The Midtown Alliance’s teaser announcement last week about terrific news deserving of confetti-tossin’ is less a matter of physical changes to the neighborhood than boosted self-esteem.
The booming submarket has scored national recognition by joining four other U.S. neighborhoods named to the American Planning Association’s 2016 list of Great Places in America. Officials have planned a free event at 4 p.m. today at 10th Street Park to celebrate. Expect gratis King of Pops and words from Atlanta's mayor, who will accept the APA honor.
The designation program celebrates places that are striving for heightened quality-of-life standards, demonstrating "exceptional character, composition, and planning" among other qualities.
"Nice win for Midtown Atlanta and urban planning on a national scale," Brian Carr, Midtown Alliance spokesperson, wrote in an email to Curbed Atlanta. "Our community-led master planning efforts are getting noticed by standard bearers."
Joining Midtown this year are honorees that span the country: Santa Ana, Calif; Old Louisville, Ky; Nob Hill in Albuquerque, and Downtown Warren, R.I.
Specifically, the smart-planning advocates applauded Midtown’s vibrant arts and culture scene, community planning initiatives, walkability investments, and rich history, according to the Midtown Alliance, a nonprofit that pushes for a clean, safe, and vibrant district.
Said Mayor Kasim Reed in a press release: "This award is not just a win for the City of Atlanta and its partners, but also for the 65,000 daytime workers, 15,000 residents and more than 6 million annual visitors of this thriving community."
In other words, Midtown’s post-recession hot streak continues.
The Midtown Alliance counts 20 active developments underway within Midtown’s 1.2-square mile commercial business district. Another 20 have been officially proposed, and many have opened in recent years.
Expect a more populated Midtown in the near future. More than 8,000 new jobs have been announced for the submarket since early 2015, where upwards of 5,500 residential units are in the pipeline or have recently delivered.
- Community video contest offers cash for Midtown love [Midtown Alliance]
- Midtown Development Map: Summer 2016 Edition [Curbed Atlanta]
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