Major donors to Atlanta's Beltline initiative remain steadfast behind the project despite a negative ruling from the Georgia Supreme Court this week that will impact the financing for the development.

The court ruled that school property taxes could not be included as part of the tax allocation district, or TAD. That means the project will receive about half of the revenues that were projected to come from the TAD.

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The Atlanta Beltline Partnership is in the middle of a $60 million campaign from private donors to help jump-start the 22-mile project that encircles the central city. So far, the campaign has raised $28.7 million.

The top donor has been the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation, which has granted $8 million toward building the North Avenue park, a centerpiece of the Beltline master plan.

"I'm undaunted," said Russ Hardin, president of the Woodruff Foundation. "I think the Beltline concept is something that's captivated people in Atlanta, and it's going to happen at some level. It may be slower and might be slightly different because it will have 50 percent of the resources."

The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation has contributed $5 million toward the campaign and has contributed other philanthropic gifts related to the Beltline, including $500,000 for the initial feasibility study.

"Obviously the ruling is a disappointment, but I think all of us here are determined to work with the Beltline Partnership folks on alternative approaches to make the Beltline a reality," said Penelope McPhee, president of the Blank Foundation.

"We very much want the project to move forward. And we don't think it's any less important today than it was when we funded the feasibility study."

Ray Weeks, chairman of the Beltline Partnership and a $1 million donor in his own right, said all the contributors he's talked to are "still very supportive." None of the gifts was contingent on getting a positive ruling on the TAD, he added.

"If anything, you could make the argument that the [private] dollars are more important today," Weeks said.

Weeks said the private donations have been earmarked toward stand-alone projects that would continue if there were any delays or setbacks.

"Our green space investments will move forward," McPhee said. "If nothing but green space, walking paths, bicycle paths and parks are implemented, it still would be a gift to the community."

Jim Kennedy, CEO of Cox Enterprises, owner of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, is a campaign co-chair. And the related James M. Cox Foundation donated $5 million to the Beltline Partnership.

"We are unwavering in our support of the original concept," said Kennedy, who called the Beltline a major urban renewal project for the city. "I'm anxious to see what happens now as the smart people involved figure it out."

Turner Broadcasting System is another million-dollar donor, and its CEO, Phil Kent, serves as one of the co-chairs of the campaign. "We remain committed to the vision of the Beltline and support the mayor, for whom this is a top priority," Kent wrote in an e-mail.

Downtown leaders to be recognized

Two longtime leaders will be recognized by Central Atlanta Progress, a downtown business organization, at its annual breakfast on March 26.

Carl Patton, the president of Georgia State University who is retiring this year, will receive the prestigious Dan Sweat Award. Patton has championed Georgia State's strong expansion, which has helped revitalize downtown.

Norman Koplon, longtime director of buildings for the city of Atlanta and currently a senior consultant on real estate development, construction and planning for the Troutman Sanders law firm, will receive the Turner Broadcasting Downtown Community Leadership Award. For decades, Koplon played a major role in the building of modern Atlanta.

The breakfast will be at the Georgia World Congress Center, and tickets go on sale today.

Town Talk

• The Georgia Trust has secured an interim president to run the organization, given the departure this month of Greg Paxton, who is taking a similar position with Maine Preservation.

Ray Christman, retired CEO of the Federal Home Loan Bank, is no stranger to the trust. He has served on the board for eight years, including two as chairman. The Georgia Trust will conduct a national search for a permanent CEO, and Christman said he is not a candidate.

Meanwhile, Christman will continue working as chairman of the Peachtree Corridor Partnership. He also is an advocate or work force housing and mixed-income communities.

• Cathy Woolard, former president of Atlanta's City Council, will be joining CARE, the Atlanta-based international humanitarian agency, as executive vice president for global advocacy and external relations. She will begin April 1, after she finishes representing several clients at Georgia's General Assembly.

• Vikki Millender-Morrow is the new CEO of Girls Inc. of Greater Atlanta, succeeding retiring executive Janet Street. Millender-Morrow comes to Girls Inc. after a 20-year career with AT&T (formerly BellSouth).