January 4, 2015
Westview Community Organization President Ayana Gabriel was interviewed as part of Intown Atlanta’s coverage of the groundbreaking of the Atlanta BeltLine Westside Trail.
Read the article or check out the entire Intown Atlanta December 2014 issue.
November 18, 2014
Please join the Atlanta BeltLine to meet the contractor and have a community conversation to discuss:
For more information, contact Nathan Soldat: NSoldat@atlbeltline.org
November 12, 2014
Wednesday, November 12, 2014, marked a historic milestone for Westview and southwest Atlanta as the Atlanta BeltLine broke ground on the Westside Trail. The event brought out the Atlanta BeltLine staff, Mayor Kasim Reed and city and state officials, neighborhood residents, and a whole lot of press.
The Westside Trail will be under construction for the next two years. Once complete the 3-mile path, featuring 14-foot wide concrete multi-use trail, pedestrian lighting, security cameras, landscaping, retaining walls, and 16 access points, will run from Washington Park through Westview to Adair Park.
To see photos of the BeltLine Westside Trail Groundbreaking view the photo gallery below (click “continue reading”) or visit the Westview Facebook page.
November 11, 2014
Mayor Kasim Reed, Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. and the Atlanta BeltLine Partnership invite you to the groundbreaking of the Westside Trail.
Join the Atlanta BeltLine for a celebration as they break ground on the next significant milestone: the Westside Trail. The ceremony will take place on the Westside Trail where it intersects Allene Avenue (between Catherine Street and the Urban Farm) in historic Adair Park.
TRANSIT
The ceremony site is accessible from the West End and Oakland City MARTA stations on the red / gold lines. From the West End station, take the 95 bus down Metropolitan. From the Oakland City station, take the 193 bus to Sylvan Road.
BIKING / WALKING
Biking and walking to the ceremony is encouraged and is an opportunity to use the interim hiking trail before it goes into construction. Bike racks will be available for locking up your bike at the event. Riding a bike in the corridor requires a suitable all-terrain bike.
PARKING
On-street parking is available on Allene Avenue, Catherine Street, and Lexington Avenue. For navigation purposes, enter 1076 Allene Avenue SW, Atlanta, GA 30310.
ABOUT THE WESTSIDE TRAIL
The Westside Trail is a three-mile multi-use trail that will connect Washington Park in the north to Adair Park in the south with connectivity to multiple neighborhoods in between. This historic investment in southwest Atlanta will create a bicycle-and pedestrian-safe corridor with connections to four schools, four parks, and the future Urban Farm. It will stitch together economic nodes via shared-use trails, trailheads, and access points all while preserving the corridor for future streetcar transit. The design includes lighting, cameras, and ADA-accessible entry points. Visit our Westside Trail construction page for more information.
SPECIAL THANKS
The Westside Trail is made possible through a U.S. DOT TIGER V grant of $18 million, a local match from the Georgia Department of Transportation for $9.5 million, funding from the Atlanta Regional Commission’s Transportation Improvement Plan, and the generous support of the following:
> James M. Cox Foundation / PATH Foundation
> Kaiser Permanente
> Susan and Richard Anderson
> Wells Fargo
> Georgia Power Foundation, Inc.
> AGL Resources
> Ray Weeks, Jr.
> Cousins Properties
> Richard and Susan Dugas Family Foundation
> Georgia-Pacific Foundation
> SunTrust Trusteed Foundations:
Harriet McDaniel Marshall Trust and Walter H. and Marjory M. Rich Memorial Fund
> Jamestown
> John W. Somerhalder II
> Philip I. Kent
> Mr. and Mrs. R. Charles Shufeldt
> Carter
October 9, 2014
The Atlanta BeltLine hosted two meetings at Fulton County Central Training on Langhorn Street to discuss transit options for the Westside.
During the first meeting, held on September 25, 2014, residents were presented with a variety of transit options. Residents were then asked to provide their input by rating their favorite and least favorite options for various portions of the proposed transit line with colored green and orange dots.
During the second meeting, held on October 9, 2014, residents were presented with narrowed down options based on the feedback that had been provided at the previous meeting. After the presentation residents were encouraged to leave sticky notes with comments.
September 25th Presentation: Atlanta BeltLine/Atlanta Streetcar West Transit Route Options and MARTA Connectivity Study Group Presentation I (PDF)
October 9th Presentation: Atlanta BeltLine/Atlanta Streetcar West Transit Route Options and MARTA Connectivity Study Group Presentation II (PDF)
To see photos of the BeltLine Westside Transit meetings view the photo gallery below or visit the Westview Facebook page.
October 9, 2014
2014 Kudzu Removal Program
Each year the Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. teams up with Trees Atlanta to complete invasive plant removals around the Atlanta BeltLine Corridor and in future Atlanta BeltLine park land. Invasive plant removal is vital to creating and maintaining healthy urban forests in the City of Atlanta.
