OUR YEAR-IN-REVIEW
2024 Progress Report
Selected highlights from the programs, projects, partnerships + experiences that defined the district
Introduction
We are reminded every time we look out the window that there are very few places in North America growing as fast as Midtown Atlanta.
In 2024, our leadership and staff continued the work to carry out Midtown's public life aspirations for more human connection on sidewalks and in public open spaces. Teaming up with property owners and MARTA, we introduced two new public spaces to Midtown's network, adding a combined 50K SF of rejuvenated space for people to gather. It was also a monumental year for experimentation with different programming, as we produced an ambitious schedule of 100+ free community events where everyone was welcome.
Working with the Midtown Improvement District, ATLDOT and other agency partners, Midtown Alliance staff were also engaged in delivering $40M of public improvement projects for a safer, more vibrant and multi-modal transportation network that works for everyone. It was a big year for construction that continues in 2025, with more concurrent projects underway in the district than at any time in our organization's history.
Midtown's Future
The experience of the last five years has shown the traditional forces that have attracted people, businesses, and investment to Midtown and other urban districts have changed, and these changes will likely continue.
This has opened a new window for our leadership and staff to examine priorities for the next several years. Beyond the core functions of keeping Midtown clean, safe, and welcoming to all, our planning effort has led us to three possible big moves that can help Midtown read more like a neighborhood – with a more engaging and human-scaled street-level environment and more reasons for people to be in Midtown, come early, stay late, and explore:
- Create more permanently protected open space that Midtown Alliance and the Midtown Improvement District can control, program, and activate as a signature destination. This space must be visible and well-located.
- Enhance our major transportation corridors to meet the needs of all users and protect pedestrians. Today, motor vehicles dominate these corridors – often going too fast. Many of these corridors are on Atlanta’s High-Injury Network – among the 10% of streets responsible for 75% of serious and fatal injuries.
- Strengthen Midtown’s retail environment and offerings. Midtown has experienced significant growth in new residents, which should equate to more retail customers. Still, there has been no coordinated retail strategy among different landlords, and retail vacancy currently sits at 20%, with some spaces vacant for years. Improving Midtown’s retail environment is essential to creating more reasons for people to be here.
Your Invitation
We invite you to read this summary of major accomplishments in 2024, detailing the work we're putting in on the ground every day to create an exceptional urban place.
Citybuilding is a team effort. Together with our many allies and collaborators, we have achieved many wins for Atlanta in 2024 that we can all be proud of. And there are many more wins visible on the horizon.
Thank you to our leadership, and to our public, private, nonprofit + civic partners, united in their commitment to putting the best version of Atlanta within reach for us all.
District Highlights
Development Growth
Midtown momentum continued at a torrid pace in 2024, with six major development projects opening their doors, creating new spaces for people to live, work and shop. In all, nearly 2,200 new apartment units were introduced into the market. These developments added a combined 65K SF of retail space to Midtown. And what could be metro Atlanta's last spec office for the foreseeable future came online with 530K SF of space.
New Jobs + Relocations
More new jobs arrived to Midtown. The growth in 2024 was led by agriculture industry giant Cargill, which opened a new tech outpost in Midtown that will add some 400 jobs. And the Atlanta-Journal Constitution made headlines of its own when it opened its new base of operations in the heart of the district, returning to its intown roots to invent the future of news media.
More Activity in the District
Activity in Midtown Atlanta buildings and on sidewalks continues to climb from the lows experienced during the pandemic. According to the latest data, more than 115K people spend time in the district on a typical day, down just -9% from previous highs. Of note: Midtown's residential population continues to surge, with college students emerging as a major driver for growth amid new residential developments that cater to students.
New Traffic Signals
Work in 2024 to improve safety on Midtown streets resulted in ten new traffic signals added throughout the district, including two new pedestrian-actuated signals at mid-block crossings. The $4.1M investment in these signals will reduce conflicts between pedestrians and motorists and help reduce vehicle speeds in areas with high foot traffic.
