Atlanta

blue

Axios Atlanta Partners

Axios Atlanta Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

Atlanta Alerts

Alert

Get smarter, faster on what matters in Atlanta with Kristal Dixon and Thomas Wheatley.

Axios Atlanta

Standard

Atlanta Members

Membership

Georgia outdoor gear tax to fund $33 million for new parks, trails

The state's voter-approved outdoor gear tax will send $33 million to parks, trails and conservation projects.

News

That backpack you bought last year helped raise $33 million that will soon <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fund new parks, trails and conservation projects" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/03/21/georgia-outdoor-tax-funding-awards" data-vars-content-id="22b9ed7a-b56b-41fd-9c2c-33b8018d7e6d" data-vars-headline="Georgia outdoor gear tax to fund $33 million for new parks, trails" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/03/21/georgia-outdoor-tax-funding-awards" target="_self">fund new parks, trails and conservation projects</a> across Georgia — including a new Atlanta nature preserve.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program" data-vars-click-url="https://gadnr.org/gosp" data-vars-content-id="22b9ed7a-b56b-41fd-9c2c-33b8018d7e6d" data-vars-headline="Georgia outdoor gear tax to fund $33 million for new parks, trails" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://gadnr.org/gosp" target="_blank">Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program</a>, which has raised more than $110 million since Georgia voters overwhelmingly approved the tax on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="outdoor recreation goods" data-vars-click-url="https://georgiaconservancy.org/gosa/#:~:text=The%20Georgia%20Outdoor%20Stewardship%20Act%20(GOSA)%20was,in%20acquiring%20and%20improving%20parks%20and%20trails**" data-vars-content-id="22b9ed7a-b56b-41fd-9c2c-33b8018d7e6d" data-vars-headline="Georgia outdoor gear tax to fund $33 million for new parks, trails" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://georgiaconservancy.org/gosa/#:~:text=The%20Georgia%20Outdoor%20Stewardship%20Act%20(GOSA)%20was,in%20acquiring%20and%20improving%20parks%20and%20trails**" target="_blank">outdoor recreation goods</a>, has become one of the state&#x27;s tools for expanding access to parks and protecting natural areas.

Food hall to open in former CNN Center in Downtown

CP Group's makeover of the 1.2 million square-foot complex dubbed The Center will open a month before the World Cup begins in Atlanta.

Development

The project that will <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="transform the space" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/08/01/cnn-former-headquarters-atlanta-the-center-world-cup-mixed-use" data-vars-content-id="14b6b2a2-96b9-4c48-8aa2-079f6708e81b" data-vars-headline="Food hall to open in former CNN Center in Downtown" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/08/01/cnn-former-headquarters-atlanta-the-center-world-cup-mixed-use" target="_self">transform the space</a> formerly known as the CNN Center will open in May.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="CP Group" data-vars-click-url="https://cpgcre.com/" data-vars-content-id="14b6b2a2-96b9-4c48-8aa2-079f6708e81b" data-vars-headline="Food hall to open in former CNN Center in Downtown" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://cpgcre.com/" target="_blank">CP Group</a>&#x27;s makeover of the 1.2-million-square-foot complex dubbed <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Center" data-vars-click-url="https://www.thecenteratlanta.com/" data-vars-content-id="14b6b2a2-96b9-4c48-8aa2-079f6708e81b" data-vars-headline="Food hall to open in former CNN Center in Downtown" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.thecenteratlanta.com/" target="_blank">The Center</a> will open a month before the World Cup kicks off in Atlanta, and it could be a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="major activity hub" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2024/03/25/centennial-yards-downtown-entertainment-district" data-vars-content-id="14b6b2a2-96b9-4c48-8aa2-079f6708e81b" data-vars-headline="Food hall to open in former CNN Center in Downtown" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2024/03/25/centennial-yards-downtown-entertainment-district" target="_self">major activity hub</a> during the city&#x27;s eight matches.

More people in Atlanta have bachelor's degrees, census data show

The share of metro Atlanta residents 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher rose from 39% to 42% between the 2015-2019 and 2020-2024 periods.

