One-Man Roadblock to Atlanta's Beltline Project

The expansive Beltline transit and parkspace development planned for Atlanta is being hindered by one man's lawsuits over the legality of the funding used to build it.

1 minute read

January 3, 2008, 12:00 PM PST

By Nate Berg


"The project, which promises to transform a largely forgotten freight rail corridor into a showpiece loop of transit, trails, parks and new development, has captured the city's imagination and stands to become a legacy of Mayor Shirley Franklin's administration."

"But a significant obstacle remains in the Beltline's way. His name is John Woodham."

"Woodham, a little-known 41-year-old Buckhead real estate lawyer, has filed a series of legal challenges and appeals that have tied up the Beltline in court for the past year and a half."

"In a June 2006 lawsuit, Woodham argues the Beltline violates a provision of the state constitution he says mandates that school property taxes be spent only on education-related projects. More than $850 million in school property taxes are projected to be spent on the Beltline during the next 25 years."

"Lawyers for the city say the Beltline funding mechanism is legal, citing a different part of the state constitution that allows for the creation of tax allocation districts like the one funding the Beltline."

Thursday, December 27, 2007 in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Sweeping view of Portland, Oregon with Mt. Hood in background against sunset sky.

Oregon Passes Exemption to Urban Growth Boundary

Cities have a one-time chance to acquire new land for development in a bid to increase housing supply and affordability.

March 12, 2024 - Housing Wire

Aerial view of green roofs with plants in Sydney, Australia.

Where Urban Design Is Headed in 2024

A forecast of likely trends in urban design and architecture.

March 10, 2024 - Daily Journal of Commerce

Cobblestone street with streetcar line, row of vintage streetlights on left, and colorful restaurant and shop awnings on right on River Street in Savannah, Georgia.

Savannah: A City of Planning Contrasts

From a human-scales, plaza-anchored grid to suburban sprawl, the oldest planned city in the United States has seen wildly different development patterns.

March 12, 2024 - Strong Towns

Aerial View of Chuckanut Drive and the Blanchard Bridge in the Skagit Valley.

Washington Tribes Receive Resilience Funding

The 28 grants support projects including relocation efforts as coastal communities face the growing impacts of climate change.

March 18 - The Seattle Times

Historic buildings in downtown Los Angeles with large "Pan American Lofts" sign on side of building.

Adaptive Reuse Bills Introduced in California Assembly

The legislation would expand eligibility for economic incentives and let cities loosen regulations to allow for more building conversions.

March 18 - Beverly Press

View from above of swan-shaped paddleboats with lights on around artesian fountain in Echo Park Lake with downtown Los Angeles skylien in background at twilight.

LA's Top Parks, Ranked

TimeOut just released its list of the top 26 parks in the L.A. area, which is home to some of the best green spaces around.

March 18 - TimeOut

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.