On Tuesday, Fannie Mae, MARTA, ARC and Suntrust Bank announced a new initiative called "Smart Commute." Smart Commute rewards home buyers that purchase a home within one-quarter mile of a public bus stop or one-half mile of a rail station and commit to using the transit instead of a car. The benefits include adding a home buyer's anticipated transportation savings to the buyer's qualifying income - increasing the size mortgage for which they may qualify.

Unfortunately, when this program was announced, the BeltLine was left out of the discussion. Its ability to accommodate at least 100,000 new homes within a ¼ mile of a dedicated rail corridor is a compelling argument for how it can both benefit and be benefited by Smart Commute.

The Atlanta Journal Constitution ran an editorial on Wednesday praising the program. To keep the BeltLine fresh in the discussion about linking housing and public transportation, I encourage you to write to the AJC to express your thoughts about the value of the BeltLine. You can e-mail the editors at letters@ajc.com or fax them at (404) 526-5610. Letters should be no longer than 150 words.

- Cathy Woolard, Atlanta City Council President