A resolution expected to come before the Atlanta City Council today is asking for an official gameplan within five months to implement rail transit around the Atlanta Beltline and greater cooperation from city leadership and MARTA moving forward. 

The potential legislation, as proposed by first-year District 2 councilmember and labor organizer Kelsea Bond, aims to reaffirm city council’s commitment to 22 miles of Beltline rail outlined Thursday in the final community meeting for the Beltline’s three and ½-year transit study. 

Specifically, the resolution asks that the Atlanta Mayor’s Office work with MARTA, Atlanta Beltline Inc., and other city departments to produce an implementation plan and timeline by Jan. 26 next year for the construction of light-rail transit around the full Beltline loop. 

The legislation, if passed, would also request quarterly updates from the mayor’s office and other city departments on the status of Beltline rail implementation. It also would make clear that city councilmembers disapprove of using Beltline transit right-of-way for uses that would diminish the chances of rail being built or make it more expensive. 

“There has never been a more important moment to invest in public transit expansion in Atlanta,” councilmember Bond said in an announcement today. “Atlanta is only growing hotter and less affordable by the year. Families are struggling to make ends meet, and barriers to transit access continue to exacerbate these struggles. We cannot keep kicking this can down the road. It’s time to make good on our promise to voters and build Beltline rail.”

Breakdown of segment costs totaling $3.5 billion, excluding costs of installing train stops. Atlanta Beltline Inc.

Bond is critical in the press release of Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens’ decision to pull support for Beltline rail last year when faced with “pushback from business interests along the Eastside Beltline trail.” Ditto for MARTA’s Program Governance Committee’s decision to secretly vote to halt planning for the Eastside Streetcar Extension—considered by supporters a critical first step toward building the 22-mile rail loop—without informing the Atlanta City Council. 

Despite delays, Bond says Atlanta residents continue to pull for light rail as a “foundational component” of the Beltline and key part of the More MARTA referendum taxpayers voted to support a decade ago. Following through on rail construction could go a long way toward rebuilding public trust “in local government and voter democracy,” Bond posits.  

“To abandon this project simply because of pushback from wealthy business interests on the Beltline is unconscionable,” added Bond. “Our duty is to do what’s best for the public, not those who stand to profit from gentrification of the Beltline.”

Bond, who uses they/them pronouns, is considered the first Democratic Socialist elected to Atlanta City Council. They live in Midtown and don’t own a car. “Not only will light rail expansion reduce car dependency and help save costs,” Bond noted, “but it will also provide accessible routes to jobs and schools, as well as increase overall mobility across our city.”

Vision for Beltline transit options on the Westside Trail at Ralph David Abernathy Boulevard. Kimley-Horn; via ABI

Bond expects the proposed resolution to be heard in Atlanta City Council’s Community Development and Human Services Committee meeting at 1:30 p.m. Sept. 15, followed by the Transportation Committee at 10 a.m. the following day. 

According to Bond’s office, the resolution—unless it’s held—will formally come before the full Atlanta City Council at its regular meeting at 1 p.m. Sept. 21 for a final vote. 

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• Beltline details most 'complete vision' for $3.5B loop of rail transit yet (Urbanize Atlanta)