Retain and Enhance Existing Park as Green Space
Preserve Atlanta's "Emerald Necklace"

The vision of the Beltline, as outlined by its originator Ryan Gravel, is an attractive transit system that would enhance Atlanta’s neighborhoods and parks. This is a vision that the BNC heartily supports. Often referred to as “Atlanta’s Emerald Necklace,” the Beltline should complement the surrounding park and green space, rather than detract from the neighboring properties, regardless of their location throughout the city.

Through participation in the various neighborhood design charettes sponsored by the Atlanta Development Authority, local residents have voiced their opposition to out-of-scale development in inappropriate locations. Rather, residents have requested that the Beltline incorporate wide pedestrian and bike friendly paths, existing alongside the transit system, with complementary development where appropriate. The “green” aspect of the project seemed to be a major priority for neighbors during these design charettes.

As the largest park along the proposed Beltline, Piedmont Park has risen up as the most coveted development area along the Beltline. The BNC feels that any and all green space bordering Piedmont Park needs to be protected. This regional park is a destination in and of itself, and density is not required to make the Piedmont Park transit stop a successful one along the Beltline.

Rather than inappropriate high-density development bordering Atlanta’s premier park, the BNC envisions an open green space, with wide bike and pedestrian paths, feeding into and out of Piedmont Park, making the Beltline an extension of the park. Large-scale buildings would limit access and view of park space from the adjacent historic neighborhoods, and would turn a thriving neighborhood community upside-down forever.

That being said, parkland in general is in short supply within the city of Atlanta. The BNC desires to work with the City of Atlanta, the BeltLine Partnership and developers to ensure that the precious parkland and green space along and adjacent to the Beltline is protected and enhanced.

See related news:

• “High Rises Raise Questions,” by Julie Hairston, Atlanta Journal Constitution, 6/27/05
• “Officials Told BeltLine Offer Insufficient,” by Julie Hairston, Atlanta Journal Constitution, 7/4/05