Beltline planners shut out project's only developer
Former governor is careful not to criticize Mayor Shirley Franklin, but would like to know what happened and who caused it to happen. We have a right to know.

Daily Report
Philippa Maister, Staff Reporter
Beltline planners shut out project's
only developer
September 29, 2006
For article click here.

Masons' Letter to
Supporters of the
Northeast Atlanta Beltline
Last week, we withdrew our
applications for zoning on the
northeast quadrant of the proposed
Atlanta Beltline. While we regret that
our five mile portion of this 22 mile
Beltline project will not be going
forward, we believe we gave the City every opportunity to help make this opportunity work.

After nearly two years of opposition
from the Atlanta Development Authority, along with other City Beltline related entities and individuals, we have decided it is time to step aside. We operated in good faith and offered what we believe to be a generous donation of 43 acres to the City to be used at their discretion for parks, trails and transit.

We were excited about the idea of a public-private partnership and we were committed to doing our part to realize the potential. Unfortunately, some City officials, working in concert with some of our special interest opponents, have made the process untenable and we have decided to move on. We will continue to hold the land and analyze the options and opportunities that are available to us under the current zoning.

We appreciate your interest and support and wish the City the best in their endeavors.

Sincerely,

Wayne and Keith Mason and The Northeast Atlanta Beltline Group

Northeast Atlanta Beltline Group Withdraws from Beltline Project
The Northeast Atlanta Beltline Group sent a letter to the City on September 20, 2006 withdrawing the zoning applications for property in its five-mile corridor of the Beltline.
For letter click here.

Statement from the
Northeast Atlanta Beltline
Group
For statement click here.

The Beltline Vision
by Wayne Mason, Keith Mason.
Principals, NorthEast Atlanta Beltline Group
Two years ago, the Northeast Atlanta Beltline Group bought 72 acres from Norfolk Southern Railroad, five miles of what is now commonly referred to as "The Beltline". This was the first and only private sector purchase of a key segment of Atlanta’ proposed 22 mile Beltline.

The Beltline was the centerpiece of Mayor Franklin's 21st Century economic development vision. It was viewed as a public-private partnership. We believed in that vision.

For nearly two years, since we filed arguably one of the City's longest running zoning applications, we have shared with City staff nine alternative plans, reduced density, created smaller building footprints, expanded transit right of way, identified access opportunities, and conducted an independent traffic study.  We compromised our plans by proposing to donate more than half of our property to serve the Beltline:

* 24 acres for transit to accommodate a double track streetcar/trolley system;
* A minimum of 15’ wide pedestrian/bike trails
* 18 acres for 11 new parks.

Our projects would produce $100 million in TAD revenues for the City to invest elsewhere along the Beltline for affordable housing, other land, transit and infrastructure.

We have had more than 80 meetings with neighborhood groups and civic leaders, and met with more than 100 business leaders during the past two years.

GRTA and ARC concluded that our proposal is in the best interests of the region.

Some neighborhood groups near the 10th and Monroe site mistakenly continue to believe that the Beltline is public property. The two high rises at that seven acre site represent only 20 percent of developed area, leaving the rest for open space. 

The Atlanta Development Authority and the Beltline Partnership, (a "public-private partnership") to build support, crafted a plan calling for open space on our private property with no plan to pay for it. Their plan was developed without any meaningful input from this private property owner.  At the same time, other nearby Beltline interested developers were invited to sit at the table.  Strangely, we were not invited to that table.

This was no way to run a Beltline.

The community was misled to believe that our Beltline corridor had no development value. This was a huge disservice to Atlanta, and confused the residents.

This was no way to run a Beltline.

Our proposal consists of nearly 3,000 residential units of low, medium, and high rise buildings, including affordable workforce housing, and 140,000 square feet of retail space throughout our five mile corridor (the equivalent of driving from Turner Field to Piedmont Hospital along Peachtree Street).  The ADA Redevelopment Plan calls for 11,500 units of residential density in the same area within a mile of our property.  The ADA density levels would be more intrusive into the neighborhoods than our plan.

This was no way to run a Beltline.

We remain hopeful that responsible City leadership will look at the Beltline's impact and opportunities throughout the City. We remain ready to help make the vision a reality. 
(written as op ed, September 2006)

Concessions/Agreements/
Conditions
The Northeast Atlanta Beltline
Group has made a number of
concessions and adjustments to
its plan as a result of neighborhood
and city and state agency input.
For list click here.

Record of Outreach
for Community Input
Since early 2005, NEAB representatives have had more than 60 formal and informal meetings with NPUs that will be affected by the development of the NEAB section to get their feedback and guidance.
For record of outreach click here.

NE Atlanta Beltline - Myths and Facts
In the current public discussion revolving around the NE Atlanta Beltline property and development, there are many myths and incomplete information. For a clear, factual picture, please read this article.
For article click here.

What Does the Mason Plan Save/Generate for the Atlanta Beltline?
The chart compares Land costs/Revenues, Additional TAD Bond Revenues, Total Cost/Revenues and Financial Impact With/Without the Mason Plan.
For article click here.

Current Zoning for the
NE Atlanta Beltline
The article lists the parcels and
current zoning for each, with an
explanation of permitted uses
under specific zoning categories.
For article click here.

Mixed-Use CDP Category
For letter click here.

Northeast Atlanta Beltline request for Norfolk Southern Corporation to prepare abandonment application
We are in the second year of our zoning application. If our current proposals are not accepted by the City, one of several alternatives we are planning includes removing rail service and previously proposed transit, trails and green space along our five-mile corridor.
- Keith Mason, McKenna Long & Aldridge
For letter click here.

Rezoning Applications
No. Z-05-49, Z-05-50,
Z-05-52, Z-05-53
To: City of Atlanta Zoning Review Board
September 5, 2005
For letter click here.

Notice of Public Hearings, Zoning Review Board Hearing and Vote

The City of Atlanta will hold public hearings on proposed land use amendments to the Community Development Plan (CDP).

The Zoning Review Board (ZRB) will hear the NEAB's proposed rezonings and will vote on the applications. The date for this hearing is September 26, 2006 at 6:00 PM in the City Council Chambers.

The Atlanta City Council is expected to vote on the rezoning applications in October.

All confirmed dates will be posted on this site.

"Tightening the Beltline"

"The Beltline vision can be reality (Going Postal, "Don't get dense
over the beltline," Aug. 3). That vision, held by neighbors,
developers and the city, and reflected in NE Atlanta Beltline
proposals, is an emerald necklace encircling intown neighborhoods. Differences in the vision lie in qualifying features: transit type, new development height and character.

"The city asked neighborhoods to study NE Atlanta Beltline
proposals and recommend appropriate development character.
In more than 50 neighborhood meetings, Wayne Mason and the
NE Atlanta Beltline team have given every neighborhood the
opportunity to do just that."

- Creative Loafing
Going Postal (Letters)
Alycen Whiddon
"Tightening the Beltline"
August 24-30, 2006
Read the Article

Next Stop: Franklin
"Atlanta's mayor needs to step in and find a way to reach accord with Mason, make Beltline work"

Atlanta Journal-Constitution
September 27, 2006
@issue, Our Opinions (editorial)
by Lyle K. Harris, for the editorial board

Call Mason a visionary, not a villain
Former congressman and U.S. Attorney Bob Barr writes of Mason's vision and the obstacles that led to his withdrawal. He calls for Mayor Franklin to "work tirelessly to ensure that Mason's Beltline proposal is revived."

Atlanta Journal-Constitution
September 27, 2006
@issue, (op ed)
by Bob Barr, former congressman and U.S. Attorney