On a melting hot late-September afternoon, a large crowd of people was present as the Atlanta BeltLine’s Westside Trail was officially opened to the public on September 29, 2017. The heat proved to be a popular choice of topic for speakers at the ceremony, which was hosted at Gordon-White Park. Among the guests of honor, which included expected individuals like Major Kasim Reed and council members, the BeltLine’s Brian McGowan and Rob Brawner, and representatives from key public and private partners, but also a surprise appearance by Representative John Lewis; whom, Mayor Reed jokingly noted, “just happened to be in the neighborhood.”
Upon completion of the speeches, the guests of honor crossed White Street to cut the ribbon at the access ramp to the Westside Trail, surrounded by a swarm of media and visitors. After the ribbon cutting frenzy, the crowd disbursed back to the park for a community celebration and strolls along the newly opened trail.
Please join Mayor Kasim Reed, Atlanta BeltLine, Inc., and Atlanta BeltLine Partnership on Friday, September 29, 2017 as the BeltLine Westside Trail will officially be opened!
Mayor Reed will set the stage with a keynote address at 4:00pm, to be followed by an official ribbon cutting ceremony at 4:30pm. From there, neighbors of the Westside Trail will be welcomed with a community celebration from 5:00 to 7:00pm, featuring free food, music, kid-friendly activities, and opportunities to meet participating local community groups, businesses, and entrepreneurs.
All the festivities will take place in Gordon White Park, just steps away from the new trail, and Atlantans of all ages are encouraged to get the know the 3-mile trail during the celebration.
The opening marks a huge milestone for the Atlanta BeltLine and the City of Atlanta, marking the conclusion of a three-year construction process and an unprecedented $43 million infrastructure investment in Southwest Atlanta. The Atlanta BeltLine hopes you can join them to celebrate this exciting occasion.
For more information visit the event page.
The PATH Foundation has just completed a new trail project that connects the trail head of the BeltLine Westview/West End spur trail at Westview Drive with the Westview neighborhood. The path was constructed along the border of the Westview Cemetery, creating a much needed connection. The projected was started in March and swiftly finished in April.
Please join the Atlanta BeltLine to meet the contractor and have a community conversation to discuss:
- Safety
- Construction Sequencing and Schedule
- Construction Access Points
- General Questions
For more information, contact Nathan Soldat: NSoldat@atlbeltline.org
Wednesday, November 12, 2014, marked a historic milestone for Westview and southwest Atlanta as the Atlanta BeltLine broke ground on the Westside Trail. The event brought out the Atlanta BeltLine staff, Mayor Kasim Reed and city and state officials, neighborhood residents, and a whole lot of press.
The Westside Trail will be under construction for the next two years. Once complete the 3-mile path, featuring 14-foot wide concrete multi-use trail, pedestrian lighting, security cameras, landscaping, retaining walls, and 16 access points, will run from Washington Park through Westview to Adair Park.
To see photos of the BeltLine Westside Trail Groundbreaking view the photo gallery below (click “continue reading”) or visit the Westview Facebook page.
Continue reading →
Last week Creative Loafing wrote an article about Invest Atlanta, the City of Atlanta’s economic development arm, voting to purchase the Westside Trail land from the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) for $1.64 million. The Atlanta BeltLine Westside Trail comprises of former railroad land that goes from Washington Park to Adair Park (including Westview!). The board’s vote to acquire the land puts the $43 million Atlanta BeltLine trail project one step closer to starting construction in the fall of 2014.
The Westside Trail is not to be confused with the existing West End/Westview spur trail going from the Westview Cemetery to Rose Circle Park, which was a project spearheaded in cooperation with the PATH Foundation. The new Westside Trail will be located inside the former train corridor and will include construction of a flat cemented path, lighting and surveillance cameras for security, benches for resting, and landscaping.
Exciting big development for Westview in 2014!
Read the Creative Loafing article: City agrees to purchase old State Farmers Market, southwest Beltline trail land from GDOT
Learn more about the Atlanta BeltLine: http://beltline.org
On Tuesday, December 3, 2013 the Atlanta BeltLine hosted an open house meeting for property owners adjacent to the impeding Westside Trail.
To view photos of the meeting please check out the photo gallery below or visit our Westview Facebook page.
Atlanta BeltLine Subareas 1 and 10 Southwest and Westside Study Groups Meeting – Property Owners Open House
Date: Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Time: 6:30pm to 8:30pm
Location: West End Seventh Day Adventist Church (in the Family and Community Center), 1191 Donnelly Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30310
Details: Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. was awarded TIGER V funding for 2.5 miles of shared use trails, trailheads and access points, and preservation of future streetcar transit corridor in southwest Atlanta.
Please join us for a public presentation and discussion of the future construction of the Westside Trail. Impacted property owners will have the opportunity to view the project, ask questions, and provide commentary.
The Westside Trail will have a significant impact on surrounding neighborhoods as the corridor stitches together emerging economic nodes. The TIGER V grant award, along with federal and local support, provides the funding to start construction by the fall of 2014. This represents a two to three year acceleration of this portion of trail construction.
Parking is limited. Please consider carpooling or public transit.
For More Information Contact: Beth McMillan, Director of Community Engagement at bmcmillan@atlbeltline.org
Visit the website
Date: Sunday’s
Time: 1:45pm to 5:00pm
Location: Meet at the Wren’s Nest, 1050 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd, SW, Atlanta, GA 30310
Details: The Atlanta BeltLine Partnership and Atlanta Bicycle Coalition offer free, guided bike tours of the Atlanta BeltLine on Sunday afternoons at 2 p.m. Enjoy the ride while you learn about the Atlanta BeltLine concept, history, and updates on project planning, implementation and development.
These tours will include rest stops highlighting assets and points of interest along the Atlanta BeltLine. Staff with the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition will lead the rides, and each group will have a ride sweep to help with any unexpected mechanical difficulties.
Riders should bring a multi-geared bicycle in good working condition, wear comfortable clothing, wear a helmet, and bring a water bottle. Plan to arrive 30 minutes early; availability is limited.
Route Map:
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/3615510
Brief Rest Stops:
- Gordon White Park
- Brown Middle School/Rose Circle Park
- Lionel Hampton greenspace
Registration:
We book Atlanta BeltLine Bike Tours one month at a time. The reservation system opens at 9:00 a.m. on the 25th of each month for the following month’s tour dates.
Source: Atlanta BeltLine
