Downtown Atlanta is entering a new phase of growth, with City leaders focused on strengthening its role as both the region’s economic center and a complete neighborhood where people can live, work, and connect.
During a recent discussion on “The Future of Downtown: From Vision to Reality,” Chief of Staff Courtney English shared how the Mayor’s administration is aligning housing, infrastructure, and neighborhood investments to support a more inclusive and active Downtown over the next four years.
At the center of that work is a clear goal: ensuring Atlanta is no longer a “tale of two cities,” but a place where opportunity reaches every neighborhood.
A Downtown that works for residents and the region
City leaders are advancing a vision for Downtown as both the civic heart of metro Atlanta and a livable neighborhood in its own right. That includes expanding access to:
- mixed-income housing, including senior and workforce units
- grocery stores and daily services
- childcare, education, and healthcare options
- walkable streets and public spaces
- arts, sports, and cultural destinations
Projects that convert underused office buildings into housing and strengthen corridors like Peachtree Street are part of this strategy, along with partnerships that bring new amenities into the core.
Together, these efforts are designed to make Downtown more active throughout the day and evening while supporting residents who already call the area home.
Connecting Downtown growth to neighborhoods citywide
Investments in Downtown are tied directly to broader work happening across Atlanta through initiatives such as the Neighborhood Reinvestment Initiative, the Affordable Housing Strike Force, and partnerships with Invest Atlanta.
These tools are helping deliver affordable housing, expand access to fresh food, support small businesses, and improve parks, transit connections, and youth opportunities across the city.
The goal is to ensure that growth in the center of Atlanta supports progress in neighborhoods throughout the city.
Housing remains a top priority
Housing continues to anchor the City’s Downtown strategy, including efforts to reach the administration’s goal of 20,000 affordable housing units by 2030.
Current and planned projects include conversions of older office buildings into residential communities and new mixed-income developments near transit, campuses, and major venues. One example under consideration is additional affordable senior housing tied to redevelopment around Five Points.
These investments are intended to bring more residents into Downtown while supporting long-term affordability.
Tools supporting Downtown’s next phase
City leaders are continuing work with partners and Atlanta City Council on extending Tax Allocation Districts, which have helped fund major projects such as Centennial Yards, Sweet Auburn streetscape improvements, and neighborhood-serving retail like Azalea Market.
Additional financing tools, including housing bonds and corridor-based investments, are also helping advance projects that strengthen connections between Downtown and surrounding communities.
As planning continues, the focus remains on creating a Downtown that reflects Atlanta’s values: opportunity, access, and shared growth for residents across the city.
