2024 Candidate Survey

Atlanta City Council Post 3 At Large

#1 - Devin Barrington-Ward

1. Do you present your views about Beltline Rail on your website? Yes

2. How often do you take MARTA? Rarely

3. Check as many boxes as applicable to describe your thoughts about Beltline rail.

Long overdue, a vital part of Atlanta's transit plans.,
A solution to traffic and air pollution.
The way we can increase density and affordable housing.
A way to focus density and new development in areas zoned for mass transit.
Part of the solution to reducing parking around the Beltline.
Crucial to bringing transit equity to historically underserved communities.

Public sentiment reflects this tension, with some Atlantans supporting the project for its potential to improve connectivity, while others fear it will cause disruptions to traffic and small businesses. In light of this, I believe the project must be approached with careful oversight and transparency.

As a City Councilmember, I would:

Introduce legislation to fast-track federal funding applications, leveraging grants through the Biden-Harris Infrastructure Act to help cover costs and reduce the financial strain on MARTA.
Require stronger oversight over More MARTA funds to include new board appointments to MARTA that prioritize riders, transit unions, and financial professionals and increase the frequency of mandated progress reports from MARTA at every transportation committee meeting to ensure the project remains on budget and that any issues, delays, or cost overruns are communicated transparently to the public.
Explore re-routing options for parts of the proposed extension to limit disturbances to residents and businesses and increase the speed and frequency of the streetcar. It’s crucial to engage with the community and explore ways to minimize disruptions while maintaining the project’s overall goals of enhancing connectivity and access to public transit.

This project can be a transformative win for Atlanta if it’s executed thoughtfully, with equity, transparency, and community input as guiding principles. Ensuring the streetcar enhances, rather than disrupts, local neighborhoods will be key to its success"

5. Do you support continuing to build the entirety of the More MARTA Program? Yes

6. What actions can City Council take to support building Beltline rail? What actions are you willing to take if elected? "City Council has the power to push for transformative change on transit, and I’m committed to making sure the Beltline rail is a reality. As your councilmember, I will introduce legislation requiring the mayor’s administration to submit a comprehensive mass transit plan for the Beltline within 90 days of passage. We will also mandate that the administration apply for federal funding, including resources from the Inflation Reduction Act, to ensure we don’t miss the opportunity to reduce construction costs.

Moreover, I will ensure that the Beltline isn’t pitted against other transit priorities like the long-delayed Campbellton Road Bus Rapid Transit project. I’ll introduce a mile-for-mile matching policy that mandates every mile of Beltline rail be matched with a mile of BRT to prevent competition and foster a comprehensive, interconnected transit system that benefits all communities.

We cannot allow the Beltline to be seen as just a tool for corporate developers to make billions in profit at the expense of everyday Atlantans. It must fulfill its original promise as a transit-centered project that ensures working-class and legacy residents are not displaced, but rather a project that aides in their mobility around the city and secured their place in Atlanta for generations to come. This is about building a city that works for all Atlantans, not just the wealthy few.

Check out my views in this interview Atlanta NPR: https://www.wabe.org/atlanta-beltline-light-rail-advocates-rally-to-expedite-transit-plans"

#2 Nicole Evans Jones

1. Do you present your views about Beltline Rail on your website?Yes

2. How often do you take MARTA?Rarely

3. Check as many boxes as applicable to describe your thoughts about Beltline rail.

A solution to traffic and air pollution.
A way to focus density and new development in areas zoned for mass transit.
Part of the solution to reducing parking around the Beltline.

Once that is done, we need to take tangible steps on a number of transportation projects. From Summerhill to Campbellton Corridor to Cliffton Corridor to the completion of the ENTIRE Beltline trail – it all needs to be on the table. And it all needs to be urgent. The Streetcar East Extension is no different. I’ll be asking for an appointment to the Transportation Committee so that we can call for greater accountability and efficiency in getting these things done. Notably, I will also be asking for greater constituent outreach on the part of MARTA as the streetcar extension moves forward. I’ve already heard from folks in the Old Fourth Ward and elsewhere that this could be improved.

5. Do you support continuing to build the entirety of the More MARTA Program? Yes

6. What actions can City Council take to support building Beltline rail? What actions are you willing to take if elected? Across a 30-year career in education administration, I showed the consistent ability to bring communities together and find consensus. These were the building blocks of the four school turnaround efforts I led while with Atlanta Public Schools.

Likewise, with Beltline rail, I think the keyword is consensus. The voters stated that they want the Streetcar to extend to the Beltline via the More MARTA referendum. But beyond that, there seem to be disparate opinions on what happens next. A full Streetcar loop of the Beltline is on the table. But there are a number of light rail and other multi-modal options that some considerable preferable to deliver the transit outcomes that everyone wants.

