Atlanta council candidates tackle key city issues

Rough Draft sent questionnaires to all the candidates who officially qualified for the City of Atlanta municipal election on Nov. 4. These are the responses we have received so far from the candidates running for Atlanta City Council. This post will be updated if/when we receive additional responses.

Early voting begins Oct. 14 and closes Oct. 31. See a list of early voting locations in both Fulton and DeKalb counties here. To check your voter registration, visit the GA My Voter Page.

Post 1 At-Large

Juan Mendoza
juanforatlanta.com / @juanforatlanta

What immediate actions can the City Council take to aid in curbing gun violence in Atlanta?

Our gun violence stems from the ease of accessibility of firearms by State statute and not having adequate city resources. In the short term, we must prioritize getting our police staffing levels to the adequate levels needed. This will allow APD to have a stronger presence to curb and react to gun crime. However, to prevent “over policing” we must ensure our officers have the best community policing training in areas such as de-escalation and racial sensitivity training and the ability for our officers to live in the communities they serve. Long-term strategies must address the root causes of gun violence through strategic investments in our communities,
including youth programming, mentorship opportunities, and economic mobility initiatives. Equally as critical, the Council needs to be a staunch advocate at the State Capitol for sensible, common-sense gun laws that reduce access to firearms while supporting responsible ownership.

As President of the Old Fourth Ward Business Association, I’ve already been a key partner in efforts like the recent Edgewood Corridor Public Safety Task Force and the O4WBA “Safe Tent” initiative in 2023, which was highlighted in the Rough Draft. This is where I got to see firsthand how understaffed we were and the systemic challenges that lead our citizens to gun violence.

Transit, especially on the Beltline, remains a top concern for many voters. How can the City Council help to fast-track these projects?

For City of Atlanta projects, we must push to improve how we manage capital projects by starting with improving procurement efficiency, staffing capacity, and project management technology. Procurement takes far too long, ATLDOT staffing levels are not equipped to meet project demand, and we lack the digital tools needed for real-time data collection, informed decision-making, and public transparency portals where residents and developers can track project progress. Additionally, we need to restructure our contracts to really incentivize contractors to meet project deadlines and hold them accountable if they do not. For MARTA partner projects, we must address the funding challenges within the More MARTA program and request an updated Intergovernmental Agreement that strengthens oversight and coordination between the City and MARTA. Infrastructure funds housed with MARTA should be placed in a separate, restricted account to guarantee timely deployment and prevent the delays that have hindered the current projects. The city has expressed that relationships have inherently improved with the Interim leader marking a start towards a much needed cohesive partnership. It will be critical that the new CEO be equipped with skills to build on that.

Gentrification remains an issue for many historic neighborhoods and the longtime homeowners living there. What is your solution to reviving neighborhoods without losing these legacy residents?

I will push for bold zoning reform, stronger code enforcement, and targeted public investment. In order to increase supply and affordability, we must modernize our zoning code(such as eliminating parking minimums citywide) and streamlining permitting processes. These changes reduce unnecessary development costs making it more financially feasible for builders to be able to bring deeper affordable AMI units to the market. Once these units are more feasible in the market we can require lower AMI’s for better inclusionary zoning. Stronger code enforcement is also key so that blighted and vacant privately owned properties can be finally activated for housing.
Additionally, making sure Public land, TAD dollars, and tax abatements are prioritized for projects that include deeply affordable housing and for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund to be truly protected from reallocation. Funds should be dedicated to rental and utility assistance, construction of deeply affordable and social housing, and to alleviate the barrier of high costs involved in moving into housing.

Equally as important when addressing housing affordability is addressing the economic barriers that keep people from being able to afford better housing. To increase economic mobility we must fight for better wages for our workers and expand transit in low income areas that truly connect them to education and better job opportunities. Nearly 20% of Atlanta’s population lives below the poverty line. The only way to truly move the needle is by building housing that is affordable for these residents while creating a city that provides real economic mobility.

