Welcome to March!
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.
February Content
Atlanta BeltLine Southside Trail Progress – Word is that this segment will be ready for the World Cup in June…someway, somehow.
Photos of the Month
Urban Thoughts: Too small for an article, too big to miss
Raleigh Rising – It’s always great to get back to Downtown Raleigh. It’s even better to see all the infill replacing surface lots. There’s a long way to go but Downtown is definitely on the rise. If Downtown South can get going, a cohesive Dix-Downtown connection, and a few other key parcels filled in, things will really be cooking!
Just another day on the MLK Cycle Track – Some things change, some things stay the same.
“We full” – There’s not much that annoys me more than when people say this about Atlanta. I’m supposed to believe “we full” when parcels directly on the BeltLine look like this?!
We’re literally the least dense Top 100 metro area in the world!
The only thing we’re full of is low density suburbs leading to long car trips. It’s pure ignorance when people parade around claiming “we full”, “don’t move here”, etc. There are 1000s of examples of underutilized parcels throughout the City ,that if put to better use, we’d reduce traffic, car dependency, cost of living, and make transit expansion way more viable.
Developments that Excited Me
Southwest Trail Infill – Despite some really weird Zoning Review Board reasoning behind their denial, this catalytic site is hopefully moving forward.
Southeast BeltLine (finally) almost complete – It’s been years – literally. Concrete is finished being poured and the stretch between Boulevard and Glenwood should be open next month.
BRT Line almost ready – MARTA’s first BRT line from Downtown to the Beltline in Peoplestown is expected to somewhat launch along with the rest of the bus network redesign on April 18th.
Get Involved, Atlanta!
| Date | Event | Notes |
| 3/2 | City Council | 1:00 PM |
| 3/9 | Zoning Committee | 11:00 AM |
| 3/11 | Transportation Committee | 10:00 AM |
| 3/12 | Fatal Crash Review Commission | 10:00 AM |
| 3/16 | City Council | 1:00 PM |
| 3/23 | Zoning Committee | 11:00 AM |
| 3/25 | Transportation Committee | 10:00 AM |
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 