SR 385: Downtown Atlanta Day; recognize March 13, 2025

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 other purposes.

WHEREAS, a broad group of advocates is working to revamp and strengthen economic development in downtown Atlanta; and

WHEREAS, an independent economic analysis found that downtown Atlanta generates $580 million in annual public revenues for the State of Georgia and a corresponding $30 billion in annual economic impact; and

WHEREAS, the State of Georgia has partnered on major projects in downtown Atlanta, including but not limited to Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Georgia State University, the Signia Hotel, and new offices for state employees; and

WHEREAS, these developments are part of a broader effort to revitalize downtown Atlanta, with a focus on creating a vibrant, mixed-use neighborhood that combines historic preservation with new construction and opportunities for entrepreneurs and residents alike; and

WHEREAS, Atlanta Ventures and South Downtown have invested more than $100 million in the revitalization of 10 contiguous city blocks to breathe new life into a long-underinvested swath of real estate that abuts several important destinations for Atlanta residents, tourists, and government workers and are bringing several new retail and restaurant concepts to downtown as a vital part of preparing the neighborhood for the estimated 3.5 million visitors expected for the 2026 FIFA World Cup; and

WHEREAS, CIM Group, the developer of Centennial Yards, has made significant progress in its ambitious $5 billion redevelopment project in downtown Atlanta, topping out the 304-unit apartment building called The Mitchell, constructing the 292-room Hotel Phoenix, laying the foundation for a 290-room hotel along Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, completing Lofts at Centennial Yards South with 162 units of housing, and breaking ground on an eight-acre mixed-use entertainment hub; and

WHEREAS, Central Atlanta Progress, the City of Atlanta, and its partners are constructing Phase 1 of the Stitch, a vision for reconnecting north downtown Atlanta with transformational and strategic infrastructure investments, policy changes, and programs; and

WHEREAS, the Stitch vision proposes to create more than 17 acres of new community park space atop a three-quarter-mile platform spanning the Downtown Connector between Ted Turner Drive and Piedmont Avenue as well as to implement transportation infrastructure improvements, policies, and community initiatives, which will catalyze an estimated 18 million square feet of new development and $9 billion in economic output for the State of Georgia; and

WHEREAS, Invest Atlanta is leading the Two Peachtree Street Redevelopment, a $400 million project that will create affordable market-rate apartments; and

WHEREAS, Georgia State University, with the help of the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation, is planning a $107 million transformation and upgrade project on the university's downtown campus; and

WHEREAS, downtown Atlanta's comprehensive $5.2 billion investment pipeline, representing a broad range of developers and owners, includes 7,100 residential units, 840 student housing beds, 2,240 hotel rooms, 1.7 million commercial square feet, and 2.3 million institutional square feet; and

WHEREAS, Downtown Atlanta Day 2025 raises awareness of the efforts and investments being made in downtown Atlanta, working in partnership with Central Atlanta Progress, the Metro Atlanta Chamber, and others and encouraging continued economic development.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body recognize March 13, 2025, as Downtown Atlanta Day at the state capitol. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to the public and the press.