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It’s time for story time again. This time on mass transit in #Atlanta:
1) this is due to the number of people who genuinely want to know the history of mass transit in Atlanta.
2) The people who try to separate transit from race in Atlanta
3) & how this effects future
1) this is due to the number of people who genuinely want to know the history of mass transit in Atlanta.
2) The people who try to separate transit from race in Atlanta
3) & how this effects future
Atlanta has been a transit hub as long as it’s been known as Atlanta and even before then.
One of the main reasons Atlanta even exists is because of the need for a railroad system to connect Savannah’s ports of commerce to the Midwest and the rest of the Southern US.
One of the main reasons Atlanta even exists is because of the need for a railroad system to connect Savannah’s ports of commerce to the Midwest and the rest of the Southern US.
In just over 13 years of Atlanta, goes from a fringe rail road site with maybe 30 residents (rail workers) in 1836, to a town of 2,500 people 1849.
Complete with this first elected mayor, first homicide, first sidewalks and even its first jail.
Complete with this first elected mayor, first homicide, first sidewalks and even its first jail.
It’s super important to note that by 1850, 20% of the population was enslaved.
This will be super important later but this becomes the foundation of the overall shaping of the narrative of anti-Blackness related to race and the need for a ‘white safe haven’.
This will be super important later but this becomes the foundation of the overall shaping of the narrative of anti-Blackness related to race and the need for a ‘white safe haven’.
One other important note is the role of how #Atlanta as a city and region is shackled by small government.
This boils down to one important thing...control.
Control of social order, control of economic prowess and control of media narrative.
This boils down to one important thing...control.
Control of social order, control of economic prowess and control of media narrative.
Ever since he has been named Atlanta and 1845 and annexed itself from the western portion of the DeKalb County to create Fulton County in 1853.
The notion of better control over economic destiny via small government has been the ethos of both the city and the metro Atlanta area
The notion of better control over economic destiny via small government has been the ethos of both the city and the metro Atlanta area
Between 1860 and 1870 marked the biggest jump in demographic history in the city of Atlanta.
From %21 in 1860 (enslaved)to around %46 in 1870 (freed) .
As newly freed enslaved Africans flocked to Atlanta
https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1870/population/1870a-13.pdf?#
From %21 in 1860 (enslaved)to around %46 in 1870 (freed) .
As newly freed enslaved Africans flocked to Atlanta
https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1870/population/1870a-13.pdf?#
As the city of Atlanta grew,So did it’s needed for outward expansion and racialized tensions.
This came to a boil in 1906, w/ The 1906 Race Riot.
Which was an act of genocide that for the stretched Atlanta’s boundaries further west and south.
This came to a boil in 1906, w/ The 1906 Race Riot.
Which was an act of genocide that for the stretched Atlanta’s boundaries further west and south.
Causing an increase of Black residents moving near or directly into white neighborhoods throughout Atlanta for nearly 50 years
W/ instances physical violence against Black Atlantans, devious real estate tactics such as blockbusting, redlining and outright discrimination
W/ instances physical violence against Black Atlantans, devious real estate tactics such as blockbusting, redlining and outright discrimination
I would recommend @KevinMKruse book ‘White Flight’ on this period of Atlanta.
It’s not talked about at all in Georgia history classes but definitely is a good primer in understanding better how the suburbs of Atlanta came to be.
https://www.amazon.com/White-Flight-Atlanta-Conservatism-Politics/dp/0691133867
It’s not talked about at all in Georgia history classes but definitely is a good primer in understanding better how the suburbs of Atlanta came to be.
https://www.amazon.com/White-Flight-Atlanta-Conservatism-Politics/dp/0691133867
What you need to understand is that by the 1950s #Atlanta had begun to stretch its geographical boundaries that we know today.
Culminating in a rather ugly incident known as ‘Atlanta’s Berlin Wall’, the Peyton Forest Wall in Cascade Heights on the Westside of Atlanta.
