New renderings and details of The Stitch, which will cap a section of I-75-85, were revealed during an Atlanta Downtown Town Hall on Aug. 28.
With $200 million in funding already secured and the engineering underway, construction on phase one of The Stitch is expected to begin in 2026 or 2027, according to development manager Jack Cebe.
The first phase will be a 4.5-acre park over the Downtown Connector between Peachtree and Courtland streets. There will also be improvements made to existing streets in the vicinity of the park.
The additional two phases of The Stitch – bringing the project to 14 acres – will be built over 10 years with completion for the entire project estimated at 2036. That timeline will depend on securing additional funding, Cebe said.
Cebe said The Stitch hopes to follow in the footsteps of the Atlanta Beltline and encourage more funding following the completion of phase one.
“We hope that the completion of phase one will generate momentum and excitement to advance the next two phases,” Cebe said.
A rendering of the completed Stitch shows programming for elements that were suggested by more than 4,000 people – residents, businesses, and other stakeholders – who engaged in the planning process of the project. The rendering shows a lush, green linear park with an amphitheater, event pavilions, an arboretum, skate park, festival plaza, art and sculpture area, splash pad and more.
“The majority of people we engaged with wanted green space, a respite from urban life,” Cebe said. “More shade and a cooler urban environment.”
Cebe said a draft master plan will be released in about a month and will be open for public comment and feedback.
New walking tours of The Stitch project are set to begin weekends starting Sept. 7. Registration is required.
“The thought is to have folks who are interested in The Stitch talking to come down and talk with team members and see the area today and point out what is coming in the future,” Cebe said.