The Atlanta Committee for Progress has been a pivotal organization for every Atlanta mayor since Shirley Franklin in forging a relationship between City Hall and the Atlanta business and civic community. Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens is continuing the tradition
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 inLatest News
MARTA elects new board chair in a spirited debate
At its Thursday meeting, the MARTA board elected a new chair, accepted the resignation of two board members, disclosed that the Atlanta Streetcar has been taken out of service for safety reasons and unanimously approved bus rapid transit as its preferred mode of service to Clayton County.
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Georgia World Congress Center’s Frank Poe to retire in two years
Frank Poe, executive director of the Georgia World Congress Center Authority, has agreed to extend his tenure until the end of 2024.
Posted inColumns, Maria's Metro
At long last: Zoo Atlanta to get new animal veterinary facility
Currently, Zoo Atlanta is been operating out of an animal care facility that used to be a City of Atlanta lawn care maintenance facility. Within two years, the zoo will soon be getting a new animal health center – one that will be 10 times larger than the current veterinary facility.
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Doug Shipman names three new Atlanta City Council committee chairs
By Maria Saporta Nuanced leadership changes on the Atlanta City Council were announced Monday by Atlanta City Council President Doug Shipman. The major power of the president of the Atlanta City Council is being able to name the chairs of council committees and appoint the members to each of the committees. In an embargoed interview […]
Posted inColumns, Maria's Metro
Proposed new storage facility at Atlanta BeltLine and Piedmont Park a blow to city’s urban design
You’ve got to be kidding. That is my initial reaction to the news that a new storage facility is being proposed along Monroe Drive – steps away from a major node of the Atlanta BeltLine, Piedmont Park and the Virginia-Highland community.
Posted inColumns, Maria's Metro
Metro Atlanta Chamber accentuates the positive at its annual meeting
A spirit of boosterism filled the Coca-Cola Roxy Theatre at the 163rd annual meeting of the Metro Atlanta Chamber Nov. 17 as the organization highlighted its new strategic direction focusing on the economy, talent and community.
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Blank Foundation doubles down on efforts to improve the Westside
The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation is hitting the refresh button on its strategy for the Westside.
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Centennial Yards to break ground on two buildings and unveiling new logo
Movement is afoot at the massive Centennial Yards development downtown. Centennial Yards will hold its first ground-breaking ceremony on the new construction of two major buildings – a 292-room hotel and a 304-unit residential building.
Posted inColumns, Maria's Metro
Atlanta’s Civil and Human Rights Center receives major boost from Woodruff Foundation
When the National Center for Civil and Human Rights held a ground-breaking ceremony for its expansion on Oct. 14, it had only raised $27 million of the $50 million project. The expansion, that will include the building of the East and West wings, will add another 20,000 square feet to the 42,000-square-foot facility.
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Novel Center for Urban Research launched by Georgia Tech and Atlanta
Georgia Tech and the City of Atlanta are launching a Center for Urban Research to help revitalize communities and address racial inequities.
Posted inColumns, Maria's Metro
Regional housing solutions championed by Gwinnett’s Nicole Hendrickson
Leaders in metro Atlanta know we have a growing housing crisis that’s only getting more acute by the day. Now the Atlanta Regional Commission has made housing – or the lack thereof – one of its top priorities.
Posted inColumns, Maria's Metro
OnBoard finds continued progress of women at Georgia’s public companies
A year ago, no public company in Georgia had as many women as men on their board. Today, four companies have reached or exceeded gender parity.
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Master developer selected for redevelopment of Bowen Homes
The board of the Atlanta Housing Authority Wednesday selected a master developer to redevelop the 74-acre site that once housed the former Bowen Homes public housing project.
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Children’s Healthcare making transformative moves for mental health
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta’s initiative to address the mental health crisis is taking a major leap forward Wednesday with the announcement that the foundation of David and Helen Zalik will donate 10 acres of land with two large buildings for a new campus.
Posted inColumns, Maria's Metro
2022 Four Pillar honoree — Carol Tomé — blends culture of Home Depot and UPS
Upon receiving the 2022 Four Pillars Tribute on Oct. 10 from the Council for Quality Growth, Carol Tomé laughingly said: “Today, brown is new orange.”
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Georgia Tech’s expansion of Tech Square has been a relay, not a sprint
A ceremonial ground breaking was held Thursday afternoon on two new towers totaling 400,000 square feet and expected to cost about $200 million, according to Georgia Tech President Ángel Cabrera.
Posted inColumns, Maria's Metro
Candidates snub voters when they don’t show up for debates
our candidates running for public office during the 2022 General Election were “no shows” at the Atlanta Press Club’s Loudermilk-Young Debate Series of 16 debates taking place at Georgia Public Broadcasting from Oct. 16 through Oct. 18.
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UPS and Russell Innovation Center launch mini-logistics hub on Fair Street
UPS, Atlanta’s second largest Fortune 500 company, is partnering with the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE), to create a mini-logistics hub enabling shipping, warehousing and fulfillment for people growing their business.
Posted inColumns, Maria's Metro
Feeding Georgia’s food bank network continues to grow stronger
Georgia already has the strongest food bank network in the country. Now the seven food banks that make up Feeding Georgia are investing almost $80 million to make their network even stronger.
