Beltline grows: New trail segment connects Westside

Why it matters: The trail hooks up with a Beltline spur trail that travels through English Avenue and ends at the Georgia World Congress Center, giving trail users a safe, off-street route to major events.

• The path also continues to the north toward Huff Road and Blandtown, and then further into Buckhead.

Context: The trail crosses the future Valley of the Hawks green infrastructure project in the Bankhead neighborhood and abuts the 31-acre Beltline-owned property that could become housing, retail and more.

Yes, and: It also creates Beltline access for the 90-acre Grove Park property Microsoft purchased in 2021 for a massive office center. The tech giant halted that plan in February 2023 and has kept mum ever since.

• A spokesperson for Mayor Andre Dickens told Axios the city "will have something to say regarding Microsoft in the very near future. Discussions are ongoing."

State of play: ABI's board of directors this past week approved the nonprofit's $242 million budget for 2026, Rough Draft reports.

• The spending plan includes funding to complete 18 miles of trail before the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The big picture: Once the Southside Trail opens in early 2026, a bicyclist will be able to pedal from Grove Park to Piedmont Park.