101 q&a 2013.04.26

4/25/2013 Confidential // Atlanta BeltLine // © 2012

// Atlanta BeltLineQ&A

Updated April 2013

Additional Questions?ArboretumAffordable Housing & DisplacementCapital CampaignCitizen ParticipationCommunity Land Trusts (CLT)Community Benefits AgreementsEnvironmental Impact Study (EIS) Historic PreservationJobs ProgramParks

Partners Real Estate IncentivesSchools SecurityTrailsTaxesTax Allocation District (TAD)Transit

Q&A

Why Where What How You Q&A

Q&A – Atlanta BeltLine Arboretum

Developed in partnership with Trees Atlanta, the Atlanta BeltLine Arboretum: • consists of a collection of

trees planted along the Atlanta BeltLine Corridor, including– 11 acres on the Eastside Trail;

• integrates educational programming with neighborhoods, schools, and general public;

• will be the largest linear arboretum in the world!• Is comprised of five segments:

– Creek Restoration– Urban Forest Rehabilitation– Piedmont Upland Forest Rehabilitation– Neighborhood Woodland Rehabilitation– Industrial Reclamation

The Atlanta BeltLine Arboretum: A living connection for the Atlanta BeltLine


Displacement andaffordable workforce housing

are important issues:

• The most common concern expressed by residents is that they feel they will no longer be able to afford to live in their current neighborhood.

• The City will be stronger if government workers, teachers, policemen, firemen, and service employees are able to live in the communities in which they work – and if current residents can remain.

• The Atlanta BeltLine will be more successful if individuals who depend most heavily on public transit live near it.

Q&A – Displacement & Affordable Workforce Housing


• 15% of all TAD net bond proceeds ($240 million) are put into an affordable housing trust fund, representing Atlanta’s largest single investment in affordable housing.

• The Atlanta BeltLine Affordable Housing Advisory Board consists of housing and community leaders who advise Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. on how to best leverage the affordable housing trust fund.

Q&A – Displacement & Affordable Workforce Housing

• The Atlanta BeltLine Partnership has worked with non-profit, business, government, and community partners to advance the use of Community Land Trusts to create permanently affordable housing around the Atlanta BeltLine.

• The first three permanently affordable housing units were sold in the Lofts at Reynoldstown Crossing in December 2011.

The Atlanta BeltLine team is working to address these issues:


CITIZEN PARTICIPATION FRAMEWORK: The Citizen Participation Framework is in place to ensure that the voices of residents are involved, engaged, and considered in the implementation of the Atlanta BeltLine. The Citizen Participation Framework includes five main components:• Study Groups• A community Representative on the ABI Board• A Citizen Engagement Advocate on the ABI staff• Quarterly Briefings• Tax Allocation District Advisory Committee (TADAC) and BeltLine Affordable Housing

Advisory Board (BAHAB)

STUDY GROUPS: There are five Study Groups (N, NE, SE, SW, W) that are designed to provide geographic and project specific input over the 25-year life of the Atlanta BeltLine, including input into implementation, transit planning, etc.

Q&A – Community Engagement Framework


TAX ALLOCATION DISTRICT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (TADAC): The TADAC is made up of stakeholders from across the broad spectrum of Atlanta and is composed of community members representing the Atlanta neighborhoods and technical experts with a commitment to making the Atlanta BeltLine a success for the City. TADAC’s main responsibilities are primarily the following:• Make recommendations to Invest Atlanta and the City on the issuance , allocation and

distribution of tax allocation proceeds within the Atlanta BeltLine Development Area; • Monitor the effective and equitable distribution of the BeltLine Redevelopment Plan; • Conduct an independent review of the Atlanta BeltLine’s 5-year development plan.

BELTLINE AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVISORY BOARD (BAHAB): A group of individuals with demonstrable experience in affordable housing related fields. Their purpose is to make policy recommendations to the ADA and City Council, monitor the availability and location of affordable housing, and coordinate with other affordable housing activities in the City of Atlanta.

