The Midtown Connector Project Included in 2023 Omnibus Spending Bill

Staff Report

Wednesday, January 18th, 2023

Congress has finalized its annual spending bills and has included $3.2 Million ($3,200,000) for The Midtown Connector Project (MCP) to finalize its 30% design & engineering package in 2023.

MCP will bring a world-class deck park over the Connector in Midtown Atlanta, reconnecting East and West Midtown and revitalizing the area with much needed urban greenspace. The park will feature over 17 acres of greenspace along with multipurpose gathering spaces for community residents and visitors alike.

U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock and U.S. Congresswoman Nikema Williams requested the funding for MCP from the House and Senate US Department of Transportation appropriation bills, and the project was included in the final compromise measure.

“MCP would like to thank Congresswoman Williams and Senator Warnock for securing this federal funding,” said Taylor Morison, MCP’s Chief Strategy Officer. “They provided great leadership to obtain these funds that will transform and ultimately reconnect Atlanta for good.”

Senator Warnock and Congresswoman Williams secured $3.2 million in the omnibus bill that was signed into law by President Biden on Thursday, Dec. 29, 2022.

“I’m thrilled Congresswoman Williams and I were able to secure these strong investments that will help bring the Midtown Connector Project to fruition,” said U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock. “This funding will help create new mobility options and economic opportunities in the heart of our state’s capital, and I’m going to continue fighting to see this critical infrastructure project come fully to life.”

“The money I secured for the Midtown Connector Project with Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock will reconnect neighborhoods, create jobs, and build critical infrastructure,” said Congresswoman Nikema Williams. “I am proud to bring these resources home to invest in Georgia’s Fifth Congressional District.”

Running from North Avenue to 5th Street, adjacent to Atlanta’s central business district, Georgia Tech, and the Westside neighborhoods, the deck park over the Connector will enhance economic vitality, provide ecological and environmental restoration, and increase access to social, cultural, and natural assets for all of Atlanta. A “shovel worthy” gathering space for all, inclusion in this bill will generate incredible momentum for the project in the coming year and complete the 30% design & engineering package, competitively positioning MCP for federal construction grants in the next year.

To learn more about The Midtown Connector Project, visit abetterconnector.com or reach out to [email protected].