The Atlanta City Council late Monday voted to approve a funding plan for a new downtown Atlanta Falcons stadium, pushing the project over its biggest political hurdle. The council voted 11-4 in favor of the use of city hotel-motel taxes to pay $200 million toward construction costs and potentially several times that toward costs of [...]
Mayor Reed: Atlanta, Falcons Agree on New Stadium Funding Plan
March 8, 2013 | Posted by
The Atlanta Falcons committed another $65 million toward a proposed downtown stadium as the team and the city unveiled agreement on several key issues Thursday, moving the project closer to a final deal. The bulk of the money, $50 million, would go toward road, sidewalk, utility and other infrastructure work required for the new stadium, [...]
Mayor Kasim Reed Wants Facelift For M.L.King Jr. Drive
March 7, 2013 | Posted by
It is the street that flanks the north face of the state Capitol. It goes past the Georgia Dome, through the historic Atlanta University center. But much of the 12-plus miles of Atlanta’s Martin Luther King Jr. Drive is forgettable at best. At worst, it has been the address for some of the city’s worst [...]
Occupy Atlanta Says City Suppressed Evidence in Woodruff Park Trespass Case
December 23, 2012 | Posted by
With the holidays, Woodruff park is all dressed up and ready for Christmas. It is a far cry from the scene there just over a year ago. That’s when scores of Atlanta police officers moved in to evict Occupy Atlanta from the park, after mayor Kasim Reed issued an executive order citing safety concerns. “We’re [...]
New Segment of Atlanta Beltline Opens, But What Next?
November 22, 2012 | Posted by
Atlanta leaders converged on the Old Fourth Ward Monday to celebrate the opening of the first major section of the Atlanta Beltline. The 2.25 mile paved trail connects Piedmont Park to Inman Park. “All you have to do is take a walk along the trail,” Mayor Kasim Reed said. “You see real estate being exchanged, [...]
Mayors Reed and Nutter Have Harsh Words for Romney NAACP Speech
July 11, 2012 | Posted by
Two prominent black mayors on Wednesday had harsh words for Mitt Romney’s speech to the NAACP’s national convention, arguing that the presumptive GOP nominee is “a joke,” that his speech was a political stunt, and that the audience’s booing was an “appropriate” response to Romney’s pledge to repeal the national health-care law. Romney “tried to [...]
Atlanta Moves Closer to Ban on Smoking in All Parks and Outdoor Facilities
July 11, 2012 | Posted by
A ban on smoking in Atlanta parks — a wide-ranging prohibition that would cover playgrounds, athletic fields, aquatic areas, tennis courts, golf courses, walking trails and playgrounds — came closer to reality on Tuesday. After a string of high school students, nonprofit workers and hospital executives spoke in support of the ban, a committee of [...]
Pres. Obama Spends the Day Fundraising in Atlanta
June 26, 2012 | Posted by
President Obama’s trip to Atlanta created a stir emotionally with Atlantans, even though snarled traffic prevented them from stirring freely in certain parts of the city. The President was greeted by a contingent that included Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and black elected officials from surrounding counties. After a few glad-handing photo opportunities, the President participated [...]
Despite Mayor Reed’s Admirable Goal, Atlanta Park System Ranks Below Average Nationally
May 28, 2012 | Posted by
It might come as a surprise to the joggers in Piedmont Park or the dog walkers around Chastain Park, but the Atlanta park system ranks below average. (editorial note: This is probably less of a surprise to Atlanta residents living south of I-20) That’s according to a new study by the Trust for Public Land, [...]
Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed Acquiring a High International Profile
May 13, 2012 | Posted by
Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed is racking up the frequent flyer miles. The mayor will make his second trip to Paris since taking office for the New Cities Summit, a global gathering on urban development. The summit brings together urban planners, architects, business leaders, academics and politicians to discuss “innovative” approaches to issues of city planning, according [...]
