ATLANTA (December 11, 2023) – Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. (ABI) is seeking a construction firm to construct the Southside Trail – Segments 2 and 3. An Invitation to Bid is now open for the project, which totals 1.9-miles. This will be the last major section of the Southside Trail to go into construction and will connect from the current end of the completed trail at Pittsburgh Yards on University Avenue to Boulevard, just south of Grant Park.

The Southside Trail is 4 miles in total length. When complete, Segments 2 and 3 will provide safe passage under 16 lanes of Interstates 75/85 and under an active vehicle and freight rail intersection, while connecting to several Atlanta Public Schools, parks, and 12 adjacent neighborhoods. The schools include Slater Elementary School, Carver Early College High School, Carver High School, and Barack and Michelle Obama Elementary School. Neighborhoods include Pittsburgh, Capitol View Manor, High Point, Villages at Carver, Joyland, South Atlanta, Peoplestown, Chosewood Park, Summerhill, Boulevard Heights, Benteen, and Grant Park.

Southside Trail – Segments 4 and 5 are currently under construction between Boulevard and Glenwood Avenue with anticipated completion in spring of 2025. Segment 1, alongside Pittsburgh Yards, was completed in 2021.

“We look forward to receiving bids from diverse, local companies to partner with to build these next segments of the BeltLine,” said Kimberley Wilson, Vice President of Design and Construction for Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. “To us, equity is a business imperative that extends across all areas of our work as we bring people together to build more BeltLine for Atlanta.”

Southside Trail – Segments 2 and 3 are targeted to go into construction in the second quarter of 2024. Construction will include a 14-foot-wide concrete multi-use trail, landscaping, fiber duct bank, retaining walls, connections to adjoining streets, the reuse and rehabilitation of several bridges, stainless-steel handrails and guardrails, storm drainage and storm water management (with a focus on green infrastructure), brownfield remediation, lighting, and security cameras. Each trail project considers the plan and space needed for future transit.

The BeltLine continues to partner with City of Atlanta departments, GDOT, Verizon, and Georgia Power. Trail design was completed by Kimley-Horn. eX² is building out a fiber network in the duct banks under the multi-use trails.

The majority of funding for the Atlanta BeltLine comes from BeltLine TAD partners: City of Atlanta, Fulton County, and Atlanta Public Schools. Lead philanthropic support to complete the full BeltLine corridor comes from the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation, Inc. and The James M. Cox Foundation. Additional funding comes from the Special Service District (SSD) and federal and state grants.

Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. appreciates the support of Senator Ossoff, Senator Warnock, Congresswoman Williams, USDOT Secretary Buttigieg, and other federal leaders for their support of the Atlanta BeltLine. The federal government has awarded the maximum amount of possible funding for construction of Southside Trail – Segments 2 and 3 at 80 percent of the total project costs as allowed by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). Funding includes investments from the Biden Administration Bipartisan Infrastructure Law – FY 2021 RAISE Grant ($16.46M) and Carbon Reduction Formula Funds through the Atlanta Regional Commission Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) ($10M). The FY 2022 Consolidated Appropriations Act included Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) funding for the project ($5M). The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) supported pre-construction remediation activities with a Brownfield Cleanup Grant ($500,000).

Once a construction contract is executed, the BeltLine will host a public meeting to introduce the selected contractor to the community and outline work timelines. Construction is expected to take approximately two years and to be complete in 2026.

To view this solicitation, interested parties can register on the BeltLine’s procurement management website. Once registered, the invitation can be found here: Invitation to Bid, Southside Trail – Segment 2 and 3 Construction.

As of November 2023, the Atlanta BeltLine consists of 10.4 miles of open, completed mainline trail, 4.3 miles of mainline trail in design, and 3.4 miles of mainline trail under construction with an additional 2.7 shovel ready miles. There are also more than 10.3 completed miles of connector trails. For up-to-date information about each project in design or construction, please visit www.beltline.org/projects.

High resolution images and the map can be downloaded here: https://beltline.mediavalet.com/portals/southsidetrail2-3

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About the Atlanta BeltLine

Atlanta BeltLine, Inc.’s vision is to be the catalyst for making Atlanta a global beacon for equitable, inclusive, and sustainable city life. As one of the largest, most wide-ranging urban redevelopment programs in the United States, the Atlanta BeltLine is building a more socially and economically resilient Atlanta with our partner organizations and host communities through job creation, inclusive transportation systems, affordable housing, and public spaces for all. For more information on the Atlanta BeltLine, please visit www.BeltLine.org.

Media Contacts:

Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. Office of Communications and Media Relations
100 Peachtree Street, NW, Suite 2300, Atlanta, GA 30303

Jenny Odom, Communications & Media Relations Manager
(404) 477-3659, jodom@atlbeltline.org

Meghann Gibbons, Vice President of Communications & Media Relations
(404) 477-3549, mgibbons@atlbeltline.org

 ATLANTA (December 6, 2023) – Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. (ABI) is investing more than $550,000 in the Ralph David House, an adaptive-reuse development converting an eyesore motel at 277 Moreland Avenue into 54 apartments in the Reynoldstown community – the first time Atlanta BeltLine has invested in a project with all permanently supportive housing units. A groundbreaking ceremony was held December 5 at the site with Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, ABI President and CEO Clyde Higgs, and honored speakers and guests.

Led by Stryant Investments, the development is situated where Moreland Avenue meets I-20. Apartments will be reserved for those earning 30 percent of Area Median Income (AMI) or less and who were previously unhoused. Rents and utility costs combined will be capped at 30 percent of each tenant’s income.

