No deal’s been set on Beltline rail

Friday is the end of a 30-day period for the Georgia Department of Transportation, the city of Atlanta, the Beltline and Amtrak to resolve a dispute over how 4.3 miles of railroad tracks along Midtown and downtown should be used.

The 4.3-mile stretch —- better known as the Decatur Belt —- is part of the Beltline, a 22-mile loop that city leaders hope to surround with recreational trails, parks, condos and affordable housing during the next two decades.

City officials say the DOT’s vision of high-speed rail would discourage future residential development. The DOT counters that the city’s resistance to high-speed rail threatens the region’s long-term economic growth.

Mayor Shirley Franklin wrote U.S. Rep. John Lewis (D-Atlanta) on Jan. 26, accusing the DOT of “boorish behavior.”

Two days later, DOT Commissioner Gena Evans said the city was being unreasonable.

A letter from Franklin to Lewis Tuesday was less critical.

The two sides are meeting regularly, she said, but there is still no resolution. Officials have not said what would happen if there is no agreement by Friday.

Beltline tiff shows contrast in visions of Atlanta’s future

THE POSITIONS

Georgia Department of Transportation:

Says the Decatur Belt is the only rail line in the city that can efficiently move passengers on high-speed trains. Without it, there will be no additional Amtrak service in Atlanta and a planned transit terminal west of the Five Points MARTA station must be built instead on a site outside city limits. Amtrak and high-speed rail service to a modern “Grand Central Station” would be an economic boon to Atlanta’s business, convention and tourism industries.

Atlanta & Beltline:

Imagine large passenger trains lumbering alongside Piedmont Park. That’s the image Beltline backers presented to civic leaders in recent weeks. City and Beltline officials argue noisy trains do not fit with the characteristics of the park or its surrounding neighborhoods and will discourage new development because the Beltline would no longer be attractive and pedestrian-friendly. Atlanta Beltline Inc. President and CEO Terri Montague also said passenger trains have historically used other city lines and Amtrak can use those routes. The Beltline was used for industry, not passenger trains.

TIME LINE

1999: Ryan Gravel wrote his Georgia Tech graduate thesis about connecting a loop of largely unused railroad tracks as a catalyst for redevelopment throughout the city

Nov. 2005: Atlanta City Council approves a special tax district to pay for parks, trails and transit in the Beltline plan.

Aug. 2008: GDOT officials complete a high-speed rail feasibility study saying the Decatur Belt is the preferred alternative for passenger trains through Atlanta.

Oct. 29: Atlanta City Council approves sale of $45 million in bonds to buy land along Decatur Belt.

Dec. 2: Norfolk Southern files for abandonment of the Decatur Belt with the Federal Surface Transportation Board, which would give the Beltline control of the tracks.

Dec. 18: Atlanta Beltline Inc. President and CEO Terri Montague writes GDOT Commissioner Gena Evans, asking her to support the abandonment.

Jan. 21: GDOT files a motion with the Federal Surface Transportation Board to halt the process that would give the Beltline control of the Decatur Belt. The Beltline would have had control of the tracks on Jan. 22.

Feb. 2: GDOT, Beltline, Amtrak and city of Atlanta officials meet in U.S. Rep. John Lewis’ offices. They agree to a 30-day time-out to work out a solution.

Feb. 26: GDOT board fires Commissioner Gena Evans.

THE NUMBERS

$20 billion: Amount of projected new economic development from the Beltline.

$2.8 billion: Projected cost of the project.

1,200: Number of acres of new green space expected along the Beltline.

$2 billion: Capital costs for commuter rail.

2031: Earliest break-even year for high-speed commuter rail service.

Sources: Atlanta Beltline Inc., Georgia Department of Transportation

 JEMAL R. BRINSON / Staff
Map of Beltline highlights disputed Beltline corridor segment. Inset map outlines area of detail in Atlanta.