All is not well at the Atlanta BeltLine Partnership, after two prominent board members, including Ryan Gravel, who originally proposed the idea for the BeltLine, resigned this week.
"Two prominent board members of the Atlanta BeltLine Partnership turned in their resignations Monday saying not enough emphasis is being given to the issues of equity and affordability," reports Maria Saporta. The Atlanta BeltLine Partnership is a public entity, controlled by the city of Atlanta, with responsibility for implementing the massive, ambitious project.
The two resigning board members were Ryan Gravel, "an urban planner to initially proposed the concept of the BeltLine in his Georgia Tech Master’s thesis," and Nathaniel Smith, "founder of the Partnership for Southern Equity," according to Saporta.
Gravel and Smith signed a resignation letter that included the following explanation for the bombshell: "While there have been success stories that we can be proud of, our coalition’s progress has not been commensurate with the scale of the challenges at hand." The letter also cited the example of $7.5 million recently allotted from TAD bonds, which "will likely support fewer than 200 affordable units out of ABI’s obligation to 5,600 – it is a drop in the bucket when compared to the need."
The article includes the full text from the resignation letter, as well as a public statement from Atlanta BeltLine Partnership Chair Mike Donnelly in response to the development.
FULL STORY: Ryan Gravel and Nathaniel Smith resign from BeltLine Partnership board over equity concerns
Ryan Gravel Speaks Out After Resigning from the Atlanta BeltLine Partnership
Streetsblog USA shares an interview with the visionary behind the Atlanta BeltLine, who discusses how the city's booming economy has conflicted with the mission of the project.
Atlanta BeltLine Buying More Land for Affordable Housing
The agency has acquired 65 acres of properties reserved for affordable housing and job creation.
The Atlanta BeltLine Wants to Prevent Displacement of Longtime Residents. Is it Too Late?
A program to pay property-tax increases of nearby homeowners is welcome, but "about ten years too late," one advocate says.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).
The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.
The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace
In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and "harrowing" close calls are a growing reality.
The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs
Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.
DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint
Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)