A seven-week delay in Atlanta’s schedule sell bonds to help pay for construction of the Falcons stadium was the immediate result of a court hearing Monday morning.
Bond validation petitions typically are open-and-shut matters. Lawyers for the government usually get a speedy ruling from a judge that allows the sale of bonds to proceed posthaste.
In the case of Atlanta’s bonds for the stadium, Fulton County Superior Court Judge Ural Granville set the next date for a bond validation hearing for April ...more
John Woodham
A court challenge has been filed against Atlanta’s plan to sell $278.3 million in bonds to help fund construction of the Falcons’ $1.2 billion stadium.
The motion portrays a breakdown in legislative and administrative processes all the way from the state Capitol to the Georgia World Congress Center Authority and to Atlanta City Hall.
The motion raises legal issues involving the constitutionality of the hotel motel tax; the demolition of two churches; failure to address state-mandated environmental concerns; and failure ...more
Many structures in English Avenue and Vine City have fire damage. The city's Falcons stadium deal could do more to help Vine City, English Avenue, and Castleberry Hill, say opponents of the deal. Credit: Donita Pendered
Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed may be bucking the adage that history judges leaders for their performance in battles not of their choosing.
One battle Reed did choose, and on which he will be judged, is to help the Falcons build a new stadium. The mayor ...more
The retractable roof on the future Falcons stadium is specified in the bond validation petition. Credit: newstadium.atlantafalcons.com
Atlanta is willing to pay an interest rate of up to 8 percent for the $278.3 million in revenue bonds it intends sell to provide construction financing for the new Falcons stadium.
To put that rate in perspective, Atlanta’s airport is paying rates ranging from 2 percent to 6 percent on its $3.1 billion in outstanding bonds, according to the airport’s 2013 Comprehensive Annual ...more
Jerald Mitchell. Credit: linkedin.com
The Atlanta BeltLine has created the position of director of economic development and filled it with a former director of the Savannah Economic Development Authority. Terms were not disclosed.
Jerald Mitchell is to devise and implement a strategy for economic development around the BeltLine, according to a statement the BeltLine released Thursday.
Mitchell’s hiring was announced 11 weeks after Mayor Kasim Reed announced he intends to develop the BeltLine as a public private partership. Reed said he is ...more
A SoBi bike comes equiped with fenders, front basket capable of handling a 20-pound payload, step-over frame, and adjustable, non-removable seat to accommodate riders ranging in height from 4 feet, 11 inches to 6 feet, 6 inches. Credit: socialbicycles.com
The centerpiece of Atlanta’s plan to start its first bike-share program is slated to be approved Monday by the Atlanta City Council. Bikes are to be rolling within a year.
The plan is for a private vendor to provide at least 500 ...more
By David Pendered
Brazil is served by seaports scattered along the coast, providing access mainly to trade with the United States and European countries. Credits: “Brazilian Ports: A Safe Haven for International Investment”, utexas.edu
Brazil is one of Georgia’s leading trade partners, and Mayor Kasim Reed intends to strengthen relations during a trade mission he’s to lead in April. Reed is just wrapping up his trip to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
Metro Atlanta’s connection to Brazil is closer than ...more
Atlanta’s Watershed Department cited this chart to illustrate the increase in the release of bacteria and chlorine from the city’s combined sewer overflow facilities. Click on the graphic for a larger version. Credit: City of Atlanta
Fecal bacteria and residual chlorine flow at “problematic” levels from Atlanta’s sewer system into waterways and the repair bill could hit $40 million, according to new legislation to be discussed this week by a committee of the Atlanta City Council.
An additional $11 million expense ...more
Atlanta’s Watershed Department cited this chart to illustrate the increase in the release of bacteria and chlorine from the city’s combined sewer overflow facilities. Click on the graphic for a larger version. Credit: City of Atlanta
Fecal bacteria and residual chlorine flow at “problematic” levels from Atlanta’s sewer system into waterways and the repair bill could hit $40 million, according to new legislation to be discussed this week by a committee of the Atlanta City Council.
An additional $11 million expense ...more
Controvery surrounded the inauguration of Bill de Blasio as New York City's mayor, pictured here as former President Bill Clinton administered the oath of office while the de Blasio family watched. Credit: nydailynews.com
Unlike New York City’s mayoral inauguration last week, little controversy is expected to surround Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed as he takes the oath of office Monday.
Atlanta has a history of low-key mayoral inaugurations. It’s just not the Atlanta way for politicians to swing for the fences at ...more
