Central Atlanta Progress, a civic group and downtown business coalition, urged regional business leaders to strengthen support for the central city as it recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic and prepares for its future. That future includes hosting matches during the 2026 World Cup.
A.J. Robinson, the organization's president and CEO, referenced the civic cooperation that made the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games successful, using the upcoming soccer event as motivation for current efforts. Robinson announced that CAP will partner with the Metro Atlanta Chamber to develop a list of projects needed to prepare downtown for the global event. "We have a lot to accomplish before 2026 and the projects that we begin now will continue long after the matches have ended," he stated.
Several developments show promise, including a hotel and apartment tower at Centennial Yards and new ownership of aging buildings in South Downtown led by Atlanta Tech Village founders.