Phil Veasley is a Professional Engineer and CNU accredited 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, transit, 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 is a Professional Engineer and CNU accredited 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, transit, 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 is a Professional Engineer and CNU accredited 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, transit, 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.
A big piece of the Beltline to Silver Comet Trail connection has been solved! Ride along the new section of Woodall Rail Trail in Upper Westside. Head to YouTube to watch!
Phil Veasley is a Professional Engineer and CNU accredited 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, transit, 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.
Happy Black History Month! January may have been the longest year, sorry, month ever. There are plenty of places to doomscroll. We all know the state of things in this country right now. I’ll just say this – take care of yourself while staying vigilant. Take care of your families. Focus on the positives and things that you can control.
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.
Atlanta Can’t Afford to Punt on Beltline Rail Part 6 – Ensuring Future Success. Examining the steps we need to take to improve the current streetcar and bridge the gap between Downtown and the Beltline.
Urban Thoughts: Too small for an article, too big to miss
Atlanta loves a nice day! The amount of people outside today made me feel so alive. Much needed after the January we had.
I find the whole “I miss the old Atlanta” discourse really weird to be honest. Outside of cheaper housing, which is the case for every single city in this country, I can’t think of much that was better 20 years ago when we moved here. I think most of the discourse is just based on vibes and memories of easier times when we were younger. Or maybe it’s people who just flat out hate cities. There was no Beltline. Midtown wasn’t the vibrant, walkable district it is now. There were barely any walkable neighborhoods. There were no bike lanes. I could go on and on. As I always say – A CITY THAT ISN’T EVOLVING IS A CITY DYING.
Black windows really make all the difference.
Check out this list of Black Urbanists that we should all know.
Neighborhood groups as constructed are one of the worst things about Atlanta. Mostly, they’re just NIMBY coddles. They try to cover their exclusionist way of thinking by claiming to “protect” “their” neighborhoods in the name of “character”, “traffic” or “caring about the environment.” In reality, it’s just a cover-up for deeply rooted racism and selfishness and a weapon to keep anyone new out and artificially inflate property values. The all out assault on Plan A and disrespect toward people who support the plan for a better Atlanta for everyone was a really jarring welcome to my neighborhood when joining my first neighborhood meeting in December. I guess 10 people in each neighborhood get to try to speak for everyone and other views aren’t welcome. We’re seeing this play out in many neighborhoods through misleading social media posts and somehow they always seem to have the media’s ears too. We need more level-headed, forward thinking people involved at the neighborhood level. Get the facts about Plan A.
Developments that Excited Me
It’s honestly hard to be excited about anything in the planning stages right now with the pending economic disaster, but here are a few.
The Future of MARTA is here! (Kinda). MARTA showed off the first of their new train cars at last week’s state of MARTA address. While they specifically mentioned BRT, Clifton, Campbellton and other projects there wasn’t a single mention of Beltline Rail.
New Urban Bikeway Design Guide. Never stop learning!
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
Beltline Construction Progress Drone Flyovers
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 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.
Atlanta has come too far to stray from the proven choice that will connect 45 neighborhoods with high capacity transit.
This is part six of a six part series on why I believe Beltline Rail and in particular starting with the Streetcar East extension is crucial for the city’s future.
I fully believe Beltline Rail will serve as the missing link toward making car-lite lifestyles a reality for 1000s of Atlantans. However, beyond just laying track and saying go, there are steps we need to take. We need to strengthen connections between Downtown and the Beltline. We also need to improve the current streetcar line.
Steps to Success
Improve low-stress non-vehicular networks between Downtown and the Beltline. This includes upgrading segments of the Freedom Park Trail to have grade separations at Boulevard and the Downtown Connector Ramps. The plan also involves adding a new overlook plaza. Additionally, it focuses on creating a grid of bike lanes.
Identify opportunities for infill development on underutilized parcels between Downtown and the Beltline.
Mitigate impacts of the Downtown Connector by simplifying ramps at Freedom Pkwy and beautifying streets under the Connector.
Invest in placemaking and beautification elements along the existing streetcar line.
Modify the existing roadway network along the current streetcar line. This change improves operations by separating vehicular traffic from the streetcar, as seen in image one in red the red segments below. Changes shown below would happen within the existing curbs new areas would move the streetcar to the edge and reconstruct the street.
Stay tuned for further details and refinements to many of the above sketches!
Beltline rail is a project that will pay dividends for generations to come. We can not afford to allow the opportunity to connect so many people and places pass us by.
Phil Veasley is a Professional Engineer 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, transit, 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 is a Professional Engineer and CNU accredited 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, transit, 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.
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.
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.
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
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.
GoogleEarth
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.
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.
GoogleEarth
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.
GoogleEarth
St Pete’s skyline evolution and foot traffic continues to impress.
*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.
10. Raleigh TBJ TOD Feature Co-authored article with Eric Braun of RaleighForward. We discussed the importance of implementing TOD (Transit Oriented Development) along the upcoming BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) corridors.
4.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.
Sketching infill or InPhil ideas has quickly become my favorite thing to do. There’s so many opportunities hiding in plain sight to transform our neighborhoods and deliever much needed housing.
It started as just sketching some ideas to fix this problem interchange, but I couldn’t help myself from maximizing the underutilized parcels in the area.
2024 By the Numbers and Professional Accomplishments
31 Articles
21 Videos
CNU-A Accreditation
New job as Senior Associate Engineer at Nelson\Nygaard
Appointed to Beltline Rail Now board
I look forward to cooking up some more crazy ideas this year! Stay tuned.
Phil Veasley is a Professional Engineer and CNU accredited 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, transit, 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 