a beacon of light in the Southeast and people from all over are now beginning to believe in that potential. The Beltline will bring an urban revolution to our city and will ensure our competitiveness and growth for the 21st Century. We will finally be a biker friendly city, we will insure that our Atlanta remains "the city of trees," the proposed redevelopment will bring thousands of acres of green space and created a number of jobs for our beleaguered state economy. We have a bright future ahead in this city and as long as we stay informed and active in our community failure is not an option.
Cheers
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