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

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

Atlanta Reaches Out to Katrina Evacuees

At the request of Mayor Shirley Franklin, the Atlanta City Council passed a resolution to allocate one million dollars from various City of Atlanta accounts to assist victims of Hurricane Katrina in Atlanta seeking support.

The Council also agreed to start a Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund. Anyone can donate to the fund and all proceeds will go to assist Hurricane Katrina evacuees.

The City of Atlanta has worked tirelessly to accommodate the thousands of evacuees from the Gulf Coast who are living in Atlanta. The City of Atlanta Adamsville Recreation Center is being used as a service center for evacuees and has assisted up to 600 individuals and families with housing, jobs, student services, food stamps, Medicare and Medicaid and other medical services.

The Atlanta Workforce Development Agency (AWDA) has provided 2,000 individuals and families with food and clothes and served 500 families in the newly created general store. Over 1,000 volunteers have donated their time at AWDA to help sort thousands of pounds of food and clothes. The Adamsville Recreation Center will continue to serve as a site for those seeking assistance. To volunteer or contribute to Atlanta's Hurricane Katrina Relief Effort, please call 1.800.HELPNOW or 404-870-4440 or visit www.atlantaredcross.org.


City Council Passes Commercial Solicitation Ordinance

The Atlanta City Council voted in favor of passing a commercial solicitation ordinance, with a final vote of 12-3 at the end of August. The ordinance was then signed by Mayor Shirley Franklin.

'We have reviewed and examined successful models of this ordinance in other cities, like Fort Lauderdale and Jacksonville, and are confident that Atlanta will find the ordinance benefits not just residents and visitors but it also supports the chronically homeless who are seeking help,' said Mayor Franklin.

The legislation will impact the 'tourist triangle,' which includes Centennial Park in the west, the hotel district in the north, Underground in the south and the Martin Luther King National Historic Site in the east.


FIRST to Return to Atlanta

For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) has announced it will return to Atlanta for the 2007 Robotics Championships. With the 2006 Championship already committed to Atlanta, 2007 will mark the fourth consecutive year the event will take place in the city and the agreement includes options to continue in Atlanta in 2008 and 2009.

The FIRST Championship is the premier student robotics competition and celebration of science and technology. Students work alongside professional engineers to design, build and then compete with robots in three simultaneous competitions

Driving FIRST's decision to return to the city was Atlanta's unmatched combination of facilities, accommodations, restaurants, transportation and attractions. The Championships will once again be based in the Georgia Dome, with the adjacent Georgia World Congress Center serving as the pit area for the competition. The nearby Centennial Olympic Park will provide open space for outdoor activities involved with the event.


City Officials Honored

Congratulations to Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin for being named one of "America's Best Leaders" by national weekly magazine, US News and World Report.

On August 11, Atlanta Police Chief Richard Pennington was honored by the Atlanta Police Foundation (APF) and the Office of the Fulton County District Attorney for his election as incoming national president of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE).


Brand Atlanta Campaign

The Brand Atlanta Campaign is a team of volunteers and professionals working together to create a new, compelling brand identity and integrated marketing program for Atlanta. The campaign will help attract visitors, businesses and new residents to the City of Atlanta. Mayor Shirley Franklin and the Atlanta Development Authority's New Century Economic Development Plan were the inspiration for this public/private initiative to help drive business growth in the City of Atlanta, especially in the hospitality and tourism industry.

Producer Dallas Austin was recently chosen to write a song for the city as part of the Brand Atlanta Campaign. The song will debut during halftime of the Atlanta Falcons vs. New York Jets game on "Monday Night Football" on Oct. 24.


NASCAR Visits Atlanta

On Tuesday, August 16, NASCAR officials visited Atlanta as one of five prospective cities for the new NASCAR Hall of Fame. This effort was led by A.J. Robinson of Central Atlanta Progress and a decision should be reached by the end of the year.


2010 Super Bowl Bid

Meetings are currently underway for the 2010 Super Bowl bid. Those involved are excited about the potential opportunity to market Atlanta for another event of this magnitude.


Atlanta Ranks High for Relocation

In a recent survey conducted by Harris Interactive, U.S. adults ranked Atlanta the No. 9 city they would choose to live in or near.

From April 2004 to April 2005, nearly 100,000 people moved to the 10-county metro region, according to population estimates released this month from the Atlanta Regional Commission. Some of Atlanta's most noted attractions include temperate weather and a lower cost of living compared to other major cities.


Atlanta a Top 25 Art City

Atlanta is named among the Top 25 Art Cities in the United States in AmericanStyle Magazine's 8th annual poll. The City of Atlanta ranked sixth among mid-size cities in the country. Atlanta was honored in the magazine's June 2005 issue. AmericanStyle is a bi-monthly arts and lifestyle magazine.


Atlanta Football Classic Returns to Georgia Dome

The Atlanta Football Classic returns to the Georgia Dome with the Florida A&M Rattlers facing the Tennessee State Tigers on September 24. www.atlantafootballclassic.com.