Q&A – Citizen Participation Framework


Q&A – Community Land Trusts

• Approximately 200 nationwide;• Provides access to land and housing to low- and moderate-income residents;• Increases long-term community control of neighborhood resources;• Empowers residents through involvement and participation in the organization; and• Preserves the affordability of housing permanently.

• Learn more about CLT’s at http://www.cltnetwork.org.

Community Land Trusts:A Proven Vehicle for the Development and

Preservation of Affordable Housing


A 99-year ground lease between CLT and owner ensures owner-occupancy and responsible use and outlines fees paid to the CLT.

Land is owned by the Community Land Trust, which is governed by a non-profit board.

Buildings (residential or commercial) are owned by individuals. Because they pay only for the structure, and not the underlying land, purchasing the building is more affordable.

A resale formula built in to the ground lease is designed to keep homes affordable for subsequent buyers.

Q&A – Community Land Trusts


Three unique aspects of the Atlanta Land Trust Collaborative:• It implements an affordable housing solution on the front end of a large-scale urban

redevelopment project like the Atlanta BeltLine.• The cross-section of public, private, non-profit and community partners engaged in

its formation is unprecedented.• It creates an innovative model for CLTs that balances the principle of community

empowerment and the need for economies of scale and efficiency.

The Atlanta Land Trust Collaborative has reached a number of important milestones:• First three permanently affordable units sold at Lofts at Reynoldstown Crossing in

December 2011• Demonstration projects underway in Pittsburgh and Reynoldstown neighborhoods

Contact: Tony Pickett, LEED APExecutive Director, Atlanta Land Trust Collaborativewww.atlantaltc.orgtel: [email protected]

Q&A–Atlanta Land Trust Collaborative (ALTC) Growing Communities Without Displacement


• Legally enforceable contract between developers and impacted communities.

• Developer agrees to provide benefits to the community (e.g. hiring local residents, providing pedestrian friendly developments, mixed income housing projects, incentives for businesses to come into the community to provide services currently not available in the community and for developments of a particular size, provide public spaces for the community either community meeting room or public open space).

• Community agrees to support project through city approval processes. City may also provide direct and indirect public financing of project infrastructure.

• Enacted as part of the City of Atlanta BeltLine TAD Authorizing Ordinance and the Atlanta BeltLine Community Participation Framework Resolution.

• Contact Beth McMillan, Director of Community Engagement (404-477-3550, [email protected])

Q&A – Community Benefits Agreements


National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Tiering

Tier I Analysis Completed:• Determination of a preferred alignment of

the Atlanta BeltLine trails and transit in the northwest quadrant of the City, where freight rail is the most active;

• Selection of modern streetcar as the technology for the project, same as Atlanta Streetcar;

• Identification of right-of-way needed to complete the loop.

Tier II Analysis Slated for Completion in Next 1-2 Years

Contact: Nate Conable404-614-8315

[email protected]

Q&A – EISEnvironmental Study Process


Agreement covers Atlanta BeltLine transit and all of the associated transit segmentsincorporated in the Transit Implementation Strategy

City of Atlanta• Owns the system• Policy making body• Funder• Regional and federal advocacy and coordination

ABI• Securing additional funding with City and other partners• Manages planning and environmental review• Manages design and engineering• Manages construction

ADA• Acts as City’s redevelopment agent for Atlanta BeltLine and other TADs• TAD funding

MARTA– Manages operations and maintenance

Q&A – Transit Implementation and Operation – Roles and Responsibilities


Historic Preservation

Q&A – Historic Preservation

• Historic preservation is a key component of the Atlanta BeltLine.

• Atlanta was built because of the railroads, and the Atlanta BeltLine is an important part of this railroad history.

• Historic properties include industrial buildings, residences, parks, railroad bridges, Civil War sites and more.

• 150 registered historic buildings and sites. Many more are eligible.

• 21 registered historic districts. Many more are eligible.

• Tax incentives and grant money are available for historic preservation.

