Midtown: Alina Tower's Price Tag, a Storage Ban, and a Big 4th Weekend

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Midtown readers: thank you to those of you that gave feedback on potentially combining with VaHi / Morningside. Though there was a lot of support in favor, we’ve decided not to combine with VaHi / Morningside for now and re-evaluate in a few more weeks. Ultimately, these two areas are pretty distinct in terms of vibe and identity (which several VaHi / Morningside readers noted adamantly), so no change for now. Hope you enjoy!

One more exciting announcement: We just launched a cross-neighborhood “week in review” edition that highlights the most important stories across all our neighborhoods, and are launching in the near future a “Downtown” edition and a “Southwest Beltline” edition! Re-choose your neighborhoods here if you want to sign up for any of those three.

Happy Fourth of July week, Midtown. Two big stories are shaping the neighborhood's future right now: Rockefeller Group has finally revealed pricing for Alina Tower — Atlanta's soon-to-be tallest residential building — and Mayor Dickens has signed an order banning new self-storage citywide, a move with real implications for how Midtown's remaining land gets used. And if the policy news doesn't pull you outside this weekend, the Peachtree Road Race absolutely will.

- News — Alina Tower's initial prices are out, MARTA is hauling World Cup crowds through Midtown stations at record pace, and the mayor's self-storage ban is getting a closer look from housing advocates who say it's long overdue.
- Business — Two Mexican concepts have arrived in Midtown: one taking over the old Lure space, one debuting at Spring Quarter, while Pour Taproom has quietly poured its last pint after five and a half years on Peachtree.
- Events — The Peachtree Road Race anchors a jam-packed holiday week, with Cocktails in the Garden, a Whiskey Throwdown, and a full slate of Botanical Garden and High Museum happenings rounding out the calendar.
- Government — City council committees have been busy: a Buckhead density rezoning got shot down 7-0, a 180-day storage moratorium advanced unanimously, a $3.4M fire station land deal was approved, and a resolution is pressing for answers on why a stalled Midtown construction site at 1155 Peachtree is still getting a tax break.
- Construction — Alina Tower is clearing its final occupancy permits floor by floor and the Botanical Garden has two new construction permits in the pipeline. Plus, pothole crews are working the 8th, 12th, and Peachtree Place intersections right now.

Let's dive in.

NEWS

Rockefeller Reveals Pricing, Fresh Images for Midtown's Alina Tower
The numbers are in, and so are the renderings. Rockefeller Group has pulled back the curtain on initial pricing for Alina, their forthcoming tower at 1072 W. Peachtree Street that will claim the title of Atlanta's tallest residential building.

Atlanta Mayor Bans New Self-Storage Facilities Citywide
Mayor Andre Dickens has signed an executive order putting a hard stop on new self-storage development across Atlanta. The move is a clear signal that the city wants its remaining urban land feeding housing and retail growth, not climate-controlled units for old furniture.

MARTA Moves 1.7 Million Riders During First Two Weeks of FIFA World Cup
Atlanta's transit system is having a moment. MARTA has carried 1.7 million passengers in just the first two weeks of World Cup festivities, with Midtown and Arts Center stations shouldering a significant share of that load. If you've noticed the platforms feeling more international than usual, the numbers confirm it.

10 Spectacular Things to Do This Fourth of July Weekend in Atlanta
America turns 250 this weekend, and Atlanta is not playing it quiet. From the legendary Peachtree Road Race to citywide festivities marking the semiquincentennial, there's no shortage of reasons to get outside and celebrate. Check the full list and make a plan before the weekend gets away from you.

BUSINESS

Botanico Cocina - opening - A Latin restaurant and social club is taking over the space where seafood staple Lure held court before closing last year. It’ a bold reimagining of one of Midtown's more prominent dining addresses.

Habaneros - opening - This Pan-Mexican kitchen has made its Georgia debut at the Spring Quarter development, bringing Aztec-inspired design and a menu that goes well beyond the usual Tex-Mex playbook.

Pour Taproom - closing - The self-serve beer and wine bar at 1180 Peachtree has poured its last pint after five and a half years. It’s a genuine loss for the crowd that made it a reliable after-work ritual.

