Proponents of light-rail transit on the Atlanta BeltLine are planning to show up en masse downtown Friday in hopes of calling attention to their cause and reminding the city’s mayor of campaign promises that forecasted a brighter, more equitable future with BeltLine rail.
It’s another sign the BeltLine rail debate is heating up during crucial months in 2024, as MARTA and BeltLine leaders set plans in motion for extending today’s streetcar loop to Ponce City Market via the Eastside Trail.
Nonprofit advocacy group BeltLine Rail Now has scheduled the rally for 12:45 p.m. Friday at the steps of Atlanta City Hall on Mitchell Street.
According to BRN, schedule speakers include former Atlanta City Council president (and early BeltLine champion) Cathy Woolard, citizen activist and equity expert Dr. Lawrence Miller, BRN’s president Matthew Rao, and longtime Atlanta transit activist Angel Poventud.
The rally’s goal, according to BRN leaders, is to provide a stage for Atlanta’s rail supporters to be heard ahead of Mayor Andre Dickens’ annual State of the City address on Wednesday.
“BRN and citizens who elected [Dickens] as Atlanta’s ‘Transit Mayor’ hope that he will accelerate the project and take a stronger public stand in favor of moving quickly to build the Streetcar East Extension,” reads a media release announcing the Friday rally. “Dickens garnered huge support for his candidacy from rail proponents because of his repeated and strong assurances, both in writing and verbally, that he supported BeltLine rail.”
Where a crossing would be placed just east of Ladybird Grove & Mess Hall. Kimley-Horn/MARTA 2040; via Vimeo
The gathering would follow a March 12 event held in Inman Park that saw about 200 residents hashing out the prospects of rail on the 22-mile loop—most of them being against the idea, according to the AJC—but few fireworks.
Meanwhile, BRN’s formal opposition, Better Atlanta Transit, continues to…
Read the full article here