Big Bet on Colony Square
Developer Jamestown, best known in Atlanta for its landmark adaptive reuse project at Ponce City Market, completed a blockbuster real estate deal to purchase the updated Colony Square in Midtown and other assets that were managed by North American Properties' Atlanta office. NAP completed its $400M overhaul of Colony Square in 2021.
Tech Square III Rising
Featuring two mid-rise towers connected by a shared elevator, the Tech Square III project, slated to finish in 2026, will add 416,500 square feet of office and institutional space for research and collaboration. The site plan also includes a large outdoor plaza for street-level retail.
100+ Events in 2024
Midtown Alliance created more invitations for people to gather in outdoor public spaces, brought to life with events and programming. In all, the organization delivered 100+ free community events, from live music to family-friendly activities, movie nights under the stars and yoga instruction. These events drew thousands of attendees in all seasons and at locations throughout the district
New Updates to Zoning
Atlanta City Council passed updates to Midtown’s Special Public Interest (SPI-16) zoning ordinance in June. These changes will enhance Midtown’s public domain, supporting a more vibrant street-level experience, a healthier environment and improved accessibility. Among the new additions, the zoning updates allow for veterinary uses and more outdoor dining, and require parking decks to include compatible architectural features. The rules also require push-button activators to access entrances from the sidewalk.
New Places for People
Midtown Alliance delivered and activated two brand new public spaces in 2024. The next phase of the Midtown Art Walk, a pedestrian promenade with art at varying scales, was completed north of the Midtown MARTA station in partnership with MARTA and adjacent property owners. The segment features a vibrant mural developed in collaboration with Living Walls. The plaza on the north side of the North Avenue MARTA station was revitalized via a grant from Project for Public Spaces with a performance stage and artwork created by Norfolk Southern artist-in-residence Carla Contreras. Both spaces came alive in 2024 with a series of community events that brought people together.
WAC's Reimagined Front Yard
At Midtown Alliance's 2024 Annual Meeting, Woodruff Arts Center President and CEO Hala Moddelmog announced long-range plans to introduce $67M of improvements to the campus. The endeavor seeks to blend the 56-year-old campus into the surrounding street grid and create an inviting new entrance from Peachtree Street. The enhancements will also transform the underused Rich Auditorium into new performance stages and play spaces.
Southeast's Largest Outdoor Art Gallery
Expanding on its work dedicated to improving Atlanta’s most walkable neighborhood, Midtown Alliance launched the Southeast’s Largest Outdoor Art Gallery in 2024, featuring more than 200 works from talented professional and amateur artists displayed on light pole banners along Peachtree Street and other thoroughfares. Following a call for entries in early 2024, Midtown Alliance received hundreds of submissions from local artists and some outside Atlanta. The artists range from practicing professionals to hobbyists and students. Featured works shown on the banners range from oil paintings and photography to mixed media and illustration.
Streets Alive Returns to Peachtree
The City of Atlanta Department of Transportation organized several of the popular Atlanta Streets Alive events in 2024 on Peachtree Street, from Midtown to Downtown. Midtown streets are the largest public space in the district. And the event series helped people experience their community streets in a safer, healthier, more livable way. Midtown Alliance contributed programming and activities to the events, from public engagement and live music to the Midtown Passport program that introduced visitors to participating local businesses.
30 Years of Laughs
Since 1994, Whole World Improv Theatre has been Atlanta's flagship destination for improvisational comedy. The production operated out of many different venues before landing on Spring Street in Midtown. And as the district has grown, so has Whole World's following. Last fall, Whole World Improv Theatre celebrated 30 years of joy and laughter, with plans to keep audiences rolling in the aisles for many more to come. Whole World performs five improv shows weekly, on Thursday at 8 p.m. and Friday and Saturday at 8 and 10 p.m.
