OUR YEAR-IN-REVIEW
2025 Progress Report
Selected highlights from the programs, projects, partnerships + experiences that defined the district.
INTRODUCTION
In Midtown Atlanta,
Bold Moves Ignite Transformation
It's the bold actions that truly set our city apart and raise the urban experience for us all. And there are examples everywhere of organizations and individuals that have taken risks to achieve something big. For the benefit of everyone. In many ways, 2025 felt like the start of the next chapter in citybuilding, marked by optimism about Midtown’s future and the decision to act boldly in the present.
Working Together to Create the Best Version of our City
We invite you to read this summary of major accomplishments in 2025, covering our work on the ground with committed partners to create an exceptional urban place.
Thank you to our leadership, and to our public, private, nonprofit + civic partners, working together to create the best version of our city – a bold version of the urban experience, for everyone.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Throughout 2025, Midtown was an epicenter for activity, milestones and changes on the ground - both big and small - that positively impact the city of Atlanta.
MID Marks 25 Years of Change on the Ground
In 2025, the Midtown Improvement District (MID) marked 25 years of transformation, relentlessly executing on a shared vision that has created a place where people and organizations want to be:
- Midtown could never have realized its potential without the financial support of the MID, which is funded by Midtown commercial property owners through a special assessment paid on properties.
- To date, the MID has raised and invested more than $170M in Midtown programs and projects in the public right-of-way that enhance the urban experience for everyone.
- The district has seen more than $22B of private investment in new development since 2000, from new office and apartment towers to private student housing, institutional space and more.
Creating a New Landmark Destination in Atlanta
For the first time ever, the MID and Midtown Alliance became partners in acquiring and improving a four-acre property at 98 14th Street that will become a premier public amenity in the years ahead, for everyone:
- Given the rapid pace of Midtown development, this was a "now or never" decision: within the 770-acre district, only 1.1 acres were permanently protected open space prior to the new acquisition.
- The property was acquired at about 40% below the average price per square foot for land sales in Midtown since 2020. It marks the first time a Community Improvement District in Georgia has moved to acquire land for a signature public space.
- Midtown Alliance is leading efforts to create a compelling design and cost estimate to construct a dynamic public amenity that leans into active uses and varied experiences all throughout the day.
Record Number of Public Improvement Projects Roll Forward
Working with the MID, the City of Atlanta and Federal and State agency partners, Midtown Alliance staff were engaged in advancing $16M of public improvement projects for a safer, more vibrant transportation network that works for all users.
- There are more concurrent public improvement projects underway in the district than at any time in our organization's history, from a new bike lane and traffic signals on Juniper Street to a brand new street connection at 15th Street, and more.
- For the capital projects Midtown Alliance advanced in 2025, 83% of those funds were leveraged from City, State, Regional, and Federal agency partners.
- The desired outcomes of this work are vital for Midtown’s transportation imperatives: creating safer conditions for the network’s most vulnerable users, adding more connectivity to transit, and more vibrancy to the street-level experience.
Crime Has Fallen to All-Time Record Lows in the District
Midtown Atlanta remains one of the safest places in the city. The district has now experienced three consecutive years of record-low crime, with each successive year in 2023, 2024 and 2025 lower than the prior year.
- Violent crime has declined -17% since 2021, with only 15 "stranger-on-stranger" crimes occurring last year in a district that hosts more than 100K people daily.
- Property crimes have decreased by -49% over the past four years, following highs in 2021 driven by theft from auto and stolen autos that mirrored citywide trends.
- The Midtown Blue supplemental public safety program is among the most robust programs of its kind in the Southeast, built on a longstanding partnership with Atlanta Police Department, other law enforcement agencies and private security providers.
Strengthening Participation in Midtown
In 2025, our team created more invitations for people to gather, get involved in our work, and make memories together in the heart of the city:
- We produced 80+ community events that attracted thousands of attendees, from live music performances and outdoor yoga instruction to town hall events and public open house meetings packed with updates about our work.
- Our commuter outreach team helped commuters navigate changes to Xpress and MARTA operations as part of their ongoing work with nearly 70 Midtown employers and property managers.
- The 2025 Midtown Community Survey, a critical tool for tracking changes in sentiment and priorities for the district, achieved a record response rate from nearly 5,000 residents, workers and visitors (+23% vs. prior survey).
- Young Professionals of Midtown (YPM) marked its first year with 100+ members, connecting emerging and mid-career professionals who want to grow their careers while making a tangible impact in Midtown.
District Highlights
All across the district, Midtown Alliance's many partners contributed their own achievements to advancing our shared vision for an exceptional urban experience:
- New development activity continued in 2025 with the third phase of Tech Square and Atlanta's tallest building in 30 years climbing skyward, creating new spaces for living, learning and commerce.
- More employers announced plans to move and expand into Midtown, including global accounting firm EY (3K jobs), the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, transportation engineering firm HNTB, and others.
- A number of Midtown arts and cultural partners made strides toward expansion and facility updates, including the Woodruff Arts Center, Atlanta Botanical Garden and the Piedmont Park Conservancy.
Looking Ahead
Midtown continues to ride phenomenal momentum heading into 2026, with district-defining improvements projects advancing for a better transportation network, more community events that draw us together, new public art installations, the FIFA World Cup 2026, several milestone anniversaries among local arts and cultural partners, and lots more.
MILESTONE ANNIVERSARY
Midtown Improvement District Marks 25 Years of Transformation
One of the most important catalysts for Midtown Atlanta’s transformation reached its 25th year of operation in 2025.
The Midtown Improvement District (MID) is the Community Improvement District for the 1.2 square-mile core of Midtown. It invests in public improvement projects, public safety through the Midtown Blue program, keeping the district looking great with Midtown Green, and a host of other programs and projects.
