Axios Atlanta

August 13, 2026
Happy Thursday, everyone! If you have to work outside today, take frequent breaks and drink plenty of water because it's going to be hot.
π¦οΈ Today's weather: Mostly sunny and windy, with a chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs around 94.
Situational awareness: Home Depot president and CEO Ted Decker is taking a medical leave of absence and "will return within the next few months," the company said.
Today's newsletter is 876 words β a 3.5-minute read.
1 big thing: Fulton offers $56 million for Atlanta jail
Weeks after Mayor Andre Dickens offered to sell the Atlanta City Detention Center to Fulton County, its governing body has responded with a counteroffer that's considerably lower than his asking price.
Why it matters: Dickens, who withdrew the offer after Fulton commissioners voted against participating in the city's Neighborhood Reinvestment Initiative, needs the support of the county and Atlanta Board of Education to extend several tax allocation districts to fund the sweeping project.
The latest: Fulton commissioners wrote in a letter Tuesday that the county would purchase the city jail for $56.6 million, much lower than the $80 million Dickens asked for.
Zoom in: According to the county, its offer factors in about $75 million in renovations it would need to do at the Atlanta City Detention Center "given its age and the purpose for which the facility is needed."
What they're saying: Fulton County has repeatedly offered to buy ACDC from Atlanta over the last 17 years, and commissioners said previous mayors have considered transferring the building to the county at no cost.
- "We agree that ACDC should be fully available for utilization by the County, but Atlanta has consistently resisted finalizing a deal to make that happen," the county commission wrote, adding that its offer expires at the end of the month.
The other side: "The city is pleased that after two years of conversations, Fulton has finally decided to respond with an offer," a city of Atlanta spokesperson said. "The city will respond in full in the near future."
The big picture: The 1,300-bed city jail has been caught in the middle of the tense relationship between Atlanta and Fulton County.
- Mayor Dickens on July 30 wrote a letter criticizing the county for not participating in the city's Neighborhood Reinvestment Initiative, which would set aside billions of dollars from the TADs to fund affordable housing, small business support, health and wellness, and education-related projects.
What's next: Fulton County said it's given the city until 5pm Aug. 31 to respond to its offer.
2. Weekender: Criminal Records birthday, Cumbia rave and more
It's going to be a scorcher this weekend, so put on some sunscreen, pack your water bottle and check out these events:
π Contemplate our place in the universe by looking through the Fernbank Science Center's 36-inch Cassegrain telescope (weather permitting). (Thurs.-Fri.)
πΊ If you're looking for an Atlanta rite of passage: the Plaza screens "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" every Friday night with a live performance by Lips Down on Dixie. (Fri.)
β½οΈ It's the battle of the reserve teams as Atlanta United 2 plays a free match against the New York Red Bulls 2 at the Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground. (Fri.)
π Criminal Records celebrates its 35th birthday with a free block party in Little Five Points featuring more than two dozen local bands. (Sat.)
πͺ© Latin American beats meet an immersive rave and create a good time at the Buckhead Theatre for Cumbiatron. (Sat.)
π§ The High Museum encourages patrons to slow down with Oasis, an afternoon of beginner-friendly yoga, ambient sound baths and talks on art and spirituality. (Sat.)
πΌοΈ The Piedmont Park Arts Festival takes over the city's most famous green space with roughly 200 artists, food, a kids area and more. (Sat.-Sun.)
π§ MODA offers a guided tour of the "SALT: A Design Story" exhibition exploring "one of the most essential materials on earth, and one of the most overlooked." (Sat.-Sun.)
βΉοΈββοΈ The Dream hosts the Indiana Fever at State Farm Arena. (Sun.)
3. News bites: Shake Shack opens at Centennial Yards
Here's the latest food news:
π₯© Hal's heads to Midtown and Roswell. Buckhead mainstay Hal's "The Steakhouse" is coming to Midtown and downtown Roswell, the restaurant announced this week.
- The new location will occupy the historic former H.M. Patterson funeral home at Spring Quarter.
- Plans also call for a cafe and second-floor art gallery. (Urbanize)
π₯ Atlanta Chinatown, the popular food court in Chamblee that's been open since 1988, is undergoing a broader revitalization with renovations and new murals. (Rough Draft)
π Shake Shack goes Downtown: The burger chain opens its Centennial Yards location Thursday.
- Some of the first customers will get Shake Shack swag, and the restaurant will donate $1 from every sandwich sold on opening day to Camp Twin Lakes. (What Now Atlantaβ )
π Opening: Former Chai Pani sous chef Salman Khan's Bun & Bombay, in Avondale Estates, and Joy & Zest, a coffee, tea and small-bites cafe in Norcross. (AJC)β
4. Five-ish Points: Gaining freedom in the outdoors
βοΈ A federal court approved an $11.5 million settlement for migrant workers who were recruited to work engineering jobs but were put in manual labor roles. (AJC)
π« The DeKalb County School District is restarting its Student Assignment Project, focusing on clusters where schools are overcrowded. (11 Alive)
πΆ The Refugee Women's Network Outdoor Wellness Program focuses on helping resettled people gain freedom and strength. (WABE)
π Kristal loves Shake Shack's burgers.
π Thomas is back.
This newsletter was edited by Jen Burkett.
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