Show vs. Tell Volume 1, Month 5

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Our official countdown clock is front and center. As of this email, we have 735 days until the first kick on the pitch.

A combination of our team growing and the addition of more ATV Mason’s members has propelled the SoDo Atlanta, LLC team to move offices to 99 Broad Street. In our small neighborhood nestled in the heart of our city among human scale buildings, even the minor change of a few hundred yards yields an immensely different work experience. The dialogues with the streets, angles of light, and uniqueness of each building produces a rare relationship with a workspace, a neighborhood. Growing into the neighborhood has been an unexpected joy since the first week of January when we were trying to figure out the location of the light switches.

Twenty four months, tremendous sweat, tours, and construction are between now and the World Cup.

As always, we start with Safety and Security.

Security

Safety is our top priority. We begin every weekly meeting with this topic and are investing heavily into our goal of making South Downtown the safest neighborhood in the city. A few things we’ve done this past month…

On the technology front, FlockSafety permits are approved which means the first wave of cameras are on the calendar to be installed this month.

New scooters were ordered in April and they arrived much to the surprise and delight of several Skylar Security guards who now patrol the street via a new, fresh scooter. ?

Community

For those that were unable to attend Rolling Down Peachtree, look no further than this recap. A true collaboration of public, private, and nonprofit organizations produced a one of one experience with all the formerly bland roll down doors receiving the deft touch of artists across the city. Our World Famous Peachtree Street has a new look, all in thanks to significant collaboration and creativity.

The Atlanta Cycling Fest also held it down on Broad Street. ?

LOI’s and leases are being traded back and forth like a game of UNO. Hotel Row is poised for greatness, and our number one priority is ensuring every restaurateur we partner with is set up to succeed. If they succeed, we do as well. Your feedback on tacos and pizza shops has been helpful in identifying who we engage and persuade to be part of something bigger than a single location or single store – but to shape and shift Atlanta’s culinary scene. Downtown’s 50M+ visitors a year are looking for a unique Atlanta experience. Unquestionably, the teams we are talking to would do that.

Thank you for all the recommendations and suggestions, we are listening.

This month we have Atlanta Tech Week and Render ATL. Over 5,000 conference attendees will meet and connect at Hotel Indigo and Americas Mart to hear the latest from technologists, developers, and creatives. We’re hosting several events between South Downtown and Atlanta Tech Villages.

WHAT HOME TEAM BAR COULD HELP SHAPE HOTEL ROW?

We are looking for an entrepreneur that wants to open a bar in Hotel Row. This leader must be an ardent and loyal Atlanta sports fan. The culture of the Falcons, Hawks, United, and Braves starts with us, the fans. A home team bar on Hotel Row is a must.

If you have any recommendations, hit reply to let us know! Your responses are so helpful.

Development

Our month has been filled with dozens of interviews for the Project Manager positions. The level of interest in these positions is thrilling. Ambitious applicants have been pouring in and we are in the final stages of bringing onboard new team members to help with the construction ahead. ?

Speaking of that, where are we on development?

We are in the final round of pricing for ATV Sylvan. Permits have been submitted. We are waiting for the green light from the city to begin the evolution of 235 Mitchell.

We are also in the process of submitting permits to move forward the first projects outside of Hotel Row. In the spirit of Show vs. Tell, we’ll save which buildings until the next update.

We had a new firm analyze and digest 222 Mitchell and explore ways to make that building work. Their conceptual designs have us marinating even more on the complexities of the building. After all, it is three buildings mashed together over 70 years of piece-mealed construction. We are getting pricing on the conceptual designs now.

We are all watching the news of MARTA closely. Next month Five Points MARTA station shuts down as they commence a 4 year construction project. The northern point of South Downtown neighbors the Five Points MARTA station and what they do or don’t do affects our decision making and sequence of events. ?

Great cities make great countries.

Until Next Month!

Jon Birdsong