Latest news with #ClydeHiggs
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
13-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Atlanta BeltLine unveils driverless vehicle program. Not everyone is happy about it
The Atlanta BeltLine could begin a new driverless vehicle program in time for the World Cup. The proposed $3 million pilot plan would bring autonomous vehicles to the southwest trail. 'This project will provide service between the Atlanta Beltline Southwest Trail at the Lee + White Entertainment District and MARTA's West End Station and the Atlanta University Center,' Clyde Higgs, President & CEO of Atlanta BeltLine, said. The vehicles would not go on the trail, but they would operate between MARTA and the BeltLine. RELATED STORIES: Atlanta mayor announces changing 'vision' of streetcar, Beltline access at MARTA board meeting Light rail transit system could be moving people along the Atlanta BeltLine by 2028 MARTA board approves plan to extend Atlanta Streetcar to Beltline Beltline Rail Now sent out a lengthy statement on Monday night, saying they applauded the city's 'commitment to innovation' but wondered why their plan to put light rail along the BeltLine was pulled by the city. 'In study after study, engineers have landed on light rail running alongside the trail as the best transit mode for the Beltline,' Beltline Rail Now Chairman Matthew Rao said. 'So naturally, we're mystified to see ABI roll out... cars. Actually, passenger vans. That sit in traffic. With no driver. But also no fixed schedule, no dedicated right of way, and no capacity to move more than a few people at a time. Just in time for the biggest sporting event on Earth, the FIFA World Cup. Did I mention they can't carry bikes or baby strollers? Groundbreaking.' 'Beltline Rail Now urges city leaders to prioritize long-term transit infrastructure that meets the scale of Atlanta's needs—not one-off pilot projects with the footprint of a large SUV,' a news release from Beltline Rail Now said. If approved, it would feature four driverless vehicles from Beep and would start service in January.
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]
