It’s time to reinvent downtown Atlanta

Downtown Atlanta serves as the gateway to the metropolitan area for 48.5 million annual visitors. We absolutely must provide a safe and energetic downtown experience that showcases Atlanta at its best. Downtown experiences, positive or negative, shape a visitor’s perception of the entire region.

Credit: Daniel Meigs

Credit: Daniel Meigs

Since the pandemic, downtown Atlanta has suffered serious public safety concerns, public transportation issues, growing concerns about homelessness, and fewer workers using office spaces — all factors that are leading to a less dynamic city center. Yet we are seeing welcome changes: more investment in infrastructure and green spaces, thoughtful ideas to improve safety, and an uptick in the number of workers returning to the office. Last month, we learned that the Stitch Project received its first round of federal funding – a whopping $157 million – to reconnect downtown via the 75/85 Connector.

Other ambitious revitalization projects are already underway, poised to transform downtown into a livable epicenter of activity. Projects like Centennial Yards, a $5 billion effort to convert 50 acres of underutilized property into a thriving mixed-use community, just announced its next phase will come online before summer 2026. And “The Center,” the next iteration of the CNN Center. , looking for new office and retail tenants in the city center.

Others are breathing new life into historic buildings south of downtown, converting the 40-story office tower at 2 Peachtree Street into residences and developing the Summerhill mixed-use project anchored by Georgia State University. Activities like these underscore a commitment to creating diverse and vibrant spaces for residents, students, businesses and visitors.

Success doesn’t happen by chance. This happens when strategic planning and focused collaboration lead to action.

In an effort to enhance the reputation and appeal of downtown Atlanta, the Metro Atlanta Chamber has mobilized with partners on a new project reimagining the downtown Atlanta district. The group spent months listening to diverse voices and defining a common vision, engaging more than 200 stakeholders from diverse sectors – residents, businesses, developers, government and academics – to increase the level of attention on improving the downtown experience for everyone.

We also need to look at best practices from other cities – and from our communities right here in metro Atlanta – to drive and prioritize improvement plans. Midtown Alliance tells us that the number of residential units in the Midtown neighborhood has exploded since 2000. At that time, there were about 5,000 residences; today, that number exceeds 25,000. Property values ​​at The Battery Atlanta have increased from $5 million in 2014 to $736 million in 2022 and have generated more than $55 million in sales tax revenue since 2018. These neighborhoods are widely perceived as safe and pleasant places to live, work and visit.

Tangible progress is being made downtown. In addition to the projects already mentioned that are coming from private, federal, and philanthropic sources, the City of Atlanta is making major investments in downtown streets and sidewalk infrastructure. Solutions to help the homeless have begun, including converting the Atlanta Medical Center into temporary housing. The State of Georgia is investing $400 million in new legislative buildings and renovations to the Capitol – a testament to our collective commitment to elevating the heart of our city. And the Georgia World Congress Center announced a billion-dollar master plan that would activate and redevelop more than 20 acres of surface parking in the heart of Atlanta.

It’s time to commit to continued action. By investing in infrastructure, fostering economic growth and prioritizing community engagement, we will create a thriving downtown destination that is not only prosperous, but also safe, welcoming and livable for all. A thriving downtown means more jobs and opportunities, more students and residents living in the neighborhood, and a vibrant entertainment and dining scene, reinforcing the original heart of our region. This reinvention benefits and supports our greater Atlanta region.

We want all university students to be and feel safe. We want football fans to return home in 2026 delighted with the great place they visited. We want more people to move to downtown Atlanta.

Big players are around the table to invest in infrastructure, historic renovation, green spaces and security, but they cannot do it alone.

Brian Blake is president of Georgia State University, Katie Saez is the Georgia region president at Truist. Readers can sign up to receive updates and share ideas about the Metro Atlanta Chamber’s Downtown Atlanta project. at www.metroatlantachamber.com/downtown-atl.