To anyone who has stepped onto the Atlanta BeltLine over the past few years, the beauty of this linear park hits you right between the eyes. New York may have its vaunted High Line, but no one has something as impactful as the BeltLine that provides both refreshing access to nature and a vital footpath that safely moves millions of commuters, exercise seekers and others out for a shaded stroll over and under Atlanta’s notoriously dangerous street grid.
In spite of all the obvious benefits of the current BeltLine, its thriving businesses and the enjoyment of all Atlantans of every age, color and income level, why are we hellbent on squandering nearly a quarter-billion dollars and chopping down all of the shade trees and meadows that are the heart and soul of the BeltLine to make way for a 40-foot wide, concrete and steel extension of the nearly empty Atlanta Streetcar. Even worse will be the continuous safety fences and limited crossing points required for the fast-moving train system. They have gotten it completely wrong.
Why are they doing this? Apparently because it was always in the plan — and maybe it will help justify the failed streetcar. And, since this is just the first phase of a planned $2.5-billion-dollar system along the entire 22-mile loop, the entire linear park experience is severely threatened.
While originally conceived in the 1990s as a Rail-To-Trail project in the City’s Parks Master Plan, a more recent student project proposed a light-rail system encircling the City with no provision for a linear path. Then the Emerald Necklace Study, commissioned…
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