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Peachtree Road Race T-shirt sparks debate over color, design

The design, titled "We the Peaches," was created by Marietta artist Dyan Szall and unveiled Saturday.

Culture

Days after tens of thousands of people walked, wheeled and ran the Northside Hospital Peachtree Road Race, Atlantans are still talking about this year&#x27;s T-shirt.Why it matters: Receiving the shirt at the end of the race is the pinnacle of Atlanta&#x27;s 4th of July tradition of running a 10K in the Georgia heat and humidity along the city&#x27;s most famous street from Buckhead to Midtown.

Island Ford's revamped trails make a favorite hike even better

Island Ford now offers 6.4 miles of trails, new bridges and better access while protecting the riverbank.

Things to Do

One of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/10/02/chattahoochee-river-parks-open-but-tread-lightly" data-vars-content-id="fe2a6aef-a712-443d-8bfc-4ee492ca197d" data-vars-headline="Island Ford&#x27;s revamped trails make a favorite hike even better" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/10/02/chattahoochee-river-parks-open-but-tread-lightly" target="_self">Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area&#x27;s</a> best spots for fly-fishing and shaded, summertime walks has a reimagined trail system.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="top-to-bottom overhaul" data-vars-click-url="https://www.chattahoocheeparks.org/chattahoochee-river-national-recreation-area-announces-reopening-of-island-ford-trails" data-vars-content-id="fe2a6aef-a712-443d-8bfc-4ee492ca197d" data-vars-headline="Island Ford&#x27;s revamped trails make a favorite hike even better" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.chattahoocheeparks.org/chattahoochee-river-national-recreation-area-announces-reopening-of-island-ford-trails" target="_blank">top-to-bottom overhaul</a> of Island Ford&#x27;s trail system in Sandy Springs is part of a multiyear effort to improve the roughly 7,000-acre recreation area&#x27;s hiking paths.

Urban Alchemy helps shape Atlanta's homelessness response

Urban Alchemy has helped the city of Atlanta in its campaign to find housing for people in the Downtown area.

News

For years, cities focused on clearing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="homeless encampments" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/01/21/homeless-man-death-encampment" data-vars-content-id="542d2b7f-68a4-4a6a-b39d-5b56d12fbd21" data-vars-headline="Urban Alchemy helps shape Atlanta&#x27;s homelessness response" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/01/21/homeless-man-death-encampment" target="_self">homeless encampments</a>. Urban Alchemy aims to build trust inside them first.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="nonprofit" data-vars-click-url="https://urban-alchemy.us/" data-vars-content-id="542d2b7f-68a4-4a6a-b39d-5b56d12fbd21" data-vars-headline="Urban Alchemy helps shape Atlanta&#x27;s homelessness response" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://urban-alchemy.us/" target="_blank">nonprofit</a>, which has expanded to Atlanta, takes a different approach to homelessness by hiring formerly incarcerated and formerly homeless workers to build relationships with people who are unhoused and connect them with services.

Ludacris to headline free World Cup festival at Piedmont Park

The festival includes a screening of the final World Cup game.

Atlanta will host the last of its eight matches for the FIFA World Cup next week, and the city will close out the weekslong event with a free festival at Piedmont Park.The latest: A <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Celebration of Soccer &amp; Sound" data-vars-click-url="https://showcaseatlanta.com/celebration" data-vars-content-id="4c323fee-501a-4ef8-a49a-49a53a3a2ea6" data-vars-headline="Ludacris to headline free World Cup festival at Piedmont Park" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://showcaseatlanta.com/celebration" target="_blank">Celebration of Soccer &amp; Sound</a> runs from 11am to 8pm Sunday, July 19, at the park.

Atrium Health files for 1st Atlanta hospital in West End

The proposed West End teaching hospital could help replace beds lost after Wellstar's Atlanta Medical Center closed.

