Newsroom
Get the story behind the places, faces, and current events shaping the downtownATL district.
The nearly five-mile bus rapid transit loop connects downtown, Summerhill, and Peoplestown in 15 minutes, running in dedicated red-painted lanes — MARTA's first rapid bus project and Georgia's first BRT line.
Nearly 23,000 square feet of the former CNN Center — now rebranded as The CTR — will become the ATL Culture House during the World Cup, hosting eight days of live performances, art exhibitions, and youth workshops curated by more than 400 local artists.
The ATL Culture House will occupy nearly 23,000 square feet inside the former CNN Center during the World Cup, featuring performances, exhibitions, and vendors showcasing Atlanta's creative community.
Atlanta artist Alex Brewer, who works as HENSE, has painted the western facade of The CTR over Andrew Young International Boulevard - the first completed piece in the former CNN Center's building-wide art program.
The Atlanta Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs is launching ATL Culture House, a 23,000-square-foot multidisciplinary cultural hub inside The Center (former CNN Center), with eight free activations timed to Atlanta's FIFA World Cup matches this summer.
Atlanta's first open container district takes effect April 15. Smorgasburg draws 5,000+ every Saturday. El Tesoro and Glide Pizza confirmed opening before the World Cup. And historic streetcar #269, built in 1921, returns to downtown after nearly 80 years.
A.J. Robinson, the hat-wearing president and CEO of Central Atlanta Progress, announced his departure after 23 years leading downtown's most influential civic organization — just as the city enters a historic development boom.
The historic Odd Fellows building in Sweet Auburn reopened in April 2026 as Georgia Works Village — a transitional housing facility for approximately 160 men, backed by $50 million in state funding for chronic homelessness and attended by the Governor and Mayor at the ribbon cutting.
Roughly eight acres of Castleberry Hill directly south of Mercedes-Benz Stadium have been cleared of the former Northside Plaza apartments, and Summerhill developer Carter is studying the blocks for housing and retail.
A decade after voters approved a special sales tax for BeltLine rail transit, no tracks have been laid. In 2026, city leaders and transit advocates are split on whether the 22-mile loop needs trains — or whether its success as a trail is enough.
Decorated chef and humanitarian José Andrés, awarded Georgia Tech's Ivan Allen Jr. Prize for Social Courage, discusses his humanitarian work, World Central Kitchen's rapid-response model, and his hopes to return to Atlanta for the World Cup.
CP Group is transforming the former CNN Center into 'The Center,' with a revamped food hall opening June 12 ahead of World Cup matches. Plans include converting two office towers into a hotel and apartments, with an estimated $425 million investment.
Georgia-Pacific's head of Atlanta real estate development laid out new specifics for the 51-story tower's conversion: 30 percent of 400-plus apartments capped as affordable, retail cut to 80,000 square feet, and a capital-markets push this summer.
Skol Brewing's Valhalla Gaming Lounge, with 40-plus games in 30,000 square feet, should open in May at 200 Peachtree downtown.
MARTA launched its new Better Breeze fare cards on March 28, marking the first major upgrade to the transit system's fare collection in decades. Riders will encounter a mix of old and new equipment during the transition, with full cutover to the new system required by May 2.
