News / WHAT'S HAPPENING IN DOWNTOWN ATLANTA - AUGUST 2005

...a glance at what's making the news...
(To sign up for this newsletter, simply email us at agrubbs@gwcc.com )

Atlanta Scores in African-American Market

African-American meetings and events will account for more than 320,000 visitors and will make a $264.5 million economic impact on the city this summer. The National Baptist Convention, T.D. Jakes' MegaFest, the National Black Arts Festival, the Bronner Brothers International Beauty Show and the 100 Black Men of Atlanta's Atlanta Football Classic have all become annual business.

Occupancy is Up

According to the most recent report from Smith Travel Research, metro Atlanta has maintained steady levels of growth as recovery of the business and group travel industry continues to climb metrowide. Occupancy rates are up 5.5 percent with demand increasing by 5.9 percent since last year. The airport, northeast and west sides of the city have experienced the most growth.

Atlanta Running City

Atlanta is a "run"-a-way success! The city was named among the Top 25 running cities in America in the July 2005 issue of Runner's World magazine!


Montreux Jazz Festival

The Montreux Jazz Festival in Atlanta will be in Atlanta on Labor Day weekend from September 2 - 4 at the Woodruff Arts Center. www.woodruffcenter.org


Bronner Brothers at GWCC

August 20-22 The Bronner Brothers International Beauty Show at the Georgia World Congress Center is the largest black beauty trade show in the world assembling cosmetologists, make-up artists, barbers and aestheticians. www.bronnerbrothers.com


Downtown Restaurant Week

This event showcases select Downtown Atlanta restaurants with special dining promotions of three-course dinners for $20.05 per person, or with selected restaurants, two meals for $20.05 plus tip, plus tax. Downtown Atlanta Restaurant Week takes place Monday, August 15th through Sunday August 21st. Participating restaurants and their Downtown Atlanta Restaurant Week menus can be found at www.atlantadowntown.com.

To make reservations please contact the individual restaurants, or visit www.opentable.com to make your reservation for select restaurants. To make it even easier to enjoy Downtown Atlanta Restaurant Week, several Downtown Atlanta hotels are offering a discounted rate of $60.05 to metro Atlanta residents on August 19 & 20, 2005.


Atlanta Streetcar a Possibility on Peachtree Street

Transportation continues to be a hot topic in Atlanta and one possible avenue for improvement is a streetcar running the length of Peachtree Street with additional routes to the Georgia Aquarium, the New World of Coke, CNN Center, Phillips Arena, Underground Atlanta, Auburn Ave. & the King Center and Woodruff Arts Center. Michael Robison, president and CEO of Lanier Parking Systems and chairman of the Atlanta Streetcar board, spoke at the Chamber's Real Estate Roundtable on July 19 about the advantages of having a streetcar in Atlanta.

Since Peachtree Street is the backbone of Atlanta, improving mobility will allow office workers and residents to take advantage of shopping, restaurants and attractions along Peachtree Street, as well as encourage tourists to extend their stay and likelihood of returning to the city. Learn more about the Atlanta Streetcar Project at www.atlantastreetcar.com.


Vote for the NASCAR Hall of Fame!

Do you want to see images of Atlanta's NASCAR Hall of Fame? Visit www.halloffameatlanta.com to learn about the recently submitted bid. You will find information on the building design, building location and exhibit space. While searching the site, make sure you click on Vote Atlanta to show your support for the Hall of Fame.

With 75 million fans, NASCAR is the number one spectator sport in the nation and has the most brand loyalty of any other sport. The Hall of Fame would be a great addition to the city, creating revenue and bringing thousands of NASCAR fans into Atlanta. An announcement of which city has been chosen will be made by the end of the year.


Beltline Partnership

Mayor Shirley Franklin announced the creation of an advisory committee known as the BeltLine Partnership. The BeltLine Partnership is charged with coordinating progress on the BeltLine between the city and the numerous groups already working on the BeltLine concept. Ray Weeks, chief executive officer, Weeks Properties Group, was named as the chair of the BeltLine Partnership in April.

"The BeltLine represents a significant initiative towards driving economic development in the city and increasing green space, housing and transit in Atlanta," said Mayor Franklin. "The project will stimulate economic growth while creating 37,500 permanent new jobs and 48,000 year-long construction jobs for our city. The BeltLine will improve the overall quality of life in Atlanta and act as a blueprint for Atlanta's future growth. The selection of these individuals, all of whom are leaders in their respective communities and fields, reinforces how important the BeltLine project will be for the entire city."

For additional information on the BeltLine Partnership, the BeltLine project and how to become involved with the BeltLine, visit www.beltlinepartnership.org.


Five Points Task Force

A new task force has been created for the Five Points area in downtown, assembled by Public Works Commissioner, David E. Scott. The task force is a multi-agency group of professionals from the public and private sector who will focus on making Five Points a more welcoming area of the city.

Task Force accomplishments to date include:

• Increase frequency of pressure washing plaza pavement
• Address code issues including graffiti & take steps to resolve issues
• Create a system of solid waste coordination DPW & CAP
  Increase litter collections
• Remove illegal signs and banners from poles
• Increase the number of patrolling officers from APD and CAP
• Examine vendors' permits and operations; cite for ordinance violations
  

24/7 Gateway Center Opens Its Doors

Mayor Franklin recently joined city residents, local and state politicians, business leaders and members of the non-profit community to celebrate the highly anticipated opening of the 24/7 Gateway Center.

The most fundamental strategy of Atlanta's Blueprint to End Homelessness, the 24/7 Gateway Center will provide services to an estimated 500 homeless people a day.

The 110,000-square foot center will not only meet the immediate needs of the homeless, but will also provide specialized services to help them move toward independent living.

Medical and mental health care, addiction pretreatment, job readiness and training, veteran services and specialized services for women and children are among the services offered at the center.

"Most people now believe we can and will tackle this issue of homelessness," said Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin. "This center is a place that will give people hope and help on their journey to self-sufficiency."

The center is located at the former city pretrial detention center on Garnett and Pryor Street.

For more information please visit www.gatewayctr.org.

News compiled from: City Newsbytes At-A-Glance (Mayor's Office of Communications), Underground Happenings (Underground Atlanta), Membership Communique (Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau), Downtown Live (Central Atlanta Progress), Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce Newsletter, www.downtownATL.com, The Pulse of Progress (Atlanta Development Authority) and the Georgia World Congress Center newsletter.

If you know someone who should receive this email please forward this to them.

If you would like to be added to this distribution list, please email agrubbs@gwcc.com.

If you want to be unsubscribed, please email cpetterson@gwcc.com.