Courtesy: Central Atlanta Progress

OPINION | by A.J. Robinson, President of Central Atlanta Progress and the Atlanta Downtown Improvement District | June 11, 2014

Earlier this year, the New York Times released a list of “52 places to go in 2014” that included destinations around the globe—and Downtown Atlanta was one of them! With the inauguration of the Atlanta Streetcar, the opening of both the Center for Civil and Human Rights (GCN member) and the College Football Hall of Fame, as well as the groundbreaking for a new Atlanta Falcons Stadium, Downtown Atlanta is the place to BE.

Look around and you’ll see that there’s a new Downtown narrative unfolding and gaining momentum. Our community is experiencing a surge of activity that far surpasses Atlanta’s two most recent growth periods (pre-Olympics and post-Georgia Aquarium) and is strongly positioned to make a strong, vibrant and healthy heart for the Atlanta region.

Today’s Downtown is a dynamic, youthful, and diverse in-town neighborhood that boasts walkable streets, an authentic city atmosphere, well-known attractions, undiscovered assets, new infrastructure, and more transit access points than anywhere else in the city—and much of the unique, native energy fueling Downtown Atlanta would not be possible without the efforts of Central Atlanta Progress (CAP).

Our community is experiencing a surge of activity that far surpasses Atlanta’s two most recent growth periods and is strongly positioned to make a strong, vibrant and healthy heart for the Atlanta region.

Since its inception in 1941, CAP has stood at the ready to seize opportunities that offer catalytic and innovative programs that have profoundly impacted the city and the region. CAP has been involved in the creation of everything from Trees Atlanta (GCN member) and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights to MARTA and the Atlanta Streetcar Project. Since 2003, CAP has successfully leveraged the $11 million infrastructure investment of the Atlanta Downtown Improvement District into $127 million of projects—a nine-fold increase!

Throughout its 73 year history, Central Atlanta Progress has been viewed among its peers as a convener of ideas and initiatives that spark innovation and positive change for the city and the region. Much of the unique, authentic energy that exists in the central city would not be possible without CAP.

In short: CAP makes the city better. And with an ever-growing list of 2014 happenings and events, including the highly anticipated re-opening of the Polaris at the Hyatt and the hip, newly revitalized Edgewood Corridor, there’s no better time to be Downtown.

I look forward to seeing you in the neighborhood soon!

A.J. Robinson is the president of GCN member Central Atlanta Progress and the Atlanta Downtown Improvement District.