The Atlanta Beltline shouldn’t be a drive-to destination
Thomas Wheatley reports on the dedication of the Atlanta Beltline’s northeast segment on Monday. He includes this encouraging tidbit:
…more than $775 million in new private development has taken place within one-half mile of this Beltline section in the last seven years.
Yay! It’s great to know that an alternative-transportation route can lure that kind of investment when, for so long in Atlanta, development has been focused around car routes.
I also like this statement about the dedication ceremony:
Wanna join the fun? Head to the Historic Fourth Ward Skatepark at 10 a.m. on Monday. Parking’s limited so consider… maybe walking the trail?
I’ve read and overheard people complaining they can’t make it to Beltline-related events (like the recent Streets Alive) because they don’t want to deal with parking. Well, duh — that’s the point.
If a car is the only option for you, there are plenty of places in the metro that are built just for that transportation type, so go there instead. The Beltline is for human-powered transportation and the residents, office workers and visitors nearby who can take advantage of it.
This is not a drive-to destination. It may take time for that to sink in with car-crazy Atlantans.
BeltlinePhoto by Flickr user TimothyJ
