From the Show Versus Tell newsletter by Jon Birdsong, CEO of SoDo Atlanta — Volume 2, Month 1 (February 2025)
494 days until the grand opening party.
Safety & Security
Murder Suspect Arrested — A wanted murder suspect was spotted at a pharmacy (50 Upper Alabama) using Verkada camera technology. Officer Blue responded within 30 seconds of notification and made the arrest. Chief Schierbaum commended the effort at the annual CAP luncheon.
Family Reunification — A fourth unhoused individual was reunited with family. A woman stranded on Broad Street — abandoned by someone she had traveled from Philadelphia to meet — was coordinated Greyhound bus transportation home.
Community
Atlanta Tech Village - Sylvan — Now open. 30,000 square feet in the historic 115-year-old former Sylvan Hotel. January 8th opening with Mayor Dickens addressing a shoulder-to-shoulder crowd.
Chess Tournament — First South Downtown Chess Tournament announced, played at Spiller Park Coffee and Atlanta Tech Village.
Legislative Outreach — Marketing campaign highlighting that Spiller Park Coffee, Tyde Tate Kitchen, and Friedman's are only an 8-minute walk from the Capitol during legislative session.
David Cummings became Chair of Central Atlanta Progress. Annual meeting and awards ceremony drew 600+ Atlanta community members.
Leasing
Next 120 days critical for retail and restaurant leasing. Team: April Stammel (South Downtown) and Shelbi Bodner (Bridger Properties). Nine potential tenants in discussions with additional space available. Seeking retail, food and beverage, and live entertainment concepts.
Media Coverage
GPB Blog featured Jeff Hullinger covering Friedman's Shoes revitalization. WABE covered pre-World Cup 2026 revitalization efforts.
Development
222 Mitchell Street — $97 million project with 215 residential units, ground-floor and rooftop activation. Financing being explored.
Architects and contractors currently working on 25 buildings across the neighborhood, including a park project.
82 Peachtree (M Rich Building) — Removal of patched flooring and restoration of original skylight for natural ground-floor lighting.
Subcontractor Job Fair
February 26, 4:30-7:30 PM. Networking for minority-owned trades — masons, plumbers, framers. Project showcases, inside looks at Phase 1, refreshments.
Federal Workers
Three adjacent federal buildings hold 4 million combined square feet. Return announcements have not materialized. Rooftops and parking lots painted in preparation.
Source: Show Versus Tell Newsletter