A.J. Robinson, at the executive committee meeting of Central Atlanta Progress (CAP) Wednesday morning, announced his intention to retire from the Downtown improvement organization. In an exclusive interview, Robinson reflected on his tenure with CAP. “When I took this job, the 191 building was 17 percent occupied,” Robinson said. “The Macy’s building was empty. The […]
Tag: Egbert Perry
The sad saga of the historic Paschal’s hotel and restaurant
For more than 20 years, one of Atlanta’s most notable civil rights venues has sat vacant – waiting for new life. It’s hard to overstate the role Paschal’s has played in Atlanta’s civil rights movement. Two brothers, Robert Paschal and James Paschal, began operating as a sandwich spot in 1947. Then, in 1959, the two […]
Raj Chetty: Transforming communities key to improving economic mobility
Place matters. So says Raj Chetty, the economic mobility guru of Harvard University. Chetty’s Opportunity Insights just released a comprehensive study on the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s HOPE VI program — a model that was first designed and developed in Atlanta by Egbert Perry, the chairman and founder of the Integral Group, […]
Atlanta Mayor Dickens envisions Downtown as a vibrant transit hub
Imagine Downtown Atlanta as fulfilling its historic legacy as a hub for local, regional and intercity transit. This is not just wishful thinking. In the past month, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens shared his desire for Amtrak to move its Atlanta station from the Brookwood Station to Downtown Atlanta — preferably as part of the Centennial […]
Tom Cousins, 93, a developer and civic leader grounded in faith and community
Update: Friends and family are invited to a celebration of life for Thomas Grady Cousins at noon on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at North Avenue Presbyterian Church in downtown Atlanta. The service will be followed by a reception at East Lake Golf Club from 2-4 pm. The service also is being live-streamed through this link. […]
Atlanta has much at stake to protect King’s legacy
When the federal government declassified and released the FBI files on Martin Luther King Jr. on July 21, the impact hit home in Atlanta. There is no other place in the world that has such a strong bond as Atlanta and its native son, MLK. And the reverse is true. No place stands to lose […]
Slow down with the wrecking ball; save the most historic Georgia Baptist hospital building
It’s so Atlanta to celebrate the demolition of history. Such was the case Monday afternoon when various VIPS, including Atlanta City Council President Doug Shipman (a stand-in for Mayor Andre Dickens) and various dignitaries with Wellstar Health System and the Integral Group, gathered at the site of the former Georgia Baptist Hospital (the now-vacant Atlanta […]
Atlanta Rotary seeking to engage people with the spirit of the ‘Atlanta Way’
The Atlanta Way took the spotlight at the June 23 meeting of the Rotary Club of Atlanta. In many ways, it was a coming home. The Atlanta Rotary has been a galvanizing force of bringing the community together for decades. It was on Sept. 20, 2021, when two Rotarians – Egbert Perry and Larry Gellerstedt […]
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 […]
Integral’s Egbert Perry on Wellstar project: ‘We see this as re-knitting a part of the city’
Integral executives speak exclusively with SaportaReport about their plans to redevelop the Atlanta Medical Center site.
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.
Atlanta Housing’s Terri Lee making moves to transform agency
Big changes are underway at Atlanta Housing as the agency seeks to expedite the development of new affordable units.
Integral and Atlanta Housing finally settle land deals
After eight years of protracted legal battles, the Integral Group and its partner companies have consummated their land deals with the Atlanta Housing Authority.
Atlanta Housing CEO search critical in city’s goal for affordable housing
The search for a new leader of Atlanta Housing has taken on greater significance given the city’s ambitious goal to add 20,000 affordable housing units by 2030 – with Atlanta Housing expected to deliver 10,000 of those units.
Give Mayor Andre Dickens freedom to name his team to Atlanta Housing’s board
It’s time to get out of the lawsuit business. So proclaimed several board members of the Atlanta Housing authority at a specially-called (virtual) meeting on Feb. 16 when the board approved a settlement agreement with the Integral Group and its development partners over 88 acres of land next to four mixed-income projects.
Atlanta wins with Felicia Moore/Andre Dickens run-off
It’s a new day for the City of Atlanta.
Going from HUD to Integral, Denise Cleveland-Leggett dwells in possibility
After months of contemplating her next move and exploring her options, Denise Cleveland-Leggett decided to join Atlanta-based Integral Group to continue to push the envelope in the revitalization of urban America.
Atlanta is losing its way
Two veteran Atlanta business leaders – one white and one black – are concerned Atlanta is losing its way.
Let’s not give up on the dream to become the ‘City of Peace’
The vision to brand Atlanta as a city of peace became a bit cloudy recently when local leaders decided to postpone their efforts to host a World Summit for Nobel Peace Laureates in 2023.
Kasim Reed casts long shadow over Keisha Lance Bottoms and Atlanta
During her entire time as mayor, Keisha Lance Bottoms has struggled with the shadow of Kasim Reed over her and the city.