“The Ralph David House project marks a significant milestone in fully affordable housing options in Atlanta and forwards Atlanta BeltLine’s mission to meet affordable housing goals along and around our 22-mile corridor,” said Clyde Higgs, President and CEO of Atlanta BeltLine Inc. “As our city grows and evolves, developments like this one are ensuring that all Atlantans have access to projects like this one that deliver shared prosperity and an opportunity to access jobs and amenities.”

Designed by Terminus Design Group, the architect of record, plans include having a social worker office onsite, ADA-compliant units and a design that meets Fair Housing Guidelines.

In addition to funding provided by the BeltLine’s TAD Increment Fund, managed by Invest Atlanta, the project has received funding from the Atlanta Affordable Housing Fund, City of Atlanta HOME funds, as well as support from Partners for HOME’s HomeFirst program, which provided funding as well as Housing Choice Vouchers from Atlanta Housing and supportive services for all individuals housed in the units.

“Finding new ways to serve to Atlanta’s homeless population is another way Invest Atlanta and our partners are supporting Mayor Dickens’ goal to build or preserve 20,000 affordable housing units by 2030,” said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. “We continue to think creatively with projects like Ralph David House and 184 Forsyth Street, a soon-to-be-completed homeless housing village out of shipping containers, to ensure more homeless residents receive the housing and support they deserve faster.”

Partners for Home, the primary funder, currently has 660+ permanently supportive housing units in their pipeline with about 50 located on the BeltLine. Atlanta BeltLine has a goal to create and or preserve 5,600 units of affordable housing within the BeltLine TAD and, to date, is nearly 60 percent of the way toward this goal, having assisted in the creation or preservation of more than 3,300 affordable places to live.

Apartments in Ralph David House are expected to open to residents in fall of 2024.

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About the Atlanta BeltLine 

Atlanta BeltLine, Inc.’s vision is to be the catalyst for making Atlanta a global beacon for equitable, inclusive, and sustainable city life. As one of the largest, most wide-ranging urban redevelopment programs in the United States, the Atlanta BeltLine is building a more socially and economically resilient Atlanta with our partner organizations and host communities through job creation, inclusive transportation systems, affordable housing, and public spaces for all. For more information on the Atlanta BeltLine, please visit www.BeltLine.org.

Media Contact for Atlanta BeltLine:

Jenny Odom, Communications & Media Relations Manager
(404) 477-3659, jodom@atlbeltline.org
Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. Office of Communications and Media Relations

The Atlanta BeltLine Partnership (ABP) is pleased to announce that its Legacy Resident Retention Program is helping more than 200 households with increased property taxes, marking a significant milestone in the organization’s commitment to supporting the community and preserving Atlanta’s rich cultural heritage. In support of increasing the assistance to neighbors in southern and western Atlanta, Google is donating $100,000 to the program.

“We’re excited to support a program as impactful and life changing as the BeltLine’s Legacy Resident Retention Program,” said Lilyn Hester, Google’s head of external affairs for the Southeast. “Our cities are strongest when they’re welcoming and inclusive to all, whether that be through increasing access to technology or ensuring legacy residents are able to stay in their homes and enjoy the beatification that comes alongside projects like the Atlanta BeltLine.”

Launched at the end of 2020, the Legacy Resident Retention Program was created to address the needs of vulnerable communities facing rising housing expenses and gentrification pressures. The participating homeowners’ property tax increases will be covered by the program through the end of 2030. For current participants, the program will pay $3,324,461 to Fulton County ensuring they are able to stay in their homes and build generational wealth.

“We are deeply grateful for Google’s contribution and commitment to the residents of Atlanta BeltLine communities,” said Atlanta BeltLine Partnership Executive Director Rob Brawner. “As we celebrate this milestone, we are honored that Google is joining the supporters devoted to ensure even more residents live, work, and thrive in their homes and neighborhoods.

Residents in some Atlanta neighborhoods have seen home prices rise 15.2% in 2022, according to the Georgia Association of Realtors. ABP is an advocate for future legislative policies that can also play a key role in addressing the social, economic, and community-related challenges associated with homeowner displacement due to rising property taxes.

WHAT: Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. (ABI) will hold its fourth Quarterly Briefing of 2023.

WHEN: The meeting will be held virtually on Thursday, December 14 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.

WHERE: The meeting will be held virtually on Zoom and livestreamed to the Atlanta BeltLine YouTube channel and Facebook page. Details for joining this meeting online, as well as all past presentations and recordings, can be accessed at www.beltline.org/meetings. Click here to register directly on Zoom. To join this meeting by phone, dial 929-205-6099 and enter webinar ID 834 9473 9127.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND: Quarterly Briefing meetings are open to everyone. Anyone interested in general updates about Atlanta BeltLine programs and projects is encouraged to attend.

ABOUT THE MEETING: The meeting will begin with BeltLine-wide project updates followed by a feature presentation highlighting the work of the Atlanta BeltLine Partnership.

The remainder of the meeting will be dedicated to a question-and-answer session. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions via Zoom, telephone, and Facebook.

Meeting materials and opportunities for public feedback will be made available on the day of the meeting at beltline.org/meetings.

COMMUNITY CONTACT: For more information, please contact engage@atlbeltline.org or call 404-477-3552.