Leaders discuss the Blueprint Midtown community master plan in the 1990s.
Leaders discuss the Blueprint Midtown community master plan in the 1990s.
Moving the Blueprint to Action
In the late 1990s, Midtown Alliance engaged the community in Blueprint Midtown, a forward-looking exercise to create a bold vision for what the then-disinvested area could become. Thousands of participants gave voice to how they thought Midtown should function and feel, from building design to transportation and more. The mandate was clear: community members wanted a walkable, mixed-use, urban place with qualities that still made it feel like a neighborhood.
The community vision was cast. But Midtown could never have realized that vision without the financial support of the Midtown Improvement District. The MID is funded by Midtown commercial property owners through a special assessment paid on properties.
Before and after improvements on Peachtree at 5th Street.
Before and after improvements on Peachtree at 5th Street.
The MID’s Undeniable Financial Impact on Midtown
To date, the MID has raised and invested more than $170M in Midtown programs and projects. And all of this work on the ground has attracted unprecedented investment: since 2000, the district has seen more than $22B of private investment in new development, all concentrated in this 1.2 square mile area.
In addition, more than 30K jobs have been announced for Midtown by way of expansion or relocation since 2015. And the district’s residential population has increased 5X since 2000, now approaching 30K residents.
For the capital projects Midtown Alliance advanced in 2025, 83% of those funds were leveraged from City, State, Regional, and Federal agency partners.
We are not aware of any U.S. urban district that has delivered a comparable amount of mixed-use private development at this scale and in such a concentrated area.
Supplemental Public Safety and Operations Teams Augment City Resources
The MID also invested in hiring off-duty APD officers to spend extra time patrolling in Midtown, a program that began in 2000 and has operated continuously ever since. In 2015, the Midtown Blue program was expanded to add civilian public safety officers to address quality of life issues and build relationships with property managers and business owners. Between 1998 and 2025, violent crime in Midtown declined -72% and property crime is down -71%, even as the number of people who live in, work in and visit Midtown has more than tripled in that time.
This model for cooperation between the private sector and the public sector has transformed the Midtown urban experience over 25 years, and we're excited for what the next 25 years will bring.
98 14TH STREET
From Empty Space to Essential Place
For decades, Midtown Alliance and the Midtown Improvement District (MID) have delivered an incredible range of physical improvements to almost every corner of the district … all without owning so much as a square inch of land.
But that changed in 2025, when the MID’s Board of Directors announced the acquisition of a prime four-acre land site at 98 14th Street with plans to create a permanent signature public space in the heart of Atlanta. The property was acquired for $46M, about 40% below the average price per square foot for land sales in Midtown since 2020.
Located between Peachtree and West Peachtree Streets on 14th Street, the site is one of the last undeveloped parcels of its size in Midtown, and is strategically located in the largest concentration of arts and cultural attractions in the Southeast, reachable for more than 44,500 workers, residents, students, and visitors within a seven-minute walk.
Now or Never
Leadership viewed this as a generational opportunity to preserve land forever and create a signature amenity for Midtown and our city. And given the rapid pace at which Midtown has been developing, this was seen as a “now or never” move: until this land acquisition, the 770-acre district previously had only 1.1 acres of permanently protected public open space.
Leaders discuss the strategic imperatives for design at a planning meeting.
Leaders discuss the strategic imperatives for design at a planning meeting.
This marks the first time a Community Improvement District in Georgia has moved to acquire land to build a signature public space.
Getting to Work
After the land sale was finalized, work in 2025 began in earnest to find a stellar design team for concept development, formulate a fundraising strategy, and draft plans for an interim-use phase that can make the site ready for public use in 2026.
Midtown Alliance selected global design firm Field Operations to lead the design efforts, concluding a search process that drew proposals from nearly 50 international, national, and local design teams.
Field Operations is the firm that designed the High Line in New York, as well as South Park Plaza at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London, Domino Park in Brooklyn, and Tongva Park in Santa Monica, among others.
Field Operations is leading a multi-disciplinary design team initially responsible for developing concept designs, renderings, and cost estimates. The team’s work will continue into final design as Midtown Alliance prepares to launch a philanthropic capital campaign in early 2026.
Staff and subject matter experts discuss design aims at a working group meeting.
Staff and subject matter experts discuss design aims at a working group meeting.
Coming in 2026
In the months ahead, interim site improvements -- including grading, leveling, and installation of a temporary lawn for pop-up events -- are anticipated to be implemented in 2026. These temporary improvements will allow the site to be used for public programming until construction begins on the permanent amenities.
Staff share plans for temporary site improvements at a community town hall meeting.
Staff share plans for temporary site improvements at a community town hall meeting.
Midtown Alliance expects to share concept renderings and preliminary cost estimates by Spring 2026.
Parallel with developing shovel-ready plans, Midtown Alliance will engage in a capital campaign to raise the funds to build the park. But we are fortunate to start with $46M of wind in our sails as the MID has now acquired the property and has funded interim site improvements.
Stay in the Loop
Be sure to subscribe to our monthly e-newsletter and follow us on social media for updates. We’re excited to get started and design and deliver a public place that reflects the spirit and pride of Atlanta.
CAPITAL PROJECTS
Improving the Public Right of Way in Midtown
We work with City of Atlanta and other partners to plan and deliver physical improvements for a safer, more vibrant, accessible, and more navigable urban district.
Midtown Alliance is unique in that our organization puts shovels in the ground to create new street connections, streetscapes and sidewalks, traffic signals, crosswalks, bike lanes, public plazas, and other enhancements. Our team helps implement the projects that create an exceptional urban place.
