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There’s Nowhere Like Downtown Atlanta
The historic core of our beloved city is a place where the pulse of progress and rhythm of resilience beat in harmony. Nestled within the heart of our vibrant metropolis, it’s a location where steel and concrete ascend towards the sky, representing the buoyant spirit of a community achieving unprecedented heights.
The air in Downtown Atlanta is charged with a palpable, invigorating energy—a lively current that crackles with the promise of new beginnings and exciting possibilities. Meanwhile, the essence of our city’s rich, complex history is deeply woven into its urban fabric. Each brick, each street, and each building are silent storytellers, recounting the tales of years gone by. Every day, we add new chapters to this continuing narrative, constructing a future that respects and builds upon the foundations of our past.
Central Atlanta Progress (CAP) and the Atlanta Downtown Improvement District (ADID) are at the helm of this journey, steering the city center towards a brighter future. Downtown Atlanta, under our guidance, continues its transformation from a 9-to-5 hub for office workers into a vibrant neighborhood teeming with life. Now, it’s becoming a diverse community buzzing with residents and students, brimming with a unique blend of entertainment and art, and blossoming as the intersection of culture and trade.
Since we created it in 2017, The Downtown Master Plan has served as the guiding compass in CAP & ADID’s work. This comprehensive blueprint sketches out our ambitious vision for the future, encompassing all facets of Downtown life—from housing and economic development to transportation, the arts, and beyond. The Master Plan imagines a resilient community with safe, bustling streets; healthy, lively citizens; and vibrant, welcoming public spaces.
These concerted efforts aim to elevate the Downtown experience to new heights. They aim to transform our urban landscape with verdant greenery and enhance our public spaces. We’re committed to better accessibility and fostering an energetic, vibrant community.
Downtown is a place for everyone. With its historic charm and modern vibrancy, the only thing more impressive than its skyline is its bright and promising future.
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What Impact Looks Like
In 2023, our ADID Outreach Team continued their commendable work, connecting people experiencing homelessness with much-needed support. We’re proud to share that we enrolled 165 participants, conducted 170 service needs assessments, and placed 133 clients in interim housing. These figures are more than numbers; they represent individual lives touched, changed, and given new hope. Two…
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An Eye on Growth & Opportunities
Last year, Downtown Atlanta underlined its position as the region’s entrepreneurial and economic hub, bursting with exciting new enterprises and avenues for growth. CAP & ADID played a pivotal role in fortifying this business landscape. Their continued participation in the Recast Leaders initiative—aimed specifically at product businesses and small-scale manufacturers—offered a…
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A&E Atlanta’s Dynamic Vision
Unleashing the Power of Art, Transforming the City
A&E Atlanta is breathing life into every corner of the city, using the transformative power of art to invigorate the urban fabric. By combining innovative ideas with local talent the streets of Atlanta Downtown come to life. This artistic revolution, led by A&E Atlanta, is not just about beautifying the city; it’s about uniting communities, stimulating the economy, and creating an immersive, interactive cityscape that is a living, breathing work of art.
Artist Spotlight
Karo Duro Downtown Windows
Windows of Wonder, 2023
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By The Numbers
In 2023, the ADID team provided a variety of services to the Downtown community.
362,567
Citizen
Assists241
Auto
Jump Starts122
Medical
Assists39,428
Homeless
Interventions322
Maintenance
Repairs46,663
Trash Bags
Collected714
Graffiti & Stickers
Removed1,667
Encampment
Clean Ups
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The Stitch Makes Strides
Often, the most transformative ideas are born out of necessity. This holds true for the Stitch, an innovative infrastructure project aimed at mending the physical divide in the heart of Atlanta. It will create connections to new opportunities, enhance access, and rebuild our community. Our city center was intentionally severed by the Downtown Connector, leaving […]
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Stroll, Spin, & Discover a Greener Urban Space
Creating a Safer, More Accessible Downtown Atlanta In 2023, we continued our work to restore the urban canopy as part of the Downtown Urban Tree Planting Plan. Alongside Trees Atlanta and the City of Atlanta, we commemorated the initiative with a ceremonial tree planting with Mayor Andre Dickens near Underground Atlanta and Five Points MARTA […]
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Music, Markets, & Memories
In 2023, CAP & ADID orchestrated over 100 activations Downtown, including biweekly craft markets by Community Market ATL, showcasing LGBTQIA+ artists and vendors. These markets became a Downtown highlight, offering students and residents an array of quality goods at attractive prices, enriching the community’s shopping experience.
Weekly lunchtime musical performances on the Broad Street Boardwalk became a staple, while the summer months featured the return of free yoga. Holidays were celebrated with an array of activations, from Valentine’s Day floral art pop-ups to a week-long winter wonderland featuring faux snow and holiday-themed activities, culminating in a well-attended wreath-making workshop. In the Fall, music was enjoyed at Woodruff Park through the A/V radio installation, where DJs hosted lunchtime sets.
The Downtown Windows initiative brought even more art into the heart of the city, transforming vacant storefronts into vibrant art installations. Five fascinating displays by local artists were unveiled, with more planned in 2024.