Culminating in a rather ugly incident known as ‘Atlanta’s Berlin Wall’, the Peyton Forest Wall in Cascade Heights on the Westside of Atlanta.
That incident, was similar to others throughout Atlanta.
When middle class-to-upper class Black Atlantans seat to move into white neighborhoods.
This is prompted because of segregation which often causes overcrowding in Black neighborhoods https://www.atlantamagazine.com/civilrights/atlantas-berlin-wall/
When middle class-to-upper class Black Atlantans seat to move into white neighborhoods.
This is prompted because of segregation which often causes overcrowding in Black neighborhoods https://www.atlantamagazine.com/civilrights/atlantas-berlin-wall/
As well as an improvement in infrastructure, utilities, amenities and services in the segregated white portion of the city.
Often the Black residents who tried to move in were more wealthy than their potential neighbors.
It didn’t matter, as segregationist sought out
Often the Black residents who tried to move in were more wealthy than their potential neighbors.
It didn’t matter, as segregationist sought out
White only spaces. Spaces which would be seen as a utopia from the undeserving, undesirable uncivilized and uncultured Negroes.
Negroes who were slowly seeking to acquire the same level of access and services as whites. Which was a problem.
Negroes who were slowly seeking to acquire the same level of access and services as whites. Which was a problem.
As @KevinMKruse stated in an early version of my documentary @theatlantaway, from 4 years ago, some of the ethos of the White residents of the city
Here’s a longer clip of that interview I did w/ @KevinMKruse from 5 years ago I did for @theatlantaway on the ethos of those White Atlantans who opposed integration.
And while opposition to Black encroachment into White neighborhoods and public spaces contributed to Atlanta’s geographic spread...
The role of State and Federal government is what creates the modern suburbs, it’s opposition to transit and rise in modern day conservative thought.
The role of State and Federal government is what creates the modern suburbs, it’s opposition to transit and rise in modern day conservative thought.
The building of the modern suburbs (as well as conservatism)and its ethos as we know it was a result of:
1) the end of WWII
2) the GI Bill
3) the Federal Highway Act of 1956
4) the rise of the Civil Rights Mvmt
5) the murder of MLK
1) the end of WWII
2) the GI Bill
3) the Federal Highway Act of 1956
4) the rise of the Civil Rights Mvmt
5) the murder of MLK
The end of World War II brought a surplus of raw materials that we use for back into production in American lives.
Combined w/ government programs which allowed for home ownership.
But only for White soldiers.
https://www.history.com/news/gi-bill-black-wwii-veterans-benefits
Combined w/ government programs which allowed for home ownership.
But only for White soldiers.
https://www.history.com/news/gi-bill-black-wwii-veterans-benefits
During this time we also see a number of changes and how real estate operates not only in Atlanta but across United States.
For one, take a look at the street you live on...does it have sidewalks?...streetlights?...does it have a front porch or backyard?
For one, take a look at the street you live on...does it have sidewalks?...streetlights?...does it have a front porch or backyard?
There’s a good chance especially in Atlanta or DeKalb County that the lack of streetlights, sidewalks and the emphasis on front porches is a result of the opposition to integrating.
By limiting sidewalks and street lights this will keep Blacks from entering White neighborhoods.
By limiting sidewalks and street lights this will keep Blacks from entering White neighborhoods.
With a new influx of government back cash for GIs as well as now via that slowly emerging highways is out of the city of Atlanta, we see mass migration of White neighborhoods out of the city limits of Atlanta.
Starting w/ The Lochner Report in 1946, followed by the Federal Highway Act of 1956...
...we start to see the large scale migrations of White residents who now also start to feel better suitors in their own self-contained oasis’s outside of Atlanta.
...we start to see the large scale migrations of White residents who now also start to feel better suitors in their own self-contained oasis’s outside of Atlanta.
But here’s the caveat, this highway development came of the destruction of Black neighborhoods and Black business districts in Atlanta.
Causing a permanent destruction.
As construction of I-75, I-85 and I-20 destroyed most of Atlanta.
