Atlanta’s BeltLine, Inc. has a 5 part community engagement framework (CEF) that is designed to keep Atlanta residents informed and actively engaged in the BeltLine’s creation so that the BeltLine reflects the aspirations of its many neighborhoods and communities. The CEF consists of:
In recognition of the importance of community involvement in the BeltLine’s implementation process ABI utilizes the TADAC to The Tax Allocation Advisory Committee, created through by City of Atlanta Resolution 06-R-1576 will primarily:
- Make recommendations on projects to be funded from tax allocation proceeds
- Assure the equitable and effective and equitable allocation of bond proceeds within the BeltLine area;
- Provide for an independent review of ABI’s “Work Plan” which sets forth operational priorities that guide the timing, manner and implementation of BeltLine projects; and
- Develop a decision support tool to measure the impacts of TAD projects among other duties
Atlanta’s BeltLine is a transformative project for the City of Atlanta and its residents. As such, it is anticipated to have significant impacts on the way Atlanta will handle issues related to housing and its availability and affordability in the BeltLine and surrounding areas. In recognition of the importance of housing and the impact the BeltLine will have on this sector 15% or ($240 million) of TAD monies are reserved for workforce or affordable housing. BAHAB is to conduct research into and make recommendations targeted to maximize the use of tax allocation dollars. As a goal, the creation of at least 5600 affordable housing units in the Atlanta BeltLine tax allocation district is targeted.
Community Representative on ABI Board of Directors
The ABI Board of Directors has formalized a position on its Board as a community representative. This representative is selected by the Atlanta City Council and is equal in all duties and responsibilities to that of every other member of the Board of Directors.
Four times a year, ABI convenes a Quarterly Briefing and invites the general public to learn about recent BeltLine developments and to respond to inquiries from Atlanta residents. These briefings usually consist of a two hour-long session at Atlanta City Hall, Atlanta Public Schools or other suitable venue. The Briefings are recorded and then shown on Atlanta’s cable channel at a later time. For a schedule showing the dates of future Quarterly Briefings for the BeltLine, please visit the news and events calendar.
Community Engagement Advocate Office
The Community Engagement Advocate Office at ABI is created to be responsible for informing the community on current BeltLine issues and to ensure the active and meaningful engagement of the community in matters related to the BeltLine through the community engagement framework (CEF). In addition to working with the other provisions of the CEF, the Community Engagement Advocate staff also works directly with BeltLine Area Study Groups and other individuals and groups as appropriate to assure the broadest opportunity for input and involvement for the residents of Atlanta into the BeltLine’s CEF process.
Together, these initiatives constitute a formal mechanism to engage a broad range of citizen participation in the Atlanta BeltLine. The objective of these efforts is to create the Atlanta BeltLine in such a way that it reflects the values and embodies the aspirations of the residents of Atlanta for parks, transportation, trails, greenspace and other amenities for decades to come while providing a special connectivity to Atlanta’s past and future.
The Study Groups were established by Atlanta City Council as part of the Citizen Participation Framework. Each one provides community input for 1/5th of the BeltLine project area. They are a long-term general public input and engagement forum for the BeltLine process. Participation is open to everyone. It is important to have strong attendance to get full representation and input to better inform and engage each Study Group community. Over the next 12 months, the Study Group sessions will primarily focus on Master Planning efforts. BeltLine Community "Kick-off" Engagement Presentations for all Study Groups were held in March 2007.