Atlanta City Council passes controversial new tax for Beltline businesses, apartments

ATLANTA — The Atlanta City Council voted in favor to finish the Atlanta Beltline by adding a new tax for nearby businesses.

The tax would raise millions of dollars for construction.

The new money would fund extending the trail on the Beltline but to do it, businesses along the Beltline would pay a new tax and the rent might go up for residents who live nearby.

The council voted on the new special service district for the Beltline Monday night.

Apartment owners warn the new tax could mean renters, like Kate Curtis, would see a rent increase.

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“It sucks but I think that’s kind of one of the things that comes with living on the Beltline and living in a city,” Curtis said.

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The new tax does not apply to homeowners, but it could generate $100 million to help complete the full 22-mile loop by 2029.

“Having somewhere to walk right here. I just moved here two months ago and just being so close to everything even with Covid was really important,” Curtis said.

Councilmember Howard Shook worries what that extra tax burden would mean for small businesses.

“The Beltline is doing great. Let’s let it continue. Don’t be taking money from small businesses that are suffering to death right now,” Shook said.

However, Beltline leaders said without the new funding, there isn’t enough money to complete construction.

“We just do not have enough runway for the next 10 years to complete the whole 22-mile loop,” said Clyde Higgs, CEO of Atlanta BeltLine, Inc.

BeltLine CEO is telling Atlantans to stay home The BeltLine remains open for people to use that have no other way to get around.

Cox Media Group