Education

The share of metro Atlanta residents 25 and older with a bachelor&#x27;s degree or higher rose from 39% to 42% between the 2015-2019 and 2020-2024 periods. How it works: That&#x27;s based on the Census Bureau&#x27;s latest five-year American Community Survey estimates.

The Golden Girls Kitchen pop-up exhibition opens in Atlanta

The experience will be at Pullman Yards through May 10.

Things to Do

Fans of the iconic sitcom &quot;The Golden Girls&quot; can now immerse themselves in the television show&#x27;s famous scenes at a new pop-up exhibition at Pullman Yards.Why it matters: The show, which aired from 1985 to 1992, has a loyal fanbase, ranging from those who remember when the show was on TV to people who discovered the show through reruns and streaming services.

Family of man killed while crossing Peachtree plead for crosswalk

Pradeep Sood, 67, was walking in a faded crosswalk between AmericasMart and Peachtree Center when he was struck by a vehicle on Feb. 11, 2025.

Family members of a man who was fatally struck while crossing Peachtree Street in downtown Atlanta last year want the city to make good on its promise to make the thoroughfare safer for pedestrians.Why it matters: The death of Pradeep Sood, 67, reignited the long-running struggle over Atlanta&#x27;s desire to make city streets more accessible to pedestrians while also keeping vehicular traffic flowing efficiently.

Report: Waymo cars passed Atlanta school buses at least 6 times

Waymo has issued a software recall in response to a federal safety probe.

Business

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Waymo autonomous vehicles" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/12/11/atlanta-self-driving-waymo-uber-ride-experience" data-vars-content-id="ada240bd-44d9-4d97-b8c6-dad9bda98067" data-vars-headline="Report: Waymo cars passed Atlanta school buses at least 6 times" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/12/11/atlanta-self-driving-waymo-uber-ride-experience" target="_self">Waymo autonomous vehicles</a> are coming under scrutiny after the robotaxis passed stopped school buses on several occasions in Atlanta.Why it matters: The latest mishap raises questions on how effectively self-driving vehicles can respond to a variety of issues that crop up on city streets.

I rode in a driverless Waymo in Atlanta. It was awesome

A smooth ride, a robot voice and total autonomy — here's what to expect in your first Waymo.

Transit

As a Gen X-er, growing up I dreamed about a future with flying cars. Back in October, I experienced the next best thing — a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="self-driving Waymo" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/03/waymo-robotaxis-seattle-minneapolis" data-vars-content-id="2a7fb9fb-f6a5-402e-b9a3-7e384f2e86dc" data-vars-headline="I rode in a driverless Waymo in Atlanta. It was awesome" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/03/waymo-robotaxis-seattle-minneapolis" target="_self">self-driving Waymo</a>.Why it matters: The car drove itself, y&#x27;all.

Report: Traffic deaths outnumbered homicides last year in metro Atlanta

Vehicle collisions were responsible for 425 deaths last year in Cobb, Clayton, DeKalb, Fulton and Gwinnett counties, a 9.6% decrease from 2023 when 470 people died in roadway crashes.

More people were killed in vehicle collisions than homicides last year in metro Atlanta&#x27;s five core counties, according to a pedestrian-safety advocacy organization.Why it matters: Gun deaths and homicides are more complex to solve, but simple design changes can make streets safer, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Propel ATL" data-vars-click-url="https://www.letspropelatl.org/" data-vars-content-id="54976d84-e4bf-4403-a1ff-42e9518655c8" data-vars-headline="Report: Traffic deaths outnumbered homicides last year in metro Atlanta" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.letspropelatl.org/" target="_blank">Propel ATL</a> executive director Rebecca Serna told Axios.

We're spending more time stuck in traffic in Atlanta

The Texas A&M Transportation Institute's 2025 Urban Mobility Report found there's been a noticeable rise in midday traffic in cities across the country.

