Could Atlanta Transit Be Profitable…Again?

Inman Park Trolley Barn on Edgewood Avenue Streetcar Line Atlanta’s first electric streetcar line was introduced in 1889 and operated on private funds.  And it was profitable.  The streetcar ran from Joel Hurt’s downtown skyscraper, the Hurt Building, along Edgewood Avenue to Inman Park.  Edgewood Avenue was originally built for horsecars but electric streetcars replaced them just 3 years later. Just like the Atlanta & Edgewood Street Railway, BeltLine … [Read more...]

A Better BeltLine Transit Solution

Hey Atlanta, I’ve got a question for you – what do you get when you combine the reliability of car travel, the rider capacity of a railway, the convenience of a bike, and the savings of those shareable scooters?  It’s Glydways – an autonomous transportation network capable of revolutionizing mass transit and BeltLine travel for the better. How Does It Work? The concept of Glydways is simple. By using a system of autonomous vehicles that travel within the space of a bike lane, we can … [Read more...]

The Final Link of the Atlanta to Anniston Trail

Map courtesy of ConnecttheComet.org The beauty of the Atlanta BeltLine is that it is more than just a loop unto itself - it has become a key hub in a growing number of connecting spoke trails. Efforts are underway to connect the Silver Comet Trail to the BeltLine, extending what is already the longest paved trail in America to the core of Atlanta. At the moment, a little over 6 miles of new trail is needed to connect the BeltLine to the Silver Comet. Once complete, users will be able to … [Read more...]

A Trio of Trees Atlanta Projects That Boost The BeltLine

If you’ve ever walked on the BeltLIne, you’ve probably noticed the tremendous amount of green space incorporated into every mile of the path. What you may not know is that the BeltLine - in its entirety - is a world-class arboretum created in partnership with the non-profit Trees Atlanta. An arboretum is an outdoor park specifically featuring trees. Trees Atlanta is committed to not only maintaining the BeltLine’s tree biodiversity but to improve it through various initiatives throughout the … [Read more...]

The Allure of Atlanta’s Soon-To-Be Largest Park

Image courtesy of hgor.com If you took a quick poll of Atlanta residents, how many could honestly say they’ve heard of Bellwood Quarry? It won’t be long until it will be hard to find anyone who hasn’t heard of it. Why? Bellwood Quarry is about to be the featured attraction in Atlanta’s newest - and largest - park, Westside Park. At nearly 100 acres larger than the next largest park, Piedmont, Westside Park will be the crown jewel of the Atlanta Beltline. Westside Park - What is … [Read more...]

Illuminarium – Take a Walk on the Wild Side

Have you ever dreamed of visiting Africa? Take a short detour off the Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail and you're virtually there. Illumanarium, the Beltline’s newest attraction, takes immersive entertainment to a whole new level, creating a space that will plunge you into the savannas of Africa complete with the sights, sounds - and even smells! Illuminarium, the first immersive experience of its kind in North America, is situated directly adjacent to the Atlanta Beltline Eastside Trail … [Read more...]

New Townhomes Coming to Westview

Up to 35 new townhomes proposed for the area within the yellow border The Westside of the Beltline made some news this past week when developers requested a zoning change at the site of the former Cornerstone Holiness Church site on Langhorn. Only one block from the West end of the Beltline, this potential new development could pave the way for further zoning changes in the area, dramatically changing the streetscape to a density that would bring a jolt of energy to the Historic Westside … [Read more...]

Bearings Bike Works: A Community-Focused Bike Shop

If you’ve been out and about on the BeltLine recently, you may have noticed an inordinate amount of kids biking around the Westside part of the trail, near Adair Park. Why? This part of the BeltLine happens to be home to Bearings Bike Works, the brainchild of Tim and Becky O’Mara. Now over a decade old, the O’Maras initially created Bearings Bike Works in response to a need for not just bike repair, but also positive opportunities for local youth to engage with their community. In the … [Read more...]

Rodney Cook, Sr. Park could transform a neighborhood

The potential of the BeltLine dream has always been that it could add acres of green space and parks to the City of Atlanta. Today, the Emerald Necklace has a new gem. After years of planning, delays, and construction snags, the Rodney Cook, Sr. Park at Historic Vine City has finally opened.  At a cost of $40 million, the park named for a Buckhead insurance executive who worked with Martin Luther King Jr. and other civil rights leaders is sure to boost the surrounding … [Read more...]

BeltLine Rail Now, Already

The promise of light rail on the Atlanta BeltLine has always been just that - a promise. While the initial premise of the BeltLine centered on light rail in addition to pedestrian access, the light rail infrastructure never materialized and now anxious residents of BeltLine neighborhoods are left wondering if light rail in their neighborhood will remain a myth. On May 27th, MARTA made extensive promises that light rail will be a reality on the BeltLine by 2027. While space exists on the … [Read more...]