Mark Brodbeck 5/3/21 Mark Brodbeck 5/3/21

The Tortoise and the Hare, v2

Good news! Atlanta BeltLine Inc. is giving the people what they want by expediting BeltLine trail construction. Sadly, it’s still unclear whether transit is up to the task. Atlanta BeltLine Inc. has picked up the pace. Now it's MARTA's turn.

Mark Brodbeck 4/26/21 Mark Brodbeck 4/26/21

Has ABI Learned from the Failings of the First Murphy Crossing RFP?

The first RFP for the redevelopment of Murphy Crossing in south Atlanta feel apart for reasons not entirely known. Those involved made it clear that more public input was needed. Will Atlanta BeltLine Inc heed their advice?

Mark Brodbeck 4/19/21 Mark Brodbeck 4/19/21

Advice for Atlanta’s Council and Mayoral Candidates

(Rail Writes Blog) Candidates running in Atlanta's city elections need to show voters they understand the far-reaching benefits of transit on the BeltLine - and that we're rapidly running out of time. Hopefully, you've got a plan to light a fire under MARTA. - Beth Smith

Mark Brodbeck 4/12/21 Mark Brodbeck 4/12/21

All Transit is Not Created Equal

Last week the ‘Atlanta BeltLine Light Rail’ was named by DOT Secretary Buttigieg as a project he’d like to see funded with federal dollars. But there is hand-wringing and doubt at MARTA as to whether light rail will work. Why are we still talking about this 20 years after the BeltLine vision captured the hearts and minds of our city?

Mark Brodbeck 3/30/21 Mark Brodbeck 3/30/21

A Welcome Letter to Our New Neighbors

Dear Microsfot, Airbnb, Amazon, and Googlers: Welcome to Atlanta! Really excited that you’ve chosen to bring your business and your employees here. Here’s a few things to help make the move easier. And yall are problem solvers by nature, so we have a favor to ask.

Mark Brodbeck 3/22/21 Mark Brodbeck 3/22/21

Our New Bestie: Secretary Pete

Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg is connecting the dots between transportation and social justice issues. Atlanta’s got the perfect project.

Mark Brodbeck 3/17/21 Mark Brodbeck 3/17/21

The BeltLine SSD Was a Foregone Conclusion. This Year’s City Elections Are Not.

It’s time to find, support, and elect leaders who know that transit doesn’t mean more sidewalk.

Mark Brodbeck 3/8/21 Mark Brodbeck 3/8/21

The ABCs of the SSD (Part 2 of 2)

Everyone knows you have to eat your vegetables before you get dessert. We explain why Atlanta needs more SALADs to improve upon the currently-proposed BeltLine Special Services District.

Guest User 3/1/21 Guest User 3/1/21

The ABCs of the SSD (Part 1 of 2)

SSDs, SADs, and SALADs... it’s easy to simply ‘tune out’ when the jargon starts. But these cryptic words explain the how Atlanta City Council will chart the future of the Atlanta BeltLine. So we thought it wise to explain them, and to explain how to make sure we get them right the first time.

Mark Brodbeck 2/22/21 Mark Brodbeck 2/22/21

Atlanta City Council: Are You Ready to Get on Board With BeltLine Rail?

Why doesn't rail on the BeltLine - a project Atlantans overwhelmingly support - enjoy greater support among city officials?

Mark Brodbeck 2/15/21 Mark Brodbeck 2/15/21

You Can’t Pave your Way to Affordability

On the face of it, the BeltLine Special Services District sounds promising: How can more of a good thing possibly be bad? Without rail in the BeltLine SSD, Atlanta will cement inequity into the city fabric.

Mark Brodbeck 2/9/21 Mark Brodbeck 2/9/21

The Fierce Urgency of Now

The clock is ticking. The opportunity to build rail on the BeltLine — and its myriad benefits — will disappear if we wait too long to build it. MARTA’s current timetable is too little, too late.

Mark Brodbeck 2/6/21 Mark Brodbeck 2/6/21

Affordable Housing and Transit Options: Two Sides, Same Coin

Building the BeltLine without the rail has accelerated rising rents and home prices around the heart of our city. Affordable housing is quickly disappearing. It’s late… but it’s not too late. It’s time to do damage control.

Mark Brodbeck 2/2/21 Mark Brodbeck 2/2/21

It's Time to Bake a Bigger Pie, MARTA

MARTA is struggling to divvy up the current funding pie, so we baked them a bigger pie. BeltLine Rail Now responds to MARTA’s incorrect assertions about our funding white paper.

Mark Brodbeck 1/27/21 Mark Brodbeck 1/27/21

BeltLine Rail Now Releases Funding White Paper

It’s time for our city’s elected officials to think BIGGER on equity projects. The best way they can do that is to build transit on the BeltLine. BeltLine Rail Now just released its blueprint for funding the entire rail portion and accelerating its construction by more than a decade.