The average person commuting in Atlanta is spending 87 hours annually <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="stuck in traffic" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/01/08/slowest-driving-cities-america-list" data-vars-content-id="29ecf779-d2dd-4a5a-81ec-68be1ca4af9b" data-vars-headline="We&#x27;re spending more time stuck in traffic in Atlanta" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/01/08/slowest-driving-cities-america-list" target="_self">stuck in traffic</a> amid changes in when and why people drive, a new report finds.Why it matters: The findings put some hard data behind a common feeling among many drivers: Traffic has been getting worse — or at least different — since the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="COVID-19 pandemic" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/28/cdc-covid-vaccine-rules-recommendations-high-risk-fda" data-vars-content-id="29ecf779-d2dd-4a5a-81ec-68be1ca4af9b" data-vars-headline="We&#x27;re spending more time stuck in traffic in Atlanta" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/28/cdc-covid-vaccine-rules-recommendations-high-risk-fda" target="_self">COVID-19 pandemic</a>.

MARTA riders push for more reliable buses and better stops

A new survey of 900 regular riders outlines frustrations of people who use the system.

MARTA riders are sounding off <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="in a new report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.letspropelatl.org/voicesfromthebus" data-vars-content-id="03497067-ac52-4bde-8493-8429dd5c7122" data-vars-headline="MARTA riders push for more reliable buses and better stops" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.letspropelatl.org/voicesfromthebus" target="_blank">in a new report</a> about &quot;ghost buses,&quot; waiting in the rain and other frustrations.Why it matters: MARTA bus ridership still hasn&#x27;t recovered from pre-pandemic levels.

Program offers discounted bike and scooter rides to some Atlanta residents

The initiative offers 50% discounts on Bird bikes and scooters to all Atlanta Housing residents.

Atlanta Housing is partnering with Bird to launch a program offering discounted e‑bike and e‑scooter rides to residents of its developments.Why it matters: Reliable transportation — and the costs needed to maintain it — are often a barrier for people getting to and from work.

