Local

BeltLine Progresses, But It’s Behind On Affordable Housing

July 15th, 2015

So far on the BeltLine, 6.75 miles of trails are completed, and nearly 10 more miles are on the way, according to BeltLine officials who presented their progress to an Atlanta City Council committee Tuesday.

The Westside Trail, around Adair Park and West End, is under construction now.

On the eastside, work is expected to begin on an extension to the existing trail later this year.

The project’s first urban farm is up and running and its second skate park is under construction. BeltLine officials are beginning the design process for a stage in Reynoldstown, and there’s talk about special BeltLine benches.

But not everything is buzzing along. The transit element is behind schedule, and the project is also behind on its affordable housing goals.

City Council members focused on the affordable housing issue.

“If you’re a family and you live on the westside of town,” said Kwanza Hall, “and you’re expecting to see the BeltLine come to your neighborhood right off of Langhorn, and as soon as it comes then all of the amenities come, but you can’t live in the neighborhood anymore. And actually, the amenities that come are at a much higher price point than you can afford if you do still live there.”

The entire project is expected to be finished around 2030.