RSVP: www.beltline.org/meetings

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About the Atlanta BeltLine

Atlanta BeltLine, Inc.’s vision is to be the catalyst for making Atlanta a global beacon for equitable, inclusive, and sustainable city life. As one of the largest, most wide-ranging urban redevelopment programs in the United States, the Atlanta BeltLine is building a more socially and economically resilient Atlanta with our partner organizations and host communities through job creation, inclusive transportation systems, affordable housing, and public spaces for all. For more information on the Atlanta BeltLine, please visit www.BeltLine.org.

Media Contacts

Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. Office of Communications and Media Relations
100 Peachtree Street, NW, Suite 2300, Atlanta, GA 30303

Jenny Odom, Communications & Media Relations Manager
(404) 477-3659, jodom@atlbeltline.org

Meghann Gibbons, Vice President of Communications & Media Relations
(404) 477-3549, mgibbons@atlbeltline.org

ATLANTA (Nov. 20, 2023) – The Atlanta BeltLine is seeking small businesses to participate in the next BeltLine Business Ventures program. The small business accelerator launched by the BeltLine Business Solutions Office is free for small businesses and provides essential tools and resources for those looking to expand along the 22-mile loop. This will be the second cohort.

BeltLine Business Ventures is a cohort-based program that delivers a comprehensive three-month curriculum covering business model development, market feasibility, business resiliency, workforce development, commercial leasing, and operational excellence. The program also offers one-on-one business advising with seasoned entrepreneurs and consultants along with monthly opportunities for peer-learning and networking, fostering collaboration and exchanging insights and connects businesses with resources in order to prepare for brick-and-mortar opportunities within the Atlanta BeltLine Planning Area.

Application Details:

• Application Period: Opens November 20 and closes December 15
• Cohort Duration: February 6, 2024 to May 14, 2024
• Maximum Participants: Up to 25 businesses
• Participation Cost: Free for participants

Business owners interested in learning more about the BeltLine Business Ventures accelerator can register here for a virtual information session on November 29^th. Applications open November 20^th and will close December 15^th.  “At the core of the BeltLine’s commitment to economic inclusion lies the BeltLine Business Solutions Office, an essential component within our comprehensive framework,” said Atlanta BeltLine’s Natalie Jones. “Through purposeful programs and initiatives, the BeltLine strives to ignite inclusive economic growth for small, local, and minority-owned businesses along the corridor. This endeavor not only contributes to the wealth-building aspirations of communities in the BeltLine’s Equity Priority Subareas but also propels further job creation through the sustained growth and development of these businesses.”

BeltLine Business Ventures is a featured program of the Beltline Business Solutions Office, a one-stop shop connecting various programs and services tailored to assist small local businesses in their ventures along the Atlanta BeltLine. The office provides direct one-on-one assistance, where businesses collaborate with the BeltLine team or partners to strategize effective scaling approaches. Additionally, entrepreneurs can leverage the Partner Referral Network, a curated group of specialists providing services such as accessing capital, technical assistance, business coaching, and more. BeltLine Business Ventures is executed in partnership with The Center by Lendistry and CVM Worldwide.

The BeltLine Business Solutions Office gives priority to minority-owned enterprises in the west and southwest quadrants within BeltLine’s Equity Priority Subareas. This prioritization aims to support communities facing historical injustices, allowing us to address longstanding systemic barriers, increase access to the tools of business success, foster growth, and positions local businesses to capitalize on the unparalleled economic opportunities arising from ongoing and extensive redevelopment efforts of the Atlanta BeltLine.

The BeltLine Business Solutions Office is made possible in-part by a grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA). The office builds on existing programs that focus on small business support including the Façade Improvement pARTnership Grant and the BeltLine Marketplace.

For more information on the BeltLine Business Solutions Office and BeltLine Business Ventures, please visit beltline.org/businessventures or email BeltLineVentures@atlbeltline.org.

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About Atlanta BeltLine, Inc.

Atlanta BeltLine, Inc.’s vision is to be the catalyst for making Atlanta a global beacon for equitable, inclusive, and sustainable city life. As one of the largest, most wide-ranging urban redevelopment programs in the United States, the Atlanta BeltLine is building a more socially and economically resilient Atlanta with our partner organizations and host communities through job creation, inclusive transportation systems, affordable housing, and public spaces for all. For more information on the Atlanta BeltLine, please visit www.beltline.org.

The Center by Lendistry is a national nonprofit organization that supports diverse small businesses through education, technical assistance, and access to competitive financing. We are committed to closing the racial wealth gap and accelerating economic development by anchoring small businesses and the communities where they do business. Learn more at www.thecenterbylendistry.org.

CVM Worldwide is an Atlanta-based, technology-focused social enterprise that tackles the world’s toughest problems by creating and investing in people, products, and initiatives that improve the human experience. Our mission is to provide business expertise and technical talent to help entrepreneurs build profitable and impactful businesses that transform the world. For more information, visit www.cvmworldwide.com.

Media Contact:

Jenny Odom, Communications & Media Relations Manager, (404) 477-3659, jodom@atlbeltline.org
Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. Office of Communications and Media Relations
100 Peachtree Street, NW, Suite 2300, Atlanta, GA 30303

ATLANTA (Nov. 9, 2023) – The six local businesses participating in Atlanta BeltLine’s BeltLine MarketPlace, a business incubator program on the Eastside and Westside Trails, will be open for business on Small Business Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.  

This national shopping day, which encourages supporting small business owners and “shopping local,” is scheduled for Saturday after Thanksgiving on Nov. 25, 2023. Businesses will be available for interviews, along with the local artists and makers participating in the Atlanta BeltLine Indie Market Experience.  

Small Business Saturday marks the final major shopping event for the MarketPlace businesses before they graduate from the program in December. The businesses were part of the Atlanta BeltLine’s inaugural pilot program utilizing custom built shipping containers on the corridor that were build out for the tenants.  