Young Professionals of Midtown
In 2024, Midtown Alliance launched a brand new initiative to foster authentic relationships, support professional growth, and positively impact the future of Midtown and our city. The Young Professionals of Midtown group offers a range of opportunities built on networking and civic participation. Members take part in educational and social events, and volunteer locally. Nearly 100 young professionals joined the group in its first 90 days.
Piedmont Park's 120th Birthday
The year marked Piedmont Park Conservancy's 35th anniversary, while Piedmont Park celebrated 120 years as a city park. There's a new effort underway with the City of Atlanta to lead the first comprehensive plan in 25 years for ATL's most visited park. The goal? To define the future of urban parks, set the standard for city parks in the Southeast and beyond, and reflect a diverse, growing, resilient Atlanta. Following extensive community input, the plan will be shared in 2025.
Improving the Public Right of Way in Midtown
Midtown Alliance works with the Midtown Improvement District and other partners to plan + deliver physical improvements for a safe, vibrant, accessible, and navigable urban district.
What sets our organization apart is that we put shovels in the ground to create new street connections, streetscapes and sidewalks, traffic signals, bike lanes, public plazas + other enhancements. Our team helps implement the projects that create an exceptional urban experience, in every dimension.
With over $40M worth of active investments, 2024 was a major year for constructing improvement projects in Midtown. In all, there were ten improvement projects underway in the district last year, with five continuing into 2025.
What We Achieved
- Delivered 10 new traffic signals across the district, augmenting safety for people on foot and in cars
- Continued annual sidewalk repairs and expanded Midtown's urban tree canopy, now totaling 3,000 street trees
- Facilitated Peachtree Visioning community engagement events to engage Midtown in planning the next chapter of Peachtree Street
- Substantially completed enhancements on Juniper and 5th Streets, with each being updated as Complete Streets featuring barrier-separated bike facilities, signalization, and more
- Broke ground on the 15th Street Extension, a brand new roadway that adds connectivity to Midtown's street grid and the nearby Arts Center MARTA station
- The 15th Street extension project was recognized for best practices at the Georgia Partnership for Transportation Quality 2024 Preconstruction Design Awards
Shaping the Vision for a More Balanced Peachtree Street
Peachtree Visioning Public Open House Event
Peachtree Visioning Public Open House Event
Midtown Alliance and its partners have been busy gathering community input and thinking big about the ways ATL’s signature street can be improved through design changes. The goals? Create a more vibrant street and safer conditions for everyone. Work in 2025 will include moving the initiative from concept to design and securing funding.
What’s Next
In 2025, we will continue our work to build out major projects, expanding community engagement opportunities, enhancing green spaces with more trees and maintaining sidewalks. Stay up to date on current and completed projects, timelines, and funding by visiting our project portal.
Juniper Street Complete Street
Juniper Street Complete Street
5th Street Complete Street
5th Street Complete Street
10th Street Bridge Multi-Modal Enhancements
10th Street Bridge Multi-Modal Enhancements
15th Street Extension (West Peachtree-Williams Street)
15th Street Extension (West Peachtree-Williams Street)
Spring Street (US-19) Complete Street
Spring Street (US-19) Complete Street
Hosting Events to Create Joy + Human Connection in Outdoor Public Spaces
Our Biggest Year Yet for Fun Community Events in Midtown’s Public Spaces
Public life is the shared experience of the city created by people as they live their lives outside of their homes, workplaces and cars. Making this experience the best it can be is a top priority of our work plan year after year. We focus on delivering a robust calendar of events with something for everyone – evening fitness after work, live music happy hours, monthly movie nights, weekend gatherings with neighbors and four-legged friends, and more ... so that everyone feels invited to participate in public life.
What We Achieved
- With the support of local partnerships, we produced over 100 community events that attracted thousands of attendees.
- Annual events like the high-energy Mutt Gala and the enchanting Parliament of Owls Lantern parade returned as community favorites.
- We launched two new public spaces – the Art Walk and North Avenue Plaza – with vibrant murals and bold programming, including a drag show, Hispanic festival, and holiday party.
