JOURNALISM
Consolidation in shipping industry latest wrinkle for Savannah port
- The vagaries of the global shipping trade are again poised to affect Atlanta’s second major trade port, the seaport in Savannah. Last month, the concern was construction delays at the Panama Canal. This month, it’s the question of how the Savannah port will factor into a proposed alliance of shipping companies that would control up to 40 percent of the world’s major oceanic transport. All these events are routine business ventures compared to the state’s decision on how to proceed with the ...more
Atlanta a finalist for $30 million housing grant; Reed responds to story on AHA
- Atlanta is one of six cities chosen as finalists for a federal Choice Neighborhood grant that would provide Atlanta with up to $30 million to improve three impoverished neighborhoods. Atlanta would target the money on three neighborhoods west of the future Falcons stadium. The potential federal grant is separate from the $30 million already promised to the area by Atlanta and the Blank Family Foundation. The Choice Neighborhood grant focuses on Vine City; the Atlanta University Center; and Ashview Heights, which is ...more
As Yellen talks about jobs & economy, two with Georgia ties debate role of Fed
- A definite Georgia flavor surrounded Janet Yellen’s first policy meeting in Washington Wednesday as chairwoman of the Federal Reserve. As Yellen was preparing to talk with reporters, a retired vice president of the Atlanta Fed and a UGA economics professor were speaking at a separate panel discussion, hosted by the Heritage Foundation, on what good the Fed has done in its 100-year history. Despite the different venues, the conversations shared an interest in the Fed’s role in unemployed and underemployed Americans. Incidentally, Yellen ...more
Sustainability’s next generation flexes young wings of new ideas in Atlanta
- A nascent movement in the sustainability arena flexed its young wings in Atlanta last week. The movement involves the merging of issues including renewable energy, green buildings, and consumer products free of toxic chemicals. Apple CEO Tim Cook epitomizes the new concept for one advocate who spoke at a panel discussion sponsored by Southeast Green. Cook drew headlines for his Feb. 28 remark to shareholders who criticized Apple’s green investment strategy: “If you want me to do things only for ROI ...more
Atlanta to condemn BeltLine land rather than risk losing $18 million in federal funds
- Atlanta plans to condemn property to build an Atlanta BeltLine trail so the project doesn’t lose federal funding. The Southwest Corridor Trail is to be built with an $18 million TIGER V grant. Atlanta has until June 30 to acquire rights of way and complete other pre-construction activities, according to terms of the grant. The Atlanta City Council, at its Monday meeting, is slated to authorize Mayor Kasim Reed to acquire land needed for the southwest trail. The legislation provides for purchase ...more
New legislative intrigue in proposed remake of Fulton County tax commissioner
- The perennial proposal to do something, anything, about the Fulton County tax commissioner is bottled up in the Georgia legislature. The state Senate on Thursday tabled a proposal by ranking House members that contains two big provisions. At this stage in the legislative session, there’s no telling if the proposal has a chance of being passed this year. House Bill 346 was introduced this year and makes at least these two substantive changes in the office of Fulton County’s tax commissioner: The post ...more
AHA after Renee Glover: No new initiatives; provide land for Falcons parking lot
- The Atlanta Housing Authority proposes no new initiatives in the first forward-looking report it has prepared for HUD since former CEO Renee Glover left last year following a public two-year dispute with Mayor Kasim Reed. The report does say AHA intends to provide the Falcons with land near the new stadium for a surface parking lot. This site is part of the now-demolished housing project, Herndon Homes. The report clearly states the decision to provide no new initiatives for the fiscal year ...more
Getting around without a car: Region’s plans boost transit, walking, biking
- Bicycling, walking and transit are getting more attention than ever as metro Atlanta planners prepare to adopt the proposed update of the region’s short- and long-term transportation plans. They’re to be approved within 30 days. “We will see this discussion grow more robust: How can we ensure a transit network and pedestrian network that improves moving people to regional job centers,” the ARC’s David Haynes said at Wednesday’s GRTA board meeting. Transit is slated to receive a significant portion of the region’s ...more
Pet euthanasia rates lower after new manager steps up adoptions, counseling
- Fewer dogs and cats are being euthanized in Fulton and DeKalb counties now that a non-profit organization hired last year is promoting adoption of animals and counseling for owners who had planned to abandon their pets. The euthanasia rates in February were about 14 percent in DeKalb and less than 25 percent in Fulton, according to Rebecca Guinn, executive director of LifeLine Animal Project. Historic highs have been near 85 percent at each facility. LifeLine has been able to reduce the destruction ...more
PEDS calls for safer pedestrian access to transit, provides toolkit for safety upgrades
- A new report by PEDS calls on transportation planners to make pedestrian safety as important a goal as congestion relief, particularly near transit stops. The report also includes a toolkit for improving pedestrian safety near transit stops. “We want safety to be a top priority, or as important as congestion relief,” Sally Flocks, PEDS president and CEO, said Sunday. Flocks is slated to present the report Thursday to the ARC’s Transportation and Air Quality Committee. PEDS will ask ARC to conduct a ...more