びびなび : アトランタ : (アメリカ合衆国) Atlanta

** Note From Mayor Andre Dickens
------------------------------------------------------------

March 2026
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/7D_TlP1G7xw

Click to watch Mayor Andre Dickens’ Year of the Youth “SO ATL” video.

As students across metro Atlanta head into Spring Break, our focus continues to be on making sure young people have safe places to go, strong opportunities to grow, and support from their city.

Since declaring 2023 the Year of the Youth, we’ve connected more than 20,000 young people to jobs, expanded youth programs across the city, and seen youth crime drop significantly. We remain committed to creating pathways that help young people succeed today and prepare them for the opportunities ahead.

At the same time, our teams are continuing to meet directly with residents through the Neighborhood Reinvestment Initiative. This work is critical to ensuring every neighborhood benefits from Atlanta’s growth. By bringing together housing, infrastructure improvements, youth opportunity, and economic mobility strategies into one coordinated effort, we are strengthening communities block by block and moving closer to our goal of making Atlanta the best place in the country to raise a child.

As Atlanta approaches the FIFA World Cup, preparations are intensifying across all departments to ensure that our city is ready and that residents directly benefit from this global moment. Through coordinated planning, we are aligning public safety, transportation, infrastructure, and communications to deliver a seamless experience for both residents and visitors.

Thank you for continuing to be part of the group project as we move Atlanta forward together.


** March Highlights from City Hall
------------------------------------------------------------

State of the City 2026

“All of Atlanta deserves the best of Atlanta”

During the State of the City address on March 18, Mayor Dickens outlined progress made over the past four years and the priorities guiding the work ahead.

Highlights included:
* More than 13,000 affordable housing units built or underway
* Over 20,000 young people connected to jobs
* Historic investments in parks and infrastructure
* New fire stations and equipment supporting emergency response
* Continued reductions in violent crime

The address also reinforced why the Neighborhood Reinvestment Initiative is central to Atlanta’s next chapter. The initiative brings together housing, infrastructure, youth opportunity, and economic mobility strategies into one coordinated effort focused on strengthening neighborhoods that have not fully benefited from the city’s growth. The goal is clear: making Atlanta the best place in the country to raise a child by ensuring every neighborhood shares in the city’s progress.

Read More (https://atl.direct/atlanta-state-of-the-city-2026-dickens-vision/)

Expanding Affordable Housing Across Atlanta

New homes underway in South Atlanta and South Downtown

Atlanta continues its commitment to expanding affordable housing across the city with new construction underway in South Atlanta and South Downtown.

Brownsville Pointe recently broke ground in historic South Atlanta, expanding access to stable housing for families in the community. Trinity Central Flats will add 218 affordable homes near transit, jobs, and services in South Downtown.

Together, these projects support long-term neighborhood stability while helping more residents stay connected to opportunity close to where they live.
Read more about affordable housing under Pathway Home: (https://atl.direct/unhoused/)

Investing in Atlanta’s Young People

Student leaders help shape the city’s future

More than 200 student leaders from across Atlanta Public Schools gathered at Georgia State University’s Student Center East for the APS Student Leadership Symposium, where students shared ideas about strengthening their schools, neighborhoods, and future opportunities across the city.

Mayor Dickens encouraged students to stay engaged in civic life and highlighted how initiatives like Year of the Youth and the Neighborhood Reinvestment Initiative are helping expand opportunity for young people across Atlanta.

Applications are also open for the 2026 Mayor’s Youth Summer Employment Program, one of the city’s largest pathways for teens to gain paid work experience and career exposure.

Learn More:
APS Student Leadership Symposium (https://atl.direct/aps-student-leadership-symposium/)
Learn More About Year of the Youth (https://atlyearoftheyouth.com/)

A Smarter Approach to Public Safety

Diversion Center connects residents to services instead of jail

Atlanta’s Center for Diversion and Services continues changing how the city responds when someone in crisis encounters law enforcement.

Since opening in January 2025, the center has connected more than 1,200 individuals to services instead of jail for certain nonviolent offenses linked to mental health challenges, substance use, homelessness, or extreme poverty. In 2025 alone, the Atlanta Police Department completed 1,210 diversions, representing 86 percent of diversion activity across law enforcement agencies in Fulton County.

Located inside the Atlanta City Detention Center, the program allows officers to connect eligible individuals directly with care providers while returning to patrol more quickly. Intake coordination with Grady Health System has helped streamline the process and strengthen response capacity citywide.

Diversion remains a key part of the One Safe City strategy.
Read more: (https://atl.direct/atlanta-diversion-center-1200-diversions/)

Infrastructure Investments Reaching Neighborhoods Citywide

Moving Atlanta Forward infrastructure program continues delivering results

Atlanta’s Moving Atlanta Forward infrastructure bond program, approved by voters in 2022, continues delivering improvements across neighborhoods through coordinated investments led by the Atlanta Department of Transportation, Department of Parks and Recreation, and Department of Enterprise Management.

The $750 million bond package supports projects that strengthen roads, bridges, parks, trails, and public safety facilities across the city. To date, more than $119 million has already been invested, with more than half of projects now underway or complete.

