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Hey, Downtown! This week: Kyle Waide steps into the top job at Downtown Atlanta Inc., Park Bench is bringing its dueling pianos to the city center, and GSU's new $100-million Research Tower gets its ribbon-cutting. Plus, KAROL G lands at the Stadium and the Broad Street Boardwalk keeps the weekend markets rolling.
- News — Kyle Waide's new gig atop Downtown Atlanta Inc. headlines a week that also brings GSU's Research Tower debut, a $236M water-debt scandal, and a Beltline light rail vote.
- Business — Buckhead's dueling piano favorite Park Bench is striking a second chord downtown, bringing live nightlife to the city center.
- Events — From KAROL G and aespa lighting up the arenas to Sweet Auburn Music Fest and the Broad Street Boardwalk markets, this week's calendar is packed.
- Government — Council backed the 22-mile Beltline light rail and a $40M police camera expansion, while the jail sale to Fulton County got held again.
- Construction — Marietta Street's office-to-apartment conversion continues, a new cocktail lounge is taking shape on Peachtree, and crews logged ten traffic signal repairs downtown this week.
Let's dive in.
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Green installation - Ecological designs brought to life by carefully shaping land, soil, water, and plant communities into resilient, living systems that grow healthier and more abundant over time.
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NEWS
New Downtown Atlanta Inc. CEO named, GSU's Research Tower debuts, and a $236M water debt scandal
Food Bank CEO Kyle Waide tapped to lead Downtown Atlanta Inc.
Longtime Atlanta Community Food Bank leader Kyle Waide has been appointed president and CEO of Downtown Atlanta Inc., the umbrella organization governing Central Atlanta Progress and the Atlanta Downtown Improvement District. Starting in December, Waide will oversee key initiatives shaping urban planning, streetscape enhancements, and economic vitality in the downtown core.
Theatrical Outfit launches 50th anniversary season with 'Fences'
Downtown's Theatrical Outfit opened its 50th anniversary season with a co-production of August Wilson's classic drama “Fences” alongside Dominion Entertainment Group and the Alabama Shakespeare Festival. The staging runs at the Balzer Theater through October 4 before touring out of state.
Images: GSU set to formally debut new Research Tower downtown
Georgia State University is hosting a ribbon-cutting for its new $100-million, nine-story Research Tower at the corner of Decatur Street and Piedmont Avenue. The facility is part of the university's ongoing master plan to foster a more walkable and connected college environment in Downtown Atlanta.
$236M unpaid water debt? Atlanta audit triggers pushback from major names
A city audit revealed that Atlanta's Department of Watershed Management is owed more than $236 million across tens of thousands of delinquent accounts, prompting swift pushback from major downtown institutions such as Georgia State University. The findings spotlight ongoing operational and billing challenges within the city's utility system.
Atlanta City Council to vote on 22-mile Beltline light rail plan
The Atlanta City Council is set to vote on a resolution backing light rail around the entire 22-mile Beltline loop and directing officials to clarify funding and construction plans. The measure seeks to protect reserved transit corridors and reignite transit planning along high-density segments including the Eastside Beltline.
BUSINESS
Dueling piano bar Park Bench strikes a second chord in Downtown
Dueling piano bar Park Bench to open second Atlanta location — The Buckhead entertainment staple known for its dueling piano performances is opening a second Atlanta location in Downtown, bringing its live nightlife format to the city center.