What I think has to follow is a robust conversation in Council’s Transportation Committee, to include ADOT and MARTA, to find consensus on the mode of transit we can all agree makes sense for the Beltline. And then once we have that consensus, come up with a firm plan to move forward and stop talking about something that has been a priority for so long.

#3 Amber Higgins-Connor

1. Do you present your views about Beltline Rail on your website? No

2. How often do you take MARTA? A few times per month

3. Check as many boxes as applicable to describe your thoughts about Beltline rail.

Long overdue, a vital part of Atlanta's transit plans.
A solution to traffic and air pollution.
A way to focus density and new development in areas zoned for mass transit.
Part of the solution to reducing parking around the Beltline.

Atlanta's rapid growth and ongoing traffic congestion demand more immediate transit solutions.

I am a supporter of the More MARTA initiative overall.

It is essential for reducing traffic, improving air quality, and making Atlanta a more accessible city.

5. Do you support continuing to build the entirety of the More MARTA Program? Yes

6. What actions can City Council take to support building Beltline rail? What actions are you willing to take if elected? The council can lobby for local, state, and federal funding to support the BeltLine rail project.
This can include allocating budgetary resources from city funds as well as pursuing transit grants.

City Council can work to ensure that land use and zoning policies around the BeltLine supports transit-oriented development (TOD) like increasing density near rail stations.

The council would need to facilitate the needed collaboration with MARTA to ensure the close coordination between the two. Having joint planning sessions and public meetings to align goals and timelines will be essential.

I will advocate for Beltline rail to ensure it is included within the city budget through discussions and ask to establish clear timelines for its development.
I will use my position to engage the public in discussions about Beltline rail to ensure residents are involved in the planning process.
In my opinion, this project would significantly improve mobility in Atlanta.

#4 Eshe Collins

1. Do you present your views about Beltline Rail on your website?No2. How often do you take MARTA?A few times per month

3. Check as many boxes as applicable to describe your thoughts about Beltline rail.

A solution to traffic and air pollution.
The way we can increase density and affordable housing.
A way to focus density and new development in areas zoned for mass transit.
Part of the solution to reducing parking around the Beltline.

4. MARTA's current timetable calls for completing the Streetcar East Extension to Ponce City Market in 2028. What best describes your position on this timeline and also for the funding of this phase of the project and for the other components of More MARTA? I believe the 2028 timeline for the Streetcar East Extension to Ponce City Market needs to be re-evaluated, with a strong focus on community engagement and buy-in where possible. This extension is crucial for improving connectivity, reducing traffic, and enhancing access to key areas in Atlanta. However, it's essential that the impacted community is fully on board with this project. I will advocate for continued community engagement to ensure residents' voices are heard and any concerns are addressed. In terms of funding, we must ensure that resources are allocated efficiently by prioritizing projects within the More MARTA program based on their impact on mobility and equity. The Streetcar East Extension should be a priority, but we must also balance it with other critical projects that serve underserved areas and improve overall transit access. A transparent and inclusive process will help ensure the project's success. I understand these decisions are challenging, and it's essential that we include everyone in the process and impact.

5. Do you support continuing to build the entirety of the More MARTA Program? Yes

6. What actions can City Council take to support building Beltline rail? What actions are you willing to take if elected? The Atlanta City Council can play a key role in supporting the Beltline rail by ensuring it is integrated with other vital transit projects within the broader More MARTA program. The Council can allocate resources by working to secure local, state, and federal funding and leveraging public-private partnerships. Additionally, the Council can streamline zoning and permitting processes to accelerate construction while engaging in transparent community outreach to ensure the project reflects the needs of all residents and impacts are addressed equitably.

If elected, I will advocate for balanced prioritization of the Beltline rail alongside other critical transit projects, ensuring a comprehensive approach to improving mobility across the city. I will push for dedicated funding within the city's budget, while collaborating with MARTA and other stakeholders to ensure that all projects, including those in underserved areas, are delivered efficiently. Most importantly, I will ensure that community voices guide decisions at every stage.

#5 Duvwon Robinson

1. Do you present your views about Beltline Rail on your website? No

2. How often do you take MARTA? Rarely

3. Check as many boxes as applicable to describe your thoughts about Beltline rail.

Part of the solution to reducing parking around the Beltline.

5. Do you support continuing to build the entirety of the More MARTA Program? Yes

6. What actions can City Council take to support building Beltline rail? What actions are you willing to take if elected? I would
Like to see the promises that have been made be honored and sit with those who have been around the beltline who can direct me towards a better solution and course of Acrion.