As partisans for different Atlanta projects wrangle over an upcoming MARTA decision on how to spend $2.5 billion on transit, the authority’s boss says that 40-year local tax can’t be the last bite of the apple.
Category: Maggie Lee
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Update: Up to $7.5 million grant from west side tax fund approved for aquarium
Atlanta’s development authority board is thankful for the philanthropy behind a valuable tourist draw Downtown, but not everyone thinks the city should show its appreciation by spending that $7.5 million from a special tax fund on the aquarium.
Posted inMaggie Lee
Up to $7.5 million grant from west side tax fund teed up for aquarium
Some at Atlanta’s development authority have recommended their colleagues spend $7.5 million from a special tax fund on the $108 million expansion of the private Georgia Aquarium. But the full board may ask whether a new shark exhibit request comes when there are more pressing public needs.
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Review suggests reconstituting nonprofit board associated with Invest Atlanta
The nonprofit Partners for Prosperity should be reworked to distinguish it more from the city’s development authority, according to the law firm that reviewed the nonprofit’s operations after an unusual $40,000 transaction involving City Hall.
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Talk of “second airport,” state control of Hartsfield starts in state Capitol
Atlanta never stops crowing about having the world’s busiest airport — and it hasn’t been interested in a second one. But that “second airport” idea turned up several times in a state Capitol hearing called by legislators who are looking at the feasibility of a state takeover of Hartsfield-Jackson’s management.
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Proposed Gulch redo draws questions at first Atlanta City Council review
Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms went to Atlanta City Council on Tuesday to make the case that a proposed Gulch rebuild with heavy public incentives is a good deal. A nearly three-hour Council work session revealed some agreement with that, but a lot of skepticism too.
Posted inMaggie Lee
A question for Georgia voters: set aside money for land stewardship?
Every year, the partisans of countless causes push for state funding; some win and some lose. A question on Georgia ballots would put land conservation and stewardship a step above that fight, by setting aside part of an existing tax to pay for it.
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Atlanta City Council to consider measures to rebuild the Gulch with tax breaks
Atlanta City Council is wading into some proposals about if to allocate (and millions and millions) of tax dollars to private developers to try and encourage building in a pair of special zones on either side of the Connector. Ground zero is Downtown’s Gulch.
Posted inMaggie Lee
Activists allege immigrant abuse at Atlanta jail in ICE closure campaign; jailer says record shows high standards
Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms has hit “pause” on a contract that sees the city jail hold ICE detainees. Activists say one reason she should end it permanently is poor conditions at the jail. The city’s corrections leader says his facility is up to the best standards.
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While Washington, D.C. considers prison reform and more, Georgia offers an account
The president is asking for Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal’s advice on prison reform, while some members of Congress demand a bill that also includes remaking sentencing rules. On a trip to Georgia, Trump’s attorney general warned against too much change.
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BeltLine publishes affordable housing road map
About halfway to its 2030 deadline, the BeltLine has just published a road map meant to help catch the agency up to its promise to build housing that’s affordable for working folks. The agency’s leader says they’ll need help getting there.
Posted inMaggie Lee
Open records, open meetings and the uses of sunshine law for everyone
If there’s any policy you care about, if you are a supporter of any activist group that works on politics or policy — it’s worth knowing about those “sunshine” laws, and maybe using them yourself.
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MARTA board reviewing Gwinnett deal, vote expected next month
MARTA’s service area may be about to get a lot bigger. That is, if Gwinnett voters decide they want to join. A contract between the two is set to go in front of county voters in March, and the transit agency’s board will consider the same language as early as next month.
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Gwinnett schedules referendum on joining MARTA
“Success lives here,” goes the official saying about Gwinnett. “But it commutes to Atlanta,” goes an unofficial rejoinder. Well, Gwinnett has taken the first step in setting up more transit, scheduling a public vote on whether to set up a new sales tax to pay to join MARTA.
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The affordable housing that’s hidden in plain sight
Atlanta’s creating more luxury apartments than low-cost ones, which is part of why many people worry that the age of an affordable Atlanta is coming to an end. But what might be a big part of an affordable housing fix is hidden in plain sight.
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Georgia candidates start new round of campaigning with talk of jobs, values
After both parties (mostly) picked their candidate teams this week, Democrats were quick to make a pitch as the party of jobs in a business-friendly Georgia. And Republicans talked about jobs too, but the GOP kicked off its unified campaigning with a rally heavy on conservative values.
Posted inMaggie Lee
Activists call on Atlanta to shut out ICE
“It shouldn’t be that Atlanta, an icon of the civil rights movement, has six minutes from here a detention center.”
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Atlanta police chief asks for an assist from some judges
“I can’t explain some of the decision-making,” Shields said. “There are a couple of judges that routinely let people go.”
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Atlanta agency head reprimanded, but keeps job, after review of spending
Eloisa Klementich will stay on as leader of Atlanta’s development authority, but loses her employment contract after a review of a nonprofit that’s linked to the agency and Klementich herself.
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President Donald Trump endorses Kemp for Georgia governor
President Donald Trump made an endorsement that may prove pivotal in a tight race: Republican Georgia gubernatorial hopeful Brian Kemp has his support.
