Since 2005, the Atlanta Beltline has evolved from a graduate student’s thesis into one of the city’s most transformative urban projects. Built on former railroad corridors, the trail has become a defining force in Atlanta’s development, stitching together neighborhoods and reshaping the city’s identity. By its expected completion in 2030, the Atlanta Beltline will include a 22-mile mainline loop and 11 miles of connecting paths. 

The idea originated with Georgia Tech alumnus Ryan Gravel, who proposed reusing abandoned rail lines in his master’s thesis. The proposal became a catalyst for Atlanta’s transformation. 

“The idea was to reuse this old loop of railroads in a way that could make a different life possible,” Gravel said. “It focused on transit, economic development and revitalization of communities along the way.”

Gravel said he was inspired after studying abroad in Europe, where he traveled to cities with far more urban development than he had seen before. According to Bryson Levisay, Government Affairs Analyst for the Atlanta Beltline, the experience shaped Gravel’s understanding of what Atlanta needed to compete as a global city.

“Gravel had done a study abroad program in Europe, where he visited other cities that had really extensive light rail networks, park systems and trails,” Levisay said. “He then came back home and had the realization that in order for Atlanta to grow further, it needed extensive additional infrastructure.”

The concept began gaining traction after Gravel shared it with his colleagues at a local development corporation.

“The more people I talked to about it, the more people who wanted to hear,” Gravel said. “Then, over the span of two years, we built this incredible grassroots movement of people who fell in love with this idea for the future, and advocated in their own communities, organizations, churches and business groups about this idea. It gained so much momentum that the folks at city hall began to pay attention, and figured out how to put the nuts and bolts together to actually do it.”

While city leaders helped formalize the plan, Gravel credits the original supporters with making the project possible.

“It was an incredible idea for the future of the city,” Gravel said. “It is important to me that it was the people that fell in love with the idea that made it happen.”

The Atlanta Beltline team has remained committed to equity and inclusion throughout its development. Jalyn Eaton, Marketing and Communications Coordinator for the Beltline, said the project has worked to bridge gaps between communities across the city. 

“Community is at the center of everything that the Atlanta Beltline does,” Eaton said. “As the Beltline has continued to expand and transform neglected or historically disinvested areas into the lively public spaces that we know it as today, we have seen how the work and purpose haven’t changed, but rather, the vision has become honed, refined.”

Once complete, the Beltline will pass through 45 neighborhoods. For decades, the original railroads acted as barriers, separating communities and deepening economic disparities. Meghann Gibbons, Vice President of Communications and Media Relations for the Beltline, said those divisions shaped relationships across the city.

“This disproportion played a negative role in the relationship and communication among these areas,” Gibbons said. “With the Beltline, it is all about breaking down the barriers and connecting different neighborhoods.”

Preventing gentrification and displacement has become a priority to the Beltline team as development has surged. Levisay said that inclusion remains a guiding principle.

“On the government affairs side, all the time we think of the different ways that the city can enact policies to help prevent displacement,” Levisay said. “Right before the pandemic, the city passed its first inclusionary zoning ordinance, requiring new developments around the Beltline to include affordable housing. We also partner with nonprofit organizations that help longtime homeowners secure property tax exemptions so they can remain in their homes.”

Eaton said the team’s focus will remain on ensuring that equity and inclusion are driving factors in the continued construction and progress of the trail. 

“At the heart of all of this additional work is strengthening communities and ensuring that all residents can benefit and prosper from the growth happening because of the Beltline,” Eaton said. “We’re not just the largest redevelopment project in the country; we’re the People’s Project.”

The Beltline has not only fostered social growth in Atlanta, it has also brought significant environmental change. Often described as the ‘city in the forest,’ Atlanta’s identity is largely associated with its landscape. 

“One of the great things about Atlanta is that it’s a lush, forested place,” Levisay said. “But, that is not necessarily spread equally around the city. There are some places that haven’t had access to green space and forested pocket parks.”

Levisay emphasized that the effort to grow Atlanta’s green footprint has been a priority since the start of the project.

“When the Beltline first started to get going, the trust for public land and the conservation fund put out a study very early on that imagined the Beltline to be like an emerald necklace that you could build these little parks along,” Levisay said. “The Beltline would act as the band of the necklace, and the parks would be the little jewels.”

The Beltline has worked to reverse contamination in areas where railroads used to run.

“When the railroads were around, the city didn’t want anything growing on the track,” Levisay said. “So they dumped all of this lead and cobalt to make sure that nothing would ever grow. So, when the Beltline project first began, through the EPA and the federal government we had to go through the process of a brownfield remediation to undo the damage and reclaim the land that had been poisoned for generations.”

The Atlanta Beltline Arboretum with Trees Atlanta also works to preserve the city’s greenspace and ecology. This initiative plans for tree removal and replacement in every project, displaying the Beltline’s dedication to protecting Atlanta’s environment. 

“All around the Beltline there are trees that really make it fit into the city,” junior David Weinrobe said. “I think it’s so important that we maintain this green space as Atlanta grows.”

Gravel emphasized the importance of the Beltline continuing its role in fostering and promoting environmental growth.

“I hope that the Beltline team’s plan, as it continues to grow, will continue to lay the groundwork for a more sustainable, healthy city,” Gravel said. “Atlanta should be a city where you want to live in that promotes an eco-friendly and positive lifestyle.”

