A desire named streetcar

Art on the Beltline let’s you know exactly where you are.

Most Atlantans agree that we need a greener, more equitable, more connected city. Over the last two decades, passionate Beltline streetcar advocates have poured those aspirations into a single project.

The streetcar, we were told, was the one key to solving our transit and equity challenges. It must be rail. It must be built now. And it must take precedence over all other transit projects. And with a grass track, it will enhance the greenspace of the Beltline!

Ironically, Beltline rail has become a stand-in for the many goals it will fail to accomplish.

It will be a step back for equity, because the Streetcar East Extension (the only funded segment to the Beltline streetcar) will primarily serve wealthy eastside neighborhoods. It’s not good for transit because it promises to use billions of dollars that could go toward less expensive projects that would serve more people. And the streetcar would certainly detract from greenspace, biking, walking, existing small businesses and the Beltline’s great creative culture.

Streetcar boosters have been single-minded and effective. They’ve tied Beltline rail to laudable values. But, as you’ll see here, the boosters’ gauzy claims are quite the opposite of reality.