Atlanta to condemn land for BeltLine rather than risk losing $18 million in federal funds for southwest trail
“The Southwest Corridor Trail is to be built with an $18 million TIGER V grant. Atlanta has until June 30 to acquire rights of way and complete other pre-construction activities, according to terms of the grant.
The Atlanta City Council, at its Monday meeting, is slated to authorize Mayor Kasim Reed to acquire land needed for the southwest trail. The legislation provides for purchase or condemnation. The paper, 14-O-1145, does not specify the amount of land involved.
Incidentally, the political stakes are high for Reed on this particular trail.
The mayor said at a Nov. 20 meeting of the Northwest Community Alliance the southwest trail proves that Atlanta is developing the BeltLine in an equitable fashion, and not just in prosperous neighborhoods in northeast Atlanta. This aspect of equitable development will promote the level of citywide support needed to convince investors to provide up to $4 billion to build the BeltLine as a public-private partnership, Reed said.”
Pendered, David. Saporta Report 16 March 2014.