Atlanta BeltLine Inc. has launched an interactive map and a survey to take public input on possible alignments for Buckhead’s Northwest Trail in advance of a February 2022 decision.
The BeltLine is the 22-mile loop of trails, transit and green space being constructed around the city. The Northwest Trail segment would run roughly 4 miles between the area of Huff Road and Westside Park, and the Northeast Trail, another segment on the drawing boards that would connect in the area of Peachtree Hills.
ABI its partner, the PATH Foundation, are studying the feasibility of several alternative routes for the Northwest Trail: four for connecting the Westside to Memorial Park on party overlapping routes, and two for connecting Memorial Park and the Northeast Trail.
At a Nov. 1 virtual meeting, planners presented an updated timeline of taking input through year’s end, including through small, neighborhood-focused meetings; completing the feasibility study in January; and announcing the preferred route, or “alignment,” in February. After that, a design phase could begin as ABI aims for completion no later than 2030.
Kim Wilson, ABI’s vice president of design and construction, said that the choices of alignment would be ranked. That way, if the top choice proved infeasible due to engineering realities, ABI could quickly move to a second choice or alter it on the fly. She also noted that the final list of possible alignments might be different from the ones currently under consideration due to further study and public input.
A recap of the feasibility study phase contained little new information beyond a few spots where talks with property owners have been productive, as at E. Rivers Elementary School, or challenging, as with a request to use CSX right of way to go under Peachtree Road.
The interactive map and survey for the online public input are available through Dec. 31 at beltline.org/nwtrailstudy. The map allows users to place comments directly on routes and locales, with the responses visible to all users. The survey asks various questions about the respondents and their preferences.
As for the transit portion of the BeltLine in that area, its future remains vague. Shaun Green, an ABI senior transportation engineer, said that the organization is joining MARTA and the City in studying grant opportunities. One thing for sure, he said, is that the transit would not run on any of the possible routes for the Northwest Trail due to right of way issues.
Another potential issue raised by a member of the public is what happens to BeltLine planning in the area if Buckhead becomes its own city in the effort that advocates seek to put on the ballot a year from now. ABI officials said they just don’t know.
“Currently… we don’t have an answer to your question,” said Beth McMillan, ABI’s vice president of community planning, engagement and arts and culture. “As the Buckhead movement progresses, we would need to get together with whoever the leadership emerges to be and have those kinds of conversations.”
Green said that because the BeltLine is part of a regional trail network, “ideally, this all goes forward anyway.” But, he added, ABI does not have an answer to the question. “We’ll find out soon enough how big of an issue that is,” he said.
For a video of the Nov. 1 meeting, see ABI’s Facebook page. For materials from the presentation, see the ABI website.
The Buckhead City Committee officially unveiled their new headquarters to the public on Halloween day. The building at the corner of Peachtree Rd and Pharr Rd will house office space for BCC volunteers, and provide the public with information about the Buckhead cityhood effort.
BCC chairman and COE Bill White opened the event with updates and initiatives related to the Buckhead cityhood movement. Reducing crime continues to be a large part of the BCC’s messaging. Buckhead crime victims Eliana Kovitch and Jason Eades were on had to relay their experience and show their support for the movement, and there were a number of law enforcement officers in attendance.
Overall there was a block party atmosphere, with food trucks, a live DJ, and costume contests for the kids. Volunteers were on hand to take donations and distribute Buckhead City signs and merchandise.
The spirit of Buckhead heads forward. This is the way it has been, and perhaps this is the way it will always be. The spirit of Buckhead points forward. You see it in the way we work, and you see it in the way we play. The reach is always extending further. The search is for excellence and beauty and grace and vibrancy.
We are a community of individuals. We are diverse, we are dynamic, and we are discerning. We are builders. We are connected to one another with a common bond. A common dream. A common quest. Pointing life in one direction. Forward.
