From the Show vs. Tell newsletter by Jon Birdsong, CEO of SoDo Atlanta — Volume 1, Month 6 (July 2024)
Six months in and the SoDo team has rapidly learned adaptive-reuse, building codes, and development models. What captivates them most: the people of Atlanta and their shared desire to revive the city's abandoned historic core.
Safety & Security
Major Singh — 30-year APD veteran, former leader of the Community Oriented Policing Section — takes command of the 24/7 South Downtown neighborhood patrol. Flock Safety license plate reader cameras are live and entering training mode, with dozens more installations ahead.
Community
Outreach presentations to GWCC, Metro Atlanta Chamber, ACVB, Georgia Municipal Association, Atlanta Tech Week, RenderATL, and the Kiwanis Club. A Lot Party preceded the COPA USA game at the Benz. New lease signed on Hotel Row — tenant announcement pending. ADID sidewalk cleaning continues across South Downtown.
Development — Project Elle
Project Elle: 25+ building renovations over six months, introducing 100+ apartments, 150k sf of retail/restaurant space, and ATV-Sylvan (31k sf in the historic Sylvan Hotel). Hotel Row's 10 storefronts include Tyde Tate Kitchen, Spiller Park Coffee, and upcoming record store Crates by Daryl Harris of Moods Music.
Three firms have studied 222 Mitchell — plans shifting from office to residential. Permits submitted for buildings at Mitchell and Broad. Two new Peachtree Street buildings acquired. New team member Brianna Jackson joins from Calendly to lead leasing and community engagement. 23 months to the World Cup.