Downtown Atlanta, Reimagined

Downtown Atlanta is the heart of the nation’s sixth largest region and one of the fastest-growing metro areas in the United States. With more than 50 million visitors each year, the perception of downtown shapes the perception of our entire region.

But right now, Downtown Atlanta is not the bustling destination it once was. So we’re getting to work by charting a course to transform Downtown Atlanta into a neighborhood that supports a world-class entertainment scene, a vibrant living environment, and a bustling business community.

DOWNTOWN GROWTH AT A GLANCE

35%

OVERALL POPULATION
GROWTH FROM 2010–2022

27%

ENROLLMENT GROWTH FOR
DOWNTOWN POST-SECONDARY
INSTITUTIONS

$4B

NEW REAL ESTATE
DEVELOPMENT OVER THE
NEXT 5 YEARS

18.6M

TOTAL VISITORS IN Q1 2024

Sources:
ESRI 2022, ESRI’s Diversity Index captures the racial and ethnic diversity of a geographic area in a single number, from 0 to 100.
Central Atlanta Progress, Downtown ATL Market Data – Q1-2024.

WHY NOW?

REVITALIZING THE HEART
OF METRO ATLANTA

As we experience a thriving economy and booming populations, the future calls for a vibrant urban core where jobs, residents, students, and visitors can prosper. It’s time to create a dynamic downtown by addressing homelessness, public safety, infrastructure, and more.

A WORLD-CLASS DOWNTOWN EXPERIENCE

Ensuring the Downtown Atlanta neighborhood continues to support a world-class entertainment scene, a vibrant living environment, and a bustling business community.

Safe and clean, both day and night
Walkable and community friendly
Worthy of frequent visits
A living and working destination

HEAR FROM ATLANTA MAYOR ANDRE DICKENS

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Leadership

MAC's Executive Governing Committee

HOW WE HELP

WHAT IS METRO
ATLANTA
CHAMBER’S ROLE?

The Metro Atlanta Chamber (MAC) is a convener, adept at coordinating stakeholders and activities for maximum impact. We are fitting together the puzzle pieces of Downtown Atlanta's resurgence.

Our role is two-fold:

1. To covene key stakeholders to act, and

2. Foster collaboration and accountability

Learn More

OUR PLAN

1

Listen

Engage as many stakeholders as possible for input and revitalization suggestions.

2

Review

Create a list of short-, moderate-, and long-term recommendations with stakeholder buy-in.

3

Implement

Work with responsible parties to implement and sustain recommendations.

OUR FOCUS

01. Experience

CLEANLINESS & MAINTENANCE

Restore/maintain baseline cleanliness and functionality standards

SAFETY

Improve the perception/reality of safety and comfort in downtown

BEAUTIFICATION

Aesthetic and experiential improvements that strengthen sense of place

HOMELESSNESS

Address issues of the unhoused population

02. Livability

RESIDENTIAL HOUSING

Appropriate supply and mix of housing options to support growing residential population

RETAIL & AMENITIES

Critical mass of retail, dining, and amenities for residents and visitors

INFRASTRUCTURE & TRANSPORTATION

Efficient ingress/egress travel and reliable transportation options

ACTIVATION

Entertainment and activity options that make downtown a destination

03. Perception

MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS

Create a positive perception of Downtown Atlanta

INITIATIVE BUY-IN

Create belief in the importance of Downtown Atlanta’s future

04. Workability

COMMERCIAL/OFFICE

Utilized commercial office space and desirable environment for employees (retention)

OUR GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS

HOW WE HELP

TRANSFORMING DOWNTOWN,
ONE AREA AT A TIME

UNDERWAY

GSU Blue Line | A modern 3.7-mile walking path that creates distinctive quads and knits together Georgia State University’s network of dorms, libraries, research centers, and classroom buildings

UNDERWAY

Centennial Yards | A 50-acre, mixed-used entertainment district set to be the largest of its kind in the Southeast

UNDERWAY

South Downtown | A historic center of Atlanta making up 56 buildings across 16 acres, stretching from Historic Hotel Row to Broad Street

PHASE 1 COMING 2030

The Stitch | A planned 14-acre greenspace over the Downtown Connector that will stitch together long-disconnected neighborhoods split by highways

UNDERWAY

Underground Atlanta | “The City Beneath the Streets” is a historic district in the heart of downtown, revitalized as a bustling scene for art, culture, and entertainment

Coming Soon

Georgia Pacific Renovation | Transforming the 51-story Georgia-Pacific world headquarters and adjacent property into one of the country’s largest mixed-use redevelopments

Coming Soon

The Center | The 1.2M sq.ft. mixed-use development formerly known as CNN Center is set to become a retail, dining, and entertainment hub

Coming Soon

2 Peachtree | The former office skyscraper is on its way to being converted into a 44-story, mixed-use development of affordable housing and commercial space