Reed: 'I don't believe there's the will' to build a Downtown transportation terminal in the next four years (Atlanta: apartments, hotel)

[testa50]

Good. The project is a waste. Just expand MARTA/bus service/build the Beltline.

[afonega1]

Originally Posted by LovinDecatur

Yes, absolutely. Our mayor is a pragmatist, which I admire about him. Sometimes that means saying things not everyone wants to hear.

Amen.How anyone could blame him is not being reasonable.

[bu2]

Originally Posted by testa50

Good. The project is a waste. Just expand MARTA/bus service/build the Beltline.

I think the Beltline light rail is a lousy idea, but at least it has a purpose. This project doesn't.

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by bu2

I think the Beltline light rail is a lousy idea, but at least it has a purpose. This project doesn't.

The BeltLine is a great idea. Connecting 44 neighborhoods with transit and trails.

[residinghere2007]

Honestly, I am with the mayor on this one and I am not a huge Reed supporter, but he is right in that there is not a big movement behind MMPT. I think that it is a great concept though and could do a lot to boost Atlanta, especially the downtown area, but the organizations, groups, and other government agencies that need to be involved are not pushing for it enough.

I personally feel that since this is a state project that Governor Deal should be the one spearheading it and seeking to get unity between Atlanta and suburban/exurban metro Atlanta communities to get behind it. This is not Reed's issue. And FWIW, I do think that the money for the Falcons is not well spent, and I do feel that MMPT would have been better use of the funds as it is something that would make Atlanta more of a first class city versus a stadium that in all likelihood will be demolished in 25 years. But football is more sexy to the populace versus a MMPT. Most people don't even know what that is.

[waronxmas]

Yeah, I don't get why anyone would call out the Mayor on this. He's just telling the truth. I'm sure he wants it more than anyone else, but he is only responsible for a small fraction of the metro. He can't be the only one involved to push this through.

[MathmanMathman]

Originally Posted by cqholt

The BeltLine is a great idea. Connecting 44 neighborhoods with transit and trails.

What advantage is there in connecting neighborhoods? And I'm sure roads to that already.

[waronxmas]

Originally Posted by MathmanMathman

What advantage is there in connecting neighborhoods? And I'm sure roads to that already.

Consider the hundreds of thousands of people who either live or work in Atlanta that do not take transit. For many of them, it isn't because they live or work away from a transit connection, rather the last mile connection is either spotty or irregular and most definitely not high capacity. For them, they forgo transit not because they can use transit, but rather the use a car is more efficient. Building our the Beltline and surfarce street rail lines and connecting them to MARTA rail will significantly increase transit access.

[MathmanMathman]

Originally Posted by waronxmas

Consider the hundreds of thousands of people who either live or work in Atlanta that do not take transit. For many of them, it isn't because they live or work away from a transit connection, rather the last mile connection is either spotty or irregular and most definitely not high capacity. For them, they forgo transit not because they can use transit, but rather the use a car is more efficient. Building our the Beltline and surfarce street rail lines and connecting them to MARTA rail will significantly increase transit access.

A bus will do that for less.

[JPD]

Originally Posted by MathmanMathman

A bus will do that for less.

While sitting in traffic and providing no incentive for economic stimulus.