Showing Off The Peachtree Streetcar

By Charles Edwards

Atlanta, GA – Critics of what will be the Peachtree Streetcar are underwhelmed by the rail line's limited route.

It will be more than a mile long and connect Centennial Olympic Park, Peachtree Center, the Fairlie-Poplar district, Georgia State University and the Sweet Auburn historic district. However, an organization focused on developing downtown Atlanta says the project is 75% about economic development and 25% transit. That was the message Central Atlanta Progress gave to city developers, neighborhood organizations and others on a bus tour on Thursday.

"We're going to take you on that route and really talk a lot about all the development opportunities that exist along that route," said Ellen Mendelsohn. Mendelsohn, the group's vice president of economic development, was co-anchored the tour with MARTA planner Paul Grether. He says the Streetcar will have the same fare structure as MARTA. Estimated wait times are 15 minutes and 10 minutes for special events. However, he too urges people to think of this as more than a rail line.

"This is the beginning of something very transformational for the city and the region," said Grether.

The transformation desired by Central Atlanta Progress and others become clearer as the bus passes Georgia State University. "...and as you can see there are a lot of surface parking lots," said Mendelsohn. The picture gets even clearer when traveling near a downtown Atlanta landmark. "Pretty much the entire southeast corner of centennial Olympic park is parking lots and we consider this to be waterfront property," said Mendelsohn.

She and others long for the day when parking lots are either replaced or enhanced by museums or other attractions. However, she says making that happen won't be easy. "It's been really tough because the parking lot operators make a lot of money off parking for Phillips (Arena) games events at the park." Central Atlanta Progress hopes consultants will bring together planning and parkers. It's an idea some are starting to support.

"I think people will feel they can invest in rehabilitating these building and get a return on their investment with the streetcar because of its permanence of the tracks," said Stuart Jackson. Jackson, a CPA, is on the board of the downtown neighborhood association. He was one of a handful of people on the bus tour. He says some are excited about the Peachtree Streetcar. Others, he says, wonder if it's going to be a "boondoggle."

The Peachtree Streetcar should be operational by the beginning of 2013.

View the proposed route here