Doug YoungCity of Atlanta, Atlanta Urban Design Commission

404-330-6145


Q&A – Historic Fourth Ward Park and Skatepark

• 17.6 acre park includes splash pad, multi-use field, playgrounds, and the City of Atlanta’s first public skate park – opened in June 2011

• Storm water detention lake provides attractive water features

• Photovoltaic solar panels offset energy costs


Q&A – Boulevard Crossing

• 4.5 acres of 22-acre park featuring soccer/rugby fields opened October 2011

• Goats were used to remove kudzu from a portion of the property without chemicals

• Located in Chosewood Park directly across from future mixed-income Atlanta Housing Authority development


Q&A – D.H. Stanton Park

• 8.3 acre park located in Peoplestown, one mile from Turner Field

• Atlanta’s first energy cost-neutral park: Photovoltaic solar panels pay for electricity to light the park

• Park features a splash pad, multi-use field, baseball field and playground


Q&A – Maddox Park

• Expansion of existing park from 52 to 84 acres• Reinvigorating the historic pool and greenhouse• Restoring Proctor Creek as a greenway through the park


•50 acre reservoir, 400 feet deep, 1.9 billion gallons•200+ acre park around reservoir Piedmont Park - 185 acres Grant Park - 131 acres

•Views of reservoir and downtown Atlanta•Hiking and Biking trails around reservoir•Increases water reserve by 28 days•Purchased in June 2006

Q&A – Bellwood Quarry/ Westside Reservoir Park


Q&A – Eastside Trail

• 2.5 miles trail connects Piedmont Park, Historic Fourth Ward Park, and Freedom Park

• Multi-use trail for walking, running and biking connects to PATH’s existing Stone Mountain Trail

• Includes Atlanta BeltLine Arboretum plantings


Q&A – Northside Trail

• One mile trail winds along Tanyard Creek and through Tanyard Creek Urban Forest

• Connects Bobby Jones Golf Course, Louise G. Howard Park, Tanyard Creek Park and Ardmore Park

• Innovative construction methods were developed to protect tree root systems.


Q&A – West End Trail

• 2.4 mile trail weaves through West End, Westview and Mozley Park neighborhoods

• Connects Westview Cemetery, Enota Park, Gordon White Park, and Rose Circle Park

• Links Brown Middle School and KIPP Strive Academy

• First completed Atlanta BeltLine trail


THE TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND (TPL): National, nonprofit, land conservations organization helping acquire land for new BeltLine Parks. Sponsored The BeltLine Emerald Necklace, which introduced parks into the Atlanta BeltLine vision. http://www.tpl.org

THE PATH FOUNDATION: Georgia nonprofit constructing Atlanta BeltLine trails. Other PATH trails include The Silver Comet, Stone Mountain, Chastain Park, and Freedom Park. http://pathfoundation.org

TREES ATLANTA: Atlanta non-profit citizens group dedicated to planting and conserving trees. Creators of the Atlanta BeltLine arboretum. http://treesatlanta.org

CITY OF ATLANTA DEPARTMENTS: Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs, Watershed Management, Public Works, Planning & Community Development, Law. http://www.atlantaga.gov

PIEDMONT PARK CONSERVANCY: Non-profit organization working with the City of Atlanta for the preservation of Piedmont Park. Leading the North Woods expansion of Piedmont Park. http://www.piedmontpark.org

MARTA: Metropolitan Atlanta’s regional transit authority has been a key partner in transit studies and feasibility analyses. http://itsmarta.com

Q&A – Partners: Implementation Partners


http://www.tpl.org/

http://www.atlantaga.gov/Default.aspx

ATLANTA CITY COUNCIL: Approves Tax Allocation District Bonds and Bond Anticipatory Notes. Adopts all land-use and zoning plans. Approves all land acquisitions.

FULTON COUNTY COMMISSION: Approved BeltLine Redevelopment Plan and authorized use of Fulton County tax increment to finance Atlanta BeltLine TAD bonds.