What We Accomplished
With $16.5M in total spending on major capital projects, 2025 was a very active year for creating improvements in Midtown.
In all, there were six major projects underway in the district last year, with four continuing into 2026.
This is the heaviest lift of concurrent capital projects that we have ever advanced as an organization.
- Delivered nearly two miles of new protected bike lanes on 5th Street and Juniper Street
- Added new traffic signals at key intersections in the district, which improves safety for people walking and biking as well as motorists
- 400th sidewalk repair completed in 2025, bringing the MID’s total investment in our annual Sidewalk Improvement Program to $1.8M over the past decade
- 3,000 trees maintained within the public right-of-way as part of our annual program, which continues to expand
- Midtown Alliance was recognized for best practices in transportation planning at the Georgia Institute of Transportation Engineers 2025 Annual Meeting
What’s more, 83% of the funds for this work are leveraged from agency partners for which the MID provides matching grants to access public funding. The team completed construction on the 5th Street Complete Street and its longest corridor project ever, the Juniper Complete Street project, spanning 12 city blocks.
What's Next
In 2026, we will continue our work to build out major projects, expanding community engagement opportunities, enhancing green spaces with more trees, and maintaining sidewalks.
Construction continues on the 15th Street Extension, Spring Street/US-19 Streetscape, 10th Street Bridge project, and the Piedmont Avenue Complete Street project.
New projects entering Procurement include the installation of a barrier-separated bike lane on West Peachtree Street (Linden Ave to 17th Street) and Spring Street (17th Street to 3rd Street), and improvements on 15th Street (Piedmont Ave to West Peachtree Street).
In addition, we plan to continue the planning phase for safety enhancements on Peachtree Street to address pedestrian and vehicular safety issues, illegally parked vehicles blocking traffic flow, and improve vitality along its sidewalks.
The desired outcomes of this work are important for Midtown’s transportation imperatives: creating safer conditions for the network’s most vulnerable users, more connectivity to transit, and adding more vibrancy to the street-level experience.
All of these projects are funded by a mix of federal, state, city, private, and Midtown Improvement District (MID) funds. Stay up to date on current and completed projects, timelines, and funding by visiting our project portal.
Lane markings being applied to the dedicated bike lane on Juniper Street.
Lane markings being applied to the dedicated bike lane on Juniper Street.
5th Street Complete Street rendering
5th Street Complete Street rendering
Completed 5th Street bikeway
Completed 5th Street bikeway
Juniper Street Complete Street features a barrier-separated bike lane.
Juniper Street Complete Street features a barrier-separated bike lane.
Juniper Street Complete Street street paving
5th Street Complete Street
When constructed, the 15th Street Safe Street will create new connections for cyclists between Piedmont Avenue and Williams Street.
When constructed, the 15th Street Safe Street will create new connections for cyclists between Piedmont Avenue and Williams Street.
The 15th Street Extension is delivering a new street connection where none exists today, connecting between West Peachtree and Williams Streets.
The 15th Street Extension is delivering a new street connection where none exists today, connecting between West Peachtree and Williams Streets.
Spring Street US 19 bike lane and apron construction.
Spring Street US 19 bike lane and apron construction.
District Highlights
AJC Offices Move to Midtown to Invent the Future of the News Industry
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution returned to the heart of the city in 2025, opening its offices in Cousins' Promenade Central building in Midtown. “This move represents more than just a change of address. It’s a significant step in our ongoing transformation,” said Andrew Morse, president and publisher of the AJC. “The AJC’s new home, in the heart of Midtown, is a manifestation of our commitment to the city of Atlanta and the community we serve.”
Atlanta Botanical Garden's $160M Expansion
After nearly a decade of planning, the Atlanta Botanical Garden announced it would break ground on its eight-acre expansion. Upon completion, the Atlanta Beltline will have a direct connection to the Garden. Set to be completed by 2027, the ambitious project is a part of the Atlanta Botanical Garden’s plan to redefine urban connectivity, cementing Atlanta’s goals to become a walkable city ready for a sustainable future.
Piedmont Park Announces Major Expansion Plans
The Piedmont Park Conservancy announced details for it first comprehensive plan in 25 years. The plan includes a major expansion at Piedmont Avenue and Monroe Drive, a full restoration of Lake Clara Meer, a redesigned Active Oval and the new Clear Creek Walk — a nature-based corridor aimed at enhancing north-south connectivity. The Conservancy will embark on a capital campaign in 2026 to fund these improvements.
Accounting Firm EY Announces Relocation to Midtown
Global accounting firm EY announced it will move 3,000 workers from its Atlanta office in 2026 to Portman's new 1020 Spring office building in Midtown. The impending move is among the largest recent corporate relocations in Atlanta, and a signal that Midtown’s office market is outperforming other parts of the city as employers seek out quality spaces. In the past decade, more than 30K new jobs have been announced for Midtown.
Rising Enrollment Spurs New Housing Investment
New development activity continues to shape Midtown’s population growth. And student housing projects made up a sizable amount of the activity in Midtown in 2025. The category barely existed 10 years ago. There were about 400 private student housing bedrooms in the district in 2014. Today there are nearly 6,000. And that figure is projected to grow by 2027 to more than 10,000.
City Announces Innovative Affordable Housing Over Fire Station No. #15
The City of Atlanta has announced plans to build dozens of affordable housing units in Midtown as part of a residential project that will create 282 apartments above Fire Rescue Station No. 15 on 10th Street. When realized, this project will contribute toward Mayor Andre Dickens' goal to preserve or add 20,000 affordable housing units by 2030.
