As Atlanta gears up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the Atlanta Beltline has hit the accelerator with a newly approved $242 million budget aimed at expanding the city's urban redevelopment efforts. FOX 5 Atlanta reports that this sizable budget will focus primarily on finishing trail construction, but it also includes funding for affordable housing, community initiatives, and a study of transit options.
With a chunk of the funds allocated to the mainline trail design and construction, nearly $99 million is set aside specifically for this purpose, as Atlanta News First details, to get 18 miles of the Beltline ready in time for the World Cup fans and festivities. The Beltline Tax Allocation District (TAD) will largely bankroll the initiatives, accounting for 75.8% of the budget. In the language of financial planning and civic projection, this move is both a reflection of current progress and a strategic play to ensure the Beltline's lasting impact on the surrounding communities.
According to statements obtained by FOX 5 Atlanta, Clyde Higgs, president and CEO of Atlanta Beltline, Inc., emphasized the trail's trajectory, confirming that trail completion has shot up from 30% to an anticipated 85% by the end of the fiscal year 2026. He mentioned, "We have high standards for our trails, and we’re thrilled that with our partners, we deliver with excellence, financial responsibility and a sense of urgency."
Addressing the critical issue of affordable housing, the budget dedicates $40 million to the cause. This move will support property acquisition and down payment assistance programs to foster inclusion in communities sandwiched by the transformative swath of green and urban renewal. With an eye on catering to both local and international visitors, the investment includes expansion of public Wi-Fi access and economic development initiatives valued at $11.3 million, as Atlanta News First outlines.
Transit development has not been given the short shrift either, with a transit pilot expected to start early in the next year. This aspect of the project will integrate an autonomous shuttle pilot linking key Atlanta locations, backed by a grant from the Atlanta-region Transit Link Authority. This decision supports not just the immediate need for improved transportation ahead of the World Cup but also aligns with the broader vision for Atlanta's future connectivity. "From trail construction and transit planning to affordable housing, workforce development, and arts, we’re laser-focused on delivering on our inclusive vision for the future of Atlanta with excellence," Higgs told FOX 5 Atlanta.
