Board approves $2.6 million tax break for downtown Moxy by Marriott hotel

The latest tax break was also the DAFC’s first since the Fulton County Board of Assessors resumed its quiet role in providing tax savings to businesses and developers. The evaluation committee suspended the execution of these complex agreements for months under threat of a lawsuit. In April, the assessment committee approved several DAFC assessment requests, allowing affiliated projects to benefit from their tax savings.

Plans for the 10-story Moxy Hotel include a full-service restaurant, taco restaurant, hidden speakeasy and rooftop lounge. The project will employ 65 workers and generate $6.7 million in new tax revenue over the next decade, despite the reduction, according to DAFC estimates. The developer previously told media that it intended to open the hotel in time for the 2026 World Cup, which includes Atlanta as the host city.

Emerge executives said the incentive was needed to offset rising construction costs and help fund infrastructure upgrades, including relocating utilities and paving Latimer Street. DAFC, also known as Develop Fulton, has come under scrutiny in recent years for granting incentives that critics say they are unnecessary.

DAFC President Brandon Beach, Vice President Kwanza Hall, Secretary Kyle Lamont and board members Erica Long and Alvin Kendall voted in favor of the hotel’s tax break, while treasurers Mike Bodker and Mike Looney voted against. Pinky Cole and Laura Kurlander-Nagel were absent.