In-House Design Competition Dreams Big for New Park
The staff at TVS engage in an annual design competition to sharpen their skills and grow professionally. Their 2025 competition came together serendipitously around the 98 14th Street site when a colleague asked about “that empty site next door … the one with the big hole in the ground.” Developed over six months, the TVS effort created a studio-like environment reminiscent of design school — with pin-ups, boards, models, and critiques — that helped Midtown Alliance staff think big about what's possible at the site.
Suspended Spectrum Shimmers Overhead
In 2025, Midtown Alliance collaborated with arts facilitator Dash and artists Whitney and Micah Stansell on a dynamic public art installation suspended over the sidewalk along Peachtree Place. Their Suspended Spectrum captures the changing nature of light, time, and the spaces we move through, creating a dynamic environment where color and form shift with the passing hours. The installation became one of the most photographed places in all of the district.
Woodruff Arts Center Starts Campus Updates
Last year, the Woodruff Arts Center broke ground on a $67M improvement project to update its frontage on Peachtree Street and create the Goizueta Stage for Youth & Families. The updates will serve even more children and families, from new play areas for young people to expanded space for performances, rehearsals, events and galas.
Atlanta Streets Alive on Peachtree Street
The City of Atlanta and ATLDOT led three incredible Atlanta Streets Alive events on Peachtree Street in Midtown over the course of 2025, which were attended by tens of thousands of people. These community-centered “block party” events provided an essential forum for people to connect and experience their city in a new way: by exploring Atlanta’s signature street safely on foot, by bike and other modes of active transportation.
Fox Theatre Wins “Theatre of the Year” Award
The Fox Theatre brought home the International Entertainment Buyers Association’s prestigious “Theatre of the Year” award in 2025. This honor recognizes the Fox Theatre’s commitment to excellence in programming, hospitality and audience experience, further cementing its reputation as one of the nation’s most iconic venues. The Fabulous Fox welcomes more than 600,000 guests annually and generates over $50M in ticket sales.
56th Annual Peachtree Road Race Runs Through Midtown Atlanta
More than 53,000 runners took to the streets of Atlanta for the world's largest 10K road race, making it the largest field since before the pandemic. Every year, this fun event reminds us that streets can do more than just move cars: they can bring out the best in community spirit.
Rockefeller Group's 1072 West Peachtree Tower Climbs Skyward
In development news, Atlanta's tallest skyscraper in 30 years made substantial progress in 2025, with the building's leadership team celebrating the topping out ceremony high above Midtown in the fall. When completed in 2026, the 60-story, mixed-use 1072 West Peachtree building will include 224K SF of office space, 350 residential units and 6,300 SF of retail.
Tech Square III Opens its Doors at West Peachtree and 5th Streets
Georgia Tech's latest expansion in the bustling Tech Square corridor completed its build-out, featuring 400K SF of office and institutional space and 12K SF of retail. This latest addition further expands Georgia Tech’s academic and innovation footprint, where teaching, research, and applied problem-solving happen side by side. The new space will become home base for graduate and executive business programs in the Scheller College of Business and the future H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering.
1020 Spring Brings Mixed-Use Energy with Leasing Wins
Following its opening in early 2025, Portman's Spring Quarter development welcomed its first two restaurants: Chef Fuyuhiko Ito’s Celestia, a cocktail bar and lounge, and ISHIN, an adjacent omakase counter. Spring Quarter’s upcoming restaurants include Habaneros, Japanese restaurant Sozou, Pataaka, and a restaurant concept that would be located inside the historic H.M. Patterson & Son-Spring Hill Chapel. Spring Quarter currently houses the 1020 Spring office tower and Sora, a luxury residential community with ground-floor retail.
Engineering Firm HNTB Moves to Midtown
Transportation engineering firm HNTB moved into its new Midtown office in 2025, coming from Downtown Atlanta. The firm took three floors in the 14th and Spring office tower. “The office is in a vibrant part of the community with multimodal access, including quick access to MARTA and walkable retail and restaurants nearby,” the company said in its statement. “We are pleased to provide a dynamic work environment for our current and future employees to enable them to grow and develop in their careers.”
Law Firm Reed Smith Sets Up Shop in Midtown
The leadership team at global law firm Reed Smith announced in 2025 their impending move to Midtown, taking 34K SF of space at 10th and Spring. The Atlanta office will serve as a strategic hub for Reed Smith’s practices across litigation, corporate, finance, and emerging industries, reinforcing the firm’s ability to deliver premier legal services to clients throughout the Southeast and beyond. The firm cited Midtown's thriving nexus of innovation, commerce and culture as a deciding factor in their move.
Remembering an Icon:
Tom Cousins (1931-2025)
Midtown Alliance celebrates the life and achievements of Atlanta real estate developer Tom Cousins, who passed away in 2025. His vision and leadership were instrumental in shaping our city's skyline, including the Bank of America Plaza in Midtown. And his philanthropic work changed the trajectory of Atlanta's East Lake community. Cousins was also instrumental in bringing NBA and NFL franchises to Atlanta. (Image courtesy of Cousins Properties)
COMMUNITY EVENTS + PROGRAMMING
Strengthening Community Bonds in Midtown's Outdoor Public Spaces
In 2025, our team created more invitations for people to gather and make memories together in the heart of the city.
Our robust calendar of 80+ events offered something for everyone – from evening fitness classes after work to live music, movie screenings under the stars, weekend pop-up shopping, campy canine couture for dog lovers, and lots more.
With a focus on cultivating strategic partnerships, these experiences helped advance Midtown's economic aims, attracting thousands of attendees.
