May’s primary election: understanding the Moving Atlanta Forward ballot measures up for voting

Eastside Trail in spring. Photo by the Sintoses.

During the May 24 primary election, Atlanta voters will have the opportunity to vote on Moving Atlanta Forward, which includes three ballot measures that will provide $750 million over the next five years for improvements to streets, sidewalks, parks, recreation centers, and public safety facilities.

Current projections call for more than $3 billion of needed infrastructure investment over the next 20 years.

One of the ballot measures includes the renewal of a Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax, known as TSPLOST, initially passed in 2016. Over the past several years, TSPLOST funded significant and expansive transportation projects across the City, including enabling Atlanta Beltline, Inc. (ABI) to purchase much of the remaining land needed to build out the Atlanta Beltline trail loop. A renewal of the five-year, fraction-of-a-penny sales tax TSPLOST is expected to raise $350 million and the two separate general obligation bonds will provide an additional $400 million.

Below is a summary of the impacts to the Atlanta Beltline and related projects as included in the three measures:

• Nearly $40 million to improve parks and recreation centers within walking distance of the Beltline, including Grove Park, the Outdoor Activity Center, Chosewood Park, and Maddox Park

• Multiple trail connections and sidewalk improvements to create safe Beltline access for Southwest and Southeast communities

• More than $1.8 million to leverage philanthropic investments to expand Enota Park on the Westside Trail

• Substantial investments in maintenance facilities

Below are the specific projects that will be advanced as identified on the project list:

• PATH Westside Beltline to AUC Connector & Safety

• PATH SE Beltline Connector

• Cascade Road, Phase II Multipurpose Path to Beltline & Safety

• Erin Avenue Sidewalk Replacement & Beltline Connection

• Pedestrian Safety Sidewalk Connection to Allene & Avon & Beltline

• Enota Park Improvements

• Trolley Trail Beltline Connection, Spurs & Extension

• PATH SW Beltline Connector Trail

The ballot questions read as follows:

• #1: “Shall general obligation public improvement bonds in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $213,010,000 be issued for public safety, parks, and recreational facilities?”

• #2: “Shall general obligation public improvement bonds in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $192,990,000 be issues for roads, sidewalks, pathways, and trails?”

• #3: “Shall an additional 0.4 percent sales tax be collected in the City of Atlanta for 5 years for the purpose of transportation improvements and congestion reduction?”

The Atlanta Beltline is experiencing a momentum behind the multi-use trails like no other time in our history. Recent milestones include:

• Opening the first segment of the Southside Trail.

• Opening the Westside Beltline Connector.

• Opening the first segment of the Northeast Trail in an advanced interim state. The second phase has now gone into construction.

• Nearing completion on Westside Trail – Segment 3 along Marietta Boulevard.

• Pre-construction activities underway for Southside Trail – Segments 4 and 5.

• Design work at 90% for Westside Trail – Segment 4.

• Alignments prioritized for the majority of the Northwest Trail.

Catalyzed by last year’s passage of the Special Service District, philanthropic contributions from and Cox Foundation, and federal grant awards, we have line of sight to completing the full 22-mile Atlanta Beltline multi-use trail corridor by 2030.

Visit sos.ga.gov to register, find your polling place and access a sample ballot.