Lastly, the city has launched various programs that I believe have potential, but they are not yet as effective as they could be. One major gap is that many legacy residents and homeowners aren’t aware these programs exist, and even when they are, the application process can be confusing and difficult to navigate. We must engage these residents directly through door-to-door outreach and community-based support to guide them through the process. That is the only way the funds set aside to help our residents will actually be utilized. Another example is how the Anti-Displacement Tax Relief Fund still falls short for many seniors. While it protects against future tax increases, it doesn’t address the immediate challenge of paying today’s tax bill, leaving residents without a complete solution.

Atlanta’s streets continue to be filled with potholes and plates. With more growth and hundreds of thousands of visitors expected for the FIFA World Cup, what is your solution to fixing our streets?

Atlanta’s streets are in urgent need of attention, and with continued growth and hundreds of thousands of visitors expected for the FIFA World Cup, we must take an all-hands-on-deck approach starting today. We’ve seen that we can accelerate projects when there’s focus and collaboration. For example, the Cascade Complete Streets Project was completed faster by going around the clock. To prioritize effectively, we must identify the streets most in need. Neighborhood organizations and business associations already have lists of trouble spots, and we can supplement that with drone technology to pinpoint the worst potholes and street failures.

It is critical we leverage our corporate/CID community through public-private partnerships to secure additional funding, speeding up the repair process so everyone benefits from safer, smoother streets before the World Cup and beyond.

After last year’s catastrophic water main breaks, what can the City Council do to make sure the estimated $2 billion in water infrastructure replacements and repairs is expedited as quickly as possible?

Atlanta’s recent water break was a stark reminder of the dangers of continuing to “kick the can down the road” on water infrastructure. Our system is aging, with outdated and sometimes unhealthy conditions that put residents and businesses at risk. We must shift from a reactive approach to a proactive, long-term strategy. First, the City needs a comprehensive asset management plan to identify the most vulnerable pipes, treatment facilities, and pumping stations. Using data-driven inspections, predictive modeling, and modern technology, we can anticipate failures instead of waiting for them to occur. Second, we must secure dedicated and sustainable funding. This means a dedicated water trust fund, public private-partnerships, responsibly issuing bonds tied to specific water projects, and ensuring our rate collection process is efficient and rates are fair while still generating the revenue needed for maintenance and upgrades.

Matt Rinker
mattforatlanta.com / @mattforatlanta

What immediate actions can the City Council take to aid in curbing gun violence in Atlanta?

Gun violence is a public health emergency, and Atlanta needs urgent, concrete action. I would start by strengthening community policing and expanding foot patrols in neighborhoods most impacted by violence. One initiative I’ve proposed is providing housing subsidies for first responders so they can live in the zones they patrol—building trust and accountability by making them true neighbors. We should also expand recurring gun buyback programs and establish safe, no-questions-asked surrender sites to reduce the number of illegal firearms on our streets. At the same time, partnering with organizations like Cure Violence and Dream Builders will give our youth real alternatives to crime and violence. Finally, we must work with Code Enforcement to eliminate blighted and abandoned properties that attract criminal activity and invest in better street lighting across the city because safer environments help prevent violence before it starts.

Transit, especially on the Beltline, remains a top concern for many voters. How can the City Council help to fast-track these projects?

The Beltline was always envisioned as a transit loop – not just a walking trail – and delivering on that promise is long overdue. City Council can play a decisive role in moving rail forward by demanding accountability for existing funds, prioritizing Beltline transit in the More MARTA program, and ensuring transparency so that every dollar goes where voters intended.

We must also streamline permitting, strengthen oversight of Atlanta Beltline Inc. and MARTA, and create enforceable timelines that prevent endless delays. By aligning city departments, MARTA, and state/federal partners around a single phased plan, we can fast-track construction and finally connect neighborhoods in a way that reduces traffic, supports affordable housing along the corridor, and spurs equitable economic growth.

For me, this isn’t just about transit—it’s about fairness. Buckhead, Southwest, and Southeast Atlanta all deserve the same access to safe, reliable rail service. My opponent has been on Council for decades and has failed to hold MARTA accountable for its promises. I will fight every day to make sure the Beltline rail gets built, because Atlanta deserves a transit system that truly connects us all.

