News Briefs: TSPLOST support; shelter reopens; Whole Foods revamp

The Buckhead Council of Neighborhoods has voted to support Atlanta’s transportation special local option sales tax (TSPLOST) on the Nov. 8 ballot. But a MARTA sales tax boost also on the ballot failed to get the council’s endorsement by one vote. The TSPLOST question seeks a 0.4 percent, five-year sales tax increase within the city of Atlanta for street, sidewalk and trail projects. “BCN believes the five-year commitment to invest in transportation and pedestrian infrastructure will directly benefit the quality of life and safety of our neighborhoods,” the council said in Oct. 29 email announcing that the required two-thirds of its member organizations had voted to approve an endorsement resolution. The MARTA question would increase its current 1 percent sales tax by 0.5 percent for the next 40 years–the current life of all MARTA funding taxes. It would apply to MARTA improvements within Atlanta borders only. The MARTA question fell “one vote shy” of BCN’s endorsement, the email said.

Downtown’s Central Presbyterian Church, 201 Washington St., has reopened the Central Night Shelter for the winter. The CNS is a seasonal shelter for homeless men from November through March. Together with the Catholic Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, the two churches can accommodate up to 100 guests with Central housing the majority at 70. For more than 30 years Central Presbyterian Church has provided lodging space and amenities for this local mission, the only Atlanta shelter completely operated and supported by volunteers. For more information,visit cnsatlanta.org.

The Whole Foods at Midtown Plaza on Ponce de Leon Avenue is having a “grand reopening” celebration on Nov. 3-6 to show off its renovations and additions, which include a beer and wine bar, cold brew coffee on tap, a self-ordering kiosk and text-to-order juice bar, self-serve and text-to-order pizza bar, ramen venue by Genji Sushi Bar, smoked in-house fish, and Octane Coffee. There will also be live music, DJs, a hog roast, local brewery tap takeovers and commemorative shopping bags for the first 500 customers. For event details, times and updates, visit wfmponce.eventbrite.com.