New Park And Transit Proposal For Atlanta Beltline

Calling the circular development of transit and green space an "emerald necklace" for the city, the report states: "Indeed, the challenges encountered are overshadowed by the single, grand opportunity."

Along the way, the report identifies four potential new parks and nine significant existing-park expansions, in addition to linking those with 11 other current parks. And that system, the report predicts, will "stimulate a sustained and widespread private market reaction" to build new homes, offices and businesses nearby.

"In short, the Beltline will reorient Atlanta from a city framed by highways to a city framed by a magnificent public realm," the report says.

Advocates said the Beltline has the potential to give Atlanta the unifying identity it has long sought, and one that produces measurable economic benefits.

"Even though we've been growing like crazy, there's been all this [population] influx, but there hasn't really been this vision for the future of Atlanta," said McBrayer, whose PATH foundation has raised $45 million since 1991 to build 90 miles of trails throughout the metro region. "We've been 'cul-de-sacked' to death, and this is going to knit it all back together."