Health

A <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new state filing" data-vars-click-url="https://weblink.dch.georgia.gov/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=1064081&amp;dbid=1&amp;repo=HealthPlanning" data-vars-content-id="d807a409-9368-4fd0-88b3-33373fae471f" data-vars-headline="Atrium Health files for 1st Atlanta hospital in West End" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://weblink.dch.georgia.gov/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=1064081&amp;dbid=1&amp;repo=HealthPlanning" target="_blank">new state filing</a> makes it official: Charlotte-based Atrium Health wants to build a hospital on a proposed 40-acre medical campus in West End.Why it matters: The proposed facility would be Atrium&#x27;s first hospital in metro Atlanta and could help fill health care gaps left by the closures of Wellstar&#x27;s Atlanta Medical Center and AMC South.

Atlanta CHaRM site near Beltline set to relocate

The Chosewood Park recycling facility will shift operations to a larger property in a Bowen Homes redevelopment.

Development

Atlanta&#x27;s popular place where you can drop off everything from paint cans to old mattresses will close and relocate to the other side of the city. Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Live Thrive" data-vars-click-url="https://livethrive.org/" data-vars-content-id="eb486783-426e-42fe-92f5-b4c4e7083380" data-vars-headline="Atlanta CHaRM site near Beltline set to relocate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://livethrive.org/" target="_blank">Live Thrive</a> plans to close the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Center for Hard to Recycle Materials" data-vars-click-url="https://livethrive.org/charm/" data-vars-content-id="eb486783-426e-42fe-92f5-b4c4e7083380" data-vars-headline="Atlanta CHaRM site near Beltline set to relocate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://livethrive.org/charm/" target="_blank">Center for Hard to Recycle Materials</a> location along the Beltline in Chosewood Park when its lease ends this year — and as nearby properties become prime redevelopment targets.

Atlanta Beltline bike and scooter lane proposal alarms rail advocates

Transit supporters say Council member Mary Norwood's idea would kill rail's future along the Beltline.

Transit

Atlanta Beltline transit advocates are breathing a sigh of relief after a City Council proposal to build separate bike and scooter lanes — which could threaten future rail plans — was pulled.Why it matters: Rail transit has been central to the Beltline vision for decades. But recent opposition from residents and developers concerned over costs, construction and compatibility has slowed momentum.

U.S. Soccer opens first-ever permanent home in Fayette County

The 200-acre complex gives American soccer a base to develop players and write history.

Sports

U.S. Soccer Federation officials were looking for the organization&#x27;s first permanent home in its 113-year history. They found it in Fayette County.Why it matters: The newly opened Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center deepens metro Atlanta&#x27;s soccer footprint and fuels more housing and retail growth on the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="booming southside" data-vars-click-url="https://www.georgiatrend.com/2026/02/28/south-metro-atlanta-the-next-chapter/" data-vars-content-id="854e9680-da1a-4777-883f-f37d9a7198a2" data-vars-headline="U.S. Soccer opens first-ever permanent home in Fayette County" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.georgiatrend.com/2026/02/28/south-metro-atlanta-the-next-chapter/" target="_blank">booming southside</a>.

Atlanta pauses Westside Beltline shelter plan for study

City leaders ordered a 90-day study on safety, transit and land use impacts of the large Westside shelter plan.

A longtime Atlanta homeless shelter&#x27;s controversial proposal to consolidate its services into one facility along the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Beltline&#x27;s Westside Trail" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/06/23/beltline-westside-trail-opens-atlanta-downtown" data-vars-content-id="9077089e-f715-4630-b298-01425ded277b" data-vars-headline="Atlanta pauses Westside Beltline shelter plan for study" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/06/23/beltline-westside-trail-opens-atlanta-downtown" target="_self">Beltline&#x27;s Westside Trail</a> is officially on pause.Why it matters: The Atlanta Mission&#x27;s plan sparked a debate over whether one of the Westside&#x27;s most valuable Beltline-adjacent redevelopment sites should be used for social services or economic growth.

Atlanta needs to preserve 116,000 homes by 2035 to address affordability

The ARC's Regional Housing Summit brought together city and county leaders to brainstorm solutions to the housing shortage.

