SR385: SR385 Downtown Atlanta Day; recognize March 13, 2025

This resolution does not change any Georgia law. It is a ceremonial statement from the Georgia Senate that designates March 13, 2025 as Downtown Atlanta Day at the state capitol. The resolution lays out a series of findings about downtown Atlanta's economic impact, citing an independent analysis that downtown Atlanta generates $580 million in annual public revenue for the state and $30 billion in annual economic impact. The text also lists specific projects, including Centennial Yards, the Stitch highway-cap park project, the Two Peachtree Street redevelopment, and a Georgia State University campus upgrade, describing them as part of a broader downtown revitalization effort tied partly to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The resolution directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute copies to the public and press, but it creates no funding, program, or legal requirement.

• Formally designates March 13, 2025 as Downtown Atlanta Day at the Georgia state capitol.
• Recites findings about downtown Atlanta's economic impact, including $580 million in annual state public revenue and $30 billion in annual economic impact.
• Lists specific downtown Atlanta development projects, such as Centennial Yards, the Stitch, and the Two Peachtree Street Redevelopment, as context for the recognition.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to make copies of the resolution available to the public and the press.

This resolution mainly affects the Georgia Senate itself and organizations involved in downtown Atlanta development, such as Central Atlanta Progress, Invest Atlanta, the Metro Atlanta Chamber, Georgia State University, and private developers like CIM Group and Atlanta Ventures. It creates no obligations for the general public.

Because this is a ceremonial resolution rather than a law, it does not create funding, regulations, or enforceable rights. Its practical effect is to put the Georgia Senate's name behind publicizing downtown Atlanta's redevelopment efforts ahead of events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

• The resolution's whereas clauses cite an independent economic analysis crediting downtown Atlanta with $580 million in annual state public revenue and $30 billion in annual economic impact.
• It references a $5.2 billion downtown Atlanta investment pipeline covering 7,100 residential units, 840 student housing beds, 2,240 hotel rooms, and commercial and institutional square footage.
• The first resolving clause recognizes March 13, 2025 as Downtown Atlanta Day at the state capitol.
• The final resolving clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.

1. 2025-03-13Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
2. 2025-03-11Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Larry Walker (R, SD-020)Primary sponsor
• John Kennedy (R, SD-018)
• Sonya Halpern (D, SD-039)
• Josh McLaurin (D, SD-014)
• Drew Echols (R, SD-049)

• downtown Atlanta
• economic development
• legislative resolution
• Atlanta redevelopment