Gentrification remains an issue for many historic neighborhoods and the longtime homeowners living there. What is your solution to reviving neighborhoods without losing these legacy residents?

As president of the Peoplestown Neighborhood Association, I see firsthand how gentrification pressures longtime residents—especially seniors—who have built these communities for decades. Revitalizing neighborhoods should never come at the cost of pushing legacy residents out. I will push for the following:

1) Property tax relief for longtime homeowners, including expanding homestead

exemptions and freezing taxes for seniors and low-income families so they aren’t forced out by rising values.

2) Stronger affordability requirements, making sure new development includes housing at a range of income levels—not just luxury units.

3) Support for legacy businesses, through grants, financial education, and technical

assistance that allow small, locally owned shops to remain anchors in their Communities.

4) Community benefits agreements, so that when major projects move forward, neighborhoods directly benefit through affordable housing, local hiring, and infrastructure investments.

Peoplestown is proof that you can have new investment and new neighbors while still honoring those who have been here the longest. I will fight to ensure our policies put people first because Atlanta’s neighborhoods should grow stronger without losing the very people who made them what they are.

Atlanta can’t be a world-class city if we can’t maintain our roads. Deferred maintenance only costs the city more money down the road. We need to treat potholes as emergencies, not routine maintenance. I would propose a rapid- response crew with a 48-hour repair standard so residents aren’t dodging hazards for weeks or months. Second, we must have accountability and enforcement for contractors. Too often, plates are left lingering on roads long after the work was done. I support stricter permit enforcement, daily fines for delays, and requirements to restore streets (and sidewalks) to their original condition. Last, while completing infrastructure projects for events like the World Cup are important, this commitment should be everyday to properly serve the residents of our city – not just for visitors.

After last year’s catastrophic water main breaks, what can the city council do to make sure the estimated $2 billion in water infrastructure replacements and repairs are expedited as quickly as possible?

The water main breaks last year brought to light what many Atlantans already know, our water infrastructure has been neglected for too long. These failures threaten public safety, jeopardize businesses, and tank our city’s reputation as we prepare to host global events.

Council must demand clear timelines for the estimated $2 billion in repairs that is needed – that includes requiring quarterly public reporting on the progress. We must have an expedited assessment of repairs that are needed and prioritize them by risk level, focusing on the oldest water mains, those in the highest demand areas, and those that support critical facilities like hospitals and schools. At the same time, Council needs to strengthen oversight of the Department of Watershed Management and its contractors. Tax dollars must go to repairs and not red tape or mismanagement. Unfortunately, our current council member, Michael Bond, has failed to hold Watershed accountable because he has attended less than 10% of the Utilities Committee meetings despite being assigned to it. That is not acceptable and I will hold them accountable.

District 2

Kelsea Bond
kelseabond.com / @kelseabondatl

What immediate actions can the City Council take to aid in curbing gun violence in Atlanta?

Gun violence is a public health issue, and must be treated like one. One incident with a gun can disrupt dozens of lives. Long-term, at the state and national levels, we need to elect lawmakers willing to pass stricter gun control laws. Until then, locally, we must invest heavily in proactive gun violence prevention programs, in particular targeting young people who are most at risk of being impacted by gun violence. Studies show that criminalizing young people is an ineffective way to curb violence, and only leads to recidivism. Instead, we should publicly fund proactive gun violence intervention programs, conflict deescalation training, summer camps, community centers, jobs training, and other programs which provide structured activities for kids and teenagers. We should also consider the ways that smart urban planning and investment in green spaces can help curb violence. Researchers have found that investment in green public spaces can reduce gun violence in communities, even when controlling for other factors. On a psychological level, green spaces help reduce stress, and increase residents’ mental health, on top of other community benefits, like temperature reduction (high temperatures also increase rates of violence). Bogotá, Colombia saw large drops in crime after similarly investing in public spaces and parks. We can take lessons from cities who’ve implemented similar programs, and make them work for Atlanta!

Transit, especially on the Beltline, remains a top concern for many voters. How can the City Council help to fast-track these projects?

