A decade-long effort to create a transformative greenspace and infrastructure project in downtown Atlanta has hit a significant roadblock as funding for the initiative has disappeared just as it entered the construction phase.
The newly enacted One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed by President Donald Trump last month, rescinded $151.4 million in federal grant funds that were previously awarded to the Stitch project in early 2024.
This funding represented approximately 75% of the estimated costs required to design and construct the Stitch’s multi-acre first phase.
Despite this setback, Stitch leadership is resolute that the project will move forward.
Jack Cebe, the project’s director and an experienced engineer and landscape architect, expressed disappointment over the loss of federal funds but reassured stakeholders that “the Stitch is happening” in a newsletter shared today.
Phase one of the Stitch is anticipated to encompass 5.7 acres and is envisioned as the green centerpiece of the project, featuring pathways, native gardens, a plaza, shade structures, pavilions, a playground, restrooms, and multiple connections to nearby streets.
Prior to the funding loss, construction was slated to commence in 2026; plans have now been impacted significantly.
Local funding efforts for phase one have yielded over $40 million, and Cebe indicates that the team is on target to complete necessary permitting, approvals, and shovel-ready engineering by mid-2026.
A positive sign for the project’s future is a reaffirmed commitment from both the Georgia Department of Transportation and the office of Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens.
In April, the Atlanta City Council approved the establishment of a new downtown special services district, designed primarily to support the operations, administration, maintenance, and program costs of the Stitch through property taxes collected from residents within the district.
This tax district operates independently of federal funding.
Following the loss of the federal grant, representatives from U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock’s office indicated in June that alternative funding conversations must occur with the City of Atlanta regarding the use of proceeds from the special services district.
There is a possibility that these funds could be redirected toward the construction of phase one of the Stitch.
Similar tax districts have successfully funded projects like the Atlanta Beltline and Truist Park/The Battery Atlanta, as highlighted by Stitch leadership.
As it stands, property owners in the areas near the Stitch should anticipate an increase of about $200 in property taxes for every $100,000 of assessed value.
In return, the Stitch is projected to enhance property values and grow the desirability of the neighborhood over time.
Despite the loss of federal funds, Cebe noted that the Stitch has made considerable progress over the past two years with more than $200 million in local and federal funding temporarily secured before the grant was rescinded.
Community engagement has also been significant, with thousands of Atlanta residents providing input that led to the adoption of a master plan by Dickens and the city council in June.
Benefit events are being planned to further support the Stitch, which is expected to generate 4,500 jobs and $9 billion in economic investment for the downtown area, according to projections made by Cebe.
Originally proposed in 2016, the three-phase Stitch project has gained unprecedented momentum over the past year, with phase one set to take shape between Peachtree and Courtland streets, above the downtown Connector.
Tentative timelines for phases two and three are set for construction start in 2029 and 2033, respectively, but will require diverse additional funding sources to materialize.
Such funding could come from state and federal grants, commitments from the City of Atlanta, philanthropic contributions, and ‘real estate value capture,’ according to the project’s leaders.
Overall estimates for completing the entire Stitch project project 14 acres of new public space over the Connector, with total costs exceeding $700 million and a goal to finish all phases around 2036, contingent on securing necessary funds.
For more details and context on what the initial phase of the Stitch will look like, find additional information in the accompanying gallery.
image source from：atlanta
