Welcome to February!
Happy Black History Month! Check out this list of Black Urbanists that we should all know.
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.
January Content
InPhil Designs | Triangle Town Center Mall – Triangle Town Center Mall may be the perfect candidate for a mixed-use overhaul.
liQuick Wins | Englewood Blvd Safe Street – Englewood Blvd will be depended on by 1000s of new Chosewood Park residents. It needs to serve them safely.
Photos of the Month
Urban Thoughts: Too small for an article, too big to miss
In this house we believe… But do you really? In a neighborhood where more houses than you can count have some sort of sign like this, they overwhelmingly downvoted a supportive housing proposal on church owned land. Unfortunately, this is par for the course in many neighborhoods.
Not in a car, too bad! I came across this work zone the other day while riding in Downtown Atlanta. Bikes and peds were pointed directly into oncoming traffic with no detour signs, information, or accommodations. This is also one of the only two-way-two-way bike lane intersections in the city. Anything to keep that car lane flowing uninterrupted though. To make matters worse, it looks like it’s been in place at least since sometime in December according to street view. We have to do better.
OOF…Yeah, I don’t have too much to say that I haven’t already about how we’re fumbling the easiest mass transit project in the Country. Check out Sara Gregory’s latest on the latest state of things. https://www.ajc.com/news/2026/01/eastside-beltline-light-rail-work-secretly-halted-last-year/
Developments that Excited Me
Avondale Estates setting the bar – Ten years from now, I bet we’ll be looking at Avondale as one of the best urban enclaves in the inner-metro.
Shirley Franklin Park (Westside Park) Access – I’ve long been a critic of this park because of access! Looks like others are catching on too.
Southeast Trail getting close – No firm date yet but we’re down to just needing concrete on the northernmost section! I’ll have a drone tour hopefully next weekend
Atlanta Streets Alive – Atlanta Streets Alive announced their 2026 schedule this week which includes a really cool new route from South Downtown out to the BeltLine along MLK.
Kronberg FTW, as usual – We need to make it easier for Eric and his team to build cool things in this City.
Get Involved, Atlanta!
| Date | Event | Notes |
| 2/11 | Transportation Committee | 10:00 AM |
| 2/23 | Zoning Committee | 11:00 AM |
The City calendar is still not yet fully populated for 2026.
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
- 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 