In Support of Atlanta’s Streetcar Proposal

Yesterday, we featured a post from Yonah Freemark at The Transport Politic
about Atlanta’s decision to put a streetcar project in line for federal
TIGER funds before another local transit proposal known as the
Beltline. Yonah argued that the Beltline — a ring of recreational
amenities and transit features that would circle the city — was the
more innovative of the two projects. He questioned whether the city
would be able to move forward with such an ambitious idea while
simultaneously pouring resources into a streetcar downtown.

An artist’s rendering of a streetcar in Atlanta. Image: SkyScraperPage forum

Today, we offer a counterpoint from CCTgirl at MARTA Rocks!,
who thinks the streetcar project is the right choice. CCTgirl doesn’t
oppose the Beltway, but says the concept is simply not advanced enough
to be a compelling candidate for federal funding right now:

I personally think the streetcar is a stronger project at this point.
They have guaranteed operating funds for twenty years, the federally
required minimum to qualify for funds, and it has the backing of the
city, downtown businesses, and even received a letter of endorsement
from GDOT. Further, $20 million has been designated to the project,
showing local commitment and making it a strong application. I just
don’t think The Beltline was there.

The Beltline is a good project. I don’t think it’s the amazing savior of the city people tout it as and they make fools out of
themselves at times, like in the recent Buckhead Reporter. The Reporter
recently ran an article in which the Beltline was stated to have
transit in six or seven years, but they don’t know what type yet.
Awfully optimistic…

The streetcar isn’t perfect either, it’s a touristy line catering to
business. It won’t move a bunch of natives, but it’s a good start at
showing Atlanta what transit can be. It’ll clean up the area, make the
interstate underpass safe, and be a shiny new example of good transit to
a city that looks down its nose at public transportation, which, if
executed well, will help The Beltline. And they do intend to
accommodate bicyclists. It could be the best step forward in transit we
can take and lead to further advancements for Atlanta.

Thanks to both bloggers for highlighting the arguments for two
important transit proposals. In the end, the biggest lingering question
may be whether we’d be having this debate if federal investment in
transit was more robust.

Elsewhere on the Network today, Indigo Country, White City breaks down the media reaction to the death of a cycling advocate in South Carolina; Sprawled Out looks at a new study linking sprawl to the loss of social capital; and PA Walks & Bikes
celebrates the news that walking and biking projects will be spared
from transportation cuts caused by the loss of federal funding in
Pennsylvania.