From the desk of Juanita Baranco, Chair, Buckhead Coalition

I am excited about a potential project, led by the Buckhead CID, that could transform the heart of Buckhead and elevate the quality of life for our residents and visitors. This vision is a generational game-changer for an urban green space and gathering place, providing a place for civic life to flourish in a location unlike anything else in the American South.

It is called HUB404, a proposed half-mile green space that will soar above GA400 in Buckhead, creating an innovative 9-acre park atop the highway with a direct connection to MARTA’s Buckhead transit station.

HUB404 will be a critical component of multiple efforts to increase the walkability of Buckhead. Due to the direct connection to MARTA, HUB404 will also be accessible to all of Atlanta and provide the opportunity for bridging community divides.

The economic impact will be significant, as it will generate approximately 16,300 construction jobs and11,000 permanent jobs, along with hundreds of millions of additional tax revenue.

Public and private support is vital for this vision to become a reality. And we have good news. U.S. Congresswoman Nikema Williams included this project in her Community Project Funding Request, which was approved for inclusion in the 2023 federal fiscal budget. Further, other key members of our federal delegation are also supportive of federal funding for HUB404. There are still many steps to go for final approval and funding, however.

The HUB404 Conservancy, the private-sector partner of the Buckhead CID, has hired its first executive director, Anthony Rodriguez. Anthony will direct all activities of the nonprofit as it relates to the funding, design, operations, and programming of the park.

Please stay tuned for important developments that will take place locally, statewide, and federally in the coming months and next year.

Transformative projects like this have made Buckhead a very special place. But they can only be achieved through a public-private partnership, with strong, collaborative, and visionary leaders.

You can obtain more information on HUB404 at www.hub404.org.