Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. President and CEO Paul Morris on Wednesday gave his organization a “qualified” C and D grade on affordable housing so far.
Author Archives: Maggie Lee
Maggie Lee is a freelance reporter who's been covering Georgia and metro Atlanta government and politics since 2008.
New housing board chair talks affordability in Atlanta
The new chair of the board that oversees Atlanta’s housing authority says wants to work with more partners in development, business and education to improve the city’s affordable housing stock.
State Senate leader reboots transit hub talk
After years of fizzled discussions, the chair of the state Senate Transportation Committee said that he thinks conditions are getting ripe for metro Atlanta to get its own “Union Station.”
Invest Atlanta hits pause on Eastside TAD applications
For the time being, Atlanta’s development agency has stopped taking application for grants to subsidize and spur investment in the heart of the city.
Auditors ding Atlanta parks maintenance
In the sticky months when grass and weeds threaten to overwhelm Atlanta, city parks staffing gets stepped up. But a new report by city auditors suggests a substantial number of parks could use more work.
DeKalb family in court challenge to federal marijuana ban
In a new lawsuit, a group of medical marijuana entrepreneurs and advocates, including one from DeKalb, are telling a federal court that Congress’ ban on cannabis is seriously misguided.
Atlanta mayoral candidate questions possible transit spend at Emory
Some six weeks before Atlanta City Council is expected to vote on Emory University’s petition to join the city, a state lawmaker who’s running for mayor is raising questions about the equity of possible spending on a light rail line in the would-be part of Atlanta.
Three on Atlanta City Council angle for president duties
The three Atlanta City Council members who sat before an audience in a northwest Atlanta church Wednesday night are all seeking a promotion to a higher office — and said what they’d like to leave as a legacy.
Invest Atlanta approves millions for marquee developments
The leaders of the the Atlanta agency in charge of attracting investment on Thursday morning approved millions of dollars in sweeteners or tax abatements for developments at Underground, Colony Square and more.
Georgia tax breaks under scrutiny in state Senate
Every year, industries approach Georgia lawmakers asking for new or renewed tax breaks, promising leaps in job growth, industry expansion, or some other worthwhile payoff. But the state is a laggard at checking back on tax breaks and seeing what they do — or don’t — deliver.
Fort McPherson signs first tenant
Movie mogul Tyler Perry and the veterans’ medical campus at Fort McPherson are getting a new neighbor: the Wolf Idea Group is setting up headquarters and a showroom at the shuttered U.S. Army post in southwest Atlanta.
Nearly $600,000 raised in contest to lead Atlanta City Council
Three members of Atlanta City Council are asking voters to promote them to president of the body. The three have reported raising almost $600,000 in total campaign funds.
Mayor candidates talk equity, vie for green vote, at Downtown forum
The organizers of an Atlanta mayoral candidate forum on green space Thursday night had to move their event to a bigger auditorium — their first venue couldn’t hold everyone who wanted to know more about what candidates propose for the city’s trees, watersheds and parks.
City panel pauses Pullman Yard landmark designation process
Amid general support for landmarking Kirkwood’s Pullman Yard, a city panel hearing the idea delayed a vote while they await historic details on at least one building.
Three Atlanta mayor candidates top $1 million in campaign cash
The top fundraisers in the Atlanta mayoral race have already broken seven figures in campaign cash.
MARTA-streetcar terms expected in coming weeks
The Atlanta Streetcar is heading for MARTA management and ownership, but the document that will list the details of the transfer from the city to the agency is still some weeks from publication.
Two parks, multiple benefits on schedule for westside next year
The pair of parks set to open in English Avenue and Vine City next year will mean more than acres of places to play, exercise or relax. They’re also meant to bring benefits that won’t be obvious by looking.
Hundreds attend ‘Comfort Women’ memorial dedication in Brookhaven
The new statue in a Brookhaven park of a seated woman is small — about five feet high. But the attention for the comfort women memorial was large, making headlines all the way across the Pacific Ocean and sparking opposition from the Japanese Consulate in Atlanta.
Georgia House leader signals openness to state funding for transit
A group of state legislators plus county and transit bosses convened in Atlanta on Thursday to start work on recommendations for the state’s transit systems. They heard a hint that state leaders may look favorably on Georgia contributions toward transit.
Cuba travel plans safe, for now, according to diplomat
In a high-rise office in Midtown on Wednesday night, a former ambassador had some fairly good news for folks with immediate travel plans to Cuba. But for people and businesses with Cuba-related plans a little further out, Charles Shapiro suggested a look back to the past and some uncertainty.