As a strong supporter of Beltline Rail and public transit expansion, I am disappointed by the amount of time it’s taken to roll out the More MARTA project list. We have a responsibility to carry out these plans as overwhelmingly approved by voters in 2016, instead of waffling back and forth on when and where to start light rail construction. The City has collected the half-penny sales tax for roughly a decade, and the plans for light rail have already been drafted. We can’t allow corporate interests and for-profit developers to overhaul years of work and democratic referendum outcomes. On Council, I will fight to recommit the city to carrying out the More MARTA program as originally planned. At the same time, we need to ensure that there are accountability mechanisms in place to ensure that MARTA carries out new projects in a timely and fiscally responsible manner. There needs to be better, more clear and proactive communication between MARTA and the city regarding the status of new MARTA projects.

Gentrification remains an issue for many historic neighborhoods and the longtime homeowners living there. What is your solution to reviving neighborhoods without losing these legacy residents?

Over the decades, gentrification and redevelopment has changed the demographics of many historically Black neighborhoods like Old Fourth Ward. It’s essential that as our city grows we intentionally maintain affordability for legacy residents. The City should work with Fulton County to ensure that seniors and longtime residents on fixed incomes are not priced out of their neighborhoods because of ballooning property values. We should expand on and improve home repairs programs for seniors, including making those programs more accessible and easier to understand. Old Fourth Ward is in need of more amenities like grocery stores, medical clinics, and commercial activity, but we need to make sure that new developments, including the Atlanta Medical Center redevelopment, are planned in response to community needs – not just profitability. Boulevard has long been home to the largest deeply affordable housing community in the South. We need to work proactively to preserve the affordability of these buildings, ensure that new developments in the area continue accepting Section 8 vouchers and commit to build more deeply affordable units. Finally, in light of Georgia’s weak tenant protections at the state level, I believe Atlanta should create an Office of the Tenant Advocate, similar to NYC, and D.C., which provides legal assistance and educational resources to tenants at risk of eviction or facing harassment from bad landlords.

Potholes, broken sidewalks, and unusable bike lanes are dangerous for bike riders, drivers, and pedestrians alike. Our city needs to improve project deliverability and ensure that infrastructure spending is equitable across the entire city (right now, funds are disproportionately spent in high-income, whiter neighborhoods). During the upcoming budget session, we need to work to ensure that ATLDOT and other essential city departments are fully funded and staffed with highly-skilled, capable project managers. It’s essential our city departments have the resources and people needed to execute on projects to prevent backlog. As the World Cup approaches, the City needs to invest in walkable, bikeable, transit-friendly infrastructure that will benefit existing residents. Most World Cup visitors will not be driving, which is all the more reason to ensure that infrastructure plans leading up to the event do not just cater to cars and drivers, but actually focus on improving Atlanta’s existing public transit experience.

Clean water is one of the most essential services a city provides. Atlanta’s water infrastructure is over 100 years old, and long overdue for an overhaul. In order to prevent similar breaks like we saw last year, we need to act to replace our aging system proactively rather than reactively, especially as our city grows in coming decades. At the current rate, our current system won’t be fully replaced this century. We need to expedite this timeline. This will require continuity between mayoral administrations, smart prioritization, the maintenance of more comprehensive and up to date maps of our pipe system, as well as federal dollars. We also need updated technology which can detect leaks before they happen – prioritizing leak detection near essential facilities like hospitals and senior centers.

Alex Bevel Jones
alexbeveljones.com / @alexbeveljones

What immediate actions can the City Council take to aid in curbing gun violence in Atlanta?

On City Council, our number one responsibility to our neighbors is keeping our communities safe. We must take a holistic approach to address the root causes of gun violence. Prevention must be real and immediate, not theoretical. On City Council I’ll invest in expanding after school programs, mentorships, and summer opportunities to make sure Atlanta teens and families have access to support – no matter their zip code.

I’ll work on Council to provide funding for efforts to strengthen law enforcement’s responses to illegal weapon trafficking rings in our city. We must expand partnerships at the federal and state levels to ensure that Atlantans are kept safe from illegal guns. I will also use my position on council to provide funding for fast-tracking the enforcement of protective orders, since gun violence is often tied to intimate partner violence.