Crime Rate at 34 Year Low

The City of Atlanta has seen its crime rate drop over the past eight years, beginning in 1997 through 2004. Just last year, the reported crime total was the lowest since 1971. Recent success is attributed to the leadership of Mayor Shirley Franklin and Police Chief Richard J. Pennington. What makes the current success all the more impressive is that officer strength is virtually unchanged from three decades earlier. (1,586 officers sworn in October 1974 versus the 1,581 sworn in July 2005).


Sports Council Turning 20

This October marks the 20th Anniversary of the Atlanta Sports Council. In 1985, a group of prestigious Atlanta business and sports leaders created an athletic development group, a division of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. Its mission was to develop, grow and enhance the quality of life for Atlantans by uniting the community around sports. By supporting local amateur and professional sports teams and bidding on sporting events such as Super Bowls, All-Star Games and the Olympics, the organization's goal was to make Atlanta the worldwide destination for major sporting events.


The Work Truck Show Returns to Atlanta in 2006 and 2008

The National Truck Equipment Association (NTEA) recently announced it will return to Atlanta in 2006 and 2008. The Association produces The Work Truck Show™ and Annual NTEA Convention -- bringing together manufacturers, distributors, fleet managers, leasing companies, dealers, buyers and users of commercial truck and transportation equipment from all industries.

The event, which rotates locations, was held in Atlanta in 2003. The Work Truck Show 2006 will be held at the Georgia World Congress Center February 28 - March 3, 2006.


Del Monte Foods Building Atlanta Distribution Hub

One of the country's largest manufacturers and distributors of canned fruit and vegetables, Del Monte, chose south Atlanta for its $25 million, 800,000 square-feet southeast distribution hub. Having a rail-served site this large was a key advantage for Atlanta.


Mayor Shirley Franklin on Short List for 2005 World Mayor Award
Hundreds of mayors from around the world were nominated for the 2005 World Mayor Award, and our very own Mayor Shirley Franklin is one of 65 on the short list for the award. The final decision is based on the number of votes received as well as statements made in support of each mayor's accomplishments in making their city a more livable place.

Vote for Mayor Shirley Franklin at www.worldmayor.com.


Lunch on Broad

September is the last month to enjoy SunTrust Lunch on Broad. Soak up the sounds of local musicians and enjoy the company of friends and coworkers on your lunch break. Come early and stay late in Atlanta's only weekday street party in the heart of Downtown Atlanta's Historic Fairlie-Poplar District. www.atlantadowntown.com.


Samsung Locates RFIC Design Center in Atlanta

In mid-August, Samsung Electro-Mechanics Company, Ltd. (SEM) opened its new Atlanta-based North American research design center - the principal North American research location for the company aimed at developing next-generation radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) technology.

The design center will be located in Georgia Tech's Technology Square within the Georgia Electronic Design Center (GEDC). Center researchers are expected to collaborate with Georgia Tech faculty and staff on a broad range of RFIC technologies. Dr. Joy Lasker, a Georgia Tech professor and scientist, is one of the world's leading academicians in the field of high-speed, mixed-signal technology.


Don't Miss the 2005 Business Growth Exposition!

On Thursday, November 10, the Atlanta Business Chronicle and the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce will host the 2005 Business Growth Exposition.

For decision-makers from Atlanta's fastest growing companies, this full-day event will showcase the best ideas formulated for growth and success. The Business Growth Exposition will be held on Thursday, November 10 at Cobb Galleria Centre. For more information visit www.atlantabusinessgrowthexpo.com.


Atlanta, a Best Place to Live

Atlanta was ranked seventh on the list of Best Places to Live in the book, "Cities Ranked and Rated" by Bert Sperling and Peter Sander.


Field Day at COP

Creative Loafing hosts the first annual Field Day in Centennial Olympic Park from 2-6 pm on Saturday, September 17. Field Day is a true celebration including a four-hour festival of competition and interaction, an art exhibit, demonstrations & mouth-watering vendors, and an after party at SIDEBAR. Proceeds will go to benefit Gateway 24/7 Homeless Services Center, offering a path to ending homelessness in Atlanta. www.clpromotions.com/fieldday


6th Annual Bike Atlanta Ride

Join Grand Marshal and Atlanta Mayor, Shirley Franklin for the 6th annual Bike Atlanta ride on Saturday, September 17. Bike Atlanta is a 13-mile fun ride on Peachtree Street, Auburn Avenue and throughout historic Atlanta sites. The ride benefits the Bike Ride Across Georgia Dream Team, Sisters...By Choice, and the Lance Armstrong Foundation. www.brag.org


GSU Business Career EXPO

Georgia State University's 2005 Business Career EXPO is bigger and better than ever. Employers will have the opportunity to focus their recruiting efforts by attending one or more of the four career fairs offered September 21-23. www.robinson.gsu.edu/career/expo


News compiled from: City Newsbytes At-A-Glance (Mayor's Office of Communications), 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.