- We continued to create new reasons to experience existing public spaces like the 10th Street Park and Arts District Plaza with live music each week throughout the spring and fall.
- We collaborated with local creators and curators to bring pop-up style vintage markets to Midtown and help bridge the gap between retail nodes.
What's Next
2025 will be bigger and better, with even more opportunities for you to get involved in the action and embrace public life in Midtown. Our event calendar is packed with events and experiences you can enjoy, from outdoor movie nights to yoga instruction and the return of the Midtown Mutt Gala. We cannot wait to see how public life evolves and how you'll become a part of it ... whether it's as an attendee, a volunteer, or a sponsor.
Midtown Atlanta was ground zero for good times and memorable experiences. These recap videos put you in the middle of the action to see the fun we had together in 2024:
The Midtown Art Walk came alive in October with a fun community event featuring a live recording of WABE's "What's Good Atlanta?" podcast and a variety show. View highlights from the event and join us for future programming
Hundreds of people gathered in Midtown Atlanta to admire costumed canines at the second-annual Mutt Gala, presented by Midtown Alliance. This playful riff on New York's stylish Met Gala brought Atlantans ... and their fashionable dogs ... together in the heart of the city for a unique opportunity to connect to Midtown and to each other.
Midtown Atlanta buzzed with excitement as 1,000+ people came together to mark the official opening of the Midtown Art Walk. The event showcased an artisan market, live music, delicious food, and a hilarious comedy show and an epic interactive sing-along led by Toronto-based musical duo Choir!Choir!Choir!
Streets are for creating community and having fun. Featuring paper lanterns and lively music, this parade is an amazing tradition you'll find only in Midtown ATL. Hear from some of the participants about their artwork and their good times.
How do you bring an empty plaza to life in the heart of Atlanta? Get a great group of partners together to reimagine it as a performance space decked out with amazing art. Welcome to Midtown's newest center of activity outside the North Avenue MARTA station.
Midtown Alliance was in overdrive to host community events in outdoor gathering spaces this year. And the work that our operations and supplemental public safety teams do is essential to making them run smoothly. Hear from the crews who sweat the details so you can have a good time.
Working with APD to Keep the District Safe
Crime in the Midtown Improvement District has fallen to record lows based on 27 years of data.
Midtown Atlanta remains one of the safest places in all of the city. We have worked with the Atlanta Police Department to compile and analyze crime data going back to 1998, when the population of workers, residents and visitors was a fraction of the 115K people who now spend time in the district each day. Read our latest report for more info.
Violent crime has declined -38% since 2020.
For year-end 2024, 8% of all crime in Midtown was violent crime, for a total of 55 incidents. Most of these incidents involve people who knew each other, a domestic conflict and/or an altercation that escalated. For the year, 42% of these incidents occurred between 11pm-5am.
Following a citywide rise in 2021, property crimes in Midtown have decreased by -49% over the past four years.
Property crime accounts for 92% of the crime in Midtown, with car break-ins and auto theft making up the largest portion of the property crimes. In 2024 these two categories alone totaled 58% of overall crime in the district.
Tracking Crime in the Midtown Improvement District
|
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
|
Homicide |
3 |
2 |
6 |
4 |
2 |
|
Rape/Sexual Assault |
6 |
3 |
2 |
4 |
1 |
|
Robbery - Commercial |
0 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Robbery - Residential |
4 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
|
Robbery - Pedestrian |
24 |
28 |
17 |
8 |
14 |
|
Aggravated Assault |
52 |
44 |
43 |
36 |
37 |
|
TOTAL VIOLENT CRIMES |
89 |
78 |
69 |
55 |
55 |
|
Burglary - Commercial |
35 |
17 |
25 |
16 |
21 |
|
Burglary - Residential |
11 |
18 |
13 |
18 |
18 |
|
Theft from Auto |
651 |
871 |
577 |
375 |
343 |
|
Larceny (Non-Vehicle) |
221 |
192 |
190 |
219 |
239 |
|
Auto Theft |
194 |
347 |
217 |
152 |
114 |
|
TOTAL PROPERTY CRIMES |
1,112 |
1,445 |
1,022 |
780 |
735 |
|
GRAND TOTAL |
1,201 |
1,523 |
1,091 |
835 |
790 |
Source: Atlanta Police Department
Elevating Midtown's Identity as Atlanta's Place for Public Art
Midtown’s growing public art program focuses on street-level activations that reinforce the district’s identity as Atlanta’s Heart of the Arts.