ATLANTA ARTISTRY: The Atlanta Beltline acts as a canvas for ideas and art for Atlanta locals. (Evelyn Miller)

To further promote Atlanta’s culture, the Beltline features hundreds of visual art pieces along its path. According to the Beltline team, the art celebrates the voices, experiences and values of all Atlanta residents. 

“Public art is so important when making a city approachable and livable,” Eaton said. “It’s amazing that the Beltline has the chance to develop the skills of local creatives and give them opportunities to leave their mark on the city.”

The Beltline hosts one of the largest temporary public art exhibits and linear galleries in the United States. This program acts as a canvas for local artists.

“Walking on the trail definitely lets you get out and see a reflection of the Atlanta community,” Gravel said. “You get out and see other people who are different from you, from different communities, which makes it feel like more of a real city in that sense.”

From painted murals to large-scale sculptures, the Beltline features a wide variety of artistic styles. Gibbons said this diversity highlights the authenticity of these artists’ ideas and reinforces Atlanta’s identity.

“One of the things that makes Atlanta special is our flare and our spice,” Gibbons said. “Representing that is one of the key ways that we are able to shape the Beltline to express the culture of Atlanta.”

Gibbons said the team will continue to commit to embodying Atlanta’s identity.

“We will most definitely stay dedicated to portraying the city’s character through creative work,” Gibbons said. “It is so important that we are creating a platform and a place that expresses the values of our city, which are authenticity and innovation.”

ON THE GO: Many Atlanta Beltline users utilize the trail to ride scooters or bikes. The trail is expected to be completed in 2030 with 22 miles of mainline loop and 11 miles of connecting paths. (Evelyn Miller)

Modeling after Gravel’s plan, the Beltline team is working toward installing a form of transit along the corridor. Gravel said that his idea was based on creating a more accessible way to get around.

“Promoting this idea of a city where you can live without a car was the whole general idea,” Gravel said. “Transforming Atlanta into a place with easy access to all parts of the city would make it a place where people really can thrive.”

Although no official plan is finalized, Levisay said the government affairs team is actively working on transit design.

“For me, I don’t think the Beltline is fully complete until transit is included in the vision,” Levisay said. “We have been working with the mayor’s team and MARTA to find opportunities to expand transit along the line, which I think is vital.”

The city has created a zoning overlay to preserve the area next to the trail for future transit. The plan features a train that will circle the full 22-mile loop.

“We are still in the process of figuring out the logistics,” Gibbons said. “But I’m super excited for the transit to actually be installed and running.”

Gibbons said these efforts work to enhance regional connectivity and align with the Beltline’s central goal of promoting community.

“As it grows, Atlanta will become more whole, more integrated,” Gibbons said. “Providing frequent transportation that connects people in commerce is exactly what we are working to do.”

According to the Beltline team, the project attracted more than $9 billion in private investment as of the end of 2023. The trail has helped fuel economic growth for local businesses. 

“If you walk down the Beltline, you have any type of shop you want readily available,” Weinrobe said. “You can tell that the Beltline company prioritizes diversity in the companies that are along it. It just makes it that much more attractive and appealing.”

Similar to other initiatives, the Beltline hopes to promote local businesses as a way of reflecting Atlanta’s culture. 

“We have an economic development team that works with small businesses directly to provide mentorship and connect them to opportunities where there are different spots along the trail that have opened up,” Levisay said.

The Atlanta Beltline Marketplace was launched in 2022. The program acts as a small business incubator focused on creating affordable commercial spaces located directly on the Beltline. Levisay cited this opportunity as an effort by the Beltline to promote local businesses. 

“Through the Atlanta Beltline Marketplace we have set up a couple spots where we have shipping containers out on the trail,” Levisay said. “It’s a way that we’ve been able to bring small businesses out on the trail for a pretty low reduced rent, who might not be able to afford the commercial rent prices directly on the Beltline, but still can attract business.”

The Beltline has not only bolstered small businesses, but it has also created thousands of jobs across the city.

“Overall, the addition of these businesses has helped the city residents economically as well,” Gibbons said. “With all the thriving companies, there is a greater need for employees, which has boosted job opportunities, offering another positive economic impact that the Beltline has had.”

Gibbons said as the trail continues to grow, opportunities will continue to open up.

“With more trail comes more real-estate spaces,” Gibbons said. “We will continue to prioritize giving local businesses chances to succeed, as they really are what makes the Beltline so special.”

Reflecting on his thesis, Gravel said he never imagined his idea would materialize.

“It’s really crazy to look back on,” Gravel said. “Originally, I just wanted to pass my class. I never imagined the plan would actually come to life.”

Gravel noted the significant impact the trail has had on the city. 

“The Beltline has quite simply demonstrated how infrastructure can make a new way of life possible,” Gravel said. “It fosters interaction among diverse communities, helping Atlanta develop a stronger walking culture and evolving the city’s identity by influencing where people live, work and socialize.” 

With the 30-mile loop scheduled for completion by 2030, Gibbons said the Beltline team is working diligently to see the plan through.

“We are working to ensure that we can actually reach this goal,” Gibbons said. “There’s a lot that we have to do, obviously, but we are on the right track. In the years to come, I hope the Beltline keeps making as big of an impact as it has been, and continues to shape Atlanta for the better.”

Eaton said she hopes the Beltline will become a beacon of hope for other cities.

“We are working on such an ambitious project, and even before its completion, I can see just how much Atlanta has grown and transformed,” Eaton said. “I hope that other cities are inspired by the success of [the] Atlanta Beltline and create their own versions of the project.”