“The Stitch” is a concept to build a new ¾ mile long “lid” above the I-75/85 Downtown Connector, an Interstate that bisects Atlanta’s downtown, as a way to create open space in the heart of the city of Atlanta. Aptly named, this project intends to “stitch” this section of Downtown back together with new streets, buildings, and parks. The Stitch concept proposes to reclaim approximately 14 acres of new urban greenspace atop a new platform structure.

Downtown Atlanta is a significant employment center of Atlanta, accommodating 28% of the city’s jobs, and the Stitch is envisioned to continue to spur employment in the commercial areas that surround it. The Stitch could serve as a new district and catalyst for bringing Midtown and downtown together, creating an outwardly welcoming urban place while positioning surrounding areas to better absorb growth through new development opportunities and partnerships.

The Advisory Services panel was charged with addressing project positioning, development impacts, design experience and partnerships, and funding best practices for the Stitch.

A panel made recommendations to TxDOT, the city of Austin and the Downtown Austin Alliance on capping the I-35 freeway and ensuring a more integrated and community-informed approach to corridor planning. 

In February 2020, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) was poised to initiate the schematic design and environmental study of an approximately 10-mile reconstruction project of the Interstate Highway 35 (I-35) through the heart of Austin, Texas. The project would include the lowering of approximately 3 miles of highway through the center of the city. The State has identified an estimated more than $7 billion to upgrade the aging highway infrastructure an expects to begin construction in 2024 or 2025.   

An Advisory Services panel made recommendations to the ReConnect Rondo: “More Than a Bridge” organization and its partners on the development of “freeway lid” space to link Rondo neighborhoods adjacent to Interstate 94 with a park or series of parks that straddle the freeway. Panelists considered the types of land uses and development that could be catalyzed by the freeway lids, benefiting the neighborhoods and greater community.

The panel proposed three land use options and cap designs, all emphasizing that the land bridge should move forward, and the opportunity to ensure African American leadership and ownership in future development.

The panel built upon previous advisory work regarding freeway lids conducted by ULI Minnesota, which serves ULI members in the Twin Cities region and throughout the state as well as the Dakotas.