The Fierce Urgency of Now
Our city must act fast to access the many benefits of light rail on the BeltLine.
Image Credit: Georgia Public Broadcasting
If you've been watching BeltLine Rail Now’s website and social channels over the last few weeks, you've noticed an unmistakable sense of urgency -- from the rolling out of a white paper that provides a funding blueprint for light rail around the 22-mile loop, to criticisms of City Council and the mayor's office for not prioritizing the transit piece of the BeltLine vision. Why the urgency?
For starters, Atlanta City Council is considering a special BeltLine business tax known as a Special Services District. Sponsored by city councilman Dustin Hillis, the SSD will fund the BeltLine trail and parks - but not rail transit. Transit is a key part of the original BeltLine vision, stitching together 45 neighborhoods. It's part of Atlanta BeltLine Inc's and MARTA's plan for the 22-mile loop… It's just happening too slowly. MARTA projects the BeltLine’s transit component to be completed by 2050. Here's why we can't wait that long.
Equity: Improving Access to Jobs
Atlanta’s higher-paying jobs are currently concentrated in the northern region of the city, while the city’s most transit-dependent residents live south. The pedestrian commute, with heavy rail and a few bus transfers (and a few hours!), is currently untenable. BeltLine Rail would make it easy to get anywhere in Atlanta in a reasonable amount of time — while also also spur business development more equitably throughout the city, further improving access to jobs.
Mobility: Promoting a Better City Experience
BeltLine Rail makes it easy for everyone, regardless of income or physical limitation, to get anywhere in Atlanta in a reasonable amount of time. And once residents have a reliable transit option, car-free living becomes a benefit instead of a setback. The benefits of improved mobility in Atlanta are endless! Cleaner air, less traffic congestion, greater access to fresh food and greenspace — to name a few.
Affordability: Viable Housing Options For All Income Levels
At present, the amount of housing within walking distance to transit is extremely limited. Rising prices are a natural result of supply and demand. The density that accompanies transit-oriented development boosts the housing supply and keep prices down. That’s ALSO supply and demand!
Why NOW?
Every day that passes in our city makes it more expensive and more difficult to build rail. The entire city is under construction. Will our city deliver on the infrastructure, housing strategies, and quality of life needed to maintain is vibrancy and diversity… or will our leaders continue the current band-aid strategy?
Rail on the BeltLine is special because it has the potential to deliver a massive, far-reaching return on investment… but the clock is ticking. The opportunity and its myriad benefits will disappear if we wait too long to build it. MARTA’s current timetable is too little, too late.
Let’s get started on construction of rail on the BeltLine today - for all of Atlanta.