Politic-ATL: Data center ordinance held in committee
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The Atlanta City Council Zoning Committee voted Monday to hold an ordinance that would allow data centers to operate in the Adair Park neighborhood and Historic West End District.
Why it matters: Holding an ordinance in committee doesn't mean it's dead; it just pumps the brakes on the process.
The latest: The committee's vote came at the request of Council Member Antonio Lewis, who sponsored the legislation.
- Council Member Mary Norwood, who chairs the committee, said no reason was provided for the request.
Zoom in: The controversial request sparked widespread backlash, with Neighborhood Planning Unit V and the Zoning Review Board both recommending a denial.
Peoplestown park redevelopment
The Bezos Earth Fund has awarded $9.4 million to Park Pride to create a new park in Atlanta's Peoplestown neighborhood.
Driving the news: The award is part of the fund's Greening America's Cities program, which awarded $100 million to eight cities across the country to create green space and parks in underserved communities.
Park Pride will lead the project to develop the 4.8-acre site known as Four Corners Park.
- According to Park Pride's news release, the design calls for "accessible play and recreation areas that will ensure that every child, regardless of ability, can fully participate."
- Park Pride worked with the neighborhood to create a comprehensive plan for the park, which calls for installing basketball courts, a wetland area, a stormwater catchment system, playground, community garden and composting and open lawns.
More Campanile building drama
Scaffolding at the hollowed-out Campanile building at Peachtree and 14th streets in Midtown collapsed early Sunday, according to WSB.
- A person interviewed by WSB said they saw evidence that a vehicle crashed in the walkway below the scaffolding.
- It's the latest incident in the long-running saga plaguing the building. Last month, the City Council voted to use the city's blight tax to prod owner John Dewberry to do more to complete the structure.
- The penalty, which has never been used, would increase Dewberry's city property taxes from roughly $90,000 to more than $2.3 million until he puts the tower back into use, according to reports.