At last year’s inaugural Atlanta Way Day, a crowd of civic leaders asked a major question: Why is Atlanta ranked last in economic mobility, and how can it improve? The data from a 2024 study by Raj Chetty’s research group Opportunity Insights caused worry among local leaders. Atlanta ranked dead last out of the top […]
Tag: Andre Dickens
Posted inLatest News
The 2028 Olympic torch relay will hit all 50 states — and it starts in Atlanta
For the first time in history, the famed Olympic Torch will relay through all 50 U.S. states before landing in its host city of Los Angeles — and the tour will kick off in Atlanta. The flame will be lit in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the Olympic Games, before heading through the United States […]
Posted inLatest News
Should Atlanta turn off water for $236 million in unpaid bills? Mayor Dickens says it’s a ‘tough decision.’
Atlanta’s recent watershed audit revealed a bombshell statistic: A quarter of the city’s customers have unpaid balances, totaling more than $236 million in bills owed to Atlanta. You might recognize some of the high-profile culprits. The audit caused uproar among the city council. City Council Utilities Committee Chair Dustin Hills was notably upset at the […]
Posted inDelaney Tarr
Developers, designers ask: Can Atlanta be a design city?
Maria Saporta finished the Atlanta Design Roundtable on Aug. 13 with a clear takeaway: “Good design has to come from the heart.” It’s the core of civic nonprofit Atlanta Way 2.0’s design roundtable series. Hosted by nonprofit and SaportaReport founder Maria Saporta, each event asks how Atlanta can become a city known for “good design.” […]
Posted inLatest News
An affordable housing development in English Avenue was almost dead in the water. Then a city council member introduced new stream buffer legislation.
Outside the mixed-use development at 880 North Avenue, a “before” photo on an easel showed an abandoned house that had fallen into disrepair. The gray house was missing siding in places, and part of the roof had caved in — a striking contrast to the modern multi-story building that sprang up to take its place. […]
Posted inMaria's Metro
Mayor Andre Dickens: ‘This is a special moment for us’
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens is turning 52 on June 17, and he is taking stock of everything he’s experiencing leading up to his birthday. After the quarterly meeting of the Atlanta Committee for Progress (ACP) at the headquarters building of Invesco on Friday, June 12, Mayor Dickens sat down for an exclusive interview with SaportaReport, […]
Posted inMaria's Metro
Coca-Cola’s new CEO Henrique Braun: ‘Atlanta is my hometown’
Henrique Braun, who has been CEO of Coca-Cola Co. for less than two months, already is making his presence felt in Atlanta. Braun welcomed Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens to Coca-Cola’s headquarters on May 14 to be part of the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour and to highlight Atlanta as one […]
Posted inMaria's Metro
Seeking equity in Atlanta’s economic development strategies
When Eloisa Klementich started writing a book about equitable economic development five years ago, “equity” was not yet a dirty word. Klementich, president and CEO of Invest Atlanta, , the city’s economic development agency, wrote a book based on her observations of how government and civic entities can ensure their programs and policies foster greater […]
Posted inLatest News
Metro Atlanta Chamber looks to 2026 FIFA World Cup as city’s next chapter
The location for the 2025 annual meeting of the Metro Atlanta Chamber played on the theme for this year — the College Football Hall of Fame. Multiple sports celebrities took the stage, all proclaiming Atlanta as a special place to live. There was Ryan Klesko, who played with the Atlanta Braves when they won the […]
Posted inLatest News
Atlanta Committee for Progress selects its 2026 board chair
The 2026 chair for the Atlanta Committee for Progress (ACP) will be Andrew Schlossberg, president and CEO of Invesco, an Atlanta-based independent investment management firm. Kathy Waller, executive director of the highly influential business and civic group that advises Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, said Schlossberg will succeed Michael Russell, the CEO of H.J. Russell & Co., who is […]
Posted inMaria's Metro
Atlanta leaders exploring best site for new Amtrak station
All aboard! Let’s pick the best location for a new Amtrak station in downtown Atlanta. The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) and the City of Atlanta have joined forces to conduct an in-depth $625,000 Passenger Rail Station Alternatives Study to determine where a new Amtrak station should be built in Atlanta. ARC, through federal funds, allocated $500,000 […]
Posted inDelaney Tarr
Andre Dickens qualifies for mayoral reelection campaign
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens kicked off the official election season on Aug. 19 when he announced his reelection campaign goals on the City Hall steps. Dickens has formally qualified to run for a second term as the Mayor of Atlanta in the Nov. 4 election. The formal qualifying period for municipal election candidates runs from […]
Posted inMaria's Metro
Metro Atlanta leaders going to D.C., Maryland and Virginia on LINK trip
The Atlanta region’s 28th LINK trip will be headed to the Greater Washington D.C. area, beginning on Aug. 20 through Aug. 23. The focus this year will be on the suburban communities outside Washington D.C. in Maryland and Virginia. The suburban-focused trip is a stark contrast to the 2024 LINK trip that was held in New […]
Posted inMaria's Metro
Atlanta must go forwards — not backwards — when it comes to Beltline rail
When Andre Dickens was elected mayor in November 2021, I was filled with optimism and hope for the future of Atlanta. Here was a leader who ran on running an ethical government, building affordable housing and implementing rail transit on the Beltline. After eight years of the contentious administration of Mayor Kasim Reed and the […]
Posted inMaria's Metro
Rail transit key to Downtown revitalization
Atlanta has a strategic opportunity to embrace Downtown revitalization efforts by fueling new and improved transit service. In conversations with about a dozen business and civic leaders, it has become obvious that our city is at a pivotal juncture when it comes to Downtown and transit. First, stars are aligned to bring new life to […]
Posted inColumns
Praises and jeers from Georgia: Politicians react to Biden withdrawing from presidential race
When Joe Biden announced yesterday that he had decided not to run for a second term, political leaders who represent the great state of Georgia had a mixed reaction to the 46th president’s decision. “It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President. And while it has been my intention […]
Posted inLatest News
Hattie B. Dorsey spearheaded Atlanta’s efforts to create ‘holistic’ communities
At the memorial service for Hattie B. Dorsey, it was no accident that three Atlanta mayors paid tribute to the woman who advocated for affordable housing long before it became the city’s top priority.
Posted inLatest News
Atlanta mayor announces task force to merge training center and park input
The task force will merge input on the controversial public safety training center and a still-mysterious parkland plan.
Posted inLatest News
DeKalb issues land disturbance permit for training center; commissioner may appeal
DeKalb County has approved a land disturbance permit for the public safety training center, but opponents may appeal.
Posted inLatest News
Public safety a prominent theme at Buckhead Coalition lunch
Although the name “Buckhead City” was barely mentioned during the annual meeting of the Buckhead Coalition on Thursday, Jan. 26, the issue was definitely present in the room.
