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Posted inDavid Pendered

Northside Drive: $2 billion in planned development may spur road’s renewal

by David Pendered

Two billion dollars in investments near Northside Drive in downtown Atlanta ought to go a long way toward promoting the rejuvenation of a gritty, five-mile stretch of the road located south of I-75.

A new study from Georgia Tech posits that this investment may catalyze landowners and civic leaders to evolve Northside Drive from a patchwork of low-density uses into a grand transit boulevard – one that links I-75 and I-20 as it passes Atlantic Station, Georgia Tech, new Falcons stadium, the Atlanta University Center and West End – that induces new east-west connectivity.

This $2 billion investment is the low end of the total sum envisioned for the new Falcons stadium and the Georgia MultiModal Passenger Terminal, the still-official and still-tongue-tying name of the transit hub and mixed-use development planned for downtown Atlanta.

Posted inGuest Column

New Falcons stadium can shine by giving opportunities for minority firms

by Teresa Johnston

By Guest Columnist STACEY KEY, president and CEO of the Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council

Atlanta has a long history of significant business ventures that transform the face of the city.  From Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to the 1996 Summer Olympic Games, our legacy is rich with opportunities for diverse participation in large-scale projects. Our next opportunity will occur with the new Falcons Stadium.

The Falcons recently released an Equal Business Opportunity plan (EBO) for the design and construction of their new facility that spells out the plan for achieving a 31 percent participation goal for minority and women-owned businesses.

We applaud the Falcons and the City of Atlanta for their efforts thus far to incorporate inclusive procurement practices. The plan honors Atlanta’s heritage, sets goals and has ambition, but to achieve true supplier diversity, success lies in the details.  The EBO plan must be a start – not the goal.

Posted inTom Baxter

Three Southern women and the novel they might have inhabited

Avatar photo by Tom Baxter

If the three Southern women were fictional characters, they might be the co-habitants of one hell of a summer-read novel. But all of them are real, and in a week when there was plenty of other stuff to make news of, they stepped unexpectedly into the spotlight.

We all know the character of the brassy Southern Magnolia who works her way to the top with energy and pluck, not always helped by her no-count relatives. Very often this character is tightly wound, capable of coming unstrung with frightening speed. So it has been with Paula Deen.

In the week when the U.S. Supreme Court threw out a significant chunk of the Voting Rights Act, racial commentary in our country centered mainly around Deen’s use of the N-word. There’s no little irony in that she got to this very public place by way of a law suit which started out as a sexual harassment case directed primarily at her brother, Bubba Hiers, brought by a white woman employee.

Posted inDavid Pendered

GSU’s public health program gains academic heft as Atlanta raises its profile as a center for global health

by David Pendered

Georgia State University has received the green light to transition its Institute of Public Health to the GSU School of Public Health, which will strengthen the program as an independent college within the university.

The authority to expand the program arrives at a time metro Atlanta’s civic leaders are pressing for the region to become a leading center for global health. Georgia State’s existing public health program specializes in urban health, chronic diseases and violence prevention.

Brown University, the Ivy League school in Rhode Island, is the only other institution authorized in the June 8 review cycle to expand its public health program to a school of public health. The approval was granted by the accrediting agency, Council on Education for Public Health.

Posted inMaria's Metro

Nearly a year later, we are still confused about why we lost regional transportation sales tax referendum

Avatar photo by Maria Saporta

Although 11 months have passed since the regional transportation sales tax vote, the defeat still stings.

The Atlanta region has never been comfortable with failure — partly because it has enjoyed more than its fair share of successes over the decades.

So metro leaders seem hesitant to take a diagnostic look at what went wrong last July 31 during the primary election when voters in the 10-county metro Atlanta area defeated the transportation sales tax by a 68 percent to 32 percent vote.

But others believe that a failure is too important to waste — we must learn from our past so we can know what we need to do differently in the future.

Posted inDavid Pendered

Most metro counties among most healthy in Georgia, says ARC report

by David Pendered

Forsyth County ranks as the most healthy county in Georgia, according to a new report by the ARC that shows five other counties in metro Atlanta are among the state’s top 10 counties in terms of health outcomes.

Clayton County is the only metro county ranked in the unhealthy category based on health factors, according to the ARC report. Barrow and Spalding counties are in the middle ranges, and the remaining counties are all in the healthy range.

The ARC reached these and other conclusions by analyzing data from the recently released County Health Rankings report, produced by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, and the Georgia Department of Public Health.

Posted inEleanor Ringel Cater

‘World War Z’ – Brad Pitt and zombies take viewers for a helluva ride

Avatar photo by Eleanor Ringel Cater

Given how many times we’ve seen the world almost end, I figured “World War Z” would have to be “World War Zzzzzzz…”

Instead it’s one of the most enjoyable zillion-dollar state-of-the-tech horror/apocalypse movies I’ve ever seen.

“WWZ” begins routinely enough with a traffic jam in Philly. It happens, you know. But it doesn’t happen this way. The problem isn’t too many people on the road; it’s too many zombies, who flood the backed-up cars like a river devouring a flood plane.

