Georgia’s method of paying for school facilities is one reason Georgia’s state and local governments are among those that aren’t accepting Wall Street’s offers of low interest loans to build big public projects.
Tag: Development
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Georgia’s economy faces global headwinds, says GSU’s top economist
The growth of Georgia’s economy will be measurably impacted by the strained economies of trade partners who last year purchased nearly $40 billion in Georgia-made goods, Georgia State University’s top economist observed Wednesday.
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ATL airport seeks to extend passenger fee as FAA looks to revise program
Atlanta’s airport managers propose to extend a passenger fee that is due to expire in 2027. The action occurs as the Federal Aviation Authority is accepting comments on proposed changes to the allowed uses of the fee.
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Turner Field coalition calls on GSU to create an office to work with residents during redevelopment
A group of residents in the Turner Field area is calling on Georgia State University to form a community relations office devoted to nourishing a relationship now that a deal is underway for GSU to partner in the redevelopment of Turner Field.
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Jewish section of Oakland Cemetery to be restored with grant from Rich Foundation
A $300,000 grant from The Rich Foundation to Historic Oakland Foundation will cover two-thirds of the projected cost of restoring the Jewish section of Oakland Cemetery, Atlanta’s oldest municipal burial ground.
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GSU to restore historic Hurt Park, add stage to greenspace along Atlanta Streetcar route
Georgia State University plans to restore Hurt Park in downtown Atlanta, an historic greenspace that was opened in 1940 and later heralded as a major accomplishment in the first administration of legendary Mayor William B. Hartsfield.
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MARTA to replace rail car fleet by 2026; seeks cars that can travel streets, freight lines
MARTA intends to replace all of its train cars by 2026 and has asked vendors to provide information on both new cars and the best way to extend the life of the existing fleet until the new vehicles arrive, according to bid solicitations that are due Aug. 30.
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Photo Pick: Reed and Georgia Avenues by Chad Carlson
Comment from Chad: “At Reed and Georgia Avenues. Next to Turner Field. Human scale, pedestrian oriented, historic buildings, providing a distinct look for the area. Hopefully, the new developer will understand the importance of these buildings to the built environment.”
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Midtown Alliance advancing east-west connectivity
East-West connectivity through Midtown is improving, with 7th Street opened to two-way travel in July. But the big news is that funding is now largely in place to extend 15th Street from West Peachtree Street all the way to Williams Street.
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Atlanta City Council considers tying social benefits programs to transportation referenda projects
Atlanta city councilmembers are citing Atlanta’s Olympic Games in their emerging effort to ensure that city residents are hired for at least 30 percent of jobs, and that other community benefits be provided, if city voters in November approve two referenda totaling $2.8 billion for transportation projects.
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Central Library to be saved; $50 million renovation would allow floors to be leased
Central Library in Downtown Atlanta will not be demolished, per a vote Wednesday by Fulton County’s Board of Commissioners. The board is slated to decide in August on the extent of a proposed renovation that could cost up to $50 million.
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Central Library’s modern design intended to tell the world: ‘Atlanta has arrived’
The architectural style of Atlanta’s Central Library isn’t to everyone’s taste. However, the possibility of losing another signature building appears to be galvanizing support to preserve it as a library or other public use.
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Atlanta audit of $250 million bond program finds weak contracts, no improper deals
Atlanta’s $250 million construction program to improve the city’s roads, bridges and facilities is being conducted with business contracts that expose the city to “unnecessary risk,” according to an audit that’s to be presented Monday to the Atlanta City Council.
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Atlanta City Council poised to ask for Central Library to be renovated, not razed or abandoned
The Atlanta City Council is poised to formally ask the Fulton County Board of Commissioners to renovate and reprogram Central Library and, if that doesn’t happen, that the building designed by world-renowned architect Marcel Breuer be redeveloped into a catalytic space.
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GSU report outlines wide autonomy, authority in popular tool to fund urban renewal
A new report by researchers at Georgia State University piques interest about future funding for big civic projects ranging from the Atlanta Streetcar to SunTrust Park, in addition to smaller projects such as a worn retail district in Buckhead that seems largely unchanged for 50 years.
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Savannah port receives $44 million federal grant to expand rail access
The Port of Savannah on Wednesday received a $44 million federal grant to expand rail access to and from the port. The funding promotes an objective to get trains in and out of the port more quickly, increasing Savannah’s competitive edge over other seaports.
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Construction costs in metro Atlanta rising at fastest rate in nation: CBRE report
The cost of commercial construction grew at a faster rate in metro Atlanta than in any of the 14 cities included in a new report by CBRE, a global real estate company.
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Performance art: Fabricating the retractable roof of Mercedes-Benz Stadium
An old GM plant in south Atlanta has the unique claim of being the assembly area for the metal trusses and pinwheel roof that will cover the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
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Gov. Deal’s two nominees to lead EPD approved by DNR board
The board that oversees the Georgia Department of Natural Resources formally approved on Wednesday Gov. Nathan Deal’s two nominees to lead the state Environmental Protection Division.
Deal announced May 23 that Richard Dunn would direct the EPD. Lauren Curry was named to serve as EPD’s deputy director.
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Control of Atlanta’s streetcars emerges in talks of $2.5 billion in transit funding
The issue of who should control the Atlanta Streetcar – Atlanta or MARTA – emerged as a flash point Wednesday between some Atlanta city councilmembers and Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed’s administration during a talk about the future of the streetcar amid a $2.5 billion proposal to expand transit in the city.
