The 200 mile outer perimeter expressway planned to encircle the Atlanta metro area is considered by some obervers to be the most important project ever undertaken in Georgia. Expensive and controversial, it may set a global pattern for controlling and enhancing the growth of metro areas. The bold plan was proposed in the 1960s by McKinley Conway when he was a member of the Georgia Senate serving on the highway committee.

• Location map and description. (93K bytes)
• Economic development benefits.
• Conservation benefits
• The "Georgia Greenway" Concept map (200K bytes).
• Global significance.
• Action needed.
• Project background.

The completion of the Atlanta outer perimeter highway, with its conservation corridor, would give Georgia some of the finest "super metro" sites to be found anywhere in the world. It would benefit the entire state -- in fact some of the economic impact would spill over into neighboring states.

At first glance, some have jumped to the conclusion that the outer perimeter is designed to help Atlanta at the expense of other parts of the state. This is absolutely inconsistent with what experienced area development executives know about the process of economic development.

Attracting new investment is extremely competitive. Georgia competes not only with other states but with nations around the world. It is a fact that today one search for a particular plant site may include the southern states, Mexico, Malaysia, Taiwan, and other locations.

To be successful, an area must LEAD FROM STRENGTH. To attract interest, Georgia must put its best foot forward. That is the Atlanta metro area.

There is only one location in Georgia which offers all of the attributes of a globally-significant super metro area. Atlanta, therefore, is a door-opener.

This does not mean that every firm interested in Georgia is going to locate in Atlanta. With the outer perimeter in place, firms which want to be within a short drive on Atlanta can select locations throughout North Georgia and Middle Georgia.

Rather than focussing investment in Atlanta, the outer perimeter will spread it out across the state. Many more counties will be directly involved.

At the same time, there will be important benefits for downtown Atlanta and rural Georgia. The core of Atlanta will benefit from the implosion of increased financial and service activity. The rural areas will benefit from increased possibilities for spin- off of activities which do not need to be in the large metro area.

This revolution will occur if Georgia leaders give it a chance! It will be a natural economic development process which will give the state a tremenduous competitive edge.

Nothing proposed for Georgia can come close to providing the benefits which will flow from the outer perimeter.

CONSERVATION BENEFITS

This is a proposal for the development of a great green necklace to circle Atlanta and make it a world-class city of unique features.

If the outer perimeter highway is combined with a conservation corridor, it will yield the most significant project in the state's history. While the idea of combining two such entities may surprise some people, it is logical and it can be done. Each element will add to the merit of the other.

The outer perimeter highway can become a feasible scheme for integrating the natural resources of the state -- a conservation project of global significance which can enhance quality of life for all Georgians.

At a recent Singapore conference of the World Development Council a team of environmentalists described a noteworthy Central American project called "Paseo Panterra". In Spanish that means "path of the panther" -- a conservation corridor extending across five nations in which, literally, panthers and other wildlife could travel without human intervention.

This concept of interconnected greenways or conservation corridors is gaining support around the world. Conservationists recognize that, while it is good to set aside a nature preserve, it is far better to set aside a series of preserves which are part of a planned network.

The state of Georgia has an unique opportunity to take the lead in the planning of such "green infrastructure". This significant opportunity is triggered by the planning of the outer perimeter highway around the Atlanta metro area. Action taken today can benefit the state for generations to come.

GLOBAL SIGNIFICANCE.

The outer perimeter has already attracted some attention around the world. It is listed as a "global super project" by the World Development Council.

This project will give Georgia something to be proud of long after the 1996 Olympic games are over. It will make a much larger long-term contribution to the state's economic development and QOL.

When completed, Georgia's great greenway will be a world model. To the casual visitor it will be a 200 mile scenie drive. To those who live in the state it will be a great park.

For the children and grandchildren of today's Georgians the corridor will guarantee a good QOL supported by a strong economic base. Consider this rationale:

It is a certainty that the population of Atlanta and Georgia will continue to increase rapidly. In the absence of a global population control program, this growth will continue for the forseeable future.

We have only two choices: we can accept uncontrolled growth which reduces our QOL, or we can try to channel growth -- through good planning -- in ways to preserve and enhance our QOL.

We have a big and continuing need for jobs. We must recognize what kind of environment will attract the kinds of jobs Georgians want. The conservation corridor can be the centerpiece in the creation of a powerful magnet for the attraction of high- technology, high-wage activities.

ACTION NEEDED

A special planning program is urgently needed!.

This must be a joint effort of environmental and development experts who have a track record of harmonizing development with the natural environment. They must be selected on the basis of their ability to work as a team in an atmosphere of cooperation rather than confrontation.

The overall planning concept must be prepared by a state-oriented team with a broad, objective viewpoint -- not committed to the specific interests of any particular city, county, or rural area. It must consider all concerns, but focus on the conservation corridor's needs above those of special interests.

This project can become a focal point for the "Preservation 2000 Program" already promulgated by Governor Miller and DNR official Joe Tanner. It can utilize some of the concepts of the "Georgia Greenbelt Authority" proposed by Charles Brown and George Eichler of Technology Park/Atlanta.

In short, the conservation corridor can and should bring together the people, organizations, and resources that are available to make it happen.

The corridor plan group should do a "broad brush" plan identifying areas of special environmental concern and suggesting areas which should have a high priority for conservation. It should also propose criteria for the planning of development at appropriate points.

After the broad corridor plan is promulgated, it would be expected that local planning bodies would implement details within their jurisdictions.

The overall planning process may be launched via the appointment of a study group by the Governor. High-priority must, of course, be given to financial planning to achieve purchase of land and/or controlling use in the corridor. Potential sources for purchase or use control include:

1. Land acquisitions by The Trust For Public Lands, The Nature Conservancy, and other environmental organizations.
2. Land acquisition by private foundations, such as the new Turner Foundation, the Woodruff group, and others both within and out of state.
3. Land acquisitions by Federal, state, and local agencies.
4. Land set aside by private land owners, in some cases spurred by tax incentives or other special legislation.
5. Land protected by zoning ordinances.

PROJECT BACKGROUND

(As reflected by reports written and published by McKinley Conway)

1. The outline proposal made by Senator Conway to Senate Highway Committee in 1967.
2. Will Two-Loop Cities Dominate Future Site Selection? Site Selection, 1986.
3. Enter the Super Metros! Site Selection, August, 1987.
4. Outer loop highway would link cities, hinterland. Gwinnett Daily, 1991.
5. A Glimpse Of The Future. Study for the World Development Council. 1992.
6. Airport Cities 21. Study for the World Development Council. 1993.
7. Impact of outer loop. Memo for Governor Zell Miller. 1993.