Ultimately, I believe an immediate and direct response to gun safety requires legislation at the federal level. For too long, radical right-wing extremists have stalled out common-sense solutions to gun safety like Universal Background Checks for all gun sales and Red Flag Laws. It is past time for a change to our nation’s gun laws, and I’ll use my voice on city council to support these measures to keep us safe.

Public safety is one of my top priorities as a city councilperson, and I’ll stay grounded in evidence, empathy, and results.

Transit, especially on the Beltline, remains a top concern for many voters. How can the City Council help to fast-track these projects?

As our city grows to levels we previously never thought possible, transit is top of mind for many Atlantans, my family included. I believe we must take an expansive approach to transit throughout our entire city. First, we should accelerate the highest-impact projects citywide: more frequent and reliable bus service, new rapid transit corridors, safer sidewalks, and a much more rigorous connected network of protected bike lanes. You should be able to get anywhere in this city in whichever method of transportation you choose – safely, reliably, and affordably.

City Council must also focus on removing bottlenecks which often slow the development of key transit projects. I support speeding up our procurement and permitting timelines, ensuring the public has access to full transparent reports, and putting in the infrastructure to ensure all parts of city government are aligned on the same goals. Lastly, we must pair transit with housing so riders can live near the stations they frequent. I believe it is an absolute necessity to target higher density on busy corridors throughout our city. I believe in our city. We can reduce commute times while also continuing to grow.

Gentrification remains an issue for many historic neighborhoods and longtime homeowners. What is your solution to reviving neighborhoods without losing these legacy residents?

We must hold two priorities when it comes to housing: increasing available supply of affordable housing while also protecting the residents who already live here. I am in support of adding density throughout our city where appropriate – especially near MARTA stations and along major transit corridors. I believe we can grow our city while retaining our character. We can make room for the next generation of Atlantans without pushing out the last.

The tools at our disposal to prevent displacement must be permanent and proactive. I support the use of community land trusts, inclusionary zoning, home-repair funds for legacy homeowners, and targeted property-tax relief for seniors. Additionally, I believe that we must protect renters throughout this city to ensure they cannot be taken advantage of by landlords looking to make a profit at the expense of their tenants’ living conditions. I support encouraging office-to-residential conversations to expand our housing supply. We must make Atlanta more affordable for everyone, or we risk losing what makes our city so special to begin with.

Atlanta’s streets are filled with potholes and plates. With growth and the 2026 FIFA World Cup coming, what is your solution to fixing our streets?

Part of the reason I ran for President of the Virginia Highland Civic Association was because I was frustrated with the speed of delivery on community improvement projects. I know how infuriating it is to see a sidewalk that needs to be repaired or a pothole that needs to be filled – while my family walks by them every single day. I’ll push to speed these projects up with increased public transparency in repair times, clearer access to schedules, and completion dates all in one place.

Our goal should be safe, durable streets to support all forms of transportation as opposed to temporary patches. With the World Cup approaching, we should prioritize ensuring our city is able to operate at increased capacity. This means prioritizing pedestrian safety around venues and business-heavy areas. We also should ensure public transportation is running reliably and frequently. However, I do not believe that any single event should motivate us to make these needed improvements to our city. I will prioritize these improvements year-round, regardless of which events are taking place.

After last year’s catastrophic water main breaks, how can Council ensure the $2 billion in water infrastructure replacements and repairs is expedited?

I believe all transportation and infrastructure projects should have a clear, citywide replacement plan. We should continue our efforts to better detect leaks before they become catastrophic, so we can identify areas of repair immediately and act. We should expand redundancy so one break doesn’t shut down an entire part of our city, and we also should grow the local workforce pipeline through union apprenticeships so projects can’t stall due to lack of skilled hands. I also believe we must take an equitable approach to how we fix our city’s infrastructure, focusing first on the areas with the most frequent breaks. On funding, I will work to combine local dollars with every outside source available. I support expanding our ability to write grants to maximize whatever federal programs are left, as well as pursuing other competitive funds and low-interest tools to make the most impact. I will also look for opportunities on Council to use my position to expand public-private partnerships where appropriate.

