From the Show Versus Tell newsletter by Jon Birdsong, CEO of SoDo Atlanta — Volume 3, Month 3 (April 2026)
Attendance at the recent USA vs. Belgium and Portugal friendlies totaled 139,164. Summer planners anticipate over 530,000 visitors for World Cup matches — approximately 65,000 per match.
Restaurant Openings
Two community-voted restaurants are confirmed opening before World Cup events: El Tesoro (top-voted tacos) and Glide Pizza (top-voted pizza).
Safety & Security
Five Points MARTA Station is identified as downtown's most critical long-term asset. An official partnership has been consolidated with neighbors and stakeholders, with unified communication channels, budgetary alignment, and coordination with APD Zone Five.
Community
"Owners in the Kitchen" Philosophy — South Downtown's leasing strategy prioritizes owner-operators who are actively engaged. At Tyde Tate Kitchen, owner Bank personally manages the grill during service. At Bottle Rocket, owner Josh Calvin works overnight shifts into early morning, and 10 Castleberry Hill neighbors helped install the bar over a weekend.
Tenant Organizing Meeting — Led by April Stammel, the April meeting covered World Cup preparations, upcoming openings, and new legislation.
Open Container District
Effective April 15, 2026 — Atlanta's first open container district allows alcoholic beverages purchased from establishments to be consumed while walking through South Downtown. This runs through January 31, 2027.
Smorgasburg Atlanta
Every Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 140 Forsyth Street. Now drawing 40+ food vendors, a dozen retailers, and 5,000+ attendees each Saturday. Pro tip: arrive early to avoid lines and sold-out items.
Georgia Power Streetcar #269
Built in 1921, this streetcar originally served the Main Decatur line. Its final day of operation was November 13, 1948. It is the only known surviving Decatur streetcar. Previously housed at the Southeastern Railway Museum in Duluth, it traveled 32 miles through the heart of Atlanta to its new home at 85 Peachtree Street — its first time downtown in nearly 80 years. Restoration is beginning at its new location.
Development
Aerial footage captures construction progress on El Tesoro, Brewhouse, Glide Pizza, Mule Train, Kitchen Counter, Estrellita, KMM & Co, and a half-acre green space taking form.
Mitchell Street — dubbed "Magical Mitchell Street" by the 1912 Atlanta Constitution — now features a dedicated bus lane for the new MARTA A-Line Bus Rapid Transit system, complete with red carpet road paint treatment.
Archaeological Finds
A new Instagram account, @relics_of_southdowntownatl, documents discoveries from excavation — including four dozen-plus Guinness bottles, suggesting a historical open container culture in the neighborhood.
Source: Show Versus Tell Newsletter
