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The Atlanta Beltine is literally transforming the geographical face of the city in a large way. With work being done on several parts of the Beltline, from the Eastside Trail to the Southside Trail and more, city planners are using the project to spark economic progress on several fronts, including in housing and business development.
The Beltline is administrated by Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. (ABI) and Atlanta BeltLine Partnership (ABP). These organizations are part of a private-public network that supports the celebrated project. They also support local businesses.
Recently, the Beltline secured funding for the 22-mile trail loop approved for multiple uses on the Northeast, Eastside and Southside trails.
If you’re unfamiliar with the Beltline and its many spokes, this article will shed some light on it for you.
Visiting Atlanta? Here’s What To Know About The Beltline
Far from just a spot to jog or walk your dog, the Beltline is the largest development project in modern U.S. history when you calculate the amount of space involved. There’s some pretty cool restaurants to eat at along the way.
Quick Links
- How Many Miles Is The Beltline?
- How Much Of The Beltline Is Completed?
- Is The Beltline Safe?
- Are Electric Scooters Allowed?
- How Many Trails Make Up The Beltline?
The Beltline is also designed to stimulate Atlanta’s workforce in a big way. Organizers and planners are on record as saying that the goal is to create 30,000 jobs by the year 2030. In late 2018, 11,200 jobs were created. They also have a goal of attracting $10 billion in development. Currently the figure is just under $5 million.
How Many Miles Is The Beltline?
How many miles of completed pathways and trails is anybody’s guess, but the Atlanta BeltLine is planned to loop 22 miles modern streetcar corridors and 33 miles of trails. When it comes to adjacent and encompassing parkland associated with the Beltline, 2,000 acres of green space will be incorporated into the project.
How Much Of The Atlanta Beltline Is Completed?
A lot of the Beltine is completed. Beltline organizers have said that an anticipated completion year of 2030 is the goal they are working toward. Of course, as projects scale and continue to innovate those projections could be modified.
Is The Beltline Safe?
The Beltline is safe, from the Eastside trail to the Southside. While there have been occasional crimes committed, there haven’t been any big headlines other than nightly protests on one part of the project or another.
Atlanta police have made arrests but there haven’t been any incidents of notoriety since.
Atlanta Beltline Safety Tips
If you want to feel safer when you walk the Beltline, follow these safety and security tips:
- To stop the spread of COVID-19, socially distance
- Always walk with another person if you’re uncomfortable
- Only walk in well-lighted areas. If a light is out, report it
- Don’t travel the Beltline after hours
Are Electric Scooters Allowed On The Beltline?
Yes, electric scooters are allowed on the Beltline, but they have restrictions.
Scooters are subject to the Reduced Speed Zone on weekday evenings (Monday – Thursday, 6 p.m. – 6 a.m.), weekends (Friday at 6 p.m. – Monday 6 a.m.), and state holidays (6 a.m. – 6 p.m.).
How Many Trails Make Up The Beltline?
The Beltline as of this writing, is made up of four trails so far. But eventually, the Beltline will stretch 33 miles and link more than 40 Atlanta neighborhoods.
Here’s what to know about each trail on the Beltline:
The Southside Trail
The Southside trail stretches from Grant Park in southeast Atlanta to the Adair Park neighborhood in southwest Atlanta. The Beltline originally had a funding gap, but was awarded additional federal funds to make the project happen.
Work crews for the past several months have been removing rail along the Southside Trail. The University Avenue to Avon Avenue corridor will connect to Hank Aaron Drive. Dense housing, job space.
Eastside Trail
The Eastside extension is in the midst of Phase 2 and runs from Kirkwood Avenue to Memorial Drive. Drainage and stormwater installations have been done, but restoration work continues. Tree installations and landscaping is set to take place in the first quarter of 2019. Work crews have begun pouring the trail around the Mauldin Bridge.
The Eastside Trail also has the Atlanta Beltline Center just south of Irwin Street. It’s a great resource to learn about the project and associated events.
The Northeast Trail
The Northeast Trail is about a 4-mile corridor that runs from Piedmont Park at Monroe Drive up to the Lindbergh MARTA Station in Buckhead. Part of the project includes helping replace the Georgia Power transmission tower. Beltline planners are seriously looking at the Monroe Drive crossing to see if it remains feasible.
Westside Trail
The Atlanta Beltline’s 2.5 miles corridor comprising the Westside Trail was completed in 2018. Hundreds of new trees were planted over the spring of 2018. An urban farm shed, including a 8.5 kilowatt solar photo-voltaic array, which makes sustainable lighting possible. Enota Park is also being designed in southwest Atlanta.
Murphy’s Crossing
The former marketplace at the corner of Murphy Avenue, Lee Street and Sylvan Road is currently being cleaned up and cleared out, but the developer has pulled out of the project.
The Beltline recently completed an acquisition that brings the development to 20 acres.
The area has been designated as a “food desert,” which means that fresh fruit, vegetables, and other healthful whole foods, are hard to come by here. The Beltline’s many proposals aim to remedy this situation by provided viable dining options in this impoverished area.
Last Words
The Atlanta Beltline is the most ambitious public project that Atlanta has ever done. Like a social media network, the Beltline brings people together and is designed to keep you there with choice restaurants, beautiful scenery and things to do.
If you plan to go to the Beltline soon, make sure you wear some comfortable shoes and remember to respect your neighbors by practicing proper social distancing.
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