This event also will mark the last BeltLine Indie Market of the fall season. The Atlanta BeltLine Indie Market Experience is a family-friendly, monthly artist market that showcases an array of creative, handmade crafts, and one-of-a-kind art and features live music.   

WHO 

Local small businesses and artists, including:  

• The six Minority Business Enterprises whose owners include Black men, women, veterans, families and members of the LGBTQ+ community, will be available for interviews. These businesses offer vegan snacks, sweet treats, coffee, iconic Atlanta merchandise and plants. 
• Atlanta BeltLine Indie Market Experience artists. 

Media Interviews Sat. Nov. 25 on the Westside at 11 a.m. with 

• Grady Baby Company & Apparel (on social @gradybabyco)  
• Cococakes by Coco (on social @cococakesbycoco)  
• Life Bistro (on social @Lifebistroatl)    
• Atlanta Indie Market Experience vendors 
• Location: Under the Freedom Parkway Bridge (parking at 830 Willoughby Way NE, Atlanta, GA 30312) 

Media Interviews Sat. Nov. 25 on the Eastside at 12:30 p.m. with: 

• PinkPothos (on social @pinkpothosatl)  
• Good As Burgers (on social @goodasburgers) 
• Urban Grind (on social @urbangrindatl) 
• Atlanta Indie Market Experience vendors 
• Location: 1089 Allene Avenue, S.W., Atlanta, GA 30310 

WHAT 

• Celebrate “shopping local” with Atlanta BeltLine MarketPlace businesses and enjoy a festival like atmosphere with the Atlanta BeltLine Indie Market Experience 

BELTLINE MARKETPLACE BACKGROUND 

Atlanta BeltLine and The Village Market picked six businesses to take part in a pilot incubator program called Atlanta BeltLine MarketPlace to address commercial affordability and help minority business enterprises. The businesses were selected from more than 200 applicants. They have been participating in an intensive training to help them achieve their business goals. The MarketPlace retail locations are in custom containers.  

High resolution images can be downloaded here: https://beltline.mediavalet.com/portals/beltlinemarketplace.

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To attend or find out more information, please reach out to the following media contacts: 

Abigail Gross, TobinInk, (404) 405-7122, abigail@tobinink.com
McKenna Kauffmann, TobinInk, (678) 449-8725, mckenna@tobinink.com 

About Atlanta BeltLine, Inc.  

Atlanta BeltLine, Inc.’s vision is to be the catalyst for making Atlanta a global beacon for equitable, inclusive, and sustainable city life. As one of the largest, most wide-ranging urban redevelopment programs in the United States, the Atlanta BeltLine is building a more socially and economically resilient Atlanta with our partner organizations and host communities through job creation, inclusive transportation systems, affordable housing, and public spaces for all. For more information on the Atlanta BeltLine, please visit www.BeltLine.org.   

About BeltLine MarketPlace  

BeltLine MarketPlace is a pilot program that provides new, affordable commercial space for local, minority-, Black-, and women-owned businesses. Participating businesses lease commercially affordable BeltLine-facing storefronts with direct access to the Atlanta BeltLine’s roughly two million annual visitors while also receiving business service support and coaching. BeltLine MarketPlace aims to uplift minority-, Black-, and women-owned businesses and ensure more equitable access to opportunity. A joint initiative of Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. and The Village Market, it is organized in alliance with Atlanta BeltLine Partnership and Atelier 7 Architects and made possible with the generous support of the Kendeda Fund and Google. Learn more at beltline.org/marketplace.  

About Atlanta Indie Market 

Atlanta Indie Market creates markets across Atlanta year-round. Each market is curated with local, independent artists and makers and creates a hangout destination for enthusiasts seeking a vibrant blend of creativity and community. With a curated selection of over 100 of Atlanta’s finest independent artists, brands, and shops, Indie Markets immerses Atlantans into a world of shopping, chilling, and reckless creativity. For more information, visit atlantaindiemarket.com.   

BACKGROUND ON EACH BUSINESS 

WESTSIDE TRAIL BELTLINE MARKETPLACE 

Located at 1089 Allene Avenue SW, Atlanta, GA. 30310 

Cococakes by Coco 

Kina Morgan wants everyone on the BeltLine to grab one of her custom cake slices, on the go. In business for six years, she used the BeltLine MarketPlace location to “test our new concept of ‘build a chunk,’ which allows a customer to select cake and a variety of toppings for a unique dessert experience.” The shop also sells whole cakes and has soft drinks, water, milk and coffee. She currently has one location.  

On social @cococakesbycoco 

Grady Baby Company & Apparel 

Online apparel company founder Alexander Albritton says Grady Babies have changed the world, secured civil rights for all and achieved educational success. (“Grady baby” is a term for people born at Atlanta’s Grady Hospital.) From music moguls and superstars to world class athletes – many started as Grady Babies. “It’s our mission to spotlight and celebrate that greatness. The Grady Baby Brand represents the soul of Atlanta, the heartbeat of a culture, and you don’t have to be born at Grady to wear it,” he says. Known for the classic “We Full – Atlanta” t-shirt, the brand sells tees, hoodies, shorts, jogging suit sets and accessories and aims to become a national brand. 

