How much could the Beltline help us, how much could it hurt us?
January 15, 2008 at 2:17 pm by Thomas Wheatley in NewsCritics of the Beltline have argued that it is a nice idea, but would in the end serve no job centers and ultimately little purpose — it’d be a costly tourist loop and an amenity for residents who were fortunate enough to live close to the project. Civil leaders, academics and the visionary behind the concept will gather Saturday, Jan. 19, 12:30-2 p.m. at the King Center on Auburn Avenue to discuss one of the less tangible aspects of what the Beltline may bring Atlanta: a sense of connection in what is a now a city of urbanized villages. They’ll also look into the flip side of that vision — mainly, in the project’s slow realization, will many residents who hoped to share in that future be shuffled out because of it?
From the release:
Equitable Development – The BeltLine: Can it connect Atlanta’s people, places and opportunities?
The BeltLine has the potential to connect the people of Atlanta to one another and to the places they go. Envisioned by some as an opportunity to knit together the social fabric of diverse communities into one, the BeltLine has raised concern that the rail system could further separate the City along racial and socio-economic lines. A panel of experts will examine the BeltLine in light of the need for access to good jobs, quality education, affordable housing, a clean environment and a healthy quality of life. This workshop is presented in partnership with the BeltLine Network, Sierra Club, Georgia Stand-Up, Georgia Conservancy, BeltLine Partnership, Park Pride, Citizens for Progressive Transit, and Emory’s Office of University-Community Partnerships.
Full info from the release about speakers and the discussion panelists after the jump…
Speakers Dr. Gerald L. Durley, a Civil Rights leader and psychologist, is pastor of Atlanta’s historic Providence Missionary Baptist Church and board member of the BeltLine Partnership.
Ryan Gravel, BeltLine visionary who developed the concept for the BeltLine while a graduate student at Georgia Tech, is an architect and planner, and resident of a BeltLine neighborhood.
Panelists
Robert D. Bullard is the Ware Distinguished Professor of Sociology and founding Director of the Environmental Justice Resource Center at Clark Atlanta University.
Dan Immergluck, PhD., is Associate Professor in the City and Regional Planning Program at Georgia Tech, where he teaches real estate, housing policy and statistics and conducts research on housing and real estate trends, community development, and related topics.
Pete Hayley is Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the University Community Development Corporation, the community and economic development agency engaged in developing sustainable communities for the Atlanta University Schools and the surrounding communities.
Tina Arbes is Chief Operating Officer of Atlanta BeltLine, Inc., which oversees implementation of the BeltLine.
Dr. Catherine L. Ross, nationally recognized transportation expert, is the Director of Georgia Tech’s Center for Quality Growth and Regional Development (CQGRD) and the Harry West Professor for Quality Growth.
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