Recent improvements at Brownwood Park added a new playground, resurfaced tennis courts with public art, and improved entrances that strengthen access for nearby residents.
Read more about infrastructure bond projects under Progress in Action: (https://atl.direct/progress-in-action/)

Road to FIFA

Preparation continues as Atlanta nears the FIFA World Cup

Departments across the city continue advancing readiness efforts that support residents, businesses, and visitors alike.

Throughout March:
* More than 1,000 job seekers connected with employers during the Showcase Atlanta Workforce Expo
* Registration opened for the 16-day FIFA Fan Festival at Centennial Olympic Park
* City leaders hosted FIFA partners and stakeholders for a global coordination dinner
* New public art installations advanced across Atlanta neighborhoods
* Mounted patrol teams continued readiness work near Mercedes-Benz Stadium
* The city released its FIFA Human Rights Action Plan to guide a people-centered tournament approach

For details on each of these stories, visit: (https://atl.direct/theroadtofifa/)

Strengthening Emergency Response Citywide

New apparatus and training center support faster, safer response

Atlanta Fire Rescue responds to more than 100,000 emergency calls each year, making reliable equipment and well-trained crews essential across the city.

Recent investments in new fire apparatus and a dedicated driver training facility are helping reduce maintenance downtime, improve reliability, and ensure firefighters are prepared to operate large emergency vehicles safely in real-world conditions. The new training center includes a driving pad that allows crews to practice complex maneuvers in a controlled environment around the clock.

Together, these improvements strengthen readiness across the department and help ensure crews can respond quickly wherever residents need assistance.
Read more: (https://atl.direct/atlanta-fire-rescue-new-apparatus-training-center/)

Celebrating a Leader Who Helped Shape Modern Atlanta

Honoring Ambassador Andrew Young’s legacy of service

On March 25, city leaders, family members, and community partners gathered along the Atlanta BeltLine at The Retreat by The Gathering Spot to celebrate the 94th birthday of Ambassador Andrew Young — civil rights leader, former Mayor of Atlanta, and former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.

The event marked the fourth birthday tribute hosted along the BeltLine corridor and brought together more than 200 guests, including former mayors Bill Campbell and Keisha Lance Bottoms and Dr. Bernice A. King.

Speaking on behalf of Mayor Andre Dickens, Chief of Staff Courtney English reflected on Ambassador Young’s lasting impact on the city:

“Atlanta is better because of him. Not just in what we’ve built, but in who we’ve become.”

Atlanta Turns Up for 404 Day Weekend

Celebrating the culture, creativity, and community that define the city

Atlanta turned up the energy for 404 Day weekend, with celebrations across the city highlighting the food, music, art, and hometown pride that make Atlanta one of one. From Taste ATL at City Hall to the A Day in the A block party Downtown and the ButterATL 404 Day Block Party at Underground Atlanta, residents, employees, creatives, and small businesses came together to celebrate the culture that connects the city. Mayor Andre Dickens joined the festivities throughout the weekend, recognizing local changemakers and reaffirming the City’s commitment to safer neighborhoods, youth opportunity, affordable housing, and investments that help every neighborhood thrive.


** Meet Mayor Dickens’ Cabinet
------------------------------------------------------------

Cabinet Spotlight: Theodis “Theo” Pace, Deputy Chief Operating Officer

Theo Pace serves as Deputy Chief Operating Officer for the City of Atlanta, where he helps oversee the day-to-day operations of City departments and supports the delivery of services across the organization. He was promoted to the role after serving as Deputy Chief of Staff in the Mayor’s Office, helping coordinate cross-department initiatives and advance key priorities for the Dickens administration.

Pace brings almost two decades of experience in City government, including leadership roles supporting legislative operations and policy coordination with the Atlanta City Council. His background also includes work in contracting, intergovernmental affairs, and public policy, helping strengthen collaboration across agencies and improve service delivery for residents.

As part of the executive leadership team, Pace works to ensure City operations remain efficient, responsive, and aligned with the administration’s commitment to delivering results for Atlanta residents.

Atlanta city skyline with skyscrapers and trees


** Forward to a Friend (https://us14.forward-to-friend.com/forward?u=6ccac341034c98afd33b4edff&id=2ae491a807&e=f762952157)
------------------------------------------------------------

Check out past issues of this newsletter and signup at www.AtlantaGA.gov/Newsletter (http://www.atlantaga.gov/newsletter)
#MovingAtlantaForward
https://www.facebook.com/cityofatlanta
https://www.instagram.com/cityofatlantaga
https://twitter.com/CityofAtlanta
https://www.youtube.com/c/CityofAtlantaMayorsOfficeofCommunications
https://www.atlantaga.gov/

Copyright © 2024 City of Atlanta. All rights reserved.

Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences (https://atlantaga.us14.list-manage.com/profile?u=6ccac341034c98afd33b4edff&id=5d57b1ea44&e=f762952157&c=2ae491a807) or unsubscribe (https://atlantaga.us14.list-manage.com/unsubscribe?u=6ccac341034c98afd33b4edff&id=5d57b1ea44&t=b&e=f762952157&c=2ae491a807)

View In Browser (https://mailchi.mp/704cf847c845/moving-atlanta-forward-newsletter-office-of-mayor-andre-dickens-9562430?e=f762952157)