Midtown Alliance's "Heart of the Arts" program contributes to existing public art and placemaking efforts through strategic partnerships to generate more art and creative experiences at the street level. In 2024, Midtown Alliance worked with a range of partners:
Artist Residency Program Flourishes
We work with private property owners to bring vacant street-level spaces to life as studio spaces where talented multi-disciplinary artists create art and grow their practices.
The artists in our program were selected by a competitive application process and were provided with free studio space for 18 months. By embedding artists and creative entrepreneurs in our community, this program not only invests in Atlanta’s local arts economy, but also supports Midtown Alliance’s mission to foster vibrant public life by generating art and arts experiences for all to enjoy.
Our 2024 cohort of artists-in-residence produced new public art installations in the district:
"I Found My Future in the Wind" by Demetri Burke and Sayma Hossain
"I Found My Future in the Wind" by Demetri Burke and Sayma Hossain
"Everybody Loves the Sunshine" by Jamaal Barber
"Everybody Loves the Sunshine" by Jamaal Barber
This year's cohort also presented 10 studio events, which were attended by Midtown residents and visitors, as well as Atlanta's art community, artists, collectors and curators.
Open Studio Event at Emory's Studio Spaces on Peachtree Street
Open Studio Event at Emory's Studio Spaces on Peachtree Street
Public Art Partnerships Add More Vibrancy
Midtown Alliance delivered even more public art in 2024 that accentuated the area's network of plazas, sidewalks and open spaces. The 1.2 square mile district is home to the Southeast's largest concentration of outdoor public art.
"Electric Saturation" by Katey Truhn and Jessie Unterhalter
"Electric Saturation" by Katey Truhn and Jessie Unterhalter
"Samaras" by Carla Contreras
"Samaras" by Carla Contreras
Artwork from more than 100 professional and amateur artists is featured on street banners in the district
Artwork from more than 100 professional and amateur artists is featured on street banners in the district
Seasonal Lighting Expands for More Delight
The district's sidewalks come alive in winter with colorful lighting at 20+ sites along Peachtree Street. In all, visitors got to enjoy 121 street trees wrapped in lights + 25 giant Moravian stars that made for photo-worthy moments. The program has expanded each year since it began, backed by committed partners that host installations on their property.
Watch:
Get to know some of our collaborators in 2024 who raised the bar for exceptional art in Midtown:
Helping Commuters Find a Better Way to Work
Midtown Transportation is a crucial information resource for commuters, ensuring accessible, easy to navigate and safe trips for pedestrians, cyclists, transit riders and motorists.
In 2024, Midtown Transportation’s team of commuting experts tackled parking challenges, traffic congestion and environmental impact through commuter-focused programming, events, route planning and resources for commuters and residents in Midtown alike.
What We Achieved
- Hosted 70+ commuter-focused events and programming tailored to employer-based audiences, property managers, residents + commuters
- Created 70+ customized commuter route plans for workers interested in using alternatives to driving alone in traffic
- Attracted 900+ local participants to our Biketober and Midtown Walk Challenge events
- Led communication efforts about Xpress Bus route changes, highlighting rider experiences and impacts in local media outlets
- Tackled assignments including an updated bike storage inventory, a zoning/regulatory report for Midtown + a collaboration with the Atlanta Regional Commission to create a static bike route map and updated interactive map
Our transportation experts give presentations at workplaces throughout the year to help commuters learn about their options.
