Primary results are in: Keisha Lance Bottoms is the Democratic nominee for governor, while Burt Jones and Rick Jackson head to a GOP runoff. Downtown got a new park when Founders Green opened on Broad Street, and Atlanta cracked the top 20 nationally in park rankings for the first time. The CNN Center food hall is taking shape, MARTA wrapped upgrades at Indian Creek station, and flash floods hit midtown and east Atlanta this evening.
Keisha Lance Bottoms Wins Democratic Nomination for Governor
Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms won the Democratic primary for governor outright on Tuesday, clearing the 50% threshold needed to avoid a runoff. She took 56% of the vote, far outpacing former state senator Jason Esteves and former DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond. In November, she will face either Lt. Gov. Burt Jones or healthcare billionaire Rick Jackson, who are headed to a June 16 GOP runoff.
Politics & Policy
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Dickens Pares Back TAD Extensions to Fund $5.5B Neighborhood Plan
Mayor Andre Dickens is scaling back his push to extend all eight of Atlanta's tax allocation districts. New legislation introduced Monday omits the BeltLine and Perry-Bolton TADs from the extension push, letting them sunset on schedule in 2030 and 2041. The revised Neighborhood Reinvestment Initiative also creates a new trust fund for greater accountability.
- Atlanta Police Budget Set to Hit Record High Under New Plan Capital B Atlanta
Development & Housing
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Founders Green Opens as South Downtown's New Half-Acre Park
A parking lot at 110 Broad Street has become Founders Green, a half-acre park in the heart of South Downtown's redevelopment. Gov. Brian Kemp and Mayor Andre Dickens led the ribbon-cutting today. The park includes a stage for concerts and movie nights, with El Tesoro's third location opening next door.
Community
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Atlanta Cracks Top 20 in National Park Rankings for the First Time
Atlanta placed 18th on the Trust for Public Land's annual ParkScore index, the city's highest ranking ever and four spots up from last year. Now 85% of Atlantans live within a 10-minute walk of a park. Park investment reaches $312 per person when including philanthropic dollars, double the national average.
Transit & Infrastructure
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MARTA Completes Upgrades at Indian Creek Station with New Pedestrian Bridge
MARTA and development officials held a ribbon-cutting Monday for a new pedestrian bridge and west plaza at Indian Creek station. The easternmost Blue Line terminus serves about 3,000 riders daily. Other upgrades include new lighting, signage, benches, and a repaved bus loop.
Food & Drink
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CNN Center Atrium Gets New Life as the CTR Food Hall
The soaring atrium inside the CNN Center is becoming the CTR, an 80,000-square-foot food hall with 11 stalls and seating for 500. Compiled by Robert Montwaid of Chattahoochee Food Works, the CTR sits between Centennial Olympic Park and State Farm Arena with five entrances.
Arts & Culture
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Atlanta Beltline Fest Brings World Cup Watch Parties to Pittsburgh Yards
A free two-day festival called Atlanta Beltline Fest will celebrate the city's role as a World Cup host. The event at Pittsburgh Yards features live match screenings, DJ sets, live music, and local vendors. It coincides with recent expansion of the BeltLine trail network to the area.