The Atlanta BeltLine Partnership Reports Early Success With Opening the Corridor Capital Campaign

Funds will be used to develop 14.9 miles of unpaved trails, accelerating creation of a connected Atlanta BeltLine

ATLANTA (March 16, 2018) – Thanks to a $5.75 million Atlanta BeltLine Partnership (ABP) capital campaign, Atlantans will be able to enjoy unpaved trail connections to the portions of the Atlanta BeltLine trail that are already paved – with the first section along the BeltLine’s recently acquired Southside Trail expected to open within twelve months. This new 4.5-mile unpaved trail will create a contiguous section of the Atlanta BeltLine corridor from Westminster Drive to the north end of the newly paved Westside Trail at Washington Park. ABP announced today that it has so far raised $2.9 million for its Opening the Corridor campaign – including a lead gift of $1 million from The Coca-Cola Foundation – to fund development of new trails that would link the Westside Trail to the Eastside Trail through south Atlanta, and the Northside and Eastside Trails through northeast Atlanta.

Cyclists on the unpaved trail running north from Monroe Drive. Photo credit: The Sintoses.

ABP launched the Opening the Corridor campaign late last year to leverage City of Atlanta T-SPLOST funding being used by Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. (ABI) to acquire the remaining right of way for the full 22-mile Atlanta BeltLine. In addition to Coca-Cola, which has supported the Atlanta BeltLine for a decade, lead donors so far include Rebecca and John Somerhalder, The Home Depot Foundation, The Tull Charitable Foundation, Anna and Dallas Clement, Ponce City Market, The Georgia-Pacific Foundation, The J.B. Fuqua Foundation, and The Wells Fargo Foundation.

“ABP is grateful for its long-standing relationship with The Coca-Cola Foundation, which has played a vital role in bringing the Atlanta BeltLine to life through volunteer leadership, active partnerships, and financial investments,” said Dallas Clement, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Cox Enterprises, Inc. and Chairman of ABP’s Board of Directors. “Tax dollars alone cannot deliver the full vision of the Atlanta BeltLine, so the success of the Atlanta BeltLine project depends on effective public-private partnership.”

“A successful Opening the Corridor campaign enables us to continue to support the work of our partner organization Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. as they implement the Atlanta BeltLine,” said Atlanta BeltLine Partnership Executive Director Rob Brawner, who noted a commitment to the campaign from 100% of the organization’s Board of Directors totaling more than $1 million. “We are very appreciative of the many donors who help advance the Atlanta BeltLine through their contributions to our capital campaigns.”

“ABP’s work to fund the Atlanta BeltLine is important in advancing the project,” said Brian McGowan, President and CEO of Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. “We would like to thank the donors specifically for their support of the Opening the Corridor campaign, which will help ABI move toward our goal of opening the entire Atlanta BeltLine loop and realizing the potential to connect Atlantans around the city.”

“The Coca-Cola Foundation is proud to continue our support for the Atlanta BeltLine.  Our latest gift will contribute to the BeltLine’s ongoing efforts to bring Atlanta’s diverse communities together,” said Helen Smith Price, President, The Coca-Cola Foundation.

The Partnership continues to seek opportunities to engage additional donors in supporting the Opening the Corridor campaign. For more information, contact ABP Executive Director Rob Brawner at rob@atlblp.org or 404-446-4405.

Media contact:

John Becker, Atlanta BeltLine Partnership, (404) 446-4409, john@atlblp.org

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