Clark Atlanta University President George French envisions an expansive renovation and restoration of CAU’s significant historic structures – buildings that played a pivotal role in Atlanta’s African American history.
Category: Maria’s Metro
Posted inColumns, Maria's Metro
Celebrating two 95-year-old Atlanta icons — Charlie Loudermilk, Christine King Farris
By Maria Saporta In the span of three days, Atlanta honored two of its 95-year-old icons. A celebration of life was held in honor of Charlie Loudermilk Sr., who died on Aug. 3. The event, held at the Peachtree Road United Methodist Church in the heart of Buckhead, was one-of-a-kind for Atlanta. For 90 minutes, […]
Posted inColumns, Maria's Metro
Brian McGowan: an Amtrak station at Centennial Yards would be ‘fantastic’
During a standard presentation of the planned $5 billion Centennial Yards project, Brian McGowan spoke of the role the 50-acre railroad gulch has played in the development of Atlanta.
Posted inColumns, Maria's Metro
A redeveloped and revitalized Civic Center stirs our imagination
By Maria Saporta Selecting a team to redevelop the Civic Center property is just the beginning of what could be a turning point for intown Atlanta. The board of the Atlanta Housing Authority voted unanimously on Aug. 24 to begin formal negotiations with the redevelopment team of Washington, D.C.-based Republic Properties, Camden, N.J.-based Michaels Organization […]
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Cristo Rey Atlanta’s high school students succeed because of local employers
Excitement filled the gymnasium of the Cristo Rey Atlanta at its downtown campus on Aug. 19. It was Draft Day.
Posted inColumns, Maria's Metro
T. Dallas Smith & Co. succession story was set in stone on day one
The moment he started his firm in March 2007, T. Dallas Smith knew this day would come. Smith, who is on the eve of turning 60, is handing over the role of president of T. Dallas Smith & Co. to Leonte Benton, 38, who has been with Smith since the inception of the firm.
Posted inColumns, Maria's Metro
Charlie Loudermilk, Andrew Young friendship helped define Atlanta
Atlanta lost one of its most colorful leaders with the passing of Charlie Loudermilk, 95, on Aug. 3. Loudermilk, founder of Aaron’s, became a fixture in Atlanta for decades – as a philanthropist, as a booster of Buckhead, as chair of the MARTA board, as an advocate for the Republican Party and as a prankster with a playful personality.
Posted inColumns, Maria's Metro
Google’s Atlanta presence expanding in stature and office space
Google celebrated its love for Atlanta when opened its new Midtown office space on July 27. In its new office space, the technology company clearly has embraced Atlanta and Georgia – spotlighting its role as a center for civil and human rights for all as well as its multicultural offerings of music and entertainment.
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At long last, there’s hope for historic preservation on the Westside
A $1 million grant from the National Park Service to renovate two historic homes in Vine City is a sign that finally Atlanta is grasping the value of preserving our unique Black history on the Westside.
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Atlanta’s transit decisions today will impact our future
Transit decisions being made in Atlanta today will impact our city for generations.
Posted inColumns, Maria's Metro
Beloved Benefit shines light on one of metro Atlanta’s top challenges
We must galvanize to improve economic mobility in our region By Maria Saporta It’s a common theme. Atlanta has the worst income inequality in the country, and it has one of the lowest economic mobility numbers in the country. At the Beloved Benefit dinner on July 7, there was a newspaper journal at everyone’s seat […]
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Georgia leaders going all in to attract new federal health agency
Georgia leaders have unified behind a quest to land the headquarters of a new federal health-related agency – an effort that would solidify the state’s role as the epicenter for global health.
Posted inColumns, Maria's Metro
South River Forest civic engagement work can help bridge divide
The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) and the Nature Conservancy publicly kicked off its South River Forest Community Engagement process at a meeting Saturday morning at DeKalb County’s impressive Sugar Creek Golf & Tennis Center off Bouldercrest Road.
Posted inColumns, Maria's Metro
2026 World Cup an opportunity for Atlanta to shine
There are defining moments in the life of every city. Hosting the Summer Olympic Games was one of them for Atlanta. Hosting the World Cup in 2026 will be another.
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Newell’s Ravi Saligram: Atlanta can be a national role model
By Maria Saporta Sometimes it takes a newcomer’s perspective to see Atlanta’s potential. That’s the case with Ravi Saligram, the CEO of Newell Brands, a Fortune 500 company that brought back its headquarters to Atlanta in 2019 after moving to New Jersey for three years. “If we can’t make Atlanta work in terms of a […]
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Olympic athlete Edwin Moses on new Morehouse track: ‘Doesn’t it look beautiful?’
A newly restored track at Morehouse College will continue the legacy of legendary Edwin Moses and spotlight the track-and-field program at the historically black college.
Posted inColumns, Maria's Metro
Southern Co.’s annual meeting a model for corporate America
The best corporate annual meeting of the year award goes to the Southern Co. – hands down.
Posted inColumns, Maria's Metro
Atlanta leaders committed to fulfilling promise of rail on the BeltLine
Key Atlanta leaders remain fully committed to building rail on the Atlanta BeltLine.
Posted inColumns, Maria's Metro
Metro Atlanta is riding the wrong bus into the future
We are in a moment in time when we can transform our region with a world-class transit network thanks in large part to the $1.3 trillion federal infrastructure investment.
Posted inColumns, Maria's Metro
Austin LINK trip with Mayor Andre Dickens is a hopeful sign for region
AUSTIN – A spirit of optimism enveloped the 2022 LINK trip as 120 Atlanta Regional leaders traveled to the capital city of Texas from May 4 to May 7.
