Latest news with #AtlantaBeltline
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Atlanta Beltline Celebrates New Addition to Westside Trail, Creating the Longest Continuous Trail in Corridor
The 1.3-mile Westside Trail–Segment 4 project connects communities from Pittsburgh Yards to Blandtown, delivering 6.7 miles of uninterrupted pathway alongside historic Washington Park ATLANTA, June 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, Atlanta Beltline, Inc. President and CEO Clyde Higgs, elected officials from Fulton County and Atlanta Public Schools, and other community leaders held a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating a major milestone for the Beltline by creating the longest uninterrupted length of trail to date. With the completion of Westside Trail–Segment 4, walkers, runners and cyclists can now travel 6.7 continuous miles along the Atlanta Beltline, from University Avenue in southwest Atlanta to Huff Road in northwest Atlanta with the completion of Westside Trail–Segment 4. When construction is finished in 2030, the rail-to-trail infrastructure project will create a 22-mile loop around the City of Atlanta plus 11 miles of connector trails. This finished trail segment brings the total mainline loop to 12.6 miles of delivered trail, complemented by 10.3 miles of connector trails. "I grew up here in Atlanta, served on this board as a council member, and now as your mayor. Atlanta is my home. These trails, these homes, these businesses… this is how we build a stronger and more connected city," said Atlanta Mayor Dickens. "Thank you to the Beltline team, our partners, and everyone who's helped make this possible." The newly constructed trail segment stretches 1.3 miles from the existing Westside Trail terminus at Lena Street north to Law Street, where it connects to the Westside Beltline Connector and Westside Trail–Segment 3. It transforms a fragmented pathway into a seamless corridor that runs along Washington Park, weaving through neighborhoods where streets honor Civil Rights leaders Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Joseph E. Boone and Joseph Lowery. "We are celebrating more than an infrastructure project. Today is a celebration of connecting communities and honoring the rich history that defines our city," said Higgs. "As trail users travel these 6.7 continuous miles, they're moving through neighborhoods born from resilience, built by Black architects and builders, and shaped by generations of community pride. This extension ensures that legacy is honored as we build toward our vision of a complete 22-mile loop in 2030." Finishing Segment 4 is the culmination of a two-phase construction approach. Section A, spanning 0.5 miles, opened in fall 2024, while Section B, celebrated today, covers the remaining 0.8 miles. Washington Park holds particular significance as Atlanta's first designated recreational space for African Americans. Created during the segregation era, the park originally featured a swimming pool, dance hall, pavilions and tennis courts, providing a long-awaited sanctuary for leisure and community gatherings. The neighborhood surrounding the park emerged from the ashes of the Great Atlanta Fire of 1917, developing into one of Atlanta's first planned Black suburbs under the leadership of Heman E. Perry. Washington Park flourished as a thriving enclave for the city's African American middle class, with homes and institutions crafted by Black architects and builders during an era of systemic barriers. In a tribute to the historical significance of Washington Park, Higgs, joined by Councilmember Byron Amos and The Conservancy at Historic Washington Park Board Chair Christi Jackson unveiled the park's new historical sign. Positioned at the gateway to the Westside Trail and the adjacent park, the marker commemorates Washington Park's enduring legacy. As Washington Park enters its second century, this section of the Westside Trail ensures this pillar of resilience and community pride remains integral to the Beltline's 22-mile vision. "The Westside Trail serves not only as a symbol of the community's storied past but also its ongoing commitment to growth, development, and prosperity as a longstanding, vital and vibrant community. In the design of the Westside Trail – Segment 4, we celebrate the City for its inclusive vision of innovation and entrepreneurship and the Beltline for its commitment to community engagement," said Christi Jackson, Board President of The Conservancy at Historic Washington Park. "This segment showcases the trail as a simple and cohesive way to bring the various areas of our city closer together, encouraging all of us to enjoy the great outdoors, arts and entertainment, and an interesting range of opportunities for discovery and engagement across and around our whole city." The 14-foot-wide concrete multi-use path features three-foot soft shoulders on each side, complemented by thoughtful design elements including stainless steel handrails, LED lighting, and security cameras. Green infrastructure manages stormwater while environmental remediation addresses the corridor's industrial past. Ramps and stairs link the trail to adjoining streets, ensuring accessibility for surrounding communities. Funding for the Beltline comes primarily from public sources through the Beltline Tax Allocation District, supported by Atlanta Public Schools, Fulton County and the City of Atlanta, along with Beltline Special Service District investors. Lead philanthropic support from the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation, Inc. and The James M. Cox Foundation is supporting construction of the full trail corridor. The project required coordination among numerous partners, including Atlanta Regional Commission, Atlanta Department of Parks and Recreation, Atlanta Department of Transportation, and Atlanta Watershed Management, Georgia Department of Transportation, Georgia Power, MARTA, Invest Atlanta, Trees Atlanta, U.S. Department of Transportation, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Alta led trail design with support from subcontractors Sherwood Design Engineers, Sastry and Associates, Planners for Environmental Quality, TerraMark, United Consulting, Roosevelt Powell and Associates, Palacio Collaborative, Grice Consulting Group, Arborguard Tree Specialists, and Long Engineering. Astra Group served as the construction firm. Ribbon cutting photos here. About Atlanta Beltline, Beltline, Inc. is the official implementation agency for the Atlanta Beltline. Its 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 View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Atlanta BeltLine, Inc.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Grant awarded to Atlanta Beltline for public Wi-Fi gone with federal program termination
