The Beltline
During Morning Edition, beginning Thursday, September 13
The Atlanta Beltline has been all over the news and the topic of many neighborhood discussions over the past year. This long-term billion-dollar effort to re-fit old train tracks with modern light rail that will connect city neighborhoods, enhance parks and green space, and infuse high density housing is as complex as it sounds.Steve Goss and Kevin Keller explore the big picture of this one-of-a-kind green-space/transit proposal.
In their comprehensive, in-depth seven-part report, you’ll hear from the former Georgia Tech student whose thesis gave birth to the project, go on a tour of the proposed route, hear explanations of the green space and transit implications, and learn more about neighborhood concerns.
Listen to the Beltline Series
1: Thursday, 9/13
The Beltline Tour: join us for our narrative of the 3-hour bus tour of the proposed 22-mile Beltline loop. Share the view and the viewpoints of our fellow passengers.
2: Friday, 9/14
Ryan Gravel, aka the “Father of the Beltline”. Gravel is interviewed about his original Beltline concept as it was set forth in his Master’s thesis at Georgia Tech.
3: Monday, 9/17
Cathy Woolard, former City Council member. Woolard recounts how she helped make Gravel’s initial concept a reality with the powers that be. Woolard’s interest lay in the Beltline’s innovative transit possibilities.
4: Tuesday, 9/18
Jim Langford, former director of the Trust for Public Land, elaborates on the greenspace component of the Beltline project—the expansion of existing parks, the creation of new ones…even the possibility of sailing across the waters of the Bellwood Quarry.
5: Wednesday, 9/19
Ben Raney, developer with the Barry Real Estate Companies, talks about the challenges and opportunities facing prospective developers along the Beltline. His company recently came to terms with the City of Atlanta concerning development of a portion of 65 acres in the Northeast quadrant of the Beltline loop.
6: Thursday, 9/20
Part One: John Sherman, President of the Fulton County Taxpayers Foundation, details his group’s opposition to the major funding component of the Beltline—the special Tax Allocation District.
Al Bartel, coordinator of the West Side Study Group, explains the challenges facing communities along the Beltline in West Atlanta—from initiating residents’ involvement to displacement issues.
7: Friday, 9/21
Terri Montague, President of Atlanta Beltline, Inc
