Atlanta's Innovative Greenbelt: An 'Emerald Necklace'

Calling it an 'Emerlad Necklace', Atlanta plsnd to create an innovative 22-mile loop from an abandoned railroad into parks and transit that connect historic neighborhoods across the city.

1 minute read

October 25, 2005, 11:00 AM PDT

By Brenda Meyer


"The massive redevelopment plan â€" known as the Beltline â€" would convert the 22-mile loop into a paved trail and streetcar line linking 45 historic neighborhoods and creating more than 1,200 acres of parkland. The proposal has captured the imagination of many in the city and has sparked a rash of real estate deals.

"The Beltline would make Atlanta a new kind of city," said Alexander Garvin, professor of planning and management at Yale University and president of Alex Garvin & Associates, a New York design team. "The transformation would be staggering."

...But formidable political and financial hurdles will need to be cleared for the project to move forward."

Tuesday, October 25, 2005 in The Los Angeles Times

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