Atlanta BeltLine Celebrates 5 Years

Ten years and two days ago, Ryan Gravel presented to the transportation committee of the Atlanta City Council his idea to re-purpose old rail lines into a 22-mile transit loop around the city's core aimed at connecting neighborhoods and spurring development.

"It's been a long, long road, and in some ways, it's been sort of lightning fast," Gravel said Tuesday at a party in Midtown to celebrate five years since the launch of Atlanta BeltLine Inc in 2006.

The Georgia Tech alumnus proposed the project in his 1999 graduate thesis called "Belt Line -- Atlanta: Design of Infrastructure as a Reflection of Public Policy."

"Gravel's thesis sat on a shelf for a few years after graduation before it inspired a grassroots movement to build the most ambitious public works project in the city's history," BeltLine spokesman Ethan Davidson wrote in a recent article.

"It really has from the very early days been ... a volunteer and grassroots movement," said Gravel, now an architect for Midtown-based firm Perkins+Will. "It's really cool to see that it's still in play and people are as excited today as they were back then."

After his presentation Sept. 12, 2001, Gravel garnered great support from former City Council President Cathy Woolard. The two spread the vision around the city -- along the way picking up supporters including The Trust for Public Land, PATH Foundation, MARTA and former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin. The BeltLine project was formally launched in 2006.

"To go community to community to present this idea ... is probably a highlight of my life," Woolard said at Tuesday's party, which was held at the AGL Resources building at Peachtree Place and West Peachtree Street.

When complete in 10 years or more, the BeltLine will provide a network of public parks, multi-use trails, transit, public art and affordable housing along the 22-mile railroad corridor.

"The Atlanta BeltLine is not an if -- it's a where and when," Brian Leary, president and CEO of the BeltLine, said.

Leary gave a short review of the BeltLine's progress to date:

• About $37.3 million has been raised toward the $60 million capital campaign to pay for the project.
• Four new parks have opened including the .
• Nearly 11 miles of trails have been built. The currently is under construction and will connect Piedmont Park to DeKalb Avenue when it opens early 2012.
• Nearly half of the 22-mile right-of-way now is set aside for the project.
• Several new community events have begun including the city's largest public art program, , now in its second year.
• A transit implementation plan has been developed. The BeltLine could secure $602 million to construct transit lines if voters approve the TSPLOST referendum next year to add a one-cent sales tax.
• Approximately 13,000 people have toured the BeltLine.

"This was a vision that Atlanta deserved," Terri Montague, former BeltLine CEO and president, said. "It's very gratifying to me to stand now at five years and see the continued momentum and progress."

Read Davidson's thorough report on the BeltLine's past and future.