On social @gradybabyco  

Life Bistro 

Life Bistro was founded by Issa Prescott with a mission to serve vegan food that promotes life in its many forms. Issa’s passion for healthy living and conscious eating is at the heart of the business, which specializes in international vegan cuisine and comfort food. Founded in the historic southwest Atlanta neighborhood of Sylvan Hills, Issa says his community has been a food desert with few healthy options. He offers dishes that tantalize the tastebuds to help people transition to a more conscious diet. The restaurant’s menu has American comfort food, veganized such as seafood gumbo, grilled shrimp skewers, sweet and spicy fried oyster mushrooms, lion’s mane crab cakes, black bean chilaquiles, seafood “rasta pasta,” blackened shrimp alfredo, po’ boys and “lobsta fondue.” Offerings also include cold-pressed juice and vegan cupcakes. Life Bistro is a Black-owned business that is proud to be part of a movement that is changing the way people think about food. The restaurant’s focus on American, international, soul- and Caribbean-inspired dishes makes Issa’s vision of making healthy and delicious vegan food accessible to everyone. 

On social @Lifebistroatl 

EASTSIDE TRAIL BELTLINE MARKETPLACE 

Located under the Freedom Parkway Bridge at 830 Willoughby Way NE, Atlanta, GA 30312 

PinkPothos 

Lakeisha Jones wants to add visual interest to people’s space, one plant at a time. “I sell custom-made fabric plant pots.” She’s looking to expand into her first retail location selling plants and accessories. Currently only on the web, this was her first physical location. 

On Instagram @pinkpothosatl  

Good As Burgers 

Cornoy Watkins’ is the CEO and creative genius behind Good As Burgers (GAB’S). His vision is to build a worldwide chain like McDonald’s – for vegans as a cook to order restaurant. “We create a fun and tasty way to make the plant-based lifestyle mainstream, saving the lives of hundreds of animals and reducing damage to our environment, one Good As Burger at a time.” In business for two years, the eatery offers all plant-based delicious menu including burgers, sloppy joe sliders, plus sides and desserts. GAB’S currently has 1 location and a food truck in Atlanta. He accredits much of his success thus far to his partners Talia Jones, Jevon Kinloch, Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins, and his incredible team. Cornoy wants everyone passing through on the Beltline to stop by and remember “Be Better, EAT GAB’S”.  

On social @goodasburgers 

Urban Grind Coffeehouse 

Urban Grind’s founder Cassandra Ingram has run her successful coffee shop concept in Atlanta’s West Midtown since 2007, embodying her company’s motto of “building community one cup at a time.” She’s now excited to expand and bring her “cozy” coffeehouse culture to BeltLine Marketplace. Urban Grind features a selection of specialty coffees and teas, sandwiches, cakes and pastries that Cassandra believes fuels her patrons daily to #keepgrinding. She also takes pride in Urban Grind’s reputation as a neighborhood gathering space that “cultivates conversation, creativity and a stronger, more inclusive community.”
On social @urbangrindatl 

ATLANTA (Nov 1, 2023) – Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, along with city and Atlanta BeltLine leaders, and community members held a ribbon cutting today to celebrate the opening of Northeast Trail – Segment 2. The 1.2-mile segment of mainline BeltLine trail extends from Westminster Drive, NE in Morningside to Mayson Street, NE just north of I-85. 

“The BeltLine is, indeed, a people’s project and we are thrilled to have this destination be able to serve all of Atlanta’s residents,” said Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens. “This is one of the most highly anticipated segments of the overall BeltLine project. One of the goals of the BeltLine is to help connect, and sometimes reconnect, 45 Atlanta neighborhoods and it offers a chance to bring vitality, economic development and mobility to more of our neighborhoods.” 

This section of the BeltLine begins at the end of Mayson Street, where it navigates under 10 lanes of Interstate 85, over the Buford-Spring Connector, and continues along Ansley Golf Course, Ansley Mall, and Piedmont Park, bringing pedestrian-and bike-friendly connectivity to Atlanta neighborhoods and the vibrant commercial areas nearby. This portion of the trail will connect to Northeast Trail – Segment 1, which broke ground on August 4, 2023, at Piedmont Park. It will also tie directly into Ansley Mall with a bridge across Clear Creek. This will be the largest gateway to date built by an adjacent developer, Selig Enterprises, and opens up access to the greater Piedmont Heights commercial district. 

“The completion of Northeast Trail – Segment 2 is a significant milestone in navigating major infrastructure that has historically divided us,” said Clyde Higgs, President and CEO of Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. “This paved trail crosses the largest highway to date on the BeltLine, I-85, weaves together our communities, paves a prosperous pathway for our vibrant business community, strengthening the economic fabric of our neighborhoods and helping us create a more accessible and inclusive city.” 

With Northeast Trail – Segment 2, 9.4 miles of the 22-mile BeltLine mainline trail loop are now complete. In addition, 10.3 miles of connector trails have been completed that tie directly into current and future segments of the BeltLine mainline trail. By the third quarter of 2024, 85 percent of the multi-use trail loop will be complete or under construction. 

“We are excited to have the BeltLine open in our community, not only for the significant increase in green space, but also for the increased connectivity within our community, to our neighbors to the south, as well as to Armour Yards and – eventually – Lindbergh Center to the north,” said Bill Compton, President, Piedmont Heights Civic Association. “We celebrate the growth of Atlanta and opportunities this brings to Piedmont Heights.” 

The completion of Segment 2 required coordination across multiple partners, including Georgia Power, Norfolk Southern, Trees Atlanta, Piedmont Park Conservancy, Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), Atlanta Department of Parks and Recreation, Atlanta Department of Watershed Management, the Atlanta BeltLine Partnership, and more. 