Courtney Smith
courtneyforatlanta.com / @courtneyforatl

What immediate actions can the City Council take to aid in curbing gun violence in
Atlanta?

The frequency of public shootings across our nation is alarming and unsettling. As a society, we cannot accept this as a status quo and we must continue to amplify the need for expanded gun laws. Gun control is a fight most fiercely fought at the state and national level. I will do my part to strongly support our legislators in their efforts to expand background checks, limit gun sales to violent criminals, and expand education on how to be a responsible gun owner.

At the city level we can assist in two major ways. First, we must do our part in educating citizens about the dangers of gun violence, the importance of walking away from disagreements, and how to be a responsible gun owner. This begins with a prolific gun storage program that makes it easy for citizens to acquire and use a lock box at home or in their vehicle. Much of our auto-theft and property crime is driven by the hunt for a weapon one can steal and sell. We must do all we can to inform citizens to be their own caretaker of our collective public safety.

Second, we must continue supporting our first responders in their efforts to keep violent crime down. In recent years, the City Council has supported our police and fire personnel with pay increases, housing programs, and a new training center. In return, recruitment and retention are up and crime is down across numerous key metrics. Our city’s strategy is working to keep Atlanta safe. That being said, one gun crime is one crime too many and, as your elected official, I will continue to be a strategic partner in evaluating crime trends and supporting community- centered strategies to keep Atlanta safe. I was proud to receive the endorsement of both the police (IBPO) and fire (IAFF) unions because they know that I share their commitment to best in class emergency response.

Transit, especially on the Beltline, remains a top concern for many voters. How
can the City Council help to fast-track these projects?

I support a full commitment with an actionable plan for a robust and expanded transportation network that addresses access and connection throughout the city. All modes – rail, light rail, BRT, autonomous vehicles, and light individual transportation will be critical elements of our city network. The Beltline and any form of public transit on the Beltline presents our greatest uninterrupted radial solution to our overall network. It is maximized when the entire loop is connected and especially when connected to MARTA infill stations.

In the next Council term, to have a definitive discussion about Beltline Rail, we must identify funding sources for the entire project, engineer the conflict points to a design level that provided certainty that the passage is possible, and continue to preserve the easement to allow us to make the decisions we need to make for the greater good of the city.

As we navigate important decisions on a full network plan (CTP), I will work to improve project delivery on long overdue transportation capital projects. Whether it is on overdue projects promised through referendums already passed (ie Monroe Drive, Highland Avenue) or just everyday promises around speed humps and stop signs, we should challenge ourselves to deliver with higher quality and better efficiency. We must repair our relationship with MARTA and encourage new leadership to make bold changes to redirect the culture to deliver projects efficiently and with a high standard of service to the entire population. We must drive ridership up. We deserve a robust, useful, multimodal network that takes our growth and equitable access into account. Beltline rail is a part of any such master plan discussion.

Gentrification remains an issue for many historic neighborhoods and the longtime
homeowners living there. What is your solution to reviving neighborhoods without losing these legacy residents?

It is fundamentally unfair to live through the ups and downs of Atlanta’s growth and then not be able to afford to remain in your community to enjoy the benefits. As a council member, I have the ability to pursue initiatives that help our legacy neighbors remain. Legacy neighbors are an incredible value to our community bond and bring a wealth of experience to inform how we embrace change. In addition, I want to make sure we are creating space for young people to start
in the city and remain when they are ready to become a homeowner or decide to start a family. When we change our zoning code to allow for more multi-family and mixed-income developments where they make sense and where they are supported in the community, we speed up the time to build. This faster track increases supply, reduces costs, and invites more variety in the way people choose to live. Special emphasis should be given to transit-adjacent projects as well as workforce housing that allows our first responders, teachers and other essential service providers to afford living in the neighborhoods they serve.

