By Gabriel Owens, contributor

The Atlanta Beltline Board of Directors held their monthly meeting on March 8, revealing and discussed plans to create 77 more units of affordable housing.

Following the financial report, CEO and President of Beltline Board of Directors, Paul Morris gave an update on ABI’s efforts to promote affordable housing.

“We have secured 77 units of affordable housing through the Atlanta Housing Authority on Adair Court,” he said. “And we are actively looking to secure other housing.”

Other areas identified for low-cost housing include 1016 Monroe and 898 Memorial Drive. Details are still being worked out with AHA, Morris said.

A few other items discussed during Wednesday’s meeting:

– Morriss addressed public safety along the Beltline.

“We could not get matching federal funding for increasing the police presence on the Westside Trail at this time, as the funds are currently being used in higher priority areas around the country,” Morris said.  “But [the Fulton Police Department] is supporting us and wants to make this happen.”

Morris said that Atlanta Police Department’s “PATH­ Force” is still a priority, and the Beltline will be resubmitting for federal funds later this year with the full support of the police department.

“It’s a top priority we keep the trails safe for all of our residents,” he said.

– Morris announced that there will be road closures between Krog Street to Sampson Street from March 20 to April 17 due to construction, expansion of street car access across the Beltline is under review for environmental study and engineering, and the Southside Trail design is ahead of schedule with 50 percent of the design proposal completed.

– Chief Operating Officer Clyde Higgs kicked off the meeting with a financial report, revealing a solid cash flow and assets standing at $144 million dollars.

“We have brought down several of our debts,” Higgs said. “Our loan from Suntrust has been reduced from $1.8 million to $1.5 million. We expect to bring this debt and others down substantially by the end of the year.”

– Addressing “green” concerns, Morris said a solar grant proposal for the Allene Urban Farm has also been submitted to the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority.

The next Atlanta Beltline meeting will be an Executive Committee Meeting on April 12.