Metro Atlanta’s affordable housing is on the decline. According to the Atlanta Regional Commission, the area lost over 230,000 affordable units from 2018 to 2023. It’s a stark number from the Atlanta Regional Commission. CEO Anna Roach presented the data at the Atlanta Regional Housing Forum hosted by the Atlanta Regional Commission on March 13, […]
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Ranked Choice Voting is back on the chopping block, but how effective will a ban be?
Ranked choice voting (RCV) — also called instant runoff voting — is at the center of a bill to ban the voting system that has been gaining popularity around the country. The Senate Bill, SB 175, would effectively “prohibit the use of ranked choice voting” in the state — with some exceptions, like the bill […]
Alliance Theatre’s Mike Schleifer headed to NYC’s Lincoln Center
After 11 years in Atlanta as managing director of the Alliance Theatre, Mike Schleifer will become managing director of the Lincoln Center Theatre in New York City by the end of 2025. During his tenure in Atlanta, Schleifer has led two major renovation projects for the Alliance Theatre — a $36 million renovation of the […]
Midtown Improvement District to purchase Opus eyesore site for ‘signature public space’
Midtown Improvement District leaders announced plans to purchase and transform the long-vacant lot at 98 14th Street, the site of the failed Opus development, into a “significant public space” at the annual Midtown Alliance meeting on March 18. The District board is in due diligence and plans to close on the four-acre property by mid-May. […]
Captain Planet Foundation hosts annual benefit gala and honors environmental stewards, raising over half a million
The Atlanta-based nonprofit Captain Planet Foundation hosted its annual Benefit Gala on Saturday, March 15 — complete with an on-brand “green carpet” for guests’ arrival — and raised more than $500,000 through the night. The gala, one of the largest environmental fundraisers in the city, honored three awardees: The Captain Planet Foundation nonprofit has been […]
ACP meeting: World Cup will be an opportunity to show off Atlanta
The 2026 FIFA World Cup was the major topic of discussion during the March 14 meeting of the Atlanta Committee for Progress (ACP), according to people who attended the meeting. Michael Russell, CEO of the H.J. Russell & Co. and the 2025 ACP chair, sat down after the private meeting, which was held at King […]
MARTA and Mayor hash out claim that MARTA owes $865k, not $70 million
In a rare public address to the MARTA Board of Directors on March 13, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens laid out a number of recent issues between the city and transit agency — including a recent claim that MARTA owes $865,630 in taxpayer-funded More MARTA project costs instead of the $70 million found in a 2024 city […]
City commits to Beltline rail on Southside trail
During a tense address from the City of Atlanta to the MARTA Board of Directors, city officials committed to building light rail on the Beltline — but not as the planned streetcar extension. Chief Policy Advisor Courtney English announced the news on behalf of Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens during public “Transit for All” remarks focused on […]
Saying goodbye to entrepreneur, community leader Alice White Bussey
Mourners from metro Atlanta and beyond paid their final respects to businesswoman Alice White Bussey, 78, Saturday at Greater Piney Grove Baptist Church. The congregation nodded in agreement as those close to Bussey described her as being filled with hope, resilience, and perseverance. “Alice was always going to tell you how she felt about the […]
40th Anniversary Virginia-Highland Summerfest returns June 7 and 8 with talent-packed lineup
Virginia-Highland Summerfest made its debut in 1985. Only taking two years off for the pandemic, the festival has continued to be an Atlanta staple for neighborhood regulars and newcomers alike. This year, for its 40th anniversary, Virginia-Highland Summerfest will return on June 7 and 8 to showcase local and regional bands. The festival, which is […]
Atlanta Science Festival returns to the city with something for everyone
For two weeks in March, science is taking center stage in Atlanta. Atlanta Science Festival (ASF) is making a return to the city, with the kickoff starting on March 8, 2025. The festival will feature over 140 exhibitions and events for people of all ages. It’s facilitated by Science ATL and has over 80 partners, […]
Atlanta Jewish Film Festival closes out its 25th annual season
The March 5 closing night celebration of the 25th annual Jewish Film Festival at the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center, was chock full of highlights, news, awards and milestones. The film selected to close out the Festival was a Brazilian dramedy, “Cheers to Life,” that was mostly shot in Israel. Special guests attended the closing night, […]
Atlanta’s e-bike program pedals through a successful first year
Atlanta is putting the pedal to the metal — bike metal, that is. The Atlanta Regional Commission’s (ARC) e-bike rebate program, which officially launched in July 2024, released the Atlanta E-Bike Rebate Program 2024 Year-End Report earlier this week detailing the early outcomes of its program — and found that most recipients are “riding often […]
Surprise: Shirley Franklin Pavilion soon will be part of downtown Atlanta
One of the two new wings of the National Center for Civil and Human Rights (NCCHR) will be named in honor of former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin. The announcement of the Shirley Clark Franklin Pavilion was made Thursday evening at the annual Power to Inspire gala, a night already staged to honor the former mayor’s […]
Atlanta City Councilmember Amir Farokhi will resign in July to lead Galloway School
In an email shared Thursday afternoon, District 2 Atlanta City Councilmember Amir Farokhi announced he would resign from his position in July to serve as the next head of Buckhead’s The Galloway School. Farokhi’s move opens up the council seat ahead of the November 2025 election, when the mayor and all 16 council seats will […]
Mayor Dickens tees up reelection campaign at State of the City business address
Amid cheering crowds at the Woodruff Arts Center, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens used the annual State of the City business address on Feb. 25 to tee up his 2025 reelection campaign. The annual State of the City business address brings together political and corporate leaders to hear the mayor lay out the present and future […]
Historic Edgewood Avenue building set for demolition makes ‘Places in Peril’ list
A nearly century-old building on Edgewood Avenue set for demolition, and a Duluth railway museum struggling to stay afloat are two of 10 “Places in Peril” on the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation’s 2025 list of endangered historic sites. The 2025 list announced on Feb. 26 aims to push historic spots threatened by demolition, neglect, […]
Maryland’s Ricky Smith named as Atlanta’s new airport commissioner
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens announced Tuesday that Ricky Smith will be the new general manager of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport beginning April 2. Smith most recently has served as executive director and CEO of the Maryland Aviation Administration, where he was responsible for managing and operating the Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, Martin State […]
Atlanta Beltline set to exceed its 2030 affordable housing goal of 5,600 units
In 2024, the Atlanta Beltline delivered 569 affordable housing units — nearly twice as much as the project’s annual goal of adding 300 units, according to Beltline leaders. That means the Beltline has reached 74 percent of its target to create or preserve 5,600 affordable housing units by 2030 in the Beltline Tax Allocation District […]
Invest Atlanta meeting tackles West Midtown closures, Beltline fears and Amsterdam Walk
The Invest Atlanta board addressed a list of concerns at a Feb. 20 meeting, including a roster of restaurant closures in West Midtown, funding fears for the Beltline and transparency on an upcoming Amsterdam Walk development. More than a dozen restaurants in West Midtown have shuttered in recent months. In January, eight establishments shut their […]
