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How partnerships are transforming a 22-mile trail system into a beacon of equity and wellness for the South’s largest city.

In Atlanta, along a 22-mile loop of open and planned trails and parks, the Atlanta BeltLine is building a legacy of equity and wellness for its residents.

The Atlanta BeltLine, a multibillion-dollar transformational infrastructure project, is knitting back together 45 neighborhoods, many of which are connected by large, public green spaces. The communities that live along what used to be a cargo rail line were split — dividing the city’s haves from the have nots — during the railroad era of the past century.

Today, this iconic trail — which attracts 2 million visitors annually — is a beacon for equity and wellness. Whether a casual stroll through reimagined, resilient parks or a dedicated tour of the BeltLine Arboretum — 46 acres of planted space and 39 acres of natural area undergoing restoration management — Atlanta residents and visitors alike enjoy the benefits of conservation. Better air quality, more abundant opportunity for wildlife viewing and recreation programming lead the way to a more equitable city, with wellness benefits attached.

“I call it the ‘People’s Project,’” says Clyde Higgs, president and CEO of Atlanta BeltLine, Inc., the entity entrusted with building the path and creating programs for equity and inclusion. “It’s an incredible opportunity to work on what I think is the most transformational project in Atlanta that will impact generations to come.”

Rooted in dynamic partnerships of both public and private entities, Atlanta BeltLine has created a unique model and template for engaging both the community and funders in ambitious park and trail projects that rejuvenate people’s spirits and livelihoods, and has contributed significantly to the economic health and appeal of a city.

A New “System of Community”

With a planned completion date of 2030, the BeltLine initiative has become a much-beloved destination not just for people running, walking and riding the trail for fun or commuting to work, but also for philanthropic and government partners to work together to finish this transformational asset that already is having a citywide impact.

Programs are ensuring both housing and commercial affordability and access to opportunity — not to mention a safe way to travel between neighborhoods that were split by railroads, highways and broad intersections.

The Atlanta BeltLine is designed to break down barriers and connect people, communities and cultures that have been intentionally segregated for generations. The over-arching goal is to implement the BeltLine project in a way that ensures all Atlantans have the chance to participate in and benefit from its economic growth for generations to come.

Through these efforts, the Atlanta BeltLine has created not just a system of connected trails and green spaces, but also a new community.

How It Works

The BeltLine has become a national model for public-private partnerships and collaboration as a way to expedite huge, visionary goals that transform a city. To manage a project of this scope and size, the Atlanta BeltLine has two organizations that work in tandem.

One arm is Atlanta BeltLine, Inc., tasked with building the BeltLine infrastructure and creating programs that ensure equity and inclusion. It operates as an extension of the City of Atlanta, enabled through 2030 to get the trails and parks to completion, as well as to ensure housing and commercial opportunities for all who live near the corridor.

Atlanta BeltLine, Inc., also runs an established arts and culture program that includes Art on the Atlanta BeltLine, a year-round outdoor art exhibition, and encompasses popular events, like the Atlanta BeltLine Lantern Parade, which attracts tens of thousands of people annually.

The Atlanta BeltLine Partnership is the nonprofit arm in charge of programming for BeltLine residents, including affordable housing workshops and job training resources, and philanthropic contributions. Wellness is a central pillar of the Atlanta BeltLine project, with bike tours, running clubs and races, and a host of free fitness events for all ages and abilities.

Economic and Affordable Housing Opportunities

To ensure equitable access to economic and affordable housing opportunities, the BeltLine has several programs, including:

• BeltLine Marketplace, a pilot program that put six retailers into container storefronts, giving affordable commercial space to local, minority business enterprises and access to millions of visitors
• A façade improvement grant program that connects businesses with artists who paint façades and create unique community landmarks
• A Business Solutions Office that helps businesses establish themselves along the BeltLine
• A Legacy Resident Retention Program that offsets property taxes for qualifying homeowners through the end of 2030

“It’s not just a place where people live, it’s not just a conglomeration of houses, it really is people taking care of and looking out for each other,” says Jason Hudgins, the Westview neighborhood community organization president. Hudgins appreciates the many ways Atlanta BeltLine leaders are working to embrace feedback and input from residents as the project unfolds and partnerships strengthen.

Community Investment

The Atlanta BeltLine project is scheduled for completion in 2030 at an estimated cost of more than $4 billion, requiring numerous sources of funding. Those include public and private sources, such as the Atlanta BeltLine Tax Allocation District (TAD), which is administered by Invest Atlanta; the City of Atlanta; private investment and philanthropic contributions; county, regional, state and federal grants; and public-private partnerships.

In public-private partnerships, return on investment often is one measure of success. By any account, the Atlanta BeltLine is wildly successful, attracting more than $8.3 billion in private development. Approximately $670 million has been invested in the project’s delivery from 2005 to 2021, representing a positive return on investment of more than 10 to 1.

Ruben Brooks is Atlanta BeltLine, Inc.’s Chief Operating Officer.