For example, the third-annual Midtown Mutt Gala drew more than 1,500 people, a 40% increase in attendance versus the year prior and outgrew the 10th Street Park, spilling onto a temporarily closed Peachtree Street. And weekly yoga instruction saw attendance grow +35% vs. 2024.
New Event Collaborators Supported the Local Economy
More than 50 Midtown businesses and arts organizations partnered with Midtown Alliance last year to support programming and increase event visibility. We hosted over 100 local vendors at various pop-up markets during the year and promoted food and beverage specials at Midtown restaurants and bars at our events.
What's Next
2026 will provide 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, including all-new programming destined for the 98 14th Street greenspace, which will be leveled and graded this year to accommodate a grass lawn during an interim phase.
We’d love for you to be involved in our community events in 2026 ... whether it's as an attendee, a volunteer, or a sponsor.
Say Cheese!
Midtown Atlanta was a hot destination for good times and memorable experiences in 2025. Check out these pictures and videos from our events:
Watch this replay from the 2025 Midtown Mutt Gala, a costume contest for dogs inspired by the Met Gala that celebrates Midtown's thriving population of pups and fashion.
As part of its 2025 community programming, Midtown Alliance hosted an outdoor pop-up Earth Day market featuring local vendors and environmentally sustainable products.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Working with APD to Keep the District Safe
Midtown Atlanta remains one of the safest places in all of the city. Crime in the Midtown Improvement District has fallen to record lows based on nearly 30 years of data.
Working closely with APD, we have compiled and analyzed crime data dating back to 1998, when the population of workers, residents and visitors was a fraction of the 100K people who now spend time in the district each day.
Three Straight Years of Record-Low Crime
2025 marked the 25th year of Midtown Blue operations, reinforcing a strong and longstanding partnership with Atlanta Police Department, other law enforcement agencies and private security providers. Midtown Blue currently delivers 600+ hours of supplemental patrols each week.
The district has now experienced three straight years of record-low crime, with each successive year in 2023, 2024 and 2025 lower than the prior year.
Violent Crime has Declined -17% Since 2021
For year-end 2025, nine percent of all crime in Midtown was violent crime, for a total of 65 incidents. More than 75% these incidents involve people who knew each other, a domestic conflict and/or an altercation that escalated. 68% of violent crime happened indoors (hotel rooms, apartments, bars, etc).
Following a Citywide Rise in 2021, Property Crimes in Midtown Have Decreased by -55% Over the Past Five Years
Property crime accounts for 91% of the crime in Midtown, with car break-ins and auto theft making up the largest portion of the property crimes. In 2025 these two categories alone totaled 66% of overall crime in the district.
Tracking Crime in the Midtown Improvement District
|
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
|
|
Homicide |
2 |
6 |
4 |
2 |
2 |
|
Rape/Sexual Assault |
3 |
2 |
4 |
1 |
3 |
|
Robbery - Commercial |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
|
Robbery - Residential |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
|
Robbery - Pedestrian |
28 |
17 |
8 |
14 |
13 |
|
Aggravated Assault |
44 |
43 |
36 |
37 |
41 |
|
TOTAL VIOLENT CRIMES |
78 |
69 |
55 |
55 |
63 |
|
Burglary - Commercial |
17 |
25 |
16 |
21 |
23 |
|
Burglary - Residential |
18 |
13 |
18 |
18 |
7 |
|
Theft from Auto |
871 |
577 |
375 |
343 |
346 |
|
Larceny (Non-Vehicle) |
192 |
190 |
219 |
239 |
190 |
|
Auto Theft |
347 |
217 |
152 |
114 |
80 |
|
TOTAL PROPERTY CRIMES |
1,445 |
1,022 |
780 |
735 |
646 |
|
GRAND TOTAL |
1,523 |
1,091 |
835 |
790 |
709 |
Source: Atlanta Police Department
MIDTOWN TRANSPORTATION
Helping Commuters Find a Better Way to Work
Our Midtown Transportation team helps commuters and workplaces navigate transit with ease, improve pedestrian and cyclist safety, and reduce employee parking demand and costs through expert consulting at no cost.
Staff discuss commute options in a presentation at a Midtown workplace.
Staff discuss commute options in a presentation at a Midtown workplace.
This year, we advanced sustainable mobility and strengthened commuter support across Midtown by partnering with the district’s largest employers to bolster their return-to-office efforts. Our program delivered trial transit passes, employee information sessions, transit and parking maps, and other practical tools.
We also expanded safe and convenient cycling, led a rider-focused outreach campaign for the Xpress bus network redesign, and energized active transportation culture through our Bike to Work Week and Midtown Walk Challenge events.
Staff attending an event to promote sign-ups for the 2025 Midtown Walk Challenge.
Staff attending an event to promote sign-ups for the 2025 Midtown Walk Challenge.
By The Numbers:
67
Commuter events held with Midtown employers
65+
employer and property manager partners assisted by our team in 2025
12,546
submissions (photos, videos, trivia answers) received from registrants who went out on foot to discover the district during the 2025 Midtown Walk Challenge
13
new on-street bike racks installed in Midtown at high-traffic locations
Staff from Midtown Alliance greet bike commuters at a Bike to Work Week event.
Staff from Midtown Alliance greet bike commuters at a Bike to Work Week event.
What's Next
In 2026, Midtown Transportation’s experts will continue to address parking, congestion, and environmental impact through commuter-focused programs, events, and route-planning resources for both workers and residents. Working with partners, our team will help guide the community through upcoming transportation changes, including a redesigned MARTA bus network and new infrastructure while continuing to deliver engaging programs that support Midtown’s evolving mobility needs.
At an event in Midtown, cyclists review a map about effective bike routes.
At an event in Midtown, cyclists review a map about effective bike routes.
