Happy Friday!

🌧️ Today's weather: Mostly sunny, with a chance of rain in the afternoon. Highs in the upper-80s and lows around 70.

Situational awareness: The city of Atlanta will host the final public input meeting at 11am Saturday on the design of its memorial to Chattahoochee Brick Company convict leasing victims.

• The meeting will be held at Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church.

Today’s newsletter is 974 words — a 3.5-minute read.

A century-old elementary school once threatened with demolition will now become part of a mixed-use development that will bring new residential units to Atlanta's Lakewood Heights neighborhood.

Why it matters: The old Lakewood Elementary School building is on the National Register of Historic Places through its inclusion in the Lakewood Heights Historic District.

• Including the site in any redevelopment plans could help preserve its history for future generations.

The latest: The city said Wednesday that the site at 335 Sawtell Ave. SE will be redeveloped into mixed-use space featuring commercial and residential components.

• Spearheaded by Ali-Graceline Development, the project will include 42,721 square feet of residential space and 12,000 square feet of commercial space.

Zoom in: Ali-Graceline Development is a joint venture between Atlanta-based companies Ali Development LLC and Graceline Partners LLC.

• Omar Ali, founder of Ali Development, told Axios the first floor of the school building would be reserved for commercial use, with a desire to fill that space with a grocery store. The second floor would be converted for residential uses.
• They would also build four additional buildings with residential and retail options.

Catch up quick: The original building opened in 1915 as Lakewood Heights School and was renovated in 1932.

• The renamed Lakewood Elementary School closed in 2004, and residents raised concerns about how the building became blighted and was used by unhoused people.
• APS initially planned to demolish the building, then halted the plan.

The big picture: Atlanta Preservation Center executive director David Mitchell told Axios any plan that includes schools in adaptive reuse projects "should set the tone on how we view development.

What's next: Ali told Axios he doesn't expect to break ground until around December 2027.

Go deeper

A new "I voted" sticker designed by an Atlanta artist that an AJC columnist once dubbed the "da Vinci of the GOP" is drawing criticism online.

Why it matters: Steve Penley's reboot of a routine election giveaway fueled fears that Georgia's beloved peach sticker was going away — and sparked chatter online about the artist's conservative politics.

Catch up quick: Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger announced Tuesday that the state printed 5 million copies of Penley's design to distribute to all 159 counties for the general election.

How it started: Penley offered Raffensperger, who leaves office next January, "a favor years ago as he respects him, and we took it up," Robert Sinners, the secretary's communications director, told Axios.

• Penley was not paid for the design, Sinners said.

Reality check: The new sticker hasn't abolished the classic peach. Counties can decide whether they hand out the new sticker, the peach design, or both, Michon Lindstrom, Raffensperger's spokesperson, said on X.

Read more

The Braves bested the Phillies 6-2 on Thursday night at Truist Park to win their three-game National League Wild Card Series.

• The team will now face the Los Angeles Dodgers in a best-of-five National League Division Series.
• Game 1 is scheduled for 4pm ET on Sat., Oct. 3, in Los Angeles.

👋 Editor Geoff Ziezulewicz here!

I was in your fine city this week and decided to try ATL's Minute Suites while waiting several hours for my flight home on Wednesday.

Why it matters: All of Axios Local convened in Atlanta this week for our annual retreat. We journalists love to karaoke, throw back a few rounds and yap into the wee hours, so a bit of rest was much needed.

• And I'm sorry, but I'm just not that traveler who can lie down on a filthy gate carpet. (And tbh, neither should you. You're better than that!)

How it works: The rooms are small and feature a rubbery but comfy couch, a pull-out trundle for those shorter than 6 feet, a desk and a TV.

• There's also a pillow and a blanket, but I opted against the blanket because gross.
• General rate is $65 an hour. You can reserve online or just walk up and get one.
• Find them near Gate B24, in Concourse E near the atrium (the lone option featuring shower access) and across from F6.

The verdict: ATL is a relentless, teeming mass of people, with gate seats that aren't that comfy.

• So this offered a nice break from all that humanity. Even if I did end up doing what I do when I lie down at home: scrolling for far too long and then not napping enough.

Tell your traveling buddy

🏞️ The Atlanta Beltline has bought all the property it needs to complete the 22-mile loop. (Read more)

🧥 Homecoming is approaching at the Atlanta University Center and this small business is helping attendees stock up on their HBCU and Divine Nine gear. (Capital B)

💵 Atlanta's chief financial officer said proceeds from the City Detention Center sale could be applied to the Mayor Andre Dickens' Neighborhood Reinvestment Initiative. (WABE)

• The resolution authorizing the city to sell the building to Fulton County remains stalled in the Atlanta City Council's Finance/Executive Committee.

🎓 The Board of Regents voted to name Thomas A. Fanning, the former CEO of Southern Company, as the next chancellor of the University System of Georgia. (CBS)

🚙 Kristal wishes there was something similar to Jeep Ducking that Honda drivers could do. What about giving each other Hot Wheels?

🥱 Thomas is not thrilled to be at the gym but he'll feel better afterward.

This newsletter was edited by Crystal Hill.