Our transportation experts give presentations at workplaces throughout the year to help commuters learn about their options.
Georgia Tech bicycle commuters brought home the hardware in the 2024 Biketober competition, winning first place.
Georgia Tech bicycle commuters brought home the hardware in the 2024 Biketober competition, winning first place.
What’s Next
Looking ahead, Midtown Transportation will guide the community through upcoming transportation changes this year, including a redesigned MARTA bus network, and new infrastructure. The Midtown community can look forward to Midtown Transportation’s annual programming, programs and public engagement opportunities to support Midtown’s evolving transportation needs.
Keeping Midtown
Clean + Green
Rain or shine, in all seasons, the Midtown Green crew works hard to ensure the district looks its very best. Team members are on duty seven days a week emptying trash, vacuuming debris out of the street, landscaping and performing maintenance tasks.
Midtown Green coordinates with the City of Atlanta and Georgia Power on issues affecting right-of-way access and operations issues. Regular monthly audits of streetlights have significantly decreased the number of nonfunctioning streetlights over the past few years
Midtown’s canopy of tree-lined streets is at the heart of what makes the district so beautiful. Midtown Alliance cares for the trees that line the public right-of-way, working with the City Arborist to assess their health and even relocate the ones that need more room to thrive. The overall number of street trees in Midtown has increased 25% from 2,200 trees a decade ago to 3,000 today.
Watch: On the job with Midtown Green
Midtown Green crew members talk about their experience on the ground and why they love what they do.
In 2024 alone, the team was responsible for:
- 400K lbs. of trash disposed of in the Midtown Improvement District
- 40K total square feet of parks, plazas and medians maintained daily
- 7K instances of graffiti and stickers/posters removed
Engaging the Community
Midtown functions at its very best when the people who spend time here feel connected to what's happening on the ground, and how they can get involved in the work of citybuilding.
400 Organizations Are Members
Midtown Alliance's membership program connects people to place. Membership offers many ways for Midtown businesses, property managers, nonprofits, workers and residents to participate in the work we do.
- 32 new member organizations joined Midtown Alliance in 2024
- The program boasts a 95% retention rate
- 50+ organizations sponsored Midtown Alliance's Annual Meeting
Member Events Opened Doors to Fun New Spaces + Meeting Others
Throughout the year, Midtown Alliance hosted special events to give members opportunities to build relationships with their neighbors in the district and ask our staff questions about improvement projects. The series offers members a chance to preview new spaces in Midtown that they might not otherwise have the occasion to visit.
Attendees mingle at the Mix-It-Up Midtown event at Alta Toro
Attendees mingle at the Mix-It-Up Midtown event at Alta Toro
Guests at the holiday mixer at The Shane Hotel
Guests at the holiday mixer at The Shane Hotel
Getting Our Passport Stamped in 2024
In 2024, the Midtown Passport collaboration with street-level businesses created a fun way to introduce visitors to all that Midtown has to offer. Attendees at local open street events were invited to pick up a listing of nearby businesses and visit them during the event to earn a stamp, which put them into drawings for prizes.
Keeping the Community Informed and Excited About Midtown's Future
From e-newsletter insights to social media and analog exhibits, our broad communications platform puts timely information and facts in the hands of the community.
- Readership for our Midtown Monthly e-newsletter reached a new high-water mark in 2024, growing to more than 20K subscribers
- We attracted nearly 750K total pageviews for the year on our flagship MidtownATL.com website, up 7% year-over-year
- Combined engagement on our social media channels grew to nearly 80K for the year, supported by 3.5M impressions
- More than 800 people attended our 2024 Annual Meeting
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens gave remarks at the 2024 Midtown Alliance Annual Meeting
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens gave remarks at the 2024 Midtown Alliance Annual Meeting
Guests viewed educational exhibits about Midtown Alliance's work at our community events.
Guests viewed educational exhibits about Midtown Alliance's work at our community events.
