Hello, July!
July 1 — International travelers arriving at Hartsfield-Jackson can now use a new facial recognition system – available only to U.S. citizens – that speeds up customs by replacing passport checks with photo matching, reducing wait times by 22% since its launch.
🌩️ Heavy thunderstorms with a high of 86° today.
⚒️ Atlanta-based Home Depot is buying specialty building products distributor GMS Inc. in a $4.3 billion deal.
🚨 Two people died and two were wounded after a shooting at a fraternity picnic on Saturday at Coan Park.
💸 Four North Koreans charged with wire fraud and money laundering used false identities to gain access to virtual currency assets.
📍The City of Doraville is working on creating a new city center with government buildings, a public library, parks, housing, and retail.
🗳 Atlanta Public Schools is extending the deadline for its community-wide Comprehensive Long-Range Facilities Plan survey until July 15.
🏳️🌈 Atlanta Pride has announced its slate of grand marshals for this year’s festival, including Dr. Christy Perez and Raquel Willis.
ELSEWHERE
➡ The Trump administration said Harvard University violated the civil rights of Jewish students. The Justice Department is suing the city of Los Angeles for its immigration policies.
💉 Data shows that the number of murders nationwide is falling. Researchers say a primary driver might be the COVID-19 pandemic.
🏀 The WNBA plans to expand to 18 teams over the next five years, adding teams in Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia.
🕖 Here’s what’s in today’s newsletter:
• Atlanta Medical Center redevelopment
• Smorgasburg in South Downtown
• Savannah’s strategic plan
AND
• Volunteer Opportunities
🍽️ Indulge in Buckhead Restaurant Week, July 21-26! Savor exclusive menus and chef specials from Atlanta’s top spots. Book now for a culinary journey that will ignite your taste buds. Click here for details! SPONSOR MESSAGE
1. Groundbreaking ceremony held for redevelopment of Atlanta Medical Center site
🏗️ A groundbreaking ceremony was held yesterday for the redevelopment of the Atlanta Medical Center site in Old Fourth Ward.
The property has been dormant since Wellstar abruptly closed the hospital in 2022. The City of Atlanta imposed a development moratorium on the property before signing off on a plan with development firm Integral.
The 22-acre site is now destined to become a mixed-use development dubbed Boulevard NEXT (or BLVDNEXT) with residential, retail, and offices with “health and wellness resources,” guided by Wellstar.
🩺 Learn more about the redevelopment here.
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2. Outdoor street food market Smorgasburg Atlanta opening in South Downtown
🍂 This fall, South Downtown in Atlanta will get a new tenant from up north. In October, New York-based outdoor street food market Smorgasburg will open in the parking lot at the corner of Forsyth Street and Trinity Avenue.
Smorgasburg is a weekly outdoor market highlighting pop-up food vendors. Originally launched in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, Smorgasburg was founded in 2011 by Jonathan Butler and Eric Demby and has since expanded to locations in Miami and Los Angeles.
Smorgasburg Atlanta, which will showcase local chefs, pop-ups, and food trucks, joins a stacked list of South Downtown newcomers that includes El Tesoro, Delilah’s Everyday Soul, Broad St. BBQ, and Bottle Rocket.
🥘 Learn more about the market here.
MORE FOOD NEWS
🍔 Looking for a new restaurant to try? Check out this roundup of June Atlanta restaurant openings.
3. Savannah City Council approves five-year strategic plan
🏛️ The Savannah City Council unanimously approved a comprehensive strategic plan on Monday, identifying six key priorities to help shape decision-making by city staff through 2030.
Titled Savannah GPS, the 10-page document establishes public safety as the top priority, followed by equitable community development, economic opportunity, “livable environment” and infrastructure, municipal service standards, and ensuring the city operates as a “high-performing” government.
➡ Read more in this story from GPB.
😋 Get ready for Buckhead Restaurant Week! From July 21-26, explore curated menus at Atlanta’s finest restaurants. An unforgettable dining experience awaits. Reserve your spot here! SPONSOR MESSAGE
4. Volunteer Opportunities
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH HANDS ON ATLANTA
🛋️ The Furniture Bank of Metro Atlanta is seeking volunteers and donations to help recover from a recent fire that damaged their facilities. Volunteer roles include collecting household items, making kits, building IKEA dressers, and more.
🚚 Another Chance of Atlanta is seeking volunteers for Truck Thursdays in Downtown Atlanta. Expect to help with unloading and organizing food starting at noon.
🍑 The Atlanta Track Club is seeking volunteers to help with the Peachtree Road Race on the early morning of July 4th. Roles include cheering on runners, starting participants, distributing shirts, setting up, and handing out water.
🌳 EcoAddendum (pictured) needs volunteers to help restore Murphey Candler Park and other green spaces in Brookhaven on Sunday morning. Expect to clip, prune, shovel, and perform other beautification tasks.
🌟 Experience Buckhead Restaurant Week, July 21-26! Delight in Atlanta’s best cuisine with exclusive offerings. Perfect for foodies ready to explore and savor new flavors. Book your table today! SPONSOR MESSAGE
🔤 Don’t miss News Word Atlanta, our new, daily word game – Presented by Oglethorpe University, Atlanta’s premier undergraduate learning experience.
➡ Today is July 1, don’t forget about the slew of new laws are set to take effect in Georgia.
