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The Atlanta BeltLine should be ready in time for the World Cup in Atlanta.
ATLANTA – Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, White House Senior Advisor Tom Perez, and Atlanta BeltLine CEO Clyde Higgs held a press conference on Wednesday morning to announce a significant development.
Dickens began by discussing the $25 million grant awarded to the City of Atlanta through President Biden's Investing in America initiative, highlighting its impact on the BeltLine project.
He emphasized the BeltLine's role as a symbol of Atlanta's progress, bridging once-divided communities and addressing historical marginalization.
On a nice spring day, it is hard to beat the great outdoors and that is why many flock to Atlanta's beltline for a run, stroll, or bike ride.
"It's probably the only reason that I've stayed in Atlanta this long," said Alejandro Fernandez, who lives near the BeltLine.
"Every weekend we just walk up and down the Beltline, a lot of restaurants, fun stops," he said.
Perez followed, expressing the White House's pride in collaborating with Atlanta on the BeltLine initiative.
Higgs, CEO of the BeltLine, then revealed that the southside portion of the BeltLine is anticipated to be completed ahead of schedule, well in time for the FIFA World Cup in 2026.
The southside portion, which will extend 1.9-miles from Pittsburgh Yards in southwest Atlanta to Boulevard in southeast Atlanta, was originally slated to be completed in June 2026. They are not scheduled to be completed in the first quarter of 2026, creating 17.9 miles of continuous paved trail.
"By accelerating the completion of the longest continuous stretch of the BeltLine trail yet, we are accelerating equal access to economic prosperity and some of the best natural beauty Atlanta has to offer," said Atlanta Mayor and Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. Board member Andre Dickens. "From our federal and non-profit partners to our engineers and contractors, this has truly been a group project. Thank you to everyone involved in creating safer, healthier and more connected communities in our city."
"We wanted to announce this construction plan as early as possible so that the neighborhoods and small businesses along the trail can maximize the opportunity that FIFA will bring," said Atlanta BeltLine, Inc.’s President & CEO Clyde Higgs.
While transit was not the focus of Wednesday's announcement, Mayor Dickens and Higgs said it is something they are focused on.
They won’t guarantee that it would be the Atlanta Streetcar, but they did vow there would be transit of some sort. They say their goal is to make sure it is something that makes sense for the future.
"We're not doing this only for you and I that walk on the Beltline today, but what about for your grandkids, your great grandkids," Higgs said.
Ultimately, the BeltLine will extend for 22 miles of mainline trail, connecting more than 45 neighborhoods along former railroad tracks, with an additional 11 miles of connector trails.
OTHER BELTLINE STORIES
It was announced on Wednesday morning that the southside portion of the Atlanta BeltLine will be completed before the 2026 FIFA World Cup games in Atlanta.
"I think it's going to leave a good impression, a lasting impression on people when they're coming by for a vacation around World Cup time," Fernandez said. "They get to see probably the most beautiful part of Atlanta"
Atlanta is hosting eight World Cup soccer matches. Each match is akin to hosting a Super Bowl, according to Dickens.
Additionally, Higgs announced they are in a strong position to complete the BeltLine by 2030.
The majority of funding for the BeltLine comes from public sources, specifically through the BeltLine Tax Allocation District, supported by Atlanta Public Schools (APS), the City of Atlanta, and Fulton County, and the BeltLine Special Service District approved by Atlanta City Council.
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