Our team works with maps and graphics to tell the story of Midtown's incredible growth.
Our team works with maps and graphics to tell the story of Midtown's incredible growth.
Our team worked with over 100 artists in 2024 to produce their artwork on street banners installed all around the district.
Our team worked with over 100 artists in 2024 to produce their artwork on street banners installed all around the district.
Remembering Midtown Community Leaders We Lost in 2024
We celebrate the lives well lived of two visionaries who each made their mark on the district.
Joe Bankoff (1945-2024)
Joe moved to Midtown in 1972 to practice law at King & Spalding. Over the next five-plus decades, Joe’s civic endeavors spanned a broad array, from leading and supporting the Atlanta region’s arts organizations and artists to educating and mentoring the next generation of international scholars, to seizing a public platform to detail the negative outcomes of partisan gerrymandering and a constructive path forward.
Joe held numerous leadership roles, including as CEO of the Woodruff Arts Center, chair of the Sam Nunn School for International Affairs at Georgia Tech, and he spent two decades on the Midtown Alliance Board and Executive Committee, including two terms as chair.
Susan Mendheim (1943-2024)
Susan Mendheim ran the Midtown Alliance from 1982 to 2011. In her 29 years at the helm, she brought vision and hard work together with a sense of urgency. Susan helped people see the future and created believers at a time when Midtown was far from a sure bet. What you see today is living proof and her living legacy.
Susan led the Blueprint Midtown effort that resulted in the largest rezoning in the city's history and catalyzed an era of tremendous growth, expressed in terms of population, economic development, new construction and many other variables. It is also noteworthy that she built and led a coalition of business and civic interests in an era when there were very few women leaders. Her tireless work helped create the momentum that continues to drive the district forward.
Financials
Guiding Investment in Midtown's Future
Midtown Alliance is funded through member dues, public and private grants, sponsorships and through the Midtown Improvement District for designated programs and projects.
The Midtown Improvement District (MID) was created as a Community Improvement District (CID) in 2000 when Midtown commercial property owners agreed to contribute additional property taxes to fund certain programs and projects (on public property in the Midtown Improvement District) above and beyond the basic level of city-provided services.
In the 25 years since this structure was created, the MID has raised more than $170M for investment in public-right-of-way improvement projects, from new streets and traffic signals to bike lanes and supplemental public safety and operations/ public plazas + more.
Looking Ahead
We’re standing at the threshold of a brand new year, filled with anticipation for more good things coming to Midtown Atlanta.
Here’s a rundown of more district-defining projects, events and shared wins we’re looking forward to seeing in 2025. Let’s go!
Getting Around
- Wrapping 5th Street Complete Street Enhancements: New bike lanes, signals and improvements for people walking along this busy corridor are coming together, with work focusing on the area near Tech Square.
- Completing Work on Juniper Street Upgrades: The project on the eastern edge of the Midtown Improvement District saw signal poles get installed, with street resurfacing and bike lane install coming next.
- Moving Dirt on the 15th Street Extension: When completed later this summer, the new street between Williams and West Peachtree streets will create more mobility options for people driving, walking, biking and connecting to MARTA.
- Forging Ahead on 10th Street Bridge Improvements: Top-side pedestrian, bicycle, vehicular and traffic operations features are coming to the bridge, a crucial link between Midtown and West Midtown that 35K people navigate daily.
- Bringing New Life to Spring Street (US/19): New upgrades including a barrier-separated bike lane, streetscaping and sidewalk improvements, are coming to the top end of Spring Street near SCAD and the Center for Puppetry Arts.
- Putting Shovels in the Ground for the Piedmont Complete Street: Improvements planned for this corridor will create a northbound pairing to complement Juniper Street improvements and make it easier to access Piedmont Park.
- Enjoying More Frequent Rail and Bus Service Intown: MARTA announced increased rail frequency on weekdays to every 10 minutes during peak hours (6-9am and 3-7pm), and every 12 minutes during midday hours. The #40 bus that runs on Peachtree Street between Midtown and Downtown will also see expanded service times.