Atlanta Beltline, Inc. President & CEO Clyde Higgs said a $9 million grant to help build public Wi-Fi on the Beltline Corridor is no longer available. The funding was canceled along with the termination of the Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program, Higgs said in a statement. Initially, the grant was intended to pay to provide public high-speed Wi-Fi on the Beltline and help improve public safety technology, enhance wayfinding and provide digital training and literacy programming, according to officials. Now, the Beltline is searching for alternative funding sources, Higgs said. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] TRENDING STORIES: LIVE UPDATES: Tornado Warning issued in Coweta, Fayette counties R&B singer Jaheim charged in metro Atlanta animal cruelty case Metro Atlanta mother says insurance will only cover fraction of son's international ATV accident [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Officials break ground on park expansion in Atlanta's West End
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, Atlanta Beltline, Inc. President and CEO Clyde Higgs, state officials, and other community leaders broke ground on an expansion of Enota Park on Tuesday. Beltline officials say the expansion will take the park from a 0.3-acre playlot to an 8-acre recreational destination. The project is scheduled for completion in Spring 2026. The expanded park will feature three distinct areas that will include a sheltered seating area, a lawn for community gatherings and recreation, a splash pad and play area, a half-court basketball court, and bathrooms. Security cameras, guard rails, and retaining walls will also be installed on-site. 'This original idea is now 16 years old, and we're finally able to bring this to fruition for the neighborhood,' Kevin Burke, ABI's Director of Design, said. 'Among other reasons, I'm especially glad that I've been able to stay with the project and be able to be a part of the team that has designed and will construct this park.' [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] TRENDING STORIES: Veteran Atlanta Country music radio personality 'Cadillac Jack' has died at age 51 Paramedic accused of assaulting patient in ambulance in Cobb County Mother describes horrifying moments as she watched her SUV burst into flames along GA 400 [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Beltline to break ground on new park in Atlanta's West End
Next week, the Atlanta Beltline will break ground on a new park in the city's West End. According to the organization, residents in Westview lost access to their only playground and field when J.C. Harris Elementary School closed in 1973. Now, more than 50 years later, the Beltline is breaking ground on Enota Park to give the community in that area a walkable, central location for 'neighborhood kids' to 'meet their friends once again.' [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The groundbreaking will be on April 22 at 3 p.m., with officials kicking off construction of what they say will be an expansion of a 0.3-acre playlot on Enota Place. The new park will be almost eight acres by using a combination of 'previously overgrown, wooded, non-developed property and residential land purchased from willing sellers.' TRENDING STORIES: 'Minecraft' mayhem: 'Chicken jockey' trend trashes Sandy Springs movie theater 19-year-old identified as innocent driver killed when chase suspect crashes Multi-million dollar reward offered for brothers accused of running Mexican drug cartel 'Westview has always been a community of strength, resilience, and unity,' Dion Standford, who grew up on Lucille Ave. next to Enota Park and has since moved back into his childhood home said. 'As we embrace new changes and welcome Enota Park, we are not just adding a park—we are investing in the heart and soul of our neighborhood. This park represents more than just land; it represents the next chapter of Westview, a place where the next generation can create memories, just as I did growing up here.' Once the construction is complete, which officials said was supposed to take 18 months to finish, it'll feature areas for concerts, basketball, a splash pad, large lawn, a boardwalk, multiple overlooks and separate bathrooms and utility buildings. Security cameras, guard rails and retaining walls will also be installed on-site. 'This original idea is now 16 years old, and we're finally able to bring this to fruition for the neighborhood,' Kevin Burke, ABI's Director of Design, said. 'Among other reasons, I'm especially glad that I've been able to stay with the project and be able to be a part of the team that has designed and will construct this park.' Funding to build the new park comes from a combination of public and private sources. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Atlanta Beltline temporarily free to chop down, replace trees as city council reviews tree ordinance
The Atlanta City Council is set to review a decades-old tree ordinance, and while it's doing so, they voted to let the Atlanta Beltline have free reign to chop down and replace trees throughout the city. According to the ordinance passed Monday, the city council said that public space available on city land is limited, including in public right-of-ways. The current Tree Protection Ordinance for the City of Atlanta 'imposes certain requirements on City of Atlanta government's own development and construction activities that may inadvertently slow or obstruct essential public infrastructure projects.' The current tree ordinance requires that there is no net loss of trees within the city limits. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] TRENDING STORIES: Coca-Cola says tariffs could hit bottom line if canning, bottling costs rise Docuseries about Atlanta's 'Magic City' strip club to premiere this summer Construction worker dies after falling 19 stories in downtown Atlanta As a result, the council said that could cause delays and increase costs without benefiting the public, so they were enacting a revised Tree Protection Ordinance so that public infrastructure projects that need to remove trees from private property, but would cause a net loss of trees in Atlanta, could move forward. Going forward, the Atlanta Beltline, the Path Foundation, the Atlanta Department of Watershed Management, Atlanta Department of Transportation and Atlanta Department of Assets Management would be exempt from the tree-clearing related restrictions as officials work to update its provisions for a more modern Atlanta. The exemption will last a year from passage, continuing through March 17, 2026, or when a revised Tree Protection Order is in effect, whichever comes first, according to documents from the Atlanta City Council. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
