South side growth and redevelopment, and the Atlanta Beltline’s future connection to the Flint River Gateway Trail were the focus of the 10th annual State of the Aerotropolis event on Friday.
A panel that included the chief operating officers of the Atlanta Regional Commission and Clayton County, as well as the mayors of East Point, College Park and Hapeville, said the upcoming Beltline project and the federal funds that will make it happen is a game-changer.
“For so long the south side has been at the end of the line,” said Hapeville Mayor Alan Hallman. “And this project moves us to the front of the line… It’s about time the south side got some recognition.”
Aerotropolis Alliance Atlanta hosted the event at the Kimpton Overland Hotel. The organization is a public-private partnership that works to bring economic development, jobs and prosperous experiences to areas surrounding Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
Shannon James, president and CEO of Aerotropolis Alliance, shared accomplishments and next steps during the event.
Aerotropolis is forming international relationships in such places as China, France and Morocco, which he visited in November, James said.
In July 2025, Aerotropolis Atlanta Alliance is partnering with Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to host the Smart Airports & Regions Conference.
“We’re going to have the entire international community that we’ve been coalescing [come into] our backyard to now see what we’re doing,” James said. [We will be able to] market and promote our assets, so we can continue to build investments.”
During the State of the Aerotropolis, James cited $64.9 million in grant funds that will create more than 31 miles of multi-use trail from southwest Atlanta into Clayton County. The Flint River Gateway Trail will be included in the project.
The grant funds were awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation earlier this year.
The Flint River is Georgia’s second-longest river and flows under the airport. The main part of the river runs 349 miles, but land, ditches and culverts prevent many parts of the river from being seen. The Conservation Fund and the ARC have been working to uncover the river’s hidden headwaters, located in East Point and College Park.
Officials foresee the creation of a preserve and the Flint River Gateway Trail.
“This project is going to be very catalytic for downtown East Point,” said East Point Mayor Deana Holiday Ingraham, who envisions the city and multi-use paths as a destination for out-of-town visitors.
College Park Mayor Bianca Motley Broom added that each city and government entity has a responsibility to take care of the river as it is brought into a more healthy state.
“How we take care of our portion of this has huge implications in the region and entire state,” she said.
It’s great to see collaboration among local leaders. Speaking of progress, I wonder how many attendees would pass rice purity test quiz after discussing all these transformative projects!