ABC Articles

By Maria Saporta
Published in the Atlanta Business Chronicle on Friday, May 17, 2013

ULI Atlanta and the Livable Communities Coalition have agreed to join forces — creating the ULI Atlanta Livable Communities Council.

The Council will be part of the Urban Land Institute’s Atlanta district and will assume the mission of the Livable Communities Coalition (LCC), the nonprofit metro Atlanta advocacy group formed in 2005 to promote smart urban growth.

David Allman, who has served as LCC’s board chair and is the incoming board chair of ULI Atlanta, said combining both entities makes “perfect sense going forward.” Allman, founder of developer Regent Partners, said the two entities have common goals — walkable communities and transit-oriented development (TOD). Continue reading →

By Maria Saporta and Amy Wenk
Published in the Atlanta Business Chronicle on Friday, May 17, 2013

Five architectural teams competed for the highly sought after contract to design the new $1 billion retractable-roof stadium for the Atlanta Falcons.

Kansas City, Mo., firm 360 Architecture won the contract, partly for its novel and ground-breaking ideas on two retractable-roof designs.

But the four other architectural teams also presented worthy and unique concepts in stadium design. Some mapped out ways to connect the structure with downtown and the surrounding communities of Vine City, English Avenue and Castleberry Hill.
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By Maria Saporta
Published in the Atlanta Business Chronicle on Friday, May 10, 2013

The nonprofit All About Developmental Disabilities (AADD) has named a new executive director just in time for Mother’s Day.

The new director is Kathy Keeley, who has been serving as interim executive director since last August of the 50-year-old nonprofit. AADD provides support services, advocacy and training to more than 2,000 individuals and families living with developmental disabilities.
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By Maria Saporta and Amy Wenk
Published in the Atlanta Business Chronicle on Friday, May 10, 2013

Now that the new Atlanta Falcons stadium has been given a green light from the various governmental entities and now that an architect has been selected, the next step is finalizing the site.

Active discussions are underway to get that issue settled as soon as possible, so work can start on the $1 billion retractable-roof stadium.

According to official agreements, there’s an Aug. 1 deadline to determine if the preferred stadium location known as the “South site,” which is the land that sits between Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and the Georgia Dome, is feasible for the project.
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By Maria Saporta
Published in the Atlanta Business Chronicle on Friday, May 3, 2013

A new corporate foundation is solidifying its place on Atlanta’s landscape.

In the past couple of years, the Chick-fil-A Foundation has a hired a new director, adopted a new name, and most recently, appointed an impressive advisory board to help it support youth and education in the community.

Rodney Bullard, who became executive director of the foundation in 2011, said he has been studying other corporate foundations in Atlanta to adopt best practices and be as effective as possible.

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By Maria Saporta
Published in the Atlanta Business Chronicle on Friday, May 3, 2013

The local thread of leadership that has run through several of Atlanta’s key companies has become thinner during the 2013 annual meeting season.

In late April, the annual meetings of shareholders were held for Genuine Parts Co., Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc., SunTrust Banks Inc., Marine Products Corp., Rollins Inc. and The Coca-Cola Co., among others.

These are legacy Atlanta-based companies that have had long-term relationships with complementary and crossover ties with each other for decades.
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By Maria Saporta
Published in the Atlanta Business Chronicle on Friday, April 26, 2013

The YWCA of Greater Atlanta has tapped longtime civic leader Emily Ellison to serve as its new president and CEO.

Ellison is one of the founders of the Atlanta Girls School; she currently serves as its director of advancement. She plans to join the YWCA on July 15.

The YWCA of Greater Atlanta has been led by Sharmen Gowens, who has been its interim CEO since August, following the departure of Justine Boyd. Gowens will be returning to her role as a YWCA board member in August.
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By Maria Saporta
Published in the Atlanta Business Chronicle on Friday, April 26, 2013

Leadership changes at the Atlanta office of law firm Greenberg Traurig LLP will position Ernest Greer into an influential global role without him leaving town.

Greer has been promoted to vice president and is now among eight officers of the Miami-based firm with 1,750 lawyers in 36 offices. Six of those offices are overseas.
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By Amy Wenk and Maria Saporta
Published in the Atlanta Business Chronicle on Friday, April 26, 2013

Conversation is kicking around again about scoring a Major League Soccer team for Atlanta.

Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank has long wanted to bring an MLS franchise to the city.

Now, he’s got another chance.
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By Maria Saporta
Published in the Atlanta Business Chronicle on Friday, April 19, 2013

California-based DPR Construction firm is the new owner of Hardin Construction, an Atlanta-based builder that was founded in 1946. The previously announced deal closed on April 15.

From now on, the combined company will be named DPR except in the Atlanta market (Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee) where it will be branded as DPR Hardin Construction.
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