The next chapter of Downtown Atlanta’s history is set to unfold. Development projects across the urban core are expanding its skyline while on the street, new businesses are bringing more options to residents, students, and visitors alike. The future looks bright, thanks in no small part to the support of CAP members.

From corporations and regional leaders to small local businesses and property owners, our members empower us to envision a more vibrant and livable Downtown. This past year, we welcomed fourteen new organizations to our ranks, including a national transportation company, a fast-growing toy company, and local cultural institutions (just to name a few). Simply put, CAP is more prepared than ever to foster Downtown’s economic vitality.

In 2022, we also made the return to in-person events. Our Board of Directors met in May at the newly renovated Fulton County Central Library where we were joined by AJC reporter and writer Greg Bluestein. South Downtown’s 235 Mitchell Street hosted our September meeting featuring remarks by Odie Donald II, Mayor Dickens’ Chief of Staff. And in December we gathered at the beautiful Candler Hotel for our final meeting of the year.

AtlantaDowntown.com expanded its reach, and web traffic to the site returned to pre-pandemic figures. Our social media channels continued to gain followers, and CAP’s LinkedIn account in particular has become a full-fledged source for member news, employee spotlights, and event recaps. Our organization also received over 4,000 media mentions, reaching over 345 million people!

As my tenure as Board Chair comes to a close, I am beyond grateful for the people and organizations that make our community so unique. There’s nowhere in the world like Downtown Atlanta, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for the heart of our city.


Donna Hall
2021-22 Board Chair
Central Atlanta Progress

Across the nation, the so-called “death of Downtowns” has become a hot topic. But despite the pessimistic outlook expressed by some, ADID is forging ahead and advancing several major projects and initiatives that contribute to our city center’s vibrancy and livability. 

One initiative that I’m personally excited about is the implementation of a new placemaking strategy. The reopening of the Broad Street Boardwalk in September set the stage for numerous activations, and recently, across the street at Woodruff Park, a special Light + Sound Station was installed in December, giving the public space a spark of color during the long winter months. The coming year will bring even more street-level events, adding to the overall atmosphere of the historic urban core.

In 2022, Arts & Entertainment Atlanta entered its third year of programming and granted 18 artists and art organizations funding to support their work in the Downtown community. In addition, we continued to use the digital signs throughout Downtown to amplify important public service announcements. This infrastructure will also be a key component of a revitalized “Clean Car Campaign” that is in the works between CAP/ADID, the Atlanta Police Department, and key stakeholders.

It’s important that I take a moment to recognize ADID’s Outreach Team, Clean Team, and Ambassador Force for their indispensable roles in guiding Downtown toward a brighter future. The work that these teams do is often overlooked, but without them, we would be nowhere near as ready to take on everything that the next year will bring.

Downtown Atlanta is far from dead. Instead, like a Phoenix rising from the ashes, it’s set to take flight into a new era. With COVID in the rearview mirror, let’s watch how high we can fly in 2023 and beyond.


Craig Jones
Board Chair
Atlanta Downtown Improvement District

This past year, as workers have slowly returned to the office and students returned to the classroom, one thing became strikingly clear: the way we use our Downtown is changing. And while there’s comfort in the rhythm and certainty of routine, a year like this forced us to get creative, remain open-minded, and expand the ways in which we can realize our mission. Change fills some with trepidation, but our organization is well-known for embracing what will ultimately strengthen our city center.

It was inspiring to convene in person once again at events like our Town Hall meeting. Hosted by the Chick-Fil-A College Football Hall of Fame, this informative presentation was a showcase of the strong bonds between CAP, the City, and private businesses. Seeing all the familiar faces—and plenty of new ones—together was welcome proof of our community’s resilience.

In July, for the second year in a row, we honored Congressman John Lewis during a special tribute at the *HERO mural in Sweet Auburn. Gathering on the anniversary of the Congressman being laid to rest, we reflected upon John’s life and his legacy. John’s impact on our city—and our hearts—make it clear that he will always be a part of us, and for me personally, it re-emphasizes my commitment to the work CAP/ADID undertakes. 

The CAP team grew in 2022, and we made major progress on several programs, most notably The Stitch. This ambitious highway cap project secured funding from USDOT’s RAISE program, with additional funding anticipated this year through a Reconnecting Communities grant. A firm was also chosen for The Stitch’s planning and design phase, and public interest in the project continued to grow. Another project that saw continued progress is on Courtland Street, where dedicated bus lanes and protected bike lanes will improve the overall safety of the street.   

Other notable happenings included CIM’s ribbon-cutting at Centennial Yards, Newport’s unveiling of its South Downtown properties, the completion of Oakland Cemetery’s renovated bell tower, and a groundbreaking at Front Porch, a new affordable housing and mixed-use project on Auburn Avenue. The National Center for Human and Civil Rights also announced its much-anticipated expansion which we all can be excited about as the Center literally started in our conference room in the Hurt Building! And finally, Downtown played host to thousands of visitors during the college football championship games as well as the Peach Drop, which returned to Underground Atlanta after a 3-year hiatus.  

With events like the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, Atlanta is gearing up to once again be in the international spotlight. And while there’s still work to be done, I am pumped at the opportunity to share our city, our culture, and our people with the world.

A.J. Robinson
President
CAP/ADID