An Atlanta treasure, the Tara Theatre, will reopen Memorial Day weekend featuring three new films as well as four old favorites. The Tara was able to secure its operating permits – enabling the theater to reopen after being closed since November, when Regal Cinema abruptly closed the popular movie destination. Chris Escobar, the major owner […]
Author Archives: Maria Saporta
Maria Saporta, executive editor, is a longtime Atlanta business, civic and urban affairs journalist with a deep knowledge of our city, our region and state. From 2008 to 2020, she wrote weekly columns and news stories for the Atlanta Business Chronicle. Prior to that, she spent 27 years with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, becoming its business columnist in 1991. Maria received her Master’s degree in urban studies from Georgia State and her Bachelor’s degree in journalism from Boston University. Maria was born in Atlanta to European parents and has two young adult children. She launched SaportaReport in February 2009.
Posted inColumns
Central Atlanta’s academic triangle developing into a ‘college town’
Midtown Atlanta welcomed the opening of Emory University’s new Winship Cancer Institute in May – a $440 million investment right at Peachtree and Linden. The new glass building is connected to Emory University Hospital Midtown (formerly Crawford Long) with a two-story bridge – solidifying Emory’s investment in the heart of central Atlanta. “This is a […]
Posted inLatest News
Women take center stage during NCCHR’s Power to Inspire event
For decades, women have been overshadowed when it comes to telling the history of the civil rights movement. The Atlanta-based National Center for Civil and Human Rights (NCCHR) took a big step to remedy that omission during its sold-out May 17 Power to Inspire award event at the Rialto Theatre. Instead of a sit-down dinner, NCCHR […]
Posted inColumns
Auburn Avenue’s ‘jewel’ — Prince Hall Masonic Lodge — receives grant for restoration
History is being saved on Auburn Avenue thanks to a $2 million grant from the Lettie Pate Evans Foundation, part of the Woodruff-Whitehead family. The Prince Hall Masonic Lodge, one of the most significant buildings of Atlanta’s civil rights movement, is finally garnering community-wide support for its restoration. The Trust for Public Land (TPL) is […]
Posted inColumns
Atlanta working as one team to create affordable housing – unlike the past
What a difference a decade makes. On May 2, the City of Atlanta and the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta announced a $300 million initiative to build and preserve affordable housing in the city and the region. The setting was the Academy Lofts at Adair Park, the award-winning renovation of George W. Adair School, built […]
Posted inLatest News
Stars align for $300 million affordable housing treasure chest in Atlanta
The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta and Mayor Andre Dickens announced Tuesday a historic commitment to building and preserving affordable housing.
Posted inColumns, Maria's Metro
A first – Woodruff Foundation adds Joe Arnold as a trustee
Without question, the most influential board in Atlanta is the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation, the largest philanthropy in the Southeast.
Posted inLatest News
Manuel’s Tavern having to raise prices to cover inflationary costs
In an open letter to customers, Manuel’s Tavern owner – Brian Maloof – is letting folks know the iconic Atlanta gathering spot is reluctantly raising its prices.
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DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond reflects on his leadership journey
The State of DeKalb County lunch on April 26 had a railroad theme – partly because it was held at Pullman Yards – which once built the luxury Pullman passenger train cars.
Posted inColumns, Maria's Metro
Appreciating two legacy Atlanta festivals – Dogwood and ATLFF
It’s a tale of two festivals. The Atlanta Dogwood Festival, now in its 87th year. And the Atlanta Film Festival, now in its 47th year.
Posted inLatest News
Leadership changing at Center for Global Health Innovation
The founding CEO of the Center for Global Health Innovation (CGHI) – Maria Thacker-Goethe – is stepping down from that leadership role for personal and family reasons.
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Blank Family Foundation giving surpasses $1 billion
What a milestone – $1 billion! The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation just passed the $1 billion threshold in grants made and committed.
Posted inColumns, Maria's Metro
Celebrating MARTA’s vote to advance the Streetcar along the BeltLine
At long last! The MARTA board voted to advance the eastern extension of the Atlanta Streetcar to Ponce City Market at its meeting on April 13 – a move that was significant on multiple levels.
Posted inLatest News
Kent ‘Oz’ Nelson of UPS (1937-2023): ‘A giant of a leader’
It’s hard to overstate the impact Kent C. “Oz” Nelson had on Atlanta. Nelson, who served as CEO of UPS from 1990 to 1996., died April 6 at the age of 85.
Posted inColumns, Maria's Metro
Tara Theatre to reopen by mid-May thanks to community support
Success! The community has rallied behind the effort to reopen the Tara Theatre –contributing more than the needed $50,000 to do the basics so the four-screen cinema can start showing movies again.
Posted inColumns, Maria's Metro
Atlanta leaders reviving Commerce Club board with Michael Russell at the helm
For decades, the Commerce Club served as a focal point for Atlanta’s business and civic leaders seeking to guide the city through changing racial and economic challenges.
Posted inColumns, Maria's Metro
Park Pride’s $12.8 million ‘Parks for All’ campaign sets new bar for Atlanta
On the eve of its annual conference, Park Pride announced a $12.8 million capital campaign – its first-ever multi-year comprehensive effort.
Posted inColumns, Maria's Metro
Woodruff Foundation $6 million grant to deepen Winship-ACS Atlanta ties
For decades, the Atlanta-based American Cancer Society (ACS) has been collecting data from more than 1.5 million Americans as part of its Cancer Prevention Study.
Posted inLatest News
Community Foundation installs Doug Hooker as board chair
Regional leader Doug Hooker is the new board chair of the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, assuming the role after serving one year as vice-chair. He will serve as chairman for a three-year term.
Posted inColumns, Maria's Metro
When it comes to Five Points MARTA station redesign: ‘Let’s get it right’
MARTA currently is planning to spend $259.4 million to rebuild the downtown Five Points station with more than $200 million coming out of the limited More MARTA revenue. But the proposed redesign is getting pushback from key stakeholders.