The metro Atlanta region will need to add 116,000 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="affordable housing" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/03/17/affordable-housing-atlanta-region" data-vars-content-id="3ac7af33-290f-4825-bb8c-0f19ece0c773" data-vars-headline="Atlanta needs to preserve 116,000 homes by 2035 to address affordability" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/03/17/affordable-housing-atlanta-region" target="_self">affordable housing</a> units just to maintain the status quo over the next decade. Why it matters: With the region losing 250,000 units priced below $1,250 between 2019 and 2024, none of the 11 counties in the Atlanta Regional Commission can fix the shortfall alone and must work across county lines.

Habitat for Humanity's Carter Work Project returns to Atlanta

Volunteers with the 40th work project will build 24 townhomes in southwest Atlanta's Sylvan Hills neighborhood.

Habitat for Humanity&#x27;s 40th <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project" data-vars-click-url="https://www.atlantahabitat.org/about/carter-work-project" data-vars-content-id="29963151-ec5f-42ef-8067-3a4da3887770" data-vars-headline="Habitat for Humanity&#x27;s Carter Work Project returns to Atlanta" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.atlantahabitat.org/about/carter-work-project" target="_blank">Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project</a> will return to the former president and first lady&#x27;s home state next week to build affordable homes in southwest Atlanta.Why it matters: It&#x27;s the first time since 1988 Habitat for Humanity has hosted the work project in Atlanta, the organization said.

Atlanta's 85 Peachtree revival adds courtyard... and a streetcar

Developers are restoring an 1899 building into apartments with a public courtyard and streetcar.

A nearly 130-year-old dry goods store in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="South Downtown" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/01/09/atlanta-tech-village-opens-south-downtown" data-vars-content-id="b3d3f237-f75b-4ae7-8d52-e7c6b4c52223" data-vars-headline="Atlanta&#x27;s 85 Peachtree revival adds courtyard... and a streetcar" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/01/09/atlanta-tech-village-opens-south-downtown" target="_self">South Downtown</a> is being rebuilt into apartments — with a public courtyard carved through the middle and a historic Atlanta streetcar as its centerpiece.Why it matters: Atlanta&#x27;s historic building stock is an endangered species. The developer of South Downtown&#x27;s $28 million near-total rebuild of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="85 Peachtree Street" data-vars-click-url="https://www.85peachtreeatl.com/" data-vars-content-id="b3d3f237-f75b-4ae7-8d52-e7c6b4c52223" data-vars-headline="Atlanta&#x27;s 85 Peachtree revival adds courtyard... and a streetcar" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.85peachtreeatl.com/" target="_blank">85 Peachtree Street</a> keeps a piece of the city&#x27;s past alive.

South Downtown Atlanta sprints to open before World Cup

Crews are rushing to open restaurants, parks and pop-ups ahead of eight matches downtown.

The FIFA World Cup is 45 days away, and more than 10 contractor crews are working simultaneously against the clock to turn South Downtown Atlanta into a food, retail and activity hub.Why it matters: South Downtown is undergoing a multi-block construction blitz to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rebuild a walkable historic neighborhood" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2024/04/11/south-downtown-jon-birdsong-david-cummings" data-vars-content-id="22e50859-c5ff-4e4d-b9c9-e75569ac41c0" data-vars-headline="South Downtown Atlanta sprints to open before World Cup" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2024/04/11/south-downtown-jon-birdsong-david-cummings" target="_self">rebuild a walkable historic neighborhood</a> with local businesses before the city hosts eight games, including one semifinal match.Yes, but: Most of the investments — wider sidewalks, new public spaces — and new businesses are meant to last long after the World Cup ends.

Development 🏗️

Urban Alchemy helps shape Atlanta's homelessness response

Atrium Health files for 1st Atlanta hospital in West End

Atlanta confronts Dewberry's long-stalled Campanile

Atlanta CHaRM site near Beltline set to relocate

Atlanta Beltline bike and scooter lane proposal alarms rail advocates