Deal Struck For $80M BeltLine Project, Adjustments To Trail

In this Nov. 20, 2012 photo, pedestrians walk their dogs along the Atlanta BeltLine in Atlanta. Since an Atlanta nonprofit opened a 2.25-mile-long paved trail east of downtown last month, it has attracted a steady stream of joggers, dog-walkers and cyclists to take in spectacular views of the skyline as well as a slice of established neighborhoods that were once only seen by riding a freight train. The Eastside Trail is the latest and most visible phase of the Atlanta BeltLine, an ambitious $2.8 billion plan to transform a 22-mile railroad corridor that encircles Atlanta into a network of parks, trails, public art, affordable homes and ultimately streetcars. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

While much of the Atlanta BeltLine’s development so far has involved walking and biking trails, transit options have long been on the drawing board for parts of the 22-mile project. Those plans were in jeopardy until recently according to a report in this week’s Atlanta Business Chronicle.

An agreement has been reached to allow a big new mixed-use project to proceed on the Atlanta BeltLine while preserving future transit options along a rapidly developing area of the Eastside Trail.

Discussions have been ongoing for weeks over a proposed $80 million mixed-use project at 670 DeKalb Ave. in Inman Park. North American Properties and Vantage Realty Partners are planning a 4.4-acre development that would include about 350 apartment units and 25,000 square feet of retail and loft office space.