And the emphasis, of course, is on devour. Or rather, One Big Bite. These running dead are like rabid animals…chomp down and move on. One fanboy complained in his blog “review” that one of the picture’s problems was that it didn’t show enough scenes of zombies eating people. Ah, the young folk…

Posted inDavid Pendered

GEMA, FODAC sign deal for providing wheelchairs, etc during disasters

by David Pendered

Georgia now has a formal arrangement with FODAC to provide medical devices such as wheelchairs and hospital beds to those that need them during catastrophic disasters.

The plan means that Georgians who need durable home medical equipment will be able to look to a single entity to provide the gear they need. The plan also provides for training programs to instruct those who will be working in emergency shelters on how to meet the needs of those who rely on home medical equipment.

The agreement between Georgia Emergency Management Agency/Homeland Security and FODAC provides for FODAC to store home medical equipment and distribute it through a protocol established by the state and its emergency response partners.

Posted inATL Business Chronicle, Maria's Metro

Column: Newell Rubbermaid, Habitat International build closer ties

Avatar photo by Maria Saporta

By Maria Saporta
Published in the Atlanta Business Chronicle on Friday, June 21, 2013

As Jonathan Reckford and Michael Polk hammered a window into a Habitat home under construction in the Glenrose Heights neighborhood in south Atlanta on June 19, they also were sealing the beginning of a new global partnership.

Polk, CEO of Atlanta-based Newell Rubbermaid Inc., launched its first-ever Global Day of Service on June 19 with the help of 1,200 employee volunteers working at 73 different sites in 21 countries.

Just as significantly, Polk also announced a two-year, $1 million partnership with Atlanta-based Habitat for Humanity International to help build homes for people in need of shelter around the world.

Posted inDavid Pendered

It may not be broken, new report says of the way needy, rural Georgians are transported to critical destinations

by David Pendered

Georgia has a new idea about how to contain the state’s burgeoning cost of transporting the poor, elderly and disabled in rural counties: Improve the existing system.

Initially, state officials were leaning toward a recommendation that Georgia consolidate the management and delivery of rural transport services. The new proposal suggests better management of the existing system, while continuing to examine the concept of bundled services.

The new plan will be available for public review shortly on the GRTA website. After the public comment phase, the final plan that includes public comment is slated to be adopted Aug. 14 by the Governor’s Development Council, which is the same board that oversees GRTA.

Posted inTom Baxter

Moral Mondays become a focal point for region’s political tensions

Avatar photo by Tom Baxter

With protesters in the streets across the globe from Istanbul to Sao Paulo, what has been going on every Monday in Raleigh for the past couple of months hasn’t received nearly as much attention, outside North Carolina, as the 2011 demonstrations at Wisconsin’s capitol in Madison. But North Carolina’s Moral Mondays, as they’re called, bear watching.

Politics in North Carolina never was as smooth-edged as it might have appeared during the Mayberry era, and in recent years it has cycled into a particularly bitter period. After voting for Barack Obama and elected a Democratic woman, Bev Perdue, governor in 2008, the state swung dramatically to the right in 2010, putting Republicans in control of the legislature and the redistricting process. The GOP tightened its lock in 2012, electing Pat McCrory, the former mayor of Charlotte, governor and strengthening its hold on the legislature.

Just as meaningful as the change from Democrats to Republicans has been the shift within the Republican Party to a more confrontational brand of conservatism.

Posted inDavid Pendered

Atlanta BeltLine: City to condemn property to develop park, trail

by David Pendered

Atlanta is preparing to condemn private property to further the development of the Atlanta BeltLine.

Although just a few acres are involved, this marks the first time Atlanta has exercised its power of eminent domain to develop a park or trail related to the BeltLine.

Condemned land will be used to expand Enota Place Park, in southwest Atlanta, which was one of the original 13 jewels in the “emerald necklace” vision of the BeltLine that was used to promote the concept in its formative days. The Southwest BeltLine Connector Trail will be built atop some condemned properties.

Posted inMaria's Metro

GeorgiaForward seeks to unify state while waiting on key leaders to join in

Avatar photo by Maria Saporta

A most valiant effort to unite the state of Georgia continues to prosper despite a lack of visible support from its top leaders.

GeorgiaForward, which will hold its fourth annual forum in Atlanta on July 11 and 12 at the Georgia Tech Conference Center, has built a grassroots following of civic, business and political officials from all over the state who seek to bridge the various forces that divide our state.

Those include Atlanta versus the rest of the state or perhaps more importantly — urban versus rural versus suburban; income divides, racial and ethnic divides, generational divides and political divides.

The goal has been to build consensus on a shared vision for where and how we want our state to evolve.

Posted inATL Business Chronicle, Maria's Metro

U.S. charitable donations rebounding, but slowly

Avatar photo by Maria Saporta

By Maria Saporta
Published in the Atlanta Business Chronicle on Friday, June 21, 2013

As the economy continues to improve, charitable giving in the United States has increased. But at the current rate of growth, it will take another five years to reach the level of giving that the nation enjoyed at its height.

