2025 is here! Let’s make it the best year yet.
The Urban Connector monthly newsletter looks back on the best of the previous month as well as ways to get involved in the coming month. Please make sure you sign up below to have these delivered straight to your inbox and follow on YouTube, Twitter, BlueSky Social, and Instagram.
December Content
Atlanta Beltline Westside Trail Extension Ride Along
Ride along the newest completed section of Atlanta Beltline trail
Atlanta Can’t Afford to Punt on Beltline Rail Series
Atlanta has come too far to stray from the proven choice that will connect 45 neighborhoods with high capacity transit. This series explores why I believe Beltline Rail and in particular starting with the Streetcar East extension is crucial for the city’s future.
Part Six is coming soon!
Atlanta Beltline Southeast Trail Construction Progress Drone Flyover
The section that seems to be taking forever (utility issues) is finally coming to form! Projected Open: Fall 2025.
December 2024 Atlanta Drone Tour
My latest skyline tour of Atlanta.
Atlanta Beltline Southside Trail Construction Progress Flyover
This segment seems a bit more straightforward and requires no new bridges so it seems to be moving along fine – FWIW there have also been some utility issues here too. Projected open: Spring 2026
2024 Drone Tour Compilation
All of my 2024 Atlanta drone footage in one spot.
Urban Connector Top 10 of 2024
All of my favorite content of 2024 in one spot.
Developments that Excited Me
Old strip mall meets Town Center: This old sprawled strip center may be making way for a mixed-use development near Greenbriar Mall and future BRT corridor.
Beltline is talking transit again: For a while it seemed that the Beltline organization themselves had gotten quiet on Transit. Thankfully, we’re seeing statements like this again. Make sure you check out their great construction update newsletter they publish monthly.
Stitch Master Plan: The Stitch Master Plan is out and open for comments!
Sweet Auburn Project Breaks Ground: It’s so good to see things coming along in this area. Tons of history, tons of potential.
Urban Thoughts: Too small for an article, too big to miss
- Parking behavior and general lack of respect for anyone outside of the car is out of control and it feels like it’s gotten even worse lately. Parking on sidewalks, in the middle of the street, in bike lanes, in the crosswalk and more. There’s no accountability or fear of tickets and it’s getting people killed.
- I love the freedom biking in Atlanta brings, but there’s something special I appreciate about exploring on foot. You’re able to take in so much more.
- There is so much infill potential along the Southside Beltline. Insane that sections of frontage still look like this – even with the trail unfinished.
- We have got to redevelop the Federal Prison! This much land within walking distance of the Southside Beltline is a dream. I’m sure I won’t be able to keep myself from sketching an idea soon.
St Pete’s skyline evolution and foot traffic continues to impress.
Get Involved, Atlanta!
| Date | Event | Notes |
| 1/6 | City Council | 1:00 PM |
| 1/13 | Housing Commission | 10:00 AM |
| 1/15 | Transportation Committee | 10:00 AM |
| 1/20 | DR MLK Day | |
| 1/29 | Plan A Housing and Community Development Meeting | 5:30 PM |
| 2/5 | Plan A Preview Adoption and Implementation | 5:30 PM |
*It appears the City calendar has not yet been populated past 1/15. Expect council meetings on 1/21 (Tuesday instead of Monday because of MLK Day), and 2/3. Expect Housing and Transportation meetings on 1/27 and 1/29 respectively.
What I’m working on this month (and probably later)
- Updates to earlier drawings of the Reconnecting Communities sketches
- The Enigma of North Hills video
- More suburban spotlights
- Beltline Rail Part 6
- “ChoseLINE” development idea
I’m sure this newsletter will evolve as time goes on. Comments or suggestions? Let me know!
Phil Veasley is a Professional Engineer and CNU-Accredited Professional member working to design safer multimodal infrastructure in cities throughout the US.
My goal is to create cities that are safe and effective for all people to move about outside of cars. To achieve that we have to focus on creating equitable, dense, and vibrant cities full of walkable neighborhoods with a various mix of housing choices, schools, restaurants, and services. We cannot have safe multimodal infrastructure without the density to support it and we cannot have equitable density without safe multimodal infrastructure. Outside of designing safe streets, my passions are sketching ideas for infill neighborhoods, floor plans, urban photography, and exploring our cities on foot or bike. Please check out the menus above for all of my ideas and also check out my YouTube, Instagram, BlueSky Social, and Twitter accounts.
Opinions and insights are my own and are not representative of my employer or any organization.
Phil Veasley 