EVENTS | Presented by
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Fences opens at Theatrical Outfit, KAROL G hits the Stadium, and boardwalk markets return
Monday, September 21
- KiNG MALA: The Golden Thing Tour | The Masquerade – Purgatory
- Volumes | The Masquerade – Purgatory
Tuesday, September 22
- Hot Flash Heat Wave | The Masquerade
Wednesday, September 23
- Julia Wolf | The Masquerade
- Live Music on the Broad St. Boardwalk | Downtown Atlanta Inc. (ADID)
- Repertory Singers Concert | Florence Kopleff Recital Hall
- Bias and Belonging in the Age of AI | Downtown Atlanta Inc. (ADID)
- Hayden Pedigo (Rescheduled from 12/3/25) | Altar at The Masquerade
- Theatrical Outfit presents August Wilson's Fences | Theatrical Outfit
Thursday, September 24
- KAROL G – VIAJANDO POR EL MUNDO TROPITOUR | Atlanta's Stadium
- aespa | State Farm Arena
- Houndmouth | Hop ON – Hop OFF Tours
- Anamanaguchi X Covet | The Masquerade – Purgatory
- Passport to Health 5K | Atlanta, GA
- Markets on the Broad Street Boardwalk | Downtown Atlanta Inc. (ADID)
- Hispanic Heritage concert | Florence Kopleff Recital Hall
- Symphonic Wind Ensemble presents "Homage" | Florence Kopleff Recital Hall
- Atlanta Shakespeare Company presents Measure for Measure | Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse
Friday, September 25
- Cameron Whitcomb – Kingdom of Fear Tour | Hop ON – Hop OFF Tours
- Screen on The Green | Downtown Atlanta Inc. (ADID)
- Northern Illinois University Football at Georgia State | Atlanta, GA
Saturday, September 26
- Atlanta United FC vs. New York City FC | Atlanta's Stadium
- Sweet Auburn Music Festival | Auburn Avenue Historic District
- Bobby Lee: The Finally Tour | The Tabernacle
- Little Big Town – For The Art Of It Tour | Atlanta First United Methodist Church
- Collect-A-Con | Centennial Olympic Park
- A Hispanic Heritage Celebration with Alma Mexicana | Atlanta, GA
- Center for Puppetry Arts Pop-Up at the Children's Museum of Atlanta | Children's Museum of Atlanta
- 3rd Annual Westside Fall Beer & Bourbon Fest | Downtown Atlanta Inc. (ADID)
- Ride for the Westside 5K | Atlanta, GA
Sunday, September 27
- Hulvey – “Could Be Tonight” Tour | The Tabernacle
- Atlanta Streets Alive | Downtown Atlanta Inc. (ADID)
- Capoeira and Samba Show at Children's Museum of Atlanta | Children's Museum of Atlanta
- Peach Talk and Wellness Walk with Jim Hackler | Downtown Atlanta Inc. (ADID)
GOVERNMENT | Presented by
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Council backs Beltline light rail and $40M in police cameras, but delays jail sale again
Note: our information comes from posted meetings documents (agendas and minutes when available) — latest source document hyperlinked to each meeting.
Past Week Roundup
The council's committees packed in a heavy week of votes and proposals. At Finance/Executive, members unanimously recommended refunding bonds for the Beltline, signed off on hosting the 2028 Olympic Torch Relay at no cost to the city, and confirmed Felicia Moore to the Ethics Board, while holding a $68 million proposal to sell the Atlanta City Detention Center to Fulton County. The Transportation Committee took up (agenda only, minutes not yet posted) a resolution backing full light rail around the 22-mile Beltline loop, as covered in today's news section, plus a $71.3 million buy for 29 new airport Plane Train cars and a cap increase pushing Concourse D's expansion to $1.28 billion. The City Utilities Committee considered a ban on data centers using drinking water for cooling and a task force to study the issue, alongside more than $37 million in water and sewer upgrades. Over at Public Safety & Legal Administration, the council approved a $40 million expansion of police body and fleet cameras, phased fire inspection fee hikes, and a $600,000 legal settlement, while holding the detention center sale for further review. And the Zoning Committee approved a 180-day freeze on new multi-lot subdivisions in District 8, advanced a citywide zoning code rewrite, and backed landmark status for the historic “Just Us” neighborhood in southwest Atlanta.
Fulton County commissioners set the proposed 2026 General Fund millage rate at 8.87 mills, a move that kicks off required public hearings before your property tax bill gets finalized. They approved grant funding to help build a 54-unit affordable housing project in the English Avenue community, a boost for the county's affordable housing stock. Commissioners also voted to ask state lawmakers to ban over-the-counter sales of synthetic kratom and require natural kratom to stay behind pharmacy counters. A push to support community gardens and local food resilience failed after two commissioners withheld their votes, and the board tabled a controversial plan to abolish the county's citizen-led Ethics Board in favor of an independent hearing officer. Commissioners did approve $2.8 million in fuel contracts for the county fleet and a $401,000 agreement to run coordinated intake for homeless services across the county's assessment centers.