The majority of funding for the Atlanta BeltLine comes from BeltLine TAD partners: City of Atlanta, Fulton County, and Atlanta Public Schools. Lead philanthropic support to complete the full BeltLine corridor comes from the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation, Inc. and The James M. Cox Foundation. Additional funding comes from the Special Service District (SSD) and federal and state grants. 

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About Atlanta BeltLine, Inc.  

Atlanta BeltLine, Inc.’s vision is to be the catalyst for making Atlanta a global beacon for equitable, inclusive, and sustainable city life. As one of the largest, most wide-ranging urban redevelopment programs in the United States, the Atlanta BeltLine is building a more socially and economically resilient Atlanta with our partner organizations and host communities through job creation, inclusive transportation systems, affordable housing, and public spaces for all. For more information on the Atlanta BeltLine, please visit www.BeltLine.org.   

Media Contacts: 

Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. Office of Communications and Media Relations
100 Peachtree Street, NW, Suite 2300, Atlanta, GA 30303 

Jenny Odom, Communications & Media Relations Manager                                          
(404) 477-3659, jodom@atlbeltline.org 

25+ style writers, graffiti artists will come together to celebrate the legacy of style writing in Atlanta and its intersection with the city’s influence on hip hop

WHO: Art on the Atlanta BeltLine in partnership with the Atlanta Style Writing Association

Featured artists:

• The United Kings Crew: Atlanta’s first hip hop graffiti crew, established in 1981. Now in their late 50s, artists are still a part of the Atlanta style writing culture.
• Dax: Dr. Dax is a Dungeon Family member and Atlanta legend firmly established as a notable graffiti artist and muralist. His graffiti/street art legacy has graced the world for over three decades.
• Totem: Born and raised in Atlanta, Totem has applied paint to walls for more than 30 years. His style and technique are renowned worldwide, most notably for his pioneering 3D style and artistic versatility.
• Additional artists: Save, Poe, Tares, Jolt, Skie, SparkyZ, SBOne, Won2

WHAT: ATL JAM & So So Def Walls Celebration

Atlanta BeltLine, as part of the final homestretch of its Art on The Atlanta BeltLine exhibition year, brings back its ATL JAM & So So Def Walls Celebration. The weekend-long event will bring more than 25 of the city’s most influential style writers together to celebrate the legacy and influence of style writing in Atlanta. The entire weekend is free and open to the public.

• ATL JAM will showcase the evolution of Atlanta’s style writing culture as writers create new installations, in real time, along the BeltLine trail. The live sessions will feature some of the founders of Atlanta’s style writing scene, dating back to the early 1980s when the hip hop movement came to Atlanta. The installations will also become a special exhibition of the Art on the Atlanta BeltLine mural collection.
• So So Def Walls Celebration, featuring Walking Tours & Live Paint Exhibition is a tribute to one of the very few remaining graffiti safe spaces in Atlanta, made popular because of its location under the iconic So So Def billboard on Interstate 75/85 South. To the Atlanta graffiti writing community, the billboard was a beacon that guided artists to a place where the “magic” happened. Tours will be guided by Antar “Cole” Fierce, a retired graffiti writer and historian.

WEEKEND SCHEDULE: Friday, November 3 – Sunday, November 5

• ATL JAM: Friday, November 3 – Sunday, November 5
  • Time: Daily, 11 AM – 8 PM
    • Location: Lee + White – 1020 White Street, Atlanta,30310 on the BeltLine’s Westside Trail where it passes under Lee Street and Murphy Avenue.
  • Details: Style writers will create new installations, from the initial sketch to the final paint, throughout the exhibition sessions. Vendors and live DJ will be onsite, creating three days of celebration.
• So So Def Walls Celebration: Sunday, November 5
  • Time: 1-5 p.m. (Guided tours at 1:30 and 3 p.m.)
    • Location: Pittsburgh Yards – 352 University Avenue, Atlanta, 30310 on the BeltLine’s Southside Trail
  • Details: Historical tours, live music, vendors and day-long paint sessions

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• Free and open to the public
• Official event site: https://art.beltline.org/events/atl-jam/
• Media images (courtesy of Atlanta BeltLine, Inc.): https://beltline.mediavalet.com/portals/ATLjam

FOR MEDIA ONLY: Media interviews available by request. Please confirm attendance with on-site media manager Sigele Winbush, (404) 862-2081, sigele@sigelewinbush.com.

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The 2022 – 2023 Art on the Atlanta BeltLine exhibition is presented by Northside Hospital. Additional sponsors include Ponce City Market at the Platinum level; Delta at the Gold level; Cox Enterprises and Empire Communities at the Silver level; and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at the Bronze level. The Art on the Atlanta BeltLine Lantern Parade is sponsored by Delta at the Gold level, Northside Hospital and Ponce City Market at the Silver level, and Kaiser Permanente at the Bronze level.

This program is supported in part by the City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs. Major funding for this organization is provided by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners. This program is supported in part by Georgia Council for the Arts through the appropriations of the Georgia General Assembly. Georgia Council for the Arts also receives support from its partner agency – the National Endowment for the Arts. This project is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts. To find out more about how National Endowment for the Arts grants impact individuals and communities, visit www.arts.gov.

Major support for this project is provided by:

About Art on the Atlanta BeltLine

Art on the Atlanta BeltLine is the largest temporary public art exhibition in the history of Atlanta. It showcases the work of hundreds of visual artists, performers, and musicians along the Atlanta BeltLine corridor. This spectacular project places working professionals alongside emerging artists, and draws residents and visitors into some of the most unique public spaces in the City of Atlanta, providing powerful new perspectives on the city and its vibrant neighborhoods. The exhibition showcases how art strengthens and beautifies current and former industrial areas and creates signature spaces exemplifying the transformation of the city through the Atlanta BeltLine. Art on the Atlanta BeltLine touches almost 20 intown communities. Stay abreast of Art on the Atlanta BeltLine announcements and events at art.beltline.org, or follow on social media @atlantabeltline and with #beltlineart.

About Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. 

Atlanta BeltLine, Inc.’s vision is to be the catalyst for making Atlanta a global beacon for equitable, inclusive, and sustainable city life. As one of the largest, most wide-ranging urban redevelopment programs in the United States, the Atlanta BeltLine is building a more socially and economically resilient Atlanta with our partner organizations and host communities through job creation, inclusive transportation systems, affordable housing, and public spaces for all. For more information on the Atlanta BeltLine, please visit www.BeltLine.org.

Media Contacts:

Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. Office of Communications and Media Relations

100 Peachtree Street, NW, Suite 2300, Atlanta, GA 30303

Meghann Gibbons, Vice President of Communications & Media Relations
(404) 477-3549, mgibbons@atlbeltline.org

Jenny Odom, Communications & Media Relations Manager
(404) 477-3659, jodom@atlbeltline.org

Sigele Winbush, PR Consultant, 404-862-2081, sigele@sigelewinbush.com

Council for Quality Growth Hosts Annual State of the BeltLine Address and Breakfast on October 24
Featuring Executive Leadership & Expert Panel on Creating Equity & Mobility Through Transit

ATLANTA, GA – On October 24, 2023, the Council for Quality Growth, Atlanta BeltLine, Inc., and the Atlanta BeltLine Partnership will host the annual State of the BeltLine address and breakfast from 7:30 – 9:15 AM. The 2023 event is presented by Georgia Power and will host an expected 250 guests in the atrium of the newly redeveloped Uptown Towers, now known as Uptown Atlanta, a growing mixed-use development project surrounding MARTA’s Lindbergh Station. This concludes the Council’s annual series of “State of” events, following eight regional county addresses. “The BeltLine has become an integral part of Atlanta’s future,” said Michael Paris, President & CEO of the Council for Quality Growth. “We’re proud to provide the platform for this leadership team to tell their placemaking story and share their vision to not just build a trail, but to build economic value and prosperity in the neighborhoods and communities the BeltLine touches.”

The 2023 State of the BeltLine will feature a two-piece program. The first is an executive discussion between Atlanta BeltLine, Inc.’s President & CEO, Clyde Higgs, and Atlanta BeltLine Partnership’s Executive Director, Rob Brawner. “Celebrating Momentum and Planning for the Future” will be the BeltLine leadership’s annual address on the achievements and progress made over the last year, plus a look at what’s ahead for the 22-mile loop around our city. Strides are being made daily to complete this never-been-done-before project, with construction underway on miles of multiuse trail along with advancing housing and commercial affordability.

Under the leadership of Higgs, the Atlanta BeltLine has become one of the largest-scale city redevelopment projects happening in the United States. “The BeltLine is people-powered,” said Clyde Higgs, “driven by the collective goals of Atlantans to dream big and to tackle some of the biggest challenges experienced by cities everywhere. If we’re successful, the BeltLine is a path to equity in our city, with access to opportunities and prosperity for those who live, work, and play along it. We love seeing Atlanta come together on the BeltLine.”

This leadership team will discuss the status of current and upcoming trail funding and projects, plus efforts to create greenspace, rehabilitate infrastructure, support small businesses along the loop, and add housing and transit. “We are proud of the Atlanta BeltLine Partnership’s role in enabling the construction of parks and trails by raising funds from the private sector and philanthropic community,” Rob Brawner added. “In addition to engaging the public through programming, tours, and fitness programs, we are focused on providing legacy residents with available tools and resources to remain in their homes.”

Expert panelists will then join Higgs for a discussion on “Enhancing Equity & Mobility with Transit,” to bring forward the latest news on adding transit to the BeltLine. From its beginning in 2005, the BeltLine was imagined as a corridor for connectivity, which included light rail. The need for transit has only increased in the 18 years since, with Atlanta’s 21-county region expecting to add 2.9 million people by 2050. The Atlanta BeltLine prioritizes the imperative that the city plan and prepare for this influx in population by creating a more robust transit system that serves more people.

The focus of this panel will be to share a vision for transit that integrates with the pedestrian-friendly loop enjoyed today, discuss the benefits and challenges of doing so, and explore opportunities for increased transit around Atlanta. In addition to Higgs, panelists include Ambrish Baisiwala, Chairman and CEO of Portman Holdings, Lisa Benjamin, Chief Operating Officer of the City of Atlanta, Collie Greenwood, General Manager of MARTA, and Jim Irwin, President of New City Properties.

The Atlanta BeltLine is partnering with MARTA and the City of Atlanta to plan, design, and engineer a comprehensive transportation network that is equitable and accessible for all. The panel will also feature two of the largest developers along the Atlanta BeltLine, Portman Holdings and New City Properties, who will share their vision for the transit on the Atlanta BeltLine as well.

The Atlanta BeltLine project has been a significant source of economic development and quality growth for the City of Atlanta and is on track for completion by 2030. Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. and the Atlanta BeltLine Partnership have collaborated since 2005 to develop a 22-mile multi-use urban trail, transit, and park system connecting Atlanta’s neighborhoods, creating jobs, developing affordable housing, adding greenspace, showcasing arts and culture, and engaging the communities it reaches.

