This process, the Community Engagement Framework (CEF), will begin March 25th at City Hall and will be administered by the Atlanta Development Authority. The CEF will support the city’s desire to establish an appropriate framework for citizen participation in the creation of the first BeltLine workplan, and subsequent project developments. The workplan will delineate priorities for the first BeltLine Tax Allocation District (TAD) bond issuance, scheduled for later this year. The workplan must be approved by the Atlanta City Council. The City will also create an Advisory Committee, to be approved by City Council.
“Our goal with this initiative is to provide a means for residents and interested groups to keep abreast of the complex BeltLine project, and to create a meaningful way to provide input into the project’s direction,” said Greg Giornelli, president, Atlanta Development Authority. “Maintaining community involvement and education with the BeltLine will be key to the long-term viability of the project over the next 25-years. The CEF will give all city residents and interested groups an equal opportunity to participate and provide input.”
The CEF is envisioned to assist in the development of the first BeltLine workplan by soliciting input to the workplan before it is developed and after it is in draft form; and to incorporate community input into the workplan in conjunction with logistical and funding considerations. This process is a work-in-project, and it will be refined as more community members take part and weigh in on its effectiveness.
The CEF will include Atlanta town hall meetings and other forums to facilitate discussion and the exchange of BeltLine-related ideas among groups; a ‘toolkit’ of items needed to educate the public and encourage input; on-line collaboration of community groups and a centralized location for public input accessible to everyone; and direct outreach techniques to reach residents and community groups that are not on-line.
The CEF is based on similar successful community outreach initiatives in Austin, Texas; Boston, Massachusetts; Portland, Oregon; and Denver, Colorado. This CEF is tailored to meet the needs of Atlanta residents and the BeltLine, a project unique to any other in the nation.
About the BeltLine
The BeltLine TAD is projected to raise $1.7 billion over the next 25 years towards development of the project. TAD funding will be administered sequentially as bonds are issued every three or four years.The TAD will fund city infrastructure, including:
- a 22-mile transit system with regional links to MARTA;
- 33 miles of trails connecting 40 parks;
- almost 1,300 acres of new greenspace;
- improvements to almost 700 acres of existing parks;
- approximately 30,000 permanent new jobs (a 50% increase that would not happen without the BeltLine) and 48,000 year-long construction jobs; and
- 5,600 workforce housing units.
For additional information on the CEF, the BeltLine and how to become involved with the project, visit www.atlantada.com or www.BeltLinePartnership.org.