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6K people took the Atlanta Beltline’s first survey, and the results are ... interesting

New, 59 comments

Trail development tops list of concerns, but majority are “satisfied” so far, officials say. Now, what say you?

By Josh Green
59 comments / new
A scene from an early Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade in 2013—one annual tradition the multi-use trail has spawned.
A scene from an early Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade in 2013—one annual tradition the multi-use trail has spawned.
Curbed Atlanta

Back in April, Atlanta Beltline officials opened access to a 10-minute online survey to help identify where the public stands on virtually all matters related to the ambitious urban-reclamation project.

Conducted by independent vendor Infosurv, the outreach also gathered data via social media, the Beltline’s newsletter, and paper surveys, plus random phone calls.

Now, the results are in. More than 6,000 people offered their 2 cents on Beltline matters. And per ABI officials, the vast majority feel ... generally happy, although impatient.

In summation, the survey showed that “overall satisfaction with the Beltline is strong, with the perceived strengths being the quality of trails, parks, and greenspaces, public art, and the Beltline’s contribution to economic development,” per a press release.

More specifically, per ABI officials:

  • 80 percent of survey respondents said they’re satisfied with the project overall;
  • 70 percent believe the Beltline has improved their neighborhood both economically and socially;
  • And about 60 percent indicated the Beltline “builds community, is good for health, fitness, and economic activity, and is a good place to visit.”
Along the Westside Trail is 2017’s Singer mural by Suzy Schultz.
Curbed Atlanta

On the flip side, complaints “primary opportunities for strengthening” the project were centered, not surprisingly, on the building of trails themselves, more attainable housing, and transit.

States the release: “... the speed of the completion of the development project identified as a top priority [while the] availability of affordable housing is the second greatest priority, as displacement of low income residents was listed as a concern.”

The speed of constructing a Beltline transit system was pegged as the third highest priority among respondents. Adding ammunition to the Beltline Rail Now! arsenal, “... more than 80 percent of respondents indicated they would use the transit once completed,” officials noted.

So what’s next?

“Armed with this data,” the release states, ABI “will address the community’s concerns while building on proven successes of the project.”

But first, in the spirit of localized surveys, please take a second and express yourself in the poll below:

Poll

Which of the following best describes how you feel about the Atlanta Beltline right now?

This poll is closed

  • 21%
    Best thing to happen since the Olympics. Period.
    (479 votes)
  • 45%
    It’s pretty great. More now, please.
    (1024 votes)
  • 7%
    I think it’s okay. A bit overrated.
    (172 votes)
  • 2%
    It’s good for an occasional visit, but that’s it.
    (47 votes)
  • 0%
    Meh. :/
    (22 votes)
  • 4%
    Its impact on housing costs is deplorable.
    (102 votes)
  • 1%
    Its impact on housing costs could set me up for life.
    (38 votes)
  • 13%
    It could be so much more, to so many more Atlantans.
    (314 votes)
  • 2%
    Never been there.
    (48 votes)
2246 votes total Vote Now

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