Atlanta's Beltline Project Soldiers On -- But Without a Lot of Cash

After the Georgia Supreme Court ruled the Beltline project could not use school funds from a tax-increment financing funding source, what next?

1 minute read

February 25, 2008, 7:00 AM PST

By Nate Berg


"Advocates for Atlanta's Beltline -- a $2.8-billion public works project that would connect 45 Atlanta neighborhoods in a ring of trails, parks and transit -- took a severe blow on Feb. 11 when the Georgia Supreme Court ruled in favor of one man who said the tax allocation district designed to fund the bulk of the endeavor violated the state Constitution. The ruling stripped the project of nearly $860 million. In the aftermath of that decision, advocates are hoping that a legislative fix being cobbled together "in real time" will reinstate the cash. If not, it'll be up to private donations and joint ventures to bring it to life. The biggest fear is that features of the project may be scaled back, which would most likely mean the costly transit component."

"But for now, the city vows to push on. The groundbreaking ceremony for the first trail takes place this month."

"'It's disappointing, of course," [Beltline visionary Ryan Gravel] says of the ruling. "But the Beltline's always been centered around creativity and interesting partnerships. I think the project is solid and people want it. So now we have to be creative and come up with another way.'"

Thanks to Dale Coburn

Wednesday, February 20, 2008 in Creative Loafing

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Close-up of white panel at top of school bus with "100% electric" black text.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation

California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

April 30 - California Air Resources Board

Aerial view of Freeway Park cap park over I-5 interstate freeway in Seattle, Washington at night.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

April 30 - Streetsblog USA

"No Thru Traffic - Open Streets Restaurants" sign in New York City during Covid-19 pandemic.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street

How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.

April 30 - Next City