Legacy residents are often living on fixed incomes with any one increase reducing their ability to pay for other essential needs like medication, fresh food, or health care services. As legislators, we should explore how to reduce the burden on property owners to shoulder the city budget. I want to research consumption taxing options that distribute the budget burden to visitors as well. This can look like monetizing our city curb, ticket sale fees, or recalibrating special event permit fees. We must be careful to balance the changes with a continued ability to attract major events as a form of critical economic growth but I believe this is worth exploring immediately.

Atlanta’s streets continue to be filled with potholes and plates. With more growth
and hundreds of thousands of visitors expected for the FIFA World Cup, what is your solution to fixing our streets?

I would delve into the inner-workings of ATLDOT to figure out how I can support a more strategic and efficient department. This isn’t just about potholes and plates or one sporting event. Our delivery on projects large and small – from major capital advancements to new stop signs – should be faster and with a more consistent quality level. Timely delivery is intrinsic to people’s faith in their government and their future desire to fund transportation referendums, so we must achieve progress on our overdue projects. Clearing our backlog will open us to creative visioning for today’s demands and help retain talented traffic engineers and city planners in ATLDOT.
Good retention will help ensure our project by project momentum is sustained. Most critically, I will work with council colleagues, ATLDOT, and professional advisors to build consensus around an expanded and actionable Comprehensive Transportation Plan (CTP) for a robust transportation network – one that keeps all modes – pedestrian, light individual transit (LIT), dedicated lane buses, autonomous technology and high capacity rail – at the forefront. I am committed to being a major force in passing enabling legislation to get design and construction moving during this term.

After last year’s catastrophic water main breaks, what can the city council do to make sure the estimated $2 billion in water infrastructure replacements and repairs is expedited as quickly as possible?

Our aging water infrastructure is a serious challenge for our city today. For us to shoulder the increased burden associated with project population growth, we need to strengthen our city skeleton. Solving our underground water utility system issues is an expensive and unsexy allocation of funds and departmental attention. However, it is essential for the health of our city and a primary responsibility of the people you trust as elected officials. It begins with identifying, prioritizing, and addressing acute storm water and sewer network improvements using modern predictive failure tools. We need to get more proactive and less reactive when it comes to the condition of our water mains. When we suffer a major water main break, it can negatively impact the surrounding residents and businesses for weeks. The interruption can leave vulnerable residents with little to no options and businesses suffering punitive revenue and physical damages. We can do better by our communities.

We must also continue our compliance with the federal consent decree. This is imperative if we want to better manage storm water runoff and optimize treatment plant function. I will push to expedite the upgrades of necessary equipment and operations at the RM Clayton facility to reduce waste violations and the incurrence of associated fines as quickly as possible. All of this requires diligence in our investment of MOST dollars and seeking out state and federal assistance wherever possible.

James White III
Votejameswhite2025.com

What immediate actions can the City Council take to aid in curbing gun violence in Atlanta?

District 2 is the beating heart of Atlanta. It mixes deep history with rapid change. We have neighborhoods with rich cultural legacies right beside new development, and that mix gives us a huge opportunity. But it also brings unique pressures: gentrification, displacement, infrastructure strain, and disproportionate burdens on communities that have long been underserved. I believe District 2 can lead by example, showing what inclusive growth, public safety, and accountability in government look like in action.

Transit, especially on the Beltline, remains a top concern for many voters. How can the City Council help to fast-track these projects?

While I respect Mayor Dickens’ leadership and acknowledge the complexity of funding, logistics, and priorities, I believe foregoing rail along the Eastside Trail is a missed opportunity. The Beltline and specifically the Eastside Trail, connects people, businesses, and neighborhoods in a way that transit investments can’t be replicated. Rail would have provided higher-capacity service, less environmental impact than expanded roadways, and greater long-term value for residents. That said, if the rail option really isn’t feasible now, I’d push to ensure whatever replaces it (bus rapid transit or other modes) meets high standards: frequency, safety, accessibility, and community input.

Gentrification remains an issue for many historic neighborhoods and the longtime homeowners living there. What is your solution to reviving neighborhoods without losing these legacy residents?

