December is here and the year is finally almost over!
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, Substack, Twitter, BlueSky Social, and Instagram.
November Content
Cherokee Ave Quick Win – Filling in a couple of protected bike lane gaps creates a safe, cohesive, and connected network.
Substack Announcement – The Urban Connector is now on Substack! I’ll be reposting my favorite articles to date along with all new content. Don’t worry, the website is not going anywhere – it’s just another medium to reach more people in more places!
Chosewood Park Beltline Access Quick Win – Giving the Chosewood Park the interim BeltLine access it deserves.
Photos of the Month
Urban Thoughts: Too small for an article, too big to miss
Downtown Repaving – Everytime I’m Downtown these days, I can’t help but think of how big of an opportunity we missed. Nearly every downtown street has been repaved this year but with the striping put back in place. We really missed a huge opportunity to restripe missing bike connections that would’ve played a huge role in solidifying our safe network and increased mobility ahead of the World Cup.
Daylight Savings Time – I HATE this time of year with the early sunsets. We’ve got to figure this whole Daylight Savings Time thing out. And before you say “we can’t have kids going to school while it’s still dark”, they already do! Elementary School starts around 7:30 and Atlanta’s sunrise already gets to 8 AM as it is.
Developments that Excited Me
Ponce – BeltLine Ramp – It took a LONG time, but the ramp between Ponce and The BeltLine is finally open. Now if we could do something about that misplaced suburban shopping center.
Underutilized Parcel to Housing – It’s always great to see housing proposals floated in the shadow of Downtown.
BeltLine – Silver Comet Gap closing in – We’re getting close to having the BeltLine directly connected to the Silver Comet Trail.
Get Involved, Atlanta!
| Date | Event | Notes |
| 12/1 | City Council | 1:00 PM |
| 12/2 | Runoff Election | 7-7 |
| 12/3 | Fatal Crash Commission | 10:00 AM |
| 12/8 | Zoning Committee | 10:00 AM |
| 12/10 | Transportation Committee | 10:00 AM |
No public meetings the last 2 weeks of December. 2026 calendar not yet populated on City website.
Raleigh folks, I miss y’all! Make sure you’re keeping up to date with the great people at Raleigh Forward, WakeUP, Oaks and Spokes, NC Housing Table, and The Downtown Raleigh Community.
What I’m working on this month (and probably later)
- More suburban spotlights
- Top 10 of 2025
- InPhil Designs ideas
- Urban Thoughts – Cities: Chicago, Orlando
I’m sure this newsletter will evolve as time goes on. Comments or suggestions? Let me know!
I’ll be reposting my favorite ideas to date plus all new content over on Substack! As always, everything will remain free so hop on over and subscribe!
Phil Veasley, PE, CNU-A, The Urban Connector, is a Professional Engineer with Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates focused on creating safer, more vibrant cities through strategic multimodal infrastructure design. With expertise spanning traffic analysis, hand sketching, conceptual design, and full construction documentation, he thrives on transforming roads into great streets where people of all ages and abilities can flourish. Based in Atlanta, Phil is a passionate advocate for walkable, dense, and equitable neighborhoods. Outside of work, his passion is exploring urban life through sketching infill ideas and navigating cities primarily by bike or foot. His on-the-ground perspective informs his professional work, helping him design transportation systems that are not only functional but also people-centered and inspiring. Phil brings both technical depth and a city lover’s enthusiasm to every project, drawing on the belief that infrastructure and urban form must go hand in hand to support vibrant, inclusive communities where everyone has access to opportunity and quality of life.
Please check out the menus above for all of my ideas and also check out my YouTube, Instagram, Substack, and Twitter accounts.
Opinions and insights are my own and are not representative of my employer or any organization.
Phil Veasley 