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

25 LC 112 3339 Senate Resolution 385 By: Senators Walker III of the 20th, Kennedy of the 18th, Halpern of the 39th, McLaurin of the 14th and Echols of the 49th A RESOLUTION Recognizing March 13, 2025, as Downtown Atlanta Day at the state capitol; and for other1 purposes.2 WHEREAS, a broad group of advocates is working to revamp and st rengthen economic3 development in downtown Atlanta; and4 WHEREAS, an independent economic analysis found that downtown Atlanta generates $5805 million in annual public revenues for the State of Georgia and a corresponding $30 billion6 in annual economic impact; and7 WHEREAS, the State of Georgia has partnered on major projects i n downtown Atlanta,8 including but not limited to Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Georgia State University, the Signia9 Hotel, and new offices for state employees; and10 WHEREAS, these developments are part of a broader effort to revitalize downtown Atlanta,11 with a focus on creating a vibrant, mixed-use neighborhood that combines historic12 preservation with new construction and opportunities for entrepreneurs and residents alike;13 and14 S. R. 385 - 1 - 25 LC 112 3339 WHEREAS, Atlanta Ventures and South Downtown have invested more than $100 million15 in the revitalization of 10 contiguous city blocks to breathe n ew life into a16 long-underinvested swath of real estate that abuts several important destinations for Atlanta17 residents, tourists, and government workers and are bringing several new retail and restaurant18 concepts to downtown as a vital part of preparing the neighborh ood for the estimated 3.519 million visitors expected for the 2026 FIFA World Cup; and20 WHEREAS, CIM Group, the developer of Centennial Yards, has made significant progress21 in its ambitious $5 billion redevelopm ent project in downtown A tlanta, topping out the22 304-unit apartment building called The Mitchell, constructing the 292-room Hotel Phoenix,23 laying the foundation for a 290-room hotel along Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, completing24 Lofts at Centennial Yards South with 162 units of housing, and breaking ground on an25 eight-acre mixed-use entertainment hub; and26 WHEREAS, Central Atlanta Progress, the City of Atlanta, and its partners are constructing27 Phase 1 of the Stitch, a vision for reconnecting north downtown Atlanta with28 transformational and strategic infrastructure investments, policy changes, and programs; and29 WHEREAS, the Stitch vision proposes to create more than 17 acres of new community park30 space atop a three-quarter-mile platform spanning the Downtown Connector between Ted31 Turner Drive and Piedmont Avenue as well as to implement transp ortation infrastructure32 improvements, policies, and community initiatives, which will c atalyze an estimated 1833 million square feet of new development and $9 billion in economic output for the State of34 Georgia; and35 WHEREAS, Invest Atlanta is leading the Two Peachtree Street Red evelopment, a $40036 million project that will create affordable market-rate apartments; and37 S. R. 385 - 2 - 25 LC 112 3339 WHEREAS, Georgia State University, with the help of the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation,38 is planning a $107 million transformation and upgrade project on the university's downtown39 campus; and40 WHEREAS, downtown Atlanta's comprehensive $5.2 billion investme nt pipeline,41 representing a broad range of developers and owners, includes 7,100 residential units, 84042 student housing beds, 2,240 hotel rooms, 1.7 million commercial square feet, and 2.3 million43 institutional square feet; and44 WHEREAS, Downtown Atlanta Day 2025 raises awareness of the efforts and investments45 being made in downtown Atlanta, working in partnership with Central Atlanta Progress, the46 Metro Atlanta Chamber, and others and encouraging continued economic development.47 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body48 recognize March 13, 2025, as Downtown Atlanta Day at the state capitol.49 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed50 to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to the public and the51 press.52 S. R. 385 - 3 -