EVENTS | Presented by

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The Peachtree Road Race is back on July 4th, drawing tens of thousands of runners from Lenox Road down to Piedmont Park. If you're not lacing up, plan accordingly: expect street closures, crowds, and the full spectacle of Atlanta's favorite Independence Day tradition rolling right through the neighborhood.

Monday, June 29
- BASURA | Alliance Theatre
- Puppet Camp | Center for Puppetry Arts

Tuesday, June 30
- Weekly Walking Club | Piedmont Park
- Garden Playtime | Atlanta Botanical Garden
- Perry Maysun | Vinyl

Wednesday, July 1
- Social Committee Meeting | Midtown Neighbors Association
- Plant. Eat. Repeat. Workshop Series | Atlanta Botanical Garden
- Storybook & Sensory Bin Time | Atlanta Botanical Garden
- Drop-In Kids Gardening Activity | Atlanta Botanical Garden
- American tall Tales | Center For Puppetry Arts

Thursday, July 2
- Cocktails in the Garden | Atlanta Botanical Garden
- Garden Grooves | Atlanta Botanical Garden

Friday, July 3
- High Frequency Friday | High Museum of Art
- Great American Whiskey Throwdown | Kimpton The Shane Hotel
- Shows for Seedlings: Music Party with Travis Murphy | Atlanta Botanical Garden
- LAUGHING LARRY | Whole World Improv Theatre Co
- LSD Clownsystem | Center Stage Theater

Saturday, July 4
- 4th Of July | Establishment Atlanta
- Fourth of July Family Day | Jimmy Carter Presidential Library
- Rooftop Rodeo | Ponce City Market
- 7/4 Ariana Grande After Glow Party | My Sister's Room
- Peachtree Road Race | Lenox to Piedmont Park

Sunday, July 5
- Weekend Family Tour | High Museum of Art

GOVERNMENT

Note: our information comes from posted meetings documents (agendas and minutes when available) — latest source document hyperlinked to each meeting.

Past Week Roundup

Atlanta City Council — Zoning Committee

The Zoning Committee's June 22 meeting produced several clear outcomes that signal where the city stands on growth and neighborhood character. Most notably, the committee voted unanimously 7-0 to recommend denial of a proposed rezoning in Buckhead that would have converted 11-plus acres from single-family to a planned residential development — a strong signal that the committee is guarding established neighborhoods from large-scale density shifts. On a citywide note, the committee threw unanimous support behind a 180-day moratorium on new storage facility permits, halting applications for self-storage and mixed-use storage projects across the city for six months. The committee also approved an amended special use permit for a private golf club in the Ansley Park area, and advanced the formal establishment of the Peachtree Circle Historic District to the full council. A significant number of other rezoning cases — including duplex conversions, a major industrial-to-mixed-use project, and a BeltLine-adjacent apartment proposal — were unanimously referred back to committee for further review, meaning those decisions remain pending.

Atlanta City Council — Public Safety & Legal Administration Committee

The Public Safety & Legal Administration Committee met June 22 and approved a $3.39 million land purchase from MARTA to build a new EMS and fire station in the Lindbergh City Center area — a significant investment in emergency response infrastructure for that corridor. In a more contested 3-2 vote, the committee passed an ordinance giving the city's Chief Financial Officer authority to require alcohol-licensed businesses to submit financial records for forensic audits during APD investigations, a measure that drew opposition from two councilmembers. The committee also approved a retroactive lease with a local church to keep APD's Zone 6 precinct operational at its current location through August 2027, at $102,000 annually. Two significant lawsuits against the city were settled — one for $215,000 and another for $305,000 — while a proposed 180-day moratorium on new alcohol licenses in the Edgewood Corridor and a surveillance technology transparency ordinance were both held in committee for further review.

