Council for Quality Growth Hosts Annual State of the BeltLine Address and Breakfast on October 24

On October 24, 2023, the Council for Quality Growth, Atlanta BeltLine, Inc., and the Atlanta BeltLine Partnership will host the annual State of the BeltLine address and breakfast from 7:30 – 9:15 AM. The 2023 event is presented by Georgia Power and will host an expected 250 guests in the atrium of the newly redeveloped Uptown Towers, now known as Uptown Atlanta, a growing mixed-use development project surrounding MARTA’s Lindbergh Station. This concludes the Council’s annual series of “State of” events, following eight regional county addresses. “The BeltLine has become an integral part of Atlanta’s future,” said Michael Paris, President & CEO of the Council for Quality Growth. “We’re proud to provide the platform for this leadership team to tell their placemaking story and share their vision to not just build a trail, but to build economic value and prosperity in the neighborhoods and communities the BeltLine touches.” 

The 2023 State of the BeltLine will feature a two-piece program. The first is an executive discussion between Atlanta BeltLine, Inc.’s President & CEO, Clyde Higgs, and Atlanta BeltLine Partnership’s Executive Director, Rob Brawner. “Celebrating Momentum and Planning for the Future” will be the BeltLine leadership’s annual address on the achievements and progress made over the last year, plus a look at what’s ahead for the 22-mile loop around our city. Strides are being made daily to complete this never-been-done-before project, with construction underway on miles of multiuse trail along with advancing housing and commercial affordability. 

Under the leadership of Higgs, the Atlanta BeltLine has become one of the largest-scale city redevelopment projects happening in the United States. “The BeltLine is people-powered,” said Clyde Higgs, “driven by the collective goals of Atlantans to dream big and to tackle some of the biggest challenges experienced by cities everywhere. If we’re successful, the BeltLine is a path to equity in our city, with access to opportunities and prosperity for those who live, work, and play along it. We love seeing Atlanta come together on the BeltLine.” 

This leadership team will discuss the status of current and upcoming trail funding and projects, plus efforts to create greenspace, rehabilitate infrastructure, support small businesses along the loop, and add housing and transit. “We are proud of the Atlanta BeltLine Partnership’s role in enabling the construction of parks and trails by raising funds from the private sector and philanthropic community,” Rob Brawner added. “In addition to engaging the public through programming, tours, and fitness programs, we are focused on providing legacy residents with available tools and resources to remain in their homes.” 

Expert panelists will then join Higgs for a discussion on “Enhancing Equity & Mobility with Transit,” to bring forward the latest news on adding transit to the BeltLine. From its beginning in 2005, the BeltLine was imagined as a corridor for connectivity, which included light rail. The need for transit has only increased in the 18 years since, with Atlanta’s 21-county region expecting to add 2.9 million people by 2050. The Atlanta BeltLine prioritizes the imperative that the city plan and prepare for this influx in population by creating a more robust transit system that serves more people. 

The focus of this panel will be to share a vision for transit that integrates with the pedestrian-friendly loop enjoyed today, discuss the benefits and challenges of doing so, and explore opportunities for increased transit around Atlanta. In addition to Higgs, panelists include Ambrish Baisiwala, Chairman and CEO of Portman Holdings, Lisa Benjamin, Chief Operating Officer of the City of Atlanta, Collie Greenwood, General Manager of MARTA, and Jim Irwin, President of New City Properties. 

The Atlanta BeltLine is partnering with MARTA and the City of Atlanta to plan, design, and engineer a comprehensive transportation network that is equitable and accessible for all. The panel will also feature two of the largest developers along the Atlanta BeltLine, Portman Holdings and New City Properties, who will share their vision for the transit on the Atlanta BeltLine as well.

The Atlanta BeltLine project has been a significant source of economic development and quality growth for the City of Atlanta and is on track for completion by 2030. Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. and the Atlanta BeltLine Partnership have collaborated since 2005 to develop a 22-mile multi-use urban trail, transit, and park system connecting Atlanta’s neighborhoods, creating jobs, developing affordable housing, adding greenspace, showcasing arts and culture, and engaging the communities it reaches.

What: 2023 State of the BeltLine

1. Executive Discussion: Celebrating Momentum and Planning for the Future

• Clyde Higgs, President & CEO, Atlanta BeltLine, Inc.

• Rob Brawner, Executive Director, Atlanta BeltLine Partnership

1. Panel: Enhancing Equity & Mobility with Transit

• Ambrish Baisiwala, Chairman & CEO, Portman Holdings

• Lisa Benjamin, COO, City of Atlanta

• Collie Greenwood, General Manager, MARTA

• Jim Irwin, President, New City Properties

• Moderated by: Clyde Higgs, President & CEO, Atlanta BeltLine, Inc.

When: Tuesday, October 24, 2023

• 7:30 – 8:00 AM | Networking and breakfast

• 8:00 – 9:15 AM | State of the BeltLine Address and Program

Where: Uptown Towers Atrium

• Uptown Towers at Lindbergh Station (560 Main Street, Atlanta, GA 30324)

Tickets are required for guests and are available at www.CouncilforQualityGrowth.org.

• $75 | Council for Quality Growth Members

• $95 | Non-members

More details and registration for the 2023 State of the BeltLine can be found here: https://members.councilforqualitygrowth.org/events/details/state-of-the-beltline-2023-5449

Press are invited to attend with prior registration. Please RSVP to Kathryn Jones at [email protected].