What: 2023 State of the BeltLine

Executive Discussion: Celebrating Momentum and Planning for the Future

• Clyde Higgs, President & CEO, Atlanta BeltLine, Inc.
• Rob Brawner, Executive Director, Atlanta BeltLine Partnership

Panel: Enhancing Equity & Mobility with Transit

• Ambrish Baisiwala, Chairman & CEO, Portman Holdings
• Lisa Benjamin, COO, City of Atlanta
• Collie Greenwood, General Manager, MARTA
• Jim Irwin, President, New City Properties
• Moderated by: Clyde Higgs, President & CEO, Atlanta BeltLine, Inc.

When: Tuesday, October 24, 2023

• 7:30 – 8:00 AM | Networking and breakfast
• 8:00 – 9:15 AM | State of the BeltLine Address and Program

Where: Uptown Towers Atrium

• Uptown Towers at Lindbergh Station (560 Main Street, Atlanta, GA 30324)

Tickets are required for guests and are available at www.CouncilforQualityGrowth.org.

• $75 | Council for Quality Growth Members
• $95 | Non-members

More details and registration for the 2023 State of the BeltLine can be found here: https://members.councilforqualitygrowth.org/events/details/state-of-the-beltline-2023-5449

Press are invited to attend with prior registration. Please RSVP to Kathryn Jones at kj@councilforqualitygrowth.org.

About the State of the County/Agency Series
The Council for Quality Growth hosts 10 ‘State of’ events across the region, including 8 counties and 2 agencies. We work in close collaboration with the office of the County Chairs in Cherokee, Clayton, DeKalb, Douglas, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, and Rockdale, as well as with leadership at MARTA and the Atlanta BeltLine, to provide a platform for our counties and agency partners deliver an annual update on achievements, projects, and the future that is specifically geared toward the business community and the Council’s membership. A full calendar of the Council’s 2023 Signature Events, including the State of the County/Agency series, can be viewed and downloaded here: 2023 Programs Calendar

About the Council for Quality Growth:
The Council for Quality Growth is a trade organization that works to ensure continued growth and economic success for generations to come by providing advocacy, information, and education to its members. For 37 years, the Council has been committed to the mission of promoting balanced and responsible growth and is proactively involved in the formulation of policy and legislation critical to the growth and development industry. The Council addresses, head-on, strategic economic planning, infrastructure needs, and tough quality-of-life issues throughout the metro Atlanta region and state. Visit www.councilforqualitygrowth.org for more.

About Atlanta BeltLine, Inc.
Atlanta BeltLine, Inc.’s vision is to be the catalyst for making Atlanta a global beacon for equitable, inclusive, and sustainable city life. As one of the largest, most wide-ranging urban redevelopment programs in the United States, the Atlanta BeltLine is building a more socially and economically resilient Atlanta with our partner organizations and host communities through job creation, inclusive transportation systems, affordable housing, and public spaces for all. For more information on the Atlanta BeltLine, please visit www.BeltLine.org.

About the Atlanta BeltLine Partnership
The Atlanta BeltLine Partnership (ABP) ENABLES the Atlanta BeltLine project by raising funds from the private sector and philanthropic community, ENGAGES the public through programming and outreach and EMPOWERS the residents of the 45 Atlanta BeltLine neighborhoods through targeted partnerships in the areas of health, housing and economic opportunity. For more information on the Atlanta BeltLine Partnership, please visit www.BeltLine.org.

ATLANTA (Oct. 18, 2023) – Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. and community leaders are hosting a ribbon cutting to celebrate the completion of Northeast Trail – Segment 2. This 1.2-mile section is the newest portion of the Atlanta BeltLine mainline loop to reach completion. This segment extends from Westminster Drive to Mayson Street and connects neighborhoods Ansley Mall, and Piedmont Park with a pedestrian and bike-friendly path.

WHO: 

• Mayor Andre Dickens, City of Atlanta
• Clyde Higgs, President and CEO, Atlanta BeltLine, Inc.
• Alex Wan, City of Atlanta Councilmember, District 6
• Cynthia Briscoe Brown, Atlanta Public Schools Board Member, At-Large Seat 8
• Rob Brawner, Executive Director, Atlanta BeltLine Partnership
• Bill Compton, President, Piedmont Heights Civic Association

WHEN:

• Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023
• 10 to 11 a.m. (Media, please arrive by 9:30-9:45 for set up)
  • Following the ceremony, media interviews and tours will be available of Northeast Trail – Segment 2.

WHERE:

• On the Northeast Trail corridor behind the Publix at Ansley Mall.
• Address: 1544 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30324.
• Alternate transportation is encouraged. Parking is available at Ansley Mall in the area next to CVS Pharmacy and the area next to Publix.

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About Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. 

Atlanta BeltLine, Inc.’s vision is to be the catalyst for making Atlanta a global beacon for equitable, inclusive, and sustainable city life. As one of the largest, most wide-ranging urban redevelopment programs in the United States, the Atlanta BeltLine is building a more socially and economically resilient Atlanta with our partner organizations and host communities through job creation, inclusive transportation systems, affordable housing, and public spaces for all. For more information on the Atlanta BeltLine, please visit www.BeltLine.org.

Media Contacts:

Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. Office of Communications and Media Relations
100 Peachtree Street, NW, Suite 2300, Atlanta, GA 30303

Jenny Odom, Communications & Media Relations Manager
(404) 477-3659, jodom@atlbeltline.org

Meghann Gibbons, Vice President of Communications & Media Relations
(404) 477-3549, mgibbons@atlbeltline.org