ARTS + ACTIVATION
Creating Shared Wins Between Midtown Property Owners, Local Artists + the Community
For several years, Midtown Alliance has led an innovative program that builds on the district’s strong arts identity as a defining characteristic of the urban experience.
Bringing together the shared interests of property owners, local artists, and the community, Midtown Alliance’s artist residency program transforms vacant storefronts along key Midtown corridors into active studio workspaces for artists.
During Atlanta Streets Alive, Midtown Alliance hosted an Open Studio event to invite the public in and speak with the artists who work there.
During Atlanta Streets Alive, Midtown Alliance hosted an Open Studio event to invite the public in and speak with the artists who work there.
Looking Ahead
Each participating artist in residence is currently working on a site-specific installation that will enhance Midtown’s public art offerings, which currently total nearly 80 murals and sculptures inside a square mile of the city. In addition, watch for more Open Studio events throughout the year to bring the public inside the spaces, meet the artists, and learn about what they are creating.
A New Interpretation of Ophelia on Peachtree Street
In 2025, program alumnus Demetri Burke installed a new mural, What We May Be, on the south façade of Shakespeare Tavern. Taking inspiration from Shakespeare, the artwork draws from a line spoken by the character Ophelia in Hamlet, "We know what we are, but not what we may be." Burke's artwork celebrates the long-time presence of a Midtown arts institution, Shakespeare Tavern, and adds vibrancy to the sidewalk across from Emory Hospital.
Artists Demetri Burke paints a mural on a building facade along Peachtree Street in Midtown.
Artists Demetri Burke paints a mural on a building facade along Peachtree Street in Midtown.
Meet Our 2025-26 Artists in Residence:
In 2025, the program welcomed five new artists to Midtown thanks to partnerships with All Saints Episcopal Church and Emory. Having artists work in proximity to one another reinforces the potential for meaningful collaboration, and the critical mass of street-level studios around the area south of North Avenue increases the vibrancy in this part of Midtown.
Gavin Bernard
Gavin Bernard
Charity Hamidullah
Charity Hamidullah
Nicole Kang Ahn
Nicole Kang Ahn
Masela Nkolo
Masela Nkolo
Aysha Pennerman
Aysha Pennerman
By creating space and opportunities for artists to create work in Midtown, the Heart of the Arts Residency Program generates a growing volume of artwork for Midtown’s public spaces and sparks district-wide conversations about our community’s shared vision for Midtown.
MIDTOWN GREEN
Midtown Green team member drives the ATLV to clean the streets.
Midtown Green team member drives the ATLV to clean the streets.
Keeping Midtown Clean + Green
Constant care and attention by Midtown Alliance’s full-time landscaping and maintenance operation keeps the Midtown Improvement District clean and inviting.
Our team goes the extra mile to keep Midtown attractive and prides itself on quick responsiveness to businesses, residents, institutions, and attractions. Team members are on duty seven days a week emptying trash, vacuuming debris out of the street, performing landscaping duties, and tackling maintenance tasks.
Midtown Green team members discuss plan for a clean up.
Midtown Green team members discuss plan for a clean up.
Coordinated Response to Spot and Resolve Issues
Midtown Green also 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 in recent years, improving safety and visibility throughout Midtown.
Midtown Green team member parks vehicle to clean up litter at Commercial Row Commons.
Midtown Green team member parks vehicle to clean up litter at Commercial Row Commons.
In 2025 alone, the team was responsible for:
433K lbs.
of trash disposed of in the Midtown Improvement District
40K
total square feet of parks, plazas, and medians maintained daily
5K
individual graffiti, stickers, and signs/posters removed
A Midtowner walks their dog under the lush Midtown tree canopy.
A Midtowner walks their dog under the lush Midtown tree canopy.
Point of Pride: Maintaining a Flourishing Tree Canopy in the City
Midtown’s canopy of tree-lined streets are central to the district’s beauty and character. Midtown Alliance stewards all trees that line the public right-of-way, working with our consulting arborist to monitor tree health and nutrition, and when necessary, replace dead or declining trees, and prune trees for better structure so they have the space they need to thrive. As a result of this long-term care and investment, Midtown’s street tree canopy has grown by 25% over the past decade -- from 2,200 trees to more than 3,000 today.
MEMBERSHIP + COMMUNICATIONS
2025: Delivering Participatory Projects that Got Thousands of People Involved and Contributing
Midtown thrives when the people who spend time here feel connected -- to one another, to what’s happening on the ground, and to how they can participate in shaping the district’s future.
In 2025, Midtown Alliance delivered hands-on programs that brought thousands of people into the work of citybuilding. We welcomed new member organizations, including major employers, office and residential properties, and local retailers, bringing our membership to nearly 400 organizations with a 95% annual member retention rate.
Bringing Members Together
Throughout the year, Midtown Alliance convened members through special events designed to foster relationships, showcase new and evolving spaces, and provide direct access to staff leading improvement projects across the district.
Attendees mingle at a membership event held at Emilio's Tacos and Tequila.
Attendees mingle at a membership event held at Emilio's Tacos and Tequila.
Survey Says ...
2025 Midtown Community Survey radial graph, which summarizes how respondents describe Midtown.
2025 Midtown Community Survey radial graph, which summarizes how respondents describe Midtown.
Conducted every three years, the Midtown Community Survey is a critical tool for tracking changes in sentiment and priorities for the district. In 2025, the survey achieved a record response rate, with nearly 5,000 residents, workers, and visitors participating -- an increase of 23% over 2022. Here are some of the key takeaways:
- Strong Support and Sense of Community
Midtown continues to earn high marks from the people who live and work here. 95% percent of respondents say Midtown is a great place to be, and a comparably high share report a strong sense of community.