Causing a permanent destruction.
As construction of I-75, I-85 and I-20 destroyed most of Atlanta.
These programs of the 1950s and 60s were known as urban renewal programs. And there’s a great James Baldwin clip on this below
Baldwin on TV was saying that ethos of many black people not only in Atlanta but throughout America.
The highway development at that time and other urban renewal programs such as black removal were explicitly in black neighborhoods regardless if they were actually poor.
The highway development at that time and other urban renewal programs such as black removal were explicitly in black neighborhoods regardless if they were actually poor.
This also created another dynamic in which seemingly overnight entire parts of Atlanta went from all White to seemingly all Black between 1950-1960... And by 1970, Atlanta becoming majority Black.
So by the time we get to the creation of MARTA initially in 1965 the five core counties of Metro Atlanta: Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Clayton and Gwinnett seem to be in the right direction on building a regional transit system...Well except for Cobb who’s always are holding up progress
The detractors of mass transit in Atlanta then spent the next five years trying to ruin it...In the local media speaking on how transit would not work, would bring crime or point out that the state had not earmarked funds for mass transit.
http://online.sfsu.edu/jhenders/Writings/ijur_final.pdf
http://online.sfsu.edu/jhenders/Writings/ijur_final.pdf
Adding to the fact that these the tractors was so successful that the 90% white counties of Gwinnett and Clayton eventually backed out of supporting mass transit. Leaving only Fulton County, DeKalb County and the city of Atlanta a part of MARTA by the time it opened in 1971.
But here’s the thing even getting there there was a series of generally bad business moves in terms of funding and service routes.
There’s too much to get into but read the link below when you have time https://www.atlantamagazine.com/great-reads/marta-tsplost-transportation/
There’s too much to get into but read the link below when you have time
https://www.atlantamagazine.com/great-reads/marta-tsplost-transportation/
This also caused additional fundamental flaw in which DeKalb County, which has been paying in for rail service since it’s inception but has never gotten mass transit system it was promised.
Specifically an I-20 east bound rail line, which would benefit South DeKalb.
Specifically an I-20 east bound rail line, which would benefit South DeKalb.
And so for nearly 4 decades. DECADES. MARTA, Metro Atlanta’s mass transit system on a good day could maybe service 10 to 15% of its population.
This became the impetus for expansion of highways since it was saying that MARTA was efficient and created a feedback loop detractors
This became the impetus for expansion of highways since it was saying that MARTA was efficient and created a feedback loop detractors
The problem was suburban sprawl even by 1990 was always already showing cracks in the armor for those who believed in the suburban dream.
As the three counties that rejected and MARTA Gwinnett, Cobb and Clayton by that point I had to start their own limited transit service.
As the three counties that rejected and MARTA Gwinnett, Cobb and Clayton by that point I had to start their own limited transit service.
These were all costing more and even less efficient than MARTA.
But it was done to keep MARTA and “(black) crime” out of the peaceful and majority white suburbs.
Which was also aided by the constant negative news coverage of Atlanta in the 1970’s-90’s by local media.
But it was done to keep MARTA and “(black) crime” out of the peaceful and majority white suburbs.
Which was also aided by the constant negative news coverage of Atlanta in the 1970’s-90’s by local media.
The problem is ATL grew from a city population of just under 500,000 and a metro of 1.8 million in 1970.
But by 2000 had a city pop of ~415,000 and a metro pop of 4.1 million.
W/ a transit system that never expanded but did so for our highways from 4 to 8+ lanes.
But by 2000 had a city pop of ~415,000 and a metro pop of 4.1 million.
W/ a transit system that never expanded but did so for our highways from 4 to 8+ lanes.
Combined w/ some of the worst suburban sprawl AND urban planning
Atlanta knocked down entire blocks of buildings downtown to make parking lots, the burbs destroyed so much of our environment, we now have produced our own heat islands...for that check out @DrShepherd2013
Atlanta knocked down entire blocks of buildings downtown to make parking lots, the burbs destroyed so much of our environment, we now have produced our own heat islands...for that check out @DrShepherd2013
Between 2000 and 2010, metro Atlanta gained 1.6 million people.