Atlanta City Council — Community Development/Human Services Committee

The Community Development/Human Services Committee's June 23 meeting covered a range of quality-of-life proposals affecting housing, recreation, and neighborhood land use. A proposed ordinance would formally codify a no-admission-fee policy at all city pools and indoor swim facilities, locking in free public swimming citywide. The committee also considered a 20-year agreement with L.E.A.D., Inc. to build and operate a new community center on city-owned land near Center Hill Park, along with a $539,850 federal grant to provide Section 8 rental subsidies for 28 low-income families. A $250,000 study for transit-oriented development around the Ashby MARTA Station was on the table, as was a previously held ordinance that would create a formal Office of Short-Term Rentals with mandatory permitting and platform verification requirements — a proposal that has significant implications for hosts on platforms like Airbnb operating within city limits.

Atlanta City Council — City Utilities Committee

Atlanta's City Utilities Committee met June 23 to take up a full slate of infrastructure and environmental proposals totaling tens of millions of dollars in potential spending. A substitute ordinance on solid waste fees would restructure trash collection charges and clarify who qualifies for the "backyard pickup" exemption — a change that could directly affect what many residents pay on their monthly trash bills. The committee also considered a $2 million fund transfer to stabilize and restore a stream running through Chastain Park, and a separate $1.88 million land acquisition to build a constructed wetland for stormwater management. Over $36 million in contract renewals for emergency and major mechanical repairs across the city's water and sewer system were also on the table, alongside a proposal to restore green infrastructure stormwater requirements that were stripped from city code in 2020 — a change that would affect how developers handle runoff on new projects.

Atlanta City Council — Transportation Committee

The Transportation Committee's June 24 meeting addressed a wide range of street-level changes that could affect how Atlantans drive, park, and get around the city. A sweeping new ordinance on private parking lots would mandate clear rate disclosures, limit data retention, and create formal dispute resolution procedures — giving drivers new protections against surprise charges and unfair towing. The committee also took up a proposal to permanently close a block near Grady Hospital to vehicle traffic and convert it into a pedestrian plaza, and considered a resolution formally requesting the mayor to renegotiate the "More MARTA" transit expansion agreement to better reflect current funding realities. A $3.6 million state grant for road and safety improvements along Peachtree Street — from North Avenue to West Peachtree Street — was also on the agenda, along with a $2.63 million engineering contract for the Pryor Street and Central Avenue Safe Streets project and an $824,000 pedestrian improvement contract for Campbellton Road.

Atlanta City Council — Finance/Executive Committee

The Finance/Executive Committee's June 24 meeting was headlined by a proposed resolution asking Fulton County to commit $200 million toward expanding hospital and healthcare infrastructure on Atlanta's Southside and Westside in partnership with the Morehouse School of Medicine — one of the largest healthcare funding requests the city has pursued in recent memory. Also on the agenda: proposed ordinances to set the city's FY2027 property tax rates across the general levy, school tax, parks, and special service districts, and a separate measure that would allow the CFO to add a surcharge on certain electronic payments made to the city. The committee considered a free summer camp program for all Atlanta youth and a $75,000 donation to HouseProud Atlanta for zero-cost home repairs for low-income seniors. A proposed ordinance to establish a competitive new pay structure for Atlanta Fire Rescue was also under review, alongside a $63 million special procurement agreement with Delta Air Lines for construction work on a new lounge at Hartsfield-Jackson — and a resolution pressing for answers on why a high-profile stalled Midtown construction site is still receiving a property tax break.

Atlanta City Council — Special Called Meeting

In a brief 17-minute special called meeting on June 24, the full Atlanta City Council approved $8 million in General Obligation bonds in a series of unanimous 9-0 votes, split evenly between the FY2026 and FY2027 budgets. The bonds will be placed directly with Huntington National Bank, with each fiscal year receiving $4 million in proceeds plus $150,000 to cover bond issuance costs. While the specific projects to be funded weren't detailed in the public record, GO bonds of this type are typically used for capital infrastructure improvements. All items were sent immediately to the mayor for final approval.

Atlanta Public Schools — Board of Education

The Atlanta Public Schools Policy Review Committee met June 23 to consider several policy updates, though the official record does not include detailed minutes or confirmed vote outcomes, so the following reflects what was scheduled rather than finalized. A draft Electronic Payments and Funds Transfer Policy was on the agenda for approval, which would govern how the district handles digital financial transactions. The board was also slated to discuss student technology use policies and, notably, a policy on facility repurposing and community asset stewardship — the latter being particularly relevant to neighborhood residents, as it shapes how the district manages vacant or underused school buildings that could otherwise serve community purposes. Confirmed outcomes and vote details from this meeting were not available in the official record at time of publication.