- Clear Direction on Transportation Investment
The community remains firmly aligned around people-focused infrastructure. 98% of respondents prioritize future investment in walkability, with strong support for transit and cycling, compared to just 43% who prioritize investment in motor vehicles. This trend toward placing higher priority on projects that open more access for walking, transit and biking has been consistent across more than a decade's worth of community surveys informed by thousands of respondents.
- Shifting Work Patterns
Midtown is still adapting to hybrid work. 70% of respondents report working a hybrid schedule, typically three days per week in the office. Notably, 25% now work in the office full-time - an increase of 7 percentage points, or 30% since 2022.
- Room to Grow as a Retail Destination
While dining options remain a clear strength - cited positively by 87% of respondents - only 37% feel Midtown offers a strong range of shopping options, underscoring an opportunity for continued retail growth.
- Quality of Life and Safety Perceptions
Nearly one in five respondents expressed safety concerns while using Midtown’s transportation network, including pedestrian conflicts with cars, bikes and scooters on sidewalks and at crosswalks, speeding vehicles, and illegally stopped cars in travel lanes. We continue to build out physical improvements to get scooters and bikes off sidewalks, address illegally parked vehicles blocking travel lanes, and to slow down speeding vehicles.
Midtown Alliance and Metro Atlanta Chamber execs answer questions from young professionals at an event.
Midtown Alliance and Metro Atlanta Chamber execs answer questions from young professionals at an event.
Activating the Next Generation of Leaders
Young Professionals of Midtown (YPM) marked its first year with 100+ members. The group connects emerging and mid-career professionals who want to grow their careers while making a tangible impact in Midtown.
Members participated in more than 20 service projects, educational programs, and networking events, including a fireside chat on economic development with the Metro Atlanta Chamber, walking tours, and behind-the-scenes experiences at the Federal Reserve Bank, Woodruff Arts Center, and Fox Theatre.
A member of YPM looks over Midtown commute options with Midtown Alliance staff.
A member of YPM looks over Midtown commute options with Midtown Alliance staff.
Setting the Stage for Midtown’s Future
Held at the Fox Theatre, Midtown Alliance’s annual meeting is one of the district’s most anticipated events, bringing together 800+ business and civic leaders, agency partners, residents, and urban enthusiasts to explore the future of Midtown and our city.
The 2025 event featured a landmark announcement that the Midtown Improvement District had acquired a four-acre property to create a premier new public space. This move marks the first time a community improvement district in Georgia has purchased land for public use as a park. Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens gave remarks about the longstanding partnership between the City and Midtown Alliance. And keynote speaker Bruce Katz discussed how Midtown can capitalize on the emerging shift happening with policy, innovation, economic development, and philanthropic power becoming more concentrated at the local level.
City of Atlanta Mayor, Andre Dickens speaks at the 2025 Midtown Alliance Annual Meeting.
City of Atlanta Mayor, Andre Dickens speaks at the 2025 Midtown Alliance Annual Meeting.
The 2025 Midtown Alliance Annual Meeting was underwritten with support from a record 50+ sponsor organizations.
More Art! Everywhere!
The Southeast’s Largest Outdoor Art Gallery took a giant leap forward in 2025 with 700+ submissions, a +250% increase vs. 2024. In just two years, this program has produced enough original banner designs to cover the entire district without a single duplicate. We are grateful to the professional and amateur artists from across the region who shared their amazing talents and made this community-led project such a success.
Midtown Green staff installs a banner as part of the Southeast's Largest Outdoor Art Gallery.
Midtown Green staff installs a banner as part of the Southeast's Largest Outdoor Art Gallery.
Keeping the Community Informed and Excited About Midtown's Future
From e-newsletter insights to social media and on-the-ground exhibits, our broad communications platform delivers timely information and insights directly to the Midtown community.
- Midtown Monthly reached a record high in 2025, growing to more than 20,000 subscribers
- MidtownATL.com attracted nearly 750,000 pageviews for the year, up from 2024
- Social media engagement increased by 23%, supported by 3.2 million impressions
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
26 Things We're Looking Forward to Seeing in 2026
Hey, Midtown! It’s a brand new year, filled with possibilities and anticipation for more good things coming to our city. Here’s a rundown of 26 district-defining projects, events, milestones, and shared wins we’re looking forward to seeing in 2026. Let’s go!
What's Next for Getting Around
- 1. Opening 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's Arts Center Station, and will serve as a much-needed relief valve for traffic congestion on 14th St.
- 2. Completing 10th Street Bridge Improvements: Top-side pedestrian, bicycle, vehicular, and traffic operations features are taking shape on the 10th Street Bridge - an essential multi-modal link. Used by 35,000 people daily, the bridge currently operates below standard, and these upgrades are designed to improve safety, flow, and overall user experience.
- 3. Revitalized Spring Street (US/19 Corridor): New upgrades including a barrier-separated bike lane, streetscaping, and sidewalk improvements, are currently happening on the top end of Spring Street fronting SCAD and the Center for Puppetry Arts.
- 4. Complete Street Improvements on Piedmont Avenue: Improvements coming to this corridor will create a northbound protected multi-modal lane pairing to complement southbound Juniper Street improvements and making the street conditions safer and easier for people to access Piedmont Park.
- 5. Sleek New MARTA Railcars Streaking Down the Tracks: Who isn’t excited to take a ride in the brand new railcars, complete with snazzy upgrades? We're watching for updates from MARTA on when the new fleet will start operating.
- 6. Plus, MARTA Next-Gen Fare System and Service Upgrades: The new "Better Breeze" fare system will allow riders to pay seamlessly with credit cards, Breeze card, or phone apps. The new system is expected to be ready this spring.