To put in perspective, ALL of metro Atlanta grew by 2.3 million ppl between 1970 and 2000.
Almost all of those ppl had a car, had no form of public transit near by and increased the geographical boundaries of ATL
To put in perspective, ALL of metro Atlanta grew by 2.3 million ppl between 1970 and 2000.
Almost all of those ppl had a car, had no form of public transit near by and increased the geographical boundaries of ATL
5 Metro Atlanta counties in 1970 are 22 counties (and growing). And since there is no adequate regional anywhere, ALL TRAFFIC WILL GET SUBSTANTIALLY WORSE NO MATTER HOW MANY ROADS ARE BUILT.
It’s how in 2014, A light amount of snow and ice shut down the ninth largest metropolitan area in the United States for days.
Atlanta was embarrassed nationally,But that should’ve been the canary in the coal mine. https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2014/01/atlantas-snow-fiasco-the-real-problem-in-the-south-isnt-weather-its-history.html
Atlanta was embarrassed nationally,But that should’ve been the canary in the coal mine. https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2014/01/atlantas-snow-fiasco-the-real-problem-in-the-south-isnt-weather-its-history.html
The insistence of local control and the counties purposely not joining into MARTA because of those notions of ‘black crime’ has started to cripple our entire region from an emergency planning perspective...Seriously http://nymag.com/intelligencer/2017/04/atlantas-29-counties-have-helped-lead-to-a-traffic-disaster.html
http://nymag.com/intelligencer/2017/04/atlantas-29-counties-have-helped-lead-to-a-traffic-disaster.html
Everyone laughed at the I-85 bridge collapse but the problem was 30% of a region of nearly 6million people was immediately cut off and caused massive regional shifting delays in other pockets. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/31/us/atlanta-interstate-85-bridge-collapse.html
The following year, 2018 would prove pivotal as MARTA’s potentially coming into Gwinnett seemed like a possibility.
Due to a high expected turnout in November of 2018 in the Stacey Abrams vs Brian Kemp race.
But was booted off b/c or 2 commissioners worried about its passage
Due to a high expected turnout in November of 2018 in the Stacey Abrams vs Brian Kemp race.
But was booted off b/c or 2 commissioners worried about its passage
As a result, the referendum moved to March and those two commissioners and question both lost their seats.
. But the damage is already done.
Out of the county of over 900,000 people about 100,000 came to vote for that special election.
MARTA lost and so did Gwinnett
. But the damage is already done.
Out of the county of over 900,000 people about 100,000 came to vote for that special election.
MARTA lost and so did Gwinnett
Gwinnett has the some of the largest population in Georgia of Koreans, Mexicans, Indians and Middle Eastern residents
Many of whom rely on rides from those people who have a car and many of those who ride without license or insurance.
& are also service workers and need transit
Many of whom rely on rides from those people who have a car and many of those who ride without license or insurance.
& are also service workers and need transit
This is the most diverse county in Georgia and a majority minority county.
Meaning that there is no racial or ethnic majority.
& while a large portion of these people voted in November, they did not show up for the special election.
Which was the plan in pushing it to March.
Meaning that there is no racial or ethnic majority.
& while a large portion of these people voted in November, they did not show up for the special election.
Which was the plan in pushing it to March.
Gwinnett that will eventually become the largest county in Georgia and the people who came out to vote where a much smaller group of people who expressed notions of it bringing crime to Gwinnett.
While all evidence points of this being the opposite.
And Before you ask, yes.
While all evidence points of this being the opposite.
And Before you ask, yes.
Someone who covered that race pretty intensely.
The number of people who I met who now believe that mass transit equals crime and mass transit equals in efficiency has cross racial lines despite their economic circumstances.
The number of people who I met who now believe that mass transit equals crime and mass transit equals in efficiency has cross racial lines despite their economic circumstances.