This year, Trees Atlanta has hired a herd of sheep to eat acres of kudzu growing in Atlanta’s greenspaces, and the herd will be working in Enota Park in Westview.
In order to keep all of the surrounding neighbors informed, Trees Atlanta has provided several sheep FAQs:
Q: Do the sheep stay onsite all night?
A: Yes. The sheep stay onsite 24 hours a day and will eat weeds even at night.
Q: Why are the dogs in with the sheep?
A: The dogs are guardian dogs and are there to protect the sheep from stray dogs, coyotes, and other threats. The guardian dog is not particularly friendly toward pet dogs, so please keep leashed dogs away from the fence.
Q: How often does the shepherd check on the herd?
A: The shepherd checks on the herd at least once a day to make sure that none have escaped, that there is adequate water and food, and to feed the dogs.
Q: How long will it take the sheep?
A: The sheep should be onsite for no more than a week at Enota Park and three to four weeks at Boulevard Crossing Park.
Q: What are the sheep eating?
A: On this particular site they are eating Japanese hops and kudzu.
Q: How do you keep the sheep in one place?
A: The white fencing is a temporary, moveable electric fence. It keeps the sheep on task and out of harm’s way.
Q: How quickly do the sheep eat invasives?
A: The general rule of thumb is that 30 sheep can consume 1 acre of invasives in 2 weeks, depending on the weather and the type of vegetation being eaten.
For any questions or in case of emergency please contact either:
Brian Williams
Trees Atlanta
O: 404-681-4901
M: 912-856-1600
Jennifer Chandler
Shady Brook Sheep
M: 706-248-3745
Invasive Plants
The United States Department of Agriculture defines an invasive species as non-native (or alien) to the ecosystem under consideration and whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health.
[Source: Atlanta BeltLine]
To see photos of the sheep at Enota Park view the photo gallery below or visit the Westview Facebook page.
September 22, 2014
The Atlanta BeltLine: Where Atlanta comes together to get healthy.
The Atlanta BeltLine is asking for your input in developing a fun culture of health and activity in Atlanta. Join us during any of the upcoming study group dates this October to discuss “Health on the Atlanta BeltLine.” These meetings will include an open forum presentation followed by discussions to identify, create and provide unique opportunities for healthier, more sustainable living in Atlanta BeltLine communities.
SOUTHWEST STUDY GROUP – Thursday, October 23, 2014 from 6:30pm-8pm at Fulton County Central Training, 425 Langhorn Street SW, Atlanta, GA 30310
September 6, 2014
Artist Julie Ann McKevitt painted a mural of dogwood blossoms at the underpass of Westview Drive (at Langhorn Street) as part of the annual Art on the BeltLine project. For her official unveiling she invited friends and neighbors to come out for “paint and popsicles” (#paintandpopsicles). Participants had fun getting creative with their “I was here” handprint marks next to Julie Ann’s mural, all the while enjoying cold popsicles.
To see photos of the BeltLine mural unveiling view the photo gallery below or visit the Westview Facebook page.
September 4, 2014
Environmental Assessment: Transit Route Selection for Atlanta BeltLine West
The Federal Transit Administration, in cooperation with the City of Atlanta, Invest Atlanta, the Atlanta Regional Commission and Atlanta BeltLine, Inc., is conducting environmental assessments for extensions of the Atlanta Streetcar. Please join us for a series of upcoming public meeting to discuss the transit route options in designated areas along the west side of the Atlanta BeltLine corridor. We will also discuss MARTA connectivity options as well as learn about the overall transit system plan and next steps.
Learn which route options and MARTA connections will move forward:
SOUTHWEST STUDY GROUP- Thursday, September 25, 2014 from 6:30pm-8:00pm at Fulton County Central Training, 425 Langhorn Street SW, Atlanta, GA 30310
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Beth McMillan, Director of Community Engagement and Planning at BMcMillan@atlbeltline.org
Nathan Soldat, Community Engagement Advocate at NSoldat@atlbeltline.org
September 4, 2014
Environmental Assessment: Transit Route Selection for Atlanta BeltLine West
The Federal Transit Administration, in cooperation with the City of Atlanta, Invest Atlanta, the Atlanta Regional Commission and Atlanta BeltLine, Inc., is conducting environmental assessments for extensions of the Atlanta Streetcar. Please join us for a series of upcoming public meeting to discuss the transit route options in designated areas along the west side of the Atlanta BeltLine corridor. We will also discuss MARTA connectivity options as well as learn about the overall transit system plan and next steps.
Give your input on route options and MARTA connectivity:
SOUTHWEST STUDY GROUP- Thursday, September 25, 2014 from 6:30pm-8:00pm at Fulton County Central Training, 425 Langhorn Street SW, Atlanta, GA 30310
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Beth McMillan, Director of Community Engagement and Planning at BMcMillan@atlbeltline.org
Nathan Soldat, Community Engagement Advocate at NSoldat@atlbeltline.org