Reducing e-scooter injuries demands designing safer streets

E-scooter injuries surge nationwide, doubling among children

The U.S. is seeing an alarming rise in electric scooter injuries — particularly among children, according to data compiled by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ERideHero" data-vars-click-url="https://eridehero.com/" data-vars-content-id="25105e5f-b6c2-4594-b21d-118fe95a3782" data-vars-headline="Reducing e-scooter injuries demands designing safer streets" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://eridehero.com/" target="_blank">ERideHero</a>, a consumer guide to electric micro-mobility.Why it matters: E-scooters, despite their well-publicized <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="boom and bust" data-vars-click-url="https://gadallon.substack.com/p/the-rise-and-reckoning-of-scooter" data-vars-content-id="25105e5f-b6c2-4594-b21d-118fe95a3782" data-vars-headline="Reducing e-scooter injuries demands designing safer streets" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://gadallon.substack.com/p/the-rise-and-reckoning-of-scooter" target="_blank">boom and bust</a> history, have become mainstream in many cities, yet lack the safety guardrails that govern other types of transportation.The big picture: Some 81 million people took trips on shared e-scooters in the U.S. last year, according to the North American Bikeshare &amp; Scootershare Association.<ul><li>Approximately 150,000 shared scooters are deployed across the U.S. on a daily basis.</li></ul>By the numbers: E-scooter injuries in the U.S. rose by 80% to nearly 116,000 in 2024, according to ERideHero&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2025 Electric Scooter Accident Report" data-vars-click-url="https://eridehero.com/electric-scooter-accident-report-2025/" data-vars-content-id="25105e5f-b6c2-4594-b21d-118fe95a3782" data-vars-headline="Reducing e-scooter injuries demands designing safer streets" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://eridehero.com/electric-scooter-accident-report-2025/" target="_blank">2025 Electric Scooter Accident Report</a>.<ul><li>Accidents among children more than doubled, with nearly 18,000 kids under 15 getting hurt — many suffering head trauma.</li><li>People between 15-24 suffered the most e-scooter injuries, accounting for more than 23%. </li><li>68% of those injured were male, and over 10,000 injuries involved driving under the influence.</li><li>eRideHero&#x27;s analysis is based on data sourced from the Consumer Product Safety Commission&#x27;s NEISS database, which tracks consumer product-related injuries from a sample of over 100 American hospital ER departments.</li></ul>Zoom in: From 2020 to present day, four people have died and 43 people were seriously injured in crashes involving scooters in Atlanta, according to the city&#x27;s Vision Zero <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="database" data-vars-click-url="https://www.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/dd914dcf7ae74cd0b6df025190c39df3" data-vars-content-id="25105e5f-b6c2-4594-b21d-118fe95a3782" data-vars-headline="Reducing e-scooter injuries demands designing safer streets" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/dd914dcf7ae74cd0b6df025190c39df3" target="_blank">database</a>.What they&#x27;re saying: &quot;I think we&#x27;re seeing the consequences of treating e-scooters like toys instead of vehicles,&quot; says Rasmus Barslund, founder of ERideHero.<ul><li>&quot;We&#x27;re seeing adult-sized scooters marketed to young kids on Amazon — machines that can reach high speeds being given to children who lack the cognitive development to judge speed and distance safely.&quot;</li><li>Plus, he said, there&#x27;s no safety culture around e-scooters. &quot;We basically put motor vehicles on sidewalks and expected everyone to figure it out for themselves.&quot;</li></ul>The industry is responding with safety tips and other programs.<ul><li><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Lime" data-vars-click-url="https://www.li.me/why/safety" data-vars-content-id="25105e5f-b6c2-4594-b21d-118fe95a3782" data-vars-headline="Reducing e-scooter injuries demands designing safer streets" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.li.me/why/safety" target="_blank">Lime</a>, a leading scooter company, for instance, offers an in-person safety course for first-time riders and strongly encourages the use of helmets.</li></ul>In the weeds: Cities could reduce scooter injuries by designing and building streets that are safe for everyone, Shayna Pollock, the principal and founder of policy firm Shift Mobility, told Axios.<ul><li>Other policies include reducing speed limits in high-density areas like downtowns and requiring users to corral their vehicles rather than wherever they please.</li></ul>

Atlanta could become a hub for Amtrak expansion — but we need a new station

The Brookwood station can't meet future needs. Planners want public input on a new Downtown hub.

Atlanta could become a major hub in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Amtrak&#x27;s push" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2021/04/01/amtrak-map-biden-infrastructure" data-vars-content-id="a3d77ea6-2462-48ce-ab9c-336ff94b6d01" data-vars-headline="Atlanta could become a hub for Amtrak expansion — but we need a new station" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2021/04/01/amtrak-map-biden-infrastructure" target="_self">Amtrak&#x27;s push</a> to expand passenger rail to nearby cities and across the nation. But the city&#x27;s lone station won&#x27;t cut it.Why it matters: Built in 1918 to handle suburban passengers, the Brookwood train stop doesn&#x27;t comply with ADA laws and isn&#x27;t built to meaningfully participate in a future America where rail travel could become more commonplace.

Beltline releases $3.5 billion light rail plan to connect Atlanta

The ambitious proposal would link dozens of neighborhoods — but construction won't begin anytime soon.

Atlanta Beltline officials unveiled a $3.5 billion plan to build a light rail that would connect dozens of neighborhoods around the popular trail and parks loop.Why it matters: From the beginning, the Beltline was envisioned as a way to move large numbers of people around a dense and growing city, not just as a paved path lined with parks and coffee shops.<ul><li>The light rail plan provides the clearest picture yet of how the Beltline can deliver that vision and how much it might cost taxpayers.</li></ul>

Transit 🚗

Family of man killed while crossing Peachtree plead for crosswalk

Report: Waymo cars passed Atlanta school buses at least 6 times

I rode in a driverless Waymo in Atlanta. It was awesome

Report: Traffic deaths outnumbered homicides last year in metro Atlanta

MARTA upgrades Breeze system with new tech