Before the close of the 2026 legislative session, the Georgia House doubled down on a resolution supporting the arts as a way to treat mental illness. The stage was set in mid-February when the House Special Rules committee approved House Resolution 1007, making Georgia the first state in the nation to pass a legislative measure […]
Tag: Doug Shipman
Posted inMaria's Metro
Mayor Andre Dickens open to revisiting decision on Beltline rail
Now is an opportune moment to take a fresh look at putting rail on the Beltline’s Eastside trail. The case to move forward with rail on the Eastside trail is as strong as ever. It is the one corridor that makes the most sense for transit, given the density of development on the Eastside. It […]
Posted inColumns
Insider or outsider? Atlanta City Council president voters have clear choice
The election for Atlanta city council president promises to be the most highly charged race in the city in 2025. By the end of qualifying on Aug. 22, only two candidates had put their hats in the ring — Atlanta City Councilmember Marci Collier Overstreet and Rohit Malhotra, a nonprofit leader who is on leave […]
Posted inLatest News
CCI’s Rohit Malhotra announces run for Atlanta City Council president
The race for Atlanta’s City Council President is becoming more competitive. Rohit Malhotra, the founder of the Center for Civic Innovation (CCI), is running for the office. He filed his paperwork on May 9, becoming the second candidate in the race. Atlanta City Council member Marci Overstreet announced she is running for the position in […]
Posted inMaria's Metro
Former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin finally getting her due
Although she was only mayor for two terms, from 2002 to 2010, Shirley Franklin has been a force in Atlanta dating from first term of Mayor Maynard Jackson, elected in 1973, when she served as his commissioner of cultural affairs. On Thursday, March 27, Franklin was honored with the naming of several blocks of Central […]
Posted inLatest News
Civil Rights Center holds ‘topping out’ event for its expansion
There was a bit of deja-vu feeling on Aug. 29 when a “topping out” ceremony was held for the two-wing expansion of the National Center for Civil and Human Rights now under construction.
Posted inColumns
New infill MARTA stations to complement BeltLine rail
A new MARTA station at Murphy Crossing in southwest Atlanta will make BeltLine rail even more vital to our city’s future mobility.
Posted inColumns
MARTA’s CFO Raj Srinath leaves at a crucial time for transit agency
The departure of MARTA’s chief financial officer, Raj Srinath, is being viewed as Atlanta’s loss and Jacksonville’s gain.
Posted inColumns
Montreal impresses metro Atlanta’s LINK delegation with focus on public amenities
Transit. Bicycles. Pedestrian streets. Public art displays. A festive spirit. Awareness of climate change. Those were just some of the themes metro Atlanta leaders expressed upon their return from Montreal during the 26th LINK trip that took place from Aug. 15 to Aug. 19.
Posted inLatest News
DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond reflects on his leadership journey
The State of DeKalb County lunch on April 26 had a railroad theme – partly because it was held at Pullman Yards – which once built the luxury Pullman passenger train cars.
Posted inLatest News
Doug Shipman names three new Atlanta City Council committee chairs
By Maria Saporta Nuanced leadership changes on the Atlanta City Council were announced Monday by Atlanta City Council President Doug Shipman. The major power of the president of the Atlanta City Council is being able to name the chairs of council committees and appoint the members to each of the committees. In an embargoed interview […]
Posted inLatest News
Atlanta City Council President Doug Shipman names committee chairs
By Maria Saporta Perhaps the most important job of the president of the Atlanta City Council is to select the members to serve on the seven Council committees and to decide who will chair each committee. Incoming City Council President Doug Shipman took that responsibility to heart. Even though he was sworn in on Monday […]
Posted inColumns
New leadership at Atlanta’s City Hall bodes well for closer collaboration
Following the results of the Nov. 30 run-off election, a drastically different Atlanta City Hall will take office in January.
Posted inLatest News
Dickens is next Atlanta mayor as runoff election shakes up city government
Andre Dickens will be the next mayor of Atlanta after trouncing Felicia Moore in a Nov. 30 runoff election that brought several other big changes to city government.
Posted inLatest News
City Council president candidates pitch ways to help small businesses
By John Ruch Big business may pull the political strings in Atlanta, but small business drives much of the economy and culture. Four of the candidates for City Council president were grilled on ways to help the sector at a Sept. 25 forum, one of a small-business series hosted by the Old Fourth Ward Business […]
Posted inColumns
In forum on housing affordability, council president candidates reveal how they think and lead
The leading City Council president candidates gave some revelatory answers at a Sept. 11 forum focused on housing affordability. Revelatory not because they or Atlanta are likely to magically solve the nationally intractable affordability problem, but exactly because they’re not. Granted, the next council prez — whose powers are mostly procedural — might collaborate with […]
Posted inLatest News
Doug Shipman to leave Woodruff Arts Center, Hala Moddelmog to step in as interim CEO
In a surprise announcement, the Woodruff Arts Center on Thursday said its current president and CEO – Doug Shipman – will be stepping down on Aug. 31 after three years in the role.
Posted inMaggie Lee
Atlanta arts leaders and artists say there’s a lot to celebrate — but something is missing
Metro Atlanta and Georgia lack one large, unified arts organization speaking out in favor of bringing Georgians dance, visual art, music and theater.
Posted inATL Business Chronicle
Darren Eales: Would be ‘really disappointed’ if Atlanta doesn’t land 2026 World Cup semifinal
As published in the Atlanta Business Chronicle on Aug. 3, 2018
Atlanta’s hosting of the 2018 MLS All-Star Game on Aug. 1 is a prelude to the city’s dreams of welcoming the World Cup in 2026.
Posted inUncategorized
Column: Turning 50, Woodruff Arts Center remembers past, envisions future
As published in the Atlanta Business Chronicle on May 18, 2018
The Woodruff Arts Center is turning 50 years old this year — an opportune time to look ahead to its next 50 years.