Americans donated $316.23 billion to charitable causes in 2012, according to the Giving USA Foundation and its research partner, the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.

“That is the largest number since 2008,” said David King, president of Atlanta-based fundraising firm Alexander Haas, who also is chair of the Giving Institute, which founded the Giving USA Foundation in 1985.

Posted inGuest Column

Serving locally-grown nutritious foods is not only healthier, also saves money

by Teresa Johnston

By Guest Columnist CHRISTIAN HARDIGREE, director and professor of the Institute for Culinary Sustainability and Hospitality at Kennesaw State University

The future of the food service and hospitality sector belongs to smart operators who hire talented, bright managers. That’s why Kennesaw State University created a bachelor’s program to train and inspire the next generation of managers in sustainability and environmental stewardship.

Consider the magnitude of the U.S. restaurant industry. It generates approximately $660 billion in sales (4 percent of the Gross Domestic Product), while employing 8.6 percent of the total workforce. In 2013, Georgia’s restaurants are projected to register $16 billion in sales, while employing 10 percent of the workforce, with estimates for 14 percent job growth over the next 10 years.

Posted inDavid Pendered

Atlanta’s airport to install touch screen directories to help passengers find their way around concourses

by David Pendered

Airline passengers should find it easier to navigate their way around Atlanta’s airport once a new wayfinding system is installed in time for this winter’s busy travel season.

The $2.1 million project calls for interactive touch-screen signs to replace the existing static signs throughout the airport. The work is to be paid for by the city’s aviation fund and overseen by the consortium of airlines that manage the common areas of the airport.

The decision to replace the static signs stemmed partly from the success of the interactive signs in the Maynard Holbrook Jackson Jr. International Terminal, airport General Manager Louis Miller told the Atlanta City Council’s Transportation Committee in March.

Posted inDavid Pendered

Planning for water in metro Atlanta and its effect on rivers that nurture oysters in Apalachicola

by David Pendered

Editor’s Note: This is the third of three stories this week that look at water issues that affect metro Atlanta. Click to read the first story and the second story.

The debate over how to meet the water needs of metro Atlanta comes down to two different principles – whether the region should use less water, or provide greater supply through additional reservoirs.

Even that reduction doesn’t go far enough. For one, there’s not a consensus on how much water the region will need in the future. In addition, there’s little agreement on the data and science used in the debate.

If this sounds familiar, it is – transportation and the proposed 1 percent sales tax that was on the ballot in 2012 to pay for roads and transit. One difference with the water debate is that the public probably won’t be asked to decide for or against whatever solution is reached by water planners over the next two years.

Posted inEleanor Ringel Cater

‘Man of Steel’ – worst Superman movie until the last three minutes

Avatar photo by Eleanor Ringel Cater

“Man of Steel” may not be the worst summer blockbuster I’ve ever seen.

But I’m pretty sure it’s the worst “Superman” movie I’ve ever seen.

Worse than the pathetic “Superman Returns,” starring Brandon Routh, the George Lazenby of Supermans. And worse than the pretentious “Superman IV: The Quest for Peace,” Christopher Reeve’s rather sad (albeit well-intentioned) attempt to bankroll his superhero celebrity into a plea for the eco-future of the planet.

I will give it this, though: “Man of Steel’s” last three minutes are among the best I’ve seen in many a movie, summer blockbuster or not.

Posted inDavid Pendered

Prayers for rain, Senate takes on Supreme Court ruling – all part of Georgia’s water policy issues

by David Pendered

Editor’s Note: This is the second of three stories this week that will look at water issues that affect metro Atlanta.

Metro Atlanta probably celebrated too swiftly after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled last year the region may continue to draw drinking water from Lake Lanier.

Though the ruling was rightly portrayed, by Georgians, as a major victory, the battle is far from over. The U.S. Senate toyed with the court’s ruling last month before it adopted omnibus water legislation. Water proposals abound in Georgia – where lakes are full six years after a governor led prayers for rain.

All of this results in water supply remaining one of the region’s major policy questions. Not to be overlooked are neighboring communities, and creatures, who rely on the same sources of water.

Posted inATL Business Chronicle, Maria's Metro

Column: Woodruff Arts Center campaign raises record amount

Avatar photo by Maria Saporta

By Maria Saporta
Published in the Atlanta Business Chronicle on Friday, June 14, 2013

If the Woodruff Arts Center had failed to make its $9.2 million goal this year, it would have been totally understandable.

The Atlanta economy is still in a recovery mode. It has been Virginia Hepner’s first campaign as CEO of the Woodruff Arts Center. It has been the first campaign in 35 years without the leadership of Beauchamp Carr organizing the effort.

And as if that weren’t enough, shortly after the campaign was launched, the Woodruff Arts Center disclosed that a former employee had stolen more than $1 million by issuing fraudulent invoices.

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