I spent most of my time in poor neighborhoods of color. Neighborhoods they were argueably worse off than those in DeKalb or Fulton County or Atlanta.
But many of the residents believed that b/c they were in the suburbs that they were still in a better position in life
But many of the residents believed that b/c they were in the suburbs that they were still in a better position in life
Most the people I talk to the side of the local tv news is they’re number one source.
As all local tv news coverage only focused on two things: 1) will MARTA bring crime? And 2) how much will this cost?
As all local tv news coverage only focused on two things: 1) will MARTA bring crime? And 2) how much will this cost?
Which is why right now people complain about MARTA But don’t understand the history or context.
Everyone assumes that traffic will magically disappear if everyone moves away (which is a very bad idea) or if we expand the roads (which is an equally bad idea).
Everyone assumes that traffic will magically disappear if everyone moves away (which is a very bad idea) or if we expand the roads (which is an equally bad idea).
We’ve reached the law of diminishing returns when it comes to building roads.
For every new road we expand or highway that we build it will not solve traffic.
This is because at this point we actually Have all the roads that we need but we are too far away from everything
For every new road we expand or highway that we build it will not solve traffic.
This is because at this point we actually Have all the roads that we need but we are too far away from everything
Atlanta we drive to our mailbox and in 20 minutes looking for a parking space.
That type of design w/an over emphasis on roads and parking is causing places like Gwinnett to fumble the bag as companies & residents are starting to leave for life inside of I-285
That type of design w/an over emphasis on roads and parking is causing places like Gwinnett to fumble the bag as companies & residents are starting to leave for life inside of I-285
Is causing mini pockets throughout the outer burbs of Atlanta to create as @atlurbanist calls it ‘drive-thru urbanism’.
These are mini city type of developments or a revamp of the Town Squares or Main Streets.
These are mini city type of developments or a revamp of the Town Squares or Main Streets.
And we’re seeing more pop up all across the metro Atlanta area.
This is because the city offers great a job prospects, greater life prospects and most importantly an experience that is not as cookie-cutter as living in a nondescript subdivision.
This is because the city offers great a job prospects, greater life prospects and most importantly an experience that is not as cookie-cutter as living in a nondescript subdivision.
But this is it just in Atlanta think this is a Worldwide thing.
As globally all capital is shifting to within cities and not burbs or places that I’ve never had burbs at all.
As the words of @profgalloway The economic projections is saying to anyone who is viable be in a city.
As globally all capital is shifting to within cities and not burbs or places that I’ve never had burbs at all.
As the words of @profgalloway The economic projections is saying to anyone who is viable be in a city.
So you’re saying more suburbs become on the defensive. And this will continue. But the problem is the employment that came with being in the suburbs and that Advantage is now going to places that have transit.
So this is why eventually we will have a regional transit service.
But it’s the questions of who it serves and how long it takes to get here and what type of vehicles and pathways are made is still up in the air in Atlanta.
But it’s the questions of who it serves and how long it takes to get here and what type of vehicles and pathways are made is still up in the air in Atlanta.
This is important because eventually Atlanta will become the six largest metro in the US, gaining an extra 2.5 million people in 21 years.
Everyone can’t drive a car, live 2 hours outside of work or live in a house w/ 5 acres.
The math doesn’t add up. https://atlanta.curbed.com/2017/6/6/15747002/atlanta-growth-america-sixth-largest-city-2046
Everyone can’t drive a car, live 2 hours outside of work or live in a house w/ 5 acres.
The math doesn’t add up. https://atlanta.curbed.com/2017/6/6/15747002/atlanta-growth-america-sixth-largest-city-2046
But everyone still believes that transit equals crime.
And that has a long history in Atlanta ever since the ending of the Civil War.
And that’s got a change.
The bogeyman was never outside it was always the prejudice within. Goodnight.
And that has a long history in Atlanta ever since the ending of the Civil War.
And that’s got a change.
The bogeyman was never outside it was always the prejudice within. Goodnight.
