City Council Approves Funding for Major Downtown Transformation

The Atlanta City Council has officially approved funding and plans for The Stitch, a transformative project set to cap the Downtown Connector with a 14-acre park. This initiative has been in discussion for years, but with this latest vote and federal support secured, it’s finally happening.

The Stitch will bridge the divide created by I-75/85 and create a new kind of public space in the heart of the city. And for Atlanta residents? This is big.

What Is The Stitch?

Think of The Stitch as Atlanta’s version of New York’s High Line or Chicago’s Millennium Park. The idea is to reconnect the parts of downtown Atlanta that were split by the construction of the interstate decades ago. By covering a portion of the highway between Ted Turner Drive and Piedmont Avenue, The Stitch will introduce a walkable greenspace where there was once only noise, traffic, and concrete.

The plan includes parks, plazas, and pedestrian paths designed to bring people—and neighborhoods—back together.

What’s Included: Green Space, Walkability, and Economic Growth

According to the Atlanta Regional Commission, The Stitch could completely reshape how downtown functions:

• 14 Acres of Park Space — New gathering spaces for locals, families, and visitors right in the heart of the city.
• Pedestrian + Bike Access — Prioritizing walkability with wide sidewalks and connected paths.
• Community Reconnection — Finally bridging neighborhoods that have felt isolated for decades.
• Business Growth — A boost for nearby businesses and an invitation for future investment.

Timeline and Funding

Construction is expected to begin in 2026, with Phase 1 targeted for completion by 2030. The estimated total cost is between $550M–$800M, and the first major funding milestone came from a $900,000 federal grant, secured in early 2024 to support pre-development work.

Additional funding will be gathered through a mix of city, state, and private investment.

What This Means for Atlanta Residents

This isn’t just about a pretty park. This is about restoring broken urban fabric, increasing access to public space, and setting a new standard for equitable development.

If you live in Old Fourth Ward, Downtown, Midtown—or even if you commute regularly through this stretch—you’re going to feel this change.

And beyond the physical space, it’s a statement: Atlanta is investing in connection, not just construction.

Want to learn more? The City of Atlanta’s Planning Department has detailed plans for how The Stitch fits into broader city development goals.

Final Thoughts

The Stitch is a project that symbolizes what Atlanta is becoming—a city that remembers its past, acknowledges its missteps, and chooses to build forward in a way that’s people-focused.

This isn’t just infrastructure—it’s a long-overdue reunion.