INVEST ATLANTA: Agent for issuing Tax Allocation District Bonds and Bond Anticipatory Notes.

ATLANTA PUBLIC SCHOOLS BOARD: Approved Atlanta BeltLine Redevelopment Plan and authorized use of Atlanta Public School tax increment to finance Atlanta BeltLine TAD bonds. However, the Georgia Supreme Court is deliberating as to whether the school tax increment can be used to finance TADs.

Q&A – Partners:BeltLine TAD Sponsors


• The Atlanta BeltLine provides a great opportunity for developers to become involved in a vital part of Atlanta's growth.

• The transit, parks and community improvements provided by the Atlanta BeltLine TAD are appealing to investors and residents.

• Financial Incentiveso Economic development incentives targeted at identified redevelopment areas.

o BeltLine Affordable Housing Trust Fund.

o Brownfield incentives will be provided for remediation of hazardous sites.

o Incentives for preservation of registered historic sites

• For more information, contact Brian Hooker at Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. at [email protected] or 404-477-3663.

Q&A – Development Incentives


• Up to $10 million for the development of new recreational facilities and athletic fields for Atlanta Public Schools

• Developers receiving funding from the economic incentive fund pay APS $25,000 as a public school partnership contribution.

• Subsidized transportation for APS students.

• Affordable housing for teachers and staff (no less than 15% of affordable housing trust fund).

• APS representation on Atlanta BeltLine advisory boards

• Increased tax base after 25 years

Benefits of Atlanta BeltLine TAD to Atlanta Public Schools

• ~20 Atlanta Public Schools within ½ mile of the Atlanta BeltLine

• Connects major universities directly or via trails and MARTA

• Other Schools (Howard School, Crussell-Freeman School for the Blind)

Proximity of Schools to the Atlanta BeltLine

Q&A – Schools


• Usage and surrounding development creates more “eyes on the parks and trails,” which is a deterrent to crime.

• Public safety departments (police, fire, etc.) give input in to Atlanta BeltLine plans.

• Path Force

• Hiking trails will be patrolled by the Path Force using mounted patrol and electric off-road vehicles

• Community-organized adoption of segments throughout the parks

Eastside Trail

• Improved lighting at more than 20 locations installed by Georgia Power

• Additional lighting being installed or adjusted by nearly 10 adjacent property owners

• Additional security cameras being installed this month

• Working with DPW to install new lighting under bridges (Freedom, Highland, Virginia)

• Increased APD presence

Q&A – Security


http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c7/2006_Dogwood_Festival_in_Piedmont_Park_with_Midtown_Atlanta_skyline_in_background.JPG

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c7/2006_Dogwood_Festival_in_Piedmont_Park_with_Midtown_Atlanta_skyline_in_background.JPG

I-85

I-75

I-75/85

I-20

I-20

I-75/85

Atlanta BeltLine Tax Allocation District

• Adopted in 2005 by City of Atlanta, Fulton County and Atlanta Public Schools

• 6,500 acre redevelopment area (8% of City’s land area, <3% of City’s tax digest when adopted)

• More than $20 billion of new economic development expected over 25 years

• Incremental tax revenues generated by new development help pay for the Atlanta BeltLine

• There is not a separate “Atlanta BeltLine Tax” on residents. The Atlanta BeltLine Tax Allocation District (TAD) offers a way to use future tax funds to pay for investment in the BeltLine now.

Q&A – Tax Allocation District (TAD)


How does the Atlanta BeltLine TAD work?

1. From 2005 through 2030, the City, County, and Public Schools receive the same amount of tax revenue generated in 2005.

2. As new development happens because of the Atlanta BeltLine, additional tax revenue is generated. This additional tax revenue helps pay for the Atlanta BeltLine.

3. After 25 years, the City, County and Public Schools receive all tax revenue, which is higher than it would have been without the Atlanta BeltLine.

Tax

Reve

nue

2005 2030

1

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Q&A – Tax Allocation District (TAD)


101 q&a 2013.04.26

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