Notable Neighborhood Mentions

Atlanta City Council — Finance/Executive Committee
- 1155 Peachtree St — The committee discussed why this stalled Midtown construction site — sitting in structural disrepair since 2020 — is receiving a property tax break from the Development Authority of Fulton County, and scheduled consideration of a resolution requesting a written explanation from the Fulton County Chief Assessor.

Atlanta City Council — Zoning Committee
- Ansley Golf Club, 196 Montgomery Ferry Dr NE — The committee unanimously approved an amended Special Use Permit for the existing private club, which spans more than 52 acres in Ansley Park.

CONSTRUCTION

Permits

- 1072 W Peachtree St NE — A high-rise multifamily project is clearing its final certificate of occupancy hurdles, with phasing permits issued for gas, electrical, and upper floors (levels 40–60). This one's in the home stretch.
- 1425 Piedmont Ave NE — The Atlanta Botanical Garden has two active permits for new construction: a one-story maintenance and horticulture support building, plus a one-story-plus-basement expansion. Both are pending additional materials, so the timeline is still in flux — but the garden's footprint is clearly growing.
- 660 Peachtree St NE — Three electrical permits filed, all described as "mainstage only" with no new system additions. Likely interior work at what is a major commercial address; nothing disruptive expected.
- 715 Peachtree St NE — HVAC work pending, including new low-pressure ductwork and supply/return grills. Routine interior commercial upgrade.
- 675 W Peachtree St NE — A 5-ton chilled water air handler system going in, with associated ductwork. Standard commercial mechanical work.

Beyond these highlights, 55 additional commercial permits are in the pipeline — primarily low-voltage, HVAC, and interior alterations — signaling steady build-out activity across the corridor. On the residential side, nine minor permits are active, including a new residential build and two home additions.

Road Work

Under Construction
- SR 13 Resurfacing (Fulton County) — Repaving work is underway on SR 13 from SR 9 to North Fork Peachtree Creek — right through the heart of Midtown. This stretch was last resurfaced in 2012, so the work is overdue. Expect lane disruptions along one of the area's busiest corridors.
- SR 3/Northside Drive Intersection Improvements at 14th Street & Hemphill Ave (Fulton County) — Operational upgrades are underway at the cluster of SR 3 (Northside Drive), 14th Street, and Hemphill Avenue. The work aims to simplify the intersection layout and improve signal timing flexibility — a notoriously tangled spot. Expect some disruption at this busy western Midtown crossing.
- Bridge Preservation at Multiple Locations — Cobb, DeKalb & Fulton Counties — A multi-county bridge preservation project is active, involving co-polymer overlay, steel beam painting, and joint replacement at seven locations across Cobb, DeKalb, and Fulton. One or more Fulton locations may affect routes near the Midtown area. Watch for periodic lane closures on affected structures.
- Buford Spring Connector Tunnel Lighting Upgrade (Fulton County) — Workers are swapping out aging HPS tunnel lighting for LED fixtures along the Buford Spring Connector near I-85. May involve occasional lane shifts or overnight closures during the upgrade.

Service Requests

Potholes are popping up along the Peachtree corridor — Potholes reported at 12th & Peachtree, 8th & Peachtree, and Peachtree Place & Peachtree St, all currently being worked.

Traffic Signal Repairs are underway or recently resolved at five intersections across the neighborhood: 17th St NE, Peachtree & 3rd, Spring St NW, 12th & W Peachtree, and Juniper & 13th St NE.

Sign Repair or Replacement was requested at Penn Ave & 6th St and along W Peachtree St NE. Right-of-Way Litter Removal is in progress at Penn Ave NE and at N Ave & Oakdale Rd.

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Until next week,
Midtown Busybody

Disclaimer: We use advanced data retrieval and analysis techniques across hundreds of sources, and may be prone to occasional error. Independently verify information with a secondary source, and please let us know if we got anything wrong via the feedback form.

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