Atlanta BeltLine names Paul Morris top executive

The Atlanta BeltLine Inc.'s (ABI) board yesterday elected Paul Morris president and chief executive officer.

Morris, who has more than 30 years of experience in transportation and urban redevelopment, will lead ABI as it implements "one of the most transformative urban redevelopment and mobility projects in the country," ABI officials said in a press release.

Prior to joining ABI, Morris served as deputy secretary for transit for the North Carolina Department of Transportation, where he oversaw the multi-modal divisions, as well as a number of land use and transportation initiatives.

"We believe that the depth and variety of experience Paul Morris has will make this great project and organization even stronger," said ABI Chairman John Somerhalder.

The most comprehensive economic development project ever undertaken in Atlanta, the BeltLine will provide a network of public parks, multi-use trails and transit along a 22-mile railroad corridor that will circle downtown Atlanta and connect neighborhoods to each other.