Business and civic leaders from across Atlanta gathered Wednesday at the Georgia Aquarium for the Central Atlanta Progress (CAP) and Atlanta Downtown Improvement District (ADID) Annual Meeting, an event that brought together more than 750 stakeholders committed to the future of Downtown Atlanta.
Mayor Andre Dickens opened the program with remarks highlighting the progress being made across Downtown and the partnerships helping drive Atlanta’s continued growth.
“Downtown is back,” Mayor Dickens told attendees. “Built on a foundation of safety and strong partnerships.”
A Shared Commitment to Downtown’s Success
The annual meeting convenes business leaders, civic organizations, city officials, and community partners who help shape Downtown Atlanta’s future. CAP and ADID play a central role in maintaining the city’s core by supporting initiatives that keep Downtown clean, safe, and vibrant.
Mayor Dickens thanked CAP Board Chair David Cummings and CAP President AJ Robinson for their leadership and collaboration with the City of Atlanta.
“These four square miles are the heartbeat of our city,” the mayor said, referencing the continued momentum across Downtown, from new development projects to community initiatives designed to improve quality of life for residents, workers, and visitors.
Public Safety and Downtown Momentum
During his remarks, the mayor emphasized the progress made in improving safety across Atlanta. Since 2022, homicides have fallen 43 percent, while overall crime has declined citywide by 15 percent.
The mayor credited the leadership of the Darin Schierbaum and the work of the Atlanta Police Department alongside community partners.
As Atlanta prepares to host matches during the FIFA World Cup 2026, the mayor said these improvements are helping ensure the city is ready to welcome visitors from around the world.
“Our goal is to make sure this event happens with Atlanta, not to Atlanta,” Mayor Dickens said, referencing partnerships between the city, the Atlanta World Cup Host Committee, CAP, ADID, and other organizations working together to prepare the city.
Investing in Neighborhoods Across Atlanta
The mayor also highlighted the Neighborhood Reinvestment Initiative (NRI), a key component of the administration’s broader Moving Atlanta Forward agenda. Through the initiative, the city is exploring ways to expand investment in housing, infrastructure, transit, and neighborhood amenities.
AJ Robinson currently serves on the NRI Commission, helping ensure Downtown’s perspective is included in shaping citywide investment strategies.
Mayor Dickens also shared updates on the city’s housing goals, noting Atlanta has already reached more than 13,000 units toward its target of creating or preserving 20,000 affordable housing units by 2030.
Addressing Housing and Homelessness
Efforts to address homelessness and expand housing options also remain a major focus for the city. Through a $60 million housing bond program, Atlanta is supporting developments that will create rapid and permanent supportive housing.
Projects such as Melody and Waterworks Village are helping expand access to stable housing, while initiatives like Downtown Rising, led by Partners for HOME, aim to rehouse hundreds of individuals currently experiencing homelessness.
Downtown’s Continued Transformation
Mayor Dickens also pointed to improvements in food access for Downtown residents, noting the addition of markets and grocery options such as Azalea Market, Goodr Community Market, and the historic Municipal Market.
“These partnerships show what we can accomplish together,” the mayor said. “Downtown’s success depends on all of us working as one city with one bright future.”
The annual meeting also celebrated ADID’s 30th anniversary, recognizing three decades of work supporting Downtown Atlanta’s safety, cleanliness, and economic vitality.
