For more than a decade, I have longed to become a Spanish/European citizen. It was a dream my sister, Elena, and I had shared over the years.
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 inMaria's Metro
Health Connect South to spotlight Georgia’s opportunities
The 2024 gathering of Health Connect South will take place Sept. 18 at the Georgia Aquarium.
Posted inLatest News
Civil Rights Center holds ‘topping out’ event for its expansion
There was a bit of deja-vu feeling on Aug. 29 when a “topping out” ceremony was held for the two-wing expansion of the National Center for Civil and Human Rights now under construction.
Posted inColumns
Atlanta needs to improve its unsafe crosswalks
Paint is the cheapest way to improve pedestrian safety.
Posted inLatest News
Kevin Duvall new CEO of Georgia World Congress Center Authority
The largest convention center in Georgia has named Kevin Duvall to serve as its next CEO. The board selected Duvall at its Aug. 27 board meeting. Duvall, who currently has been serving as GWCCA’s chief operating officer, will succeed Frank Poe, who has been running the authority since April 2010. Prior to the board meeting, […]
Posted inColumns
Seeing New York City through an Atlanta lens
Metro Atlanta leaders returned from a three-day trip to NYC full of ideas and observations of how our region can evolve into a vibrant metropolis.
Posted inLatest News
Doug Shipman: ‘Rail is the only viable solution’ for Atlanta Beltline
Four Atlanta City Council leaders speak out in favor of Beltline rail.
Posted inColumns
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens ‘thinking big’ while on NYC LINK trip
On Mayor Andre Dickens’ third LINK trip, the mayor clearly was impressed by the scale and scope of New York City, the most populous metropolitan area in the country.
Posted inColumns
Rallying support for an intown Atlanta Jewish cultural center
Several key Jewish leaders are reviving efforts to create a vibrant Jewish arts and cultural hub in the heart of Atlanta – an idea that has been floated since 2018.
Posted inLatest News
Josh Blank to lead strategy for Arthur M. Blank Sports and Entertainment
Josh Blank, the second-oldest son of Arthur Blank (owner of the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United), is joining AMBSE as vice president of executive strategy on Aug. 15.
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Construction to begin on a more ‘open and inviting’ Woodruff Arts Center
The Woodruff Arts Center will hold a groundbreaking ceremony on the afternoon of Aug. 6 for the opening up of its front door on Peachtree and for the transformation of the Rich Auditorium into the Goizueta Stage for Youth & Families.
Posted inColumns
Metro Atlanta leaders going to NYC for 2024 LINK trip
About 145 regional leaders from Atlanta will visit New York City from Aug. 14 to Aug. 17 – the largest group ever to go on a LINK trip.
Posted inMaria's Metro
CAP’s Stitch project moving forward as Connector park in Midtown put on hold
Three proposals to cap over Atlanta’s highways – the Stitch, the Connector and HUB404 – are now down to two.
Posted inLatest News
Mayor Andre Dickens and John Hope Bryant launch Aspiration Tour
A standing-room only crowd filled the atrium of Atlanta’s City Hall Thursday for the kick-off of the American Aspiration Tour in an effort to promote financial literacy for everyone.
Posted inLatest News
Dan Cathy suspends plans for Midtown connector park over expressway
Doug Hooker, CEO of Connector Park Foundation Inc., issued a statement Tuesday afternoon saying the project was on hold because of a lack of government support.
Posted inColumns
Atlanta Housing ramping up efforts to preserve, build new housing
After years of relative inactivity, Atlanta Housing (AH) has a sense of urgency to develop more affordable housing to meet its goal of 10,000 more units over the next six years.
Posted inLatest News
Sundance Institute selects Atlanta as one of six finalists for the film festival
The Sundance Institute announced July 19 that Atlanta is one of six remaining finalists to host the annual Sundance Film Festival beginning in 2027.
Posted inLatest News
Atlanta Beltline refreshes its logo, website
A new logo and website for the Atlanta BeltLine is being unveiled to better reflect how the project has evolved over the past 19 years.
Posted inLatest News
Georgia technology leader Lee Herron dies of cancer
One of the longest-serving technology leaders in Georgia – Lee Herron – has died after a long battle with cancer.
Posted inMaria's Metro
Drastic cuts proposed for ATL’s Xpress bus service as metro traffic only gets worse
A proposal to slash the Xpress commuter bus system in half is creating angst to hundreds of riders who rely on the system to get from the suburbs to the city.
