Atlanta Beltline Inc Names Brian Leary CEO

In a move that is sure to help one of the most ambious transportation and redevelopment projects in the U.S. get "back on track," the Atlanta Beltline Inc named Brian Leary  it's new CEO.

Having personally met Brian at community meetings, I can say he's the right man for the job. You can meet people and walk away saying "whatever," or you can meet someone and say, "Wow, that guy knows his stuff." Brian falls in the second category, for sure.

Brian has been the Vice President for Atlantic Station for the past 12 years. This mammoth project took an abandoned steel mill, and the largest brownfield site, and turned it into a national model of sustainable development and smart growth.

I can recall driving through Midtown Atlanta on the Downtown Connector (the convergence of I-75 and I-85 through the Midtown/Downtown area) and seeing the old buildings that once were the Atlantic Steel Mill. Who would of ever thought that all the environmental regulations and hurdles would be met, and we would have an entire new community, just across the Downtown Connector, complete with a bridge spanning some 16 lanes of freeway! But, it's there!

Leary holds a master's degree in city planning and a bachelor's degree in architecture from Georgia Tech, where he received dual certificates in land development and real estate. How's THAT for a job resume?

"Brian brings the right combination of technical experience, development success and community engagement for what the Beltline needs as it enters the next chapter of its evolution," Beltline chairman Cal Darden said in a statement.

Michael Koblentz, chairman of the Northwest Community Alliance, said Leary is "someone with vision, smarts, charisma, and has a great connection to the neighborhoods and to business."

And this project will give Leary another opportunity to work the brownfield gig....some 1,100 acres of the 6,500 acres that make up the Beltline are in abandoned industrial areas that may require clean up.

The Atlanta Beltlineis a planned network of public parks, multi-use trails and and transit along a 22 -mile railroad corridor circling downtown Atlanta.

Leary feels this project has the biggest opportunity to have a positive impact on the quality of life in metro Atlanta. While Atlantic Station created thousands of jobs and a huge new tax base, the Beltline can transform the entire city.

Construction has already begun on the Historic Old Fourth Ward Park, one of many of the new parks that will be created out of the Beltline.

On a personal note, The Atlanta Beltline Inc with Brian Leary CEO is sure to move forward. It's projected completion is some 25 years away! Scare me! I only wonder if the plans being made now (i.e. the type of transit, etc) will be outdated by the time it's completed? I'm hopeful that The Thom And Ray Teamwill have an opportunity to help some people purchase new homes (condos) in areas along the Beltline as it develops in the years to come.

I do know, I'll be eligible for a Senior Discount and VIP parking to ride it anywhere by the time it's completed in 2034! Woo Hoo!

From this.......to.......this.....