The following email is from a reader living in Atlanta, who says that the advancement of the Belt Line (in Atlanta) has been another game changer for the city. He has seen the direct impact, and feels that Buffalo is missing the boat by not putting our own Belt Line to the top of our transportation agenda:

From A. Laws:

If there wasn’t another reason to help promote the idea of a belt-line in Buffalo…

I’m currently living in Atlanta. It’s staggering to see how much positive growth our city has had from installation of a mixed-use sidewalk that connects multiple in-town neighborhoods. The belt-line has become the place to be. We use the belt-line to connect retail, dining out, exercise (4Ward skatepark, yoga, jogging), brewery hopping, and to just plain socializing. It’s fantastic to have such a place.

In addition to the impact on our wellness this has caused, economically the city is revving its engine.

Buffalo could benefit from a belt-line in ways just like this if not more (tie into the lakefront).

You can read more about Atlanta’s Belt Line in Curbed.

Buffalo’s Belt Line is essentially a series of rail tracks that encompass downtown, connecting key components that include Larkin District, Central Terminal, Fougeron Center, Northland/Chelsea, Highland Park, Great Arrow, Black Rock Yards, and the Niagara Industrial Corridor (see below).

To learn more about Buffalo’s Belt Line potential, click here.