Notable Neighborhood Mentions
Atlanta City Council
- Atlanta City Detention Center (254 Peachtree St SW) — The Finance/Executive Committee held a proposed intergovernmental agreement authorizing the sale of the detention center to Fulton County for up to $68 million with a 50-year leaseback.
- Atlanta City Detention Center (254 Peachtree St SW) — The Public Safety and Legal Administration Committee voted to hold a proposed intergovernmental agreement to sell the detention facility to Fulton County for up to $68 million alongside a 50-year leaseback.
Meetings This Week
- Atlanta City Council — Committee on Council | Sep-21, 11:30 AM | key topics: public comment procedures, police presence at recreation center polling sites, Ethics Board appointment
- Atlanta City Council | Sep-21, 1:00 PM | key topics: BeltLine light rail resolution, BeltLine Southside Trail Segment 6 funding, short-term rental rules, airport concourse expansion
CONSTRUCTION
Office-to-apartment conversion on Marietta St, plus a new nightlife spot at 88 Peachtree
Permits
- 41 MARIETTA ST NW — Office building on floors 7 through 9 is converting to multifamily residential. Downtown's office-to-apartment shift keeps rolling.
- 88 PEACHTREE ST SW — Interior buildout for a new restaurant and cocktail lounge, complete with a commercial kitchen and two bar areas. Keep an eye out for a new nightlife spot opening soon.
- 71 PEACHTREE CENTER AVE NE — Crews are set to demolish about 14,000 square feet of reinforced concrete parking deck. Expect noise and possible lane or sidewalk closures once work starts.
- 35 WALL ST SW — New reinforced concrete vehicular ramp going in to connect the upper and lower levels of the parking deck at 15 Wall. This is construction work that could affect nearby traffic flow.
- 1310 PIEDMONT AVE NE and 1326 PIEDMONT AVE NE — Two new 3-bed, 3.5-bath duplexes, each around 4,500 square feet, are in the pipeline. Both are still waiting on additional paperwork before they can move forward.
- 80 JESSE HILL JR DR SE — Structured cabling and access control system going in. Routine security upgrade, nothing disruptive.
- 600 PEACHTREE ST NE and 550 PEACHTREE ST NE — Fire sprinkler and fire alarm work tied to interior remodels. Standard life-safety updates as these buildings get refreshed inside.
- 94 PRYOR ST SW — Electrical upgrade adding 200 amp service and 19 circuits. Likely prep work for a build-out or new tenant.
Road Work
Under Construction
- I-75/I-85 from CSX #050315P to Brookwood Interchange — Crews are resurfacing SR 401 to fix its low OCI score. The road was last resurfaced back in 2016.
- I-75 at Ralph McGill Blvd and Baker Street Tunnel Lighting — This project swaps out old HPS tunnel lighting for energy-efficient LED fixtures. Crews may also replace conduit and wiring as part of the work.
- I-75 at SR 154 Tunnel Lighting — Another tunnel lighting upgrade to LED fixtures, with possible conduit and wiring replacement along the way.
- I-75 from I-85 to Memorial Drive — This corridor is getting new LED lighting to replace the old HPS system. Scope includes potential pole and conduit replacement too.
Service Requests
- Traffic Signal Repairs — Crews handled 10 signal issues around Downtown this week, including Peachtree St & Ellis St (two calls), Luckie St NW & Ted Turner Dr, Piedmont Ave & Ellis St, and Centennial Olympic Park Dr & Andrew Young International Blvd. Emergency-level repairs hit Peachtree St & Edgewood Ave, Luckie St & Cone St, Capitol Ave & Martin Luther King Jr Dr, and N Ave NW & Centennial Olympic Park Dr NW. Most are already resolved, with a few still in progress.
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Until next week,
Downtown Busybody
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