Axios Atlanta

October 23, 2024
It's Hump Day!
Today's weather: Another great one. Sunny, with a high around 81.
Situational awareness: Gov. Brian Kemp announced a plan to use the state's budget surplus to provide more than $1 billion in refunds to residents when they file their taxes in 2025, the AJC reports.
Today's newsletter is 691 words — a 2.5-minute read.
1 big thing: Pickleball club to open in West End
A pickleball club franchise will open its first Atlanta location in West End, bringing the first set of courts dedicated to the game to the southwest side of the city.
Why it matters: Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in America, according to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association's 2024 Topline Participation Report.
Driving the news: Dill Dinkers will open a 36,000-square-foot club at 1200 White Street in early 2025, according to a news release from real estate company Ackerman & Co.
- The company has clubs in several other states. This will be its first in metro Atlanta.
Zoom in: The club will be housed in a 211,585-square-foot building that's being renovated as a mixed-use project containing retail, restaurant, industrial and office space, Ackerman said.
- According to Dill Dinkers' website, the club will have 11 outdoor-style fenced courts, a pro shop and event space.
Context: This part of Atlanta's West End is drawing more attention due to the popularity of the nearby Lee + White mixed-use development that features breweries, standalone restaurants, a bouldering gym and a new food hall.
- A segment of Atlanta Beltline's Westside Trail also runs behind Lee + White, connecting bicyclists, walkers and runners from other parts of the city to the neighborhood.
The big picture: Metro Atlanta is home to 63 pickleball courts, according to Pickleheads.com, the official court and game finder for USA Pickleball.
- Earlier this year, Painted Hospitality — the team behind Painted Pin and Painted Duck bowling alleys — opened the Painted Pickle in Armour Yards.
Go deeper: Popular racquet sport padel is popping up in metro Atlanta.
2. Georgia's first Wawa sets opening date
Mark your calendars: Georgia's first Wawa will open its doors on Nov. 14.
Why it matters: Like Buc-ee's, Wawa is an amenity-packed convenience store chain that's built legions of fans based partly on the fact that the bathrooms are clean.
Yes, but: The Pennsylvania company's stores are well-known for personal hoagies and breakfast sammies.
- Earlier this month, Wawa earned the crown in the American Customer Satisfaction Index's Convenience Store study, Axios' Mike D'Onofrio reports.
Zoom in: If you're up for a road trip, the location at 1401 Tallahassee Highway in Bainbridge will open at 8am.
What's next: The company's expansion plan calls for opening 26 stores in Georgia over the next five to eight years.
- Sites include: Brunswick, Jesup, Hinesville, Pooler, Waycross, Bainbridge, Tifton, Valdosta and Albany.
The intrigue: Thus far, we haven't seen mention of a metro Atlanta location.
3. Stat du jour: A smoother, less pothole-y future
$120 million
The amount of money the city will spend repaving streets, rebuilding sidewalks, and adding protected bike lanes in Downtown and nearby areas to prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and beyond.
By the numbers: The bond package includes $56 million to resurface more than 25 miles of streets, $14 million for new traffic signals and cameras and $20 million to repair shoddy sidewalks, according to the AJC.
4. Where's Phoenix 3000: Love is a highway
The other day, our dear immortal mascot stopped by a special spot that's weighted down with the love of countless Atlantans.
- Where is our symbolic and romantic friend? Reply to this email and tell us.
Mark your calendar
✏️ Pencil in an upcoming event.
Join the Generation Data Education Fund for a free training, "Combating Election Misinformation with Tech," at the Loudermilk Conference Center on Tuesday. English and Spanish options available.
Hosting an event? Email [email protected].
5. Five-ish Points: The Boss is coming to Atlanta
❗️ Rudy Giuliani was ordered by a federal judge to hand over personal property, including a Manhattan penthouse, to Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss, the Georgia election workers he defamed. (Axios)
⚖️ The Georgia Supreme Court overturned a lower court ruling that found Young Thug's attorney in contempt of court in the Young Slime Life racketeering trial. (WSB)
🗳️ The state's highest court also declined to hear Republicans' arguments for reinstating controversial rules that would've changed how voters' ballots are tabulated in the 2024 election. (Axios)
🧑🏫 A survey of 3,700 teachers show nearly half are grappling with burnout and more than half said they would not recommend the profession. (Fox 5 Atlanta)
🎸 Bruce Springsteen will headline Thursday's rally featuring former President Obama and Vice President Kamala Harris. (AJC)
🏫 The cost to renovate North Druid Hills High School could run between $80 million and $100 million. (Decaturish)
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump wants the federal government to open an investigation into the gangway collapse on Sapelo Island where seven people died. (AJC)
🪴 Kristal is on the hunt for a healthy and full manjula pothos.
🍝 Thomas loved eating dinner with his girlfriend at a mano in Old Fourth Ward.
This newsletter was edited by Jen Ashley.
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