AT&T is trying to kill the BeltLine funding bill in conference

[tikigod311]

Ok, the compromise seems reasonable. I can't think of how a .5 mile restriction would prohibit legit Beltline investment.

The Beltline will only be able to pursue a public-private partnership through this law within a half-mile of its corridor. That restriction is a win for AT&T, because the Beltline is largely built on private land, and utility companies are typically reimbursed for moving equipment on private property.

Now for the good part.

Under the final version, lawmakers stripped the reimbursement language — a win for Atlanta leaders who also say such a requirement would be cost-prohibitive. Atlanta leaders are also cheering their ability to now pursue public-private partnerships under the bill, saying such deals will accelerate completion of the Beltline and its transit component.

WOOHOOO!

This one act will make a huge impact on the timeline of Beltline transit. So many weird glimmers of reasonableness from the state house.

[Gulch]

Considering how bad this could have ended up, the 1/2 mile compromise is definitely a plus.

[UrbanConquistador]

So, I guess the cross town rail connections, i.e. North Ave, will not be included in this .5 Mile buffer?

[Pemgin]

Originally Posted by Frankster87

So, I guess the cross town rail connections, i.e. North Ave, will not be included in this .5 Mile buffer?

That's how I read it. Disappointing in that regard, but it could have been worse, I suppose.

[tikigod311]

Originally Posted by Frankster87

So, I guess the cross town rail connections, i.e. North Ave, will not be included in this .5 Mile buffer?

Oh, good point.

I imagine that will fall into line with whatever the result of the lawsuit is concerning the completed relocation for the downtown Streetcar.

[fourthwarden]

Originally Posted by Frankster87

So, I guess the cross town rail connections, i.e. North Ave, will not be included in this .5 Mile buffer?

True, but the City of Atlanta can secure P3s, federal grants, etc. for funding it while the Beltline does the main ROW. I'm interested in seeing how the two entities will work together in the near future.

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by fourthwarden

True, but the City of Atlanta can secure P3s, federal grants, etc. for funding it while the Beltline does the main ROW. I'm interested in seeing how the two entities will work together in the near future.

ABI was a city entity before being spun off as a non profit. When a trail or park is completed it gets turned over to the CoA parks department.

[magnetar]

I'm totally down with how the compromise worked out. The half-mile limit is in regard to the BeltLine's ability to pursue public-private partnerships. That's it. The passed bill doesn't have any language about AT&T or reimbursing utilities. Nothing changes w/r/t the city and its plans to build more streetcar lines that connect to the BeltLine. And the BeltLine is now free to work with private developers on projects near the BeltLine, in exchange for funding whatever it wants (basically) along its right of way. That's a great deal. I don't think ABI has its sights set on anything outside the corridor. That's also roughly the existing BeltLine overlay district. I'm very optimistic about what this will make possible.