- 7. No Right on Red Law Takes Effect: This new law makes it safer for everyone -- people walking, motorists, and people riding scooters and bikes in Midtown, Downtown, and Castleberry Hill. This new ordinance went into effect as of January 1, and ATLDOT has begun installing No Right on Red signage. Until the signs are in place, right turns on red remain legal under the usual Georgia rule (stop, yield to traffic and pedestrians).
Land Use and Development
- 8. The Next Buildings Opening Their Doors: New development scheduled to deliver in 2026 will add some 350 residential units at the site of Atlanta’s tallest tower in 30 years, 404K SF of institutional space, and 20K SF of retail space, as Midtown’s mixed-use momentum continues to surge into the new year.
A New Atlanta Landmark on the Horizon
- 9. Concept Design for the New 98 14th Street Park in Midtown: In advancing the design of the new 98 14th Street park in Midtown, our team has partnered with a multidisciplinary group of designers to envision a premier four-acre public space that the entire city can be proud of. We’ll have public open houses and surveys during the initial design phase. Once this is complete, we’re excited to reveal the concept design in Spring 2026 as we launch a capital campaign to fund these improvements while we further develop the design.
A More Vibrant Street-Level Experience
- 10. Bringing Interim Use Improvements to 98 14th Street: The first steps toward creating a new gathering space in Midtown are already underway, with temporary site improvements that will create a leveled grass lawn ready for public use and events in 2026.
- 11. Experiencing 80+ Free Community Events Produced by Midtown Alliance: Get ready for more of the free outdoor events you love, from live music performances to yoga and fitness classes. Watch for more info on dates soon!
- 12. Reveling in Canine Couture at the 4th Annual Midtown Mutt Gala: This adorable social event gets bigger each year we produce it, and 2026 will be the biggest doggy fashion show yet. Mark your calendar now: the 2026 Midtown Mutt Gala takes place Sunday, May 3.
- 13. Reimagining Peachtree Street: 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 2026 will include moving the initiative from concept to design.
- 14. Continuing the Trend of Less Property Crime, Including Theft from Auto: The most prevalent type of crime in the district is items being stolen from parked cars. But Midtown Blue and APD have been making steady progress by working in partnership with parking operators to audit security and refine strategies to continue to achieve a reduction in year-over-year incidents.
- 15. Gearing Up for More Midtown Walk Challenge and Biketober 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?
- 16. 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 annual parades and events that celebrate the best of our city. Watch for details about the Atlanta St. Patrick’s Parade, Atlanta Pride Parade, Georgia Veterans Parade, Peachtree Road Race, the return of Atlanta Streets Alive, and more.
Art! Everywhere!
- 17. Welcoming New Commissioned Public Art to Midtown: Midtown Alliance’s Heart of the Arts program has cultivated a unique way to bring commercial property owners and talented artists together to create commissioned art. This spring, artist-in-residence Aysha Pennerman is creating a bold mural on the facade of the All Saints’ Episcopal Church parking deck, and you can be part of it. Here’s how.
FIFA World Cup 2026™!
- 18. Welcoming the World to Midtown Atlanta: Fun fact: only two U.S. cities have ever hosted both a World Cup and an Olympics -- Atlanta and Los Angeles. This summer promises to be epic, with eight soccer matches over the span of a month, hundreds of thousands of international visitors, and an economic boost for our city. We’re ready to put our best foot forward and create unforgettable memories for every visitor.
Anniversaries Aplenty for Midtown Arts and Cultural Institutions
- 19. Atlanta History Center 100th Anniversary: Founded in 1926 as the Atlanta Historical Society, the Atlanta History Center expanded in Midtown in the mid-1990s at the site of Margaret Mitchell's residence.
- 20. High Museum 100th Anniversary: Hosting more than 20K works of art, the High Museum of Art is a special place for art lovers inspired by past artists and invigorated by current trendsetters. The High has been the artistic center of Atlanta since 1926, when Harriett “Hattie” High donated her family’s Peachtree Road residence.
- 21. Atlanta Dogwood Festival 90th Anniversary: In Atlanta, spring doesn’t start until the Atlanta Dogwood Festival. It’s as simple as that. The first Dogwood Festival was in 1936, and today it is a springtime tradition. For the first time, there will be a nominal fee to enter the Atlanta Dogwood Festival in 2026.
- 22. Atlanta Botanical Garden 50th Anniversary: The seeds that were sown in 1976 have flourished over the years, with the Garden now welcoming 760K visitors each year and set for a major expansion.
More Community Engagement and Dialogue
- 23. Helping Define the Amenities and Features for Midtown’s New Park: We’re spinning up a series of community engagement events and activities to help put a finer point on the things you want to experience at the new 98 14th Street park. Take our new online survey and tell us about your priorities for specific features as we continue through the design process.
- 24. Rallying the Community at the 2026 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. The 2026 event will take place on Tuesday, April 14 at the Fox Theatre.
- 25. Bringing Young Professionals Together: Midtown Alliance’s “Young Professionals of Midtown” group is enrolling new members who want to get involved in making Midtown an exceptional urban place. Those between the ages of 22-40 can get plugged into this group to meet others and take on service projects, attend professional development events, and more.
- 26. Hearing from You, Whether It’s Praise, Questions or Constructive Feedback: Midtown Alliance wants to hear from you in 2026. Happy with the outcome of a project or service you received? Got suggestions on what we can do better? Question about who to contact to resolve an issue? You can drop us a line anytime at Info@MidtownATL.com and we’ll respond.
Here's to more bold moves in 2026. Let's get started!
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