- Riding in the New MARTA Railcars: Who isn’t excited to take a ride in the brand new railcars, complete with snazzy upgrades? Watch for updates from MARTA on when the new fleet will start streaking down the tracks.
Land Use and Development
- Walking Into More Brand New Buildings: New development that is scheduled to deliver in 2025 will add some 1,100 residential units and 15K SF of retail space, as Midtown’s momentum continues to surge.
- Getting a First Look at the City of Atlanta’s “Plan A” Comprehensive Plan: Informed by public input over the past year, the city’s updated vision for guiding land use, development, transportation and more in the years ahead will be shared in a first draft this spring.
Street-Level Experience
- Celebrating 25 Years of Improving Midtown: The Midtown Improvement District’s 25th anniversary takes place this year, a milestone that reflects the vision and strategic investment of property owners and the dynamic partnership between the public and private sectors for an exceptional urban experience on the ground.
- Experiencing 80+ Free Community Events Produced by Midtown Alliance: Get ready for more of the free outdoor events you love, from movie nights in 10th Street Park and live performances on the Midtown Art Walk to fitness classes on the North Avenue MARTA plaza. Watch for more info on dates soon!
- Petting Cute Costumed Dogs at the 3rd Annual Midtown Mutt Gala: This adorable social event has grown in magnitude each year we produce it, and 2025 will be the biggest one yet. Mark your calendar now: the 2025 Midtown Mutt Gala takes place Sunday, May 4.
- Gearing Up for More Biketober and Midtown Walk Challenge Events: Bolstered by strong participation from Midtown workers and residents, these fun and active challenge events are helping more people discover Midtown on foot and by bike … and win cool prizes. Is this the year that YOU will get involved?
- Showing Out for Parades: Streets are for more than just moving cars - they are also for hosting parades that bring people together. And Peachtree Street in Midtown Atlanta is the route of choice for a number of parades that celebrate the best of our city. Watch for details about the Atlanta St. Patrick’s Parade coming on Saturday March 15, Atlanta Pride Parade, Georgia Veteran’s Parade, Peachtree Road Race, the return of Atlanta Streets Alive and more.
Art! Everywhere!
- Welcoming New Artists in Residence and New Studio Spaces to Midtown: We’re getting ready to welcome a new cohort of artists in residence in 2025 - the third cohort for this program - and we cannot wait for you to meet them.
- Expanding the Southeast’s Largest Outdoor Art Gallery: Get ready for even more art to enjoy on Midtown’s street banners in 2025, the encore act to what we started last year that showcases hundreds of works from professional and amateur artists.
Community Dialog
- Bringing Young Professionals Together: Midtown Alliance’s “Young Professionals of Midtown” special interest group is now enrolling new members who want to expand their network and get involved in making Midtown an exceptional urban place. Get plugged in to events and volunteer opportunities all through the year.
- Rallying the Community at the 2025 Midtown Alliance Annual Meeting: More than 1,000 business and civic leaders attend this annual event to imagine the future of Midtown and find their role in it.
- Adding a Brand New Channel for Timely Communications to Keep You Informed: You asked. We listened. We’re starting a new text messaging channel in mid-2025 to send news and alerts related to Midtown. Stay tuned for sign up info.
- Applying What We’ll Learn from the 2025 Midtown Community Survey: Every three years, Midtown Alliance fields a survey to measure community priorities and feedback. The findings go a long way toward prioritizing our work. We’re fielding the next survey in the spring, with an ambitious goal to garner 5,500 responses. Can we count on you to help us out?
- Hearing from You, Whether It’s Praise or Constructive Feedback: Midtown Alliance wants to hear from you in 2025. Happy with the outcome of a project or service you received? Got suggestions on what we can do better? Questions about who to contact to resolve an issue? You can drop us a line at Info@MidtownATL.com and we’ll respond.
Cheers to a new year! Let's get started!
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