Yes. I’ve reviewed what ABI has proposed. Overall, I believe it’s ambitious in a good way—and ambition is what we need—but ambition isn’t enough. Here’s how I see it:

What works:

• The plan’s scale is appropriate for the Beltline’s promise. Completing a loop and adding cross-town connections could be transformative.

• Using existing rights-of-way where possible (e.g. Beltline-owned, or working with CSX tracks) makes financial and logistical sense. Minimizing displacement and cost overruns will depend heavily on that.

• Prioritizing frequent service, good station placement, and integrating with MARTA/other transit modes is key. If done well, this can reduce car dependency, ease congestion, and improve equity.

Where I’d push for improvement / what to guard against:

• Ensuring the project isn’t just a visionary plan but delivers in phases with rigorous accountability. We need milestones, funding commitments for operations, maintenance, not just construction.

• Equity: Every line and station needs to serve communities most in need—not just high profile or high-visibility ones but those historically neglected. And first/last-mile access, safety, and fare affordability must be baked in.

• Avoiding delay creep. Big infrastructure plans often stall or get cut back. I’d advocate for binding agreements, clear timelines, and transparency at every step.

Here is what I would support:

• Prioritize projects with immediate impact: Those that can move quickly, serve many people, reduce traffic, and improve connectivity where transit is lacking. Summerhill BRT is great; we need more of that.

• Ensure equitable distribution: Projects should not only serve high-density or affluent areas but connect underserved neighborhoods, reduce transit deserts, and address historic inequities.

• Secure sustainable funding: It’s not enough to build—we must fund operations, maintenance, safety. Budget for staffing, upkeep, and future growth so lines don’t degrade.

• Community engagement and transparency: Let impacted communities have a say in alignments, station locations, and design. Ensure there’s full public reporting on progress.

• Coordinate with other plans: The More MARTA program should be aligned with the BeltLine proposals, city transit goals, zoning, housing, and affordable housing protections so that transit expansion doesn’t inadvertently accelerate displacement.

5. After last year’s catastrophic water main breaks, what can the city council do to make sure the estimated $2 billion in water infrastructure replacements and repairs are expedited as quickly as possible?

The Council must treat water infrastructure as an emergency priority by streamlining contracts, demanding transparent timelines from the Department of Watershed, pursuing state and federal funds to close the $2 billion gap, and creating independent oversight so that repairs are completed quickly, efficiently, and without waste.

District 3

Byron Amos
byronamos.com / @byronamos

What immediate actions can the City Council take to aid in curbing gun violence in Atlanta?

To curb gun violence in Atlanta, City Council can take several immediate, high-impact actions:

1. Fund Community-Based Violence Interruption

2. Strengthen Youth Engagement and Workforce Pathways

3. Expand Mental Health and Trauma Services

These steps combine prevention, intervention, and accountability.

Transit, especially on the Beltline, remains a top concern for many voters. How can the City Council help to fast-track these projects?

To fast-track Beltline transit, we can take several steps:

1. Prioritize Funding

2. Streamline the Permitting process

3. Leverage Public-Private Partnerships

4. Engage the Public Early

Fast-tracking Beltline transit is about speed, equity, access, and building a city that moves together.

Gentrification remains an issue for many historic neighborhoods and the long-term homeowners living there. What is your solution to reviving neighborhoods without losing these legacy residents?

I believe that the key to reviving neighborhoods without displacing legacy residents is building equity through ownership and protection. Some solutions should include Legacy Homeowner Support, Affordable Housing and Homeownership programs, Smart Zoning and Development and Community-Led Revitalization. I believe that revitalization should uplift, not uproot. We don’t need to reinvent District 3, we need to reinvest in District 3.

My solution to fixing our streets, especially ahead of the FIFA World Cup, is rooted in accountability, coordination, and investment:

1. Accelerate Street Repairs with Accountability

2. Coordinate Across Agencies

3. Prioritize High-Impact Corridors

4. Engage the Public

I believe pipes are one of those systems that work until they don’t. While some argue for replacing aging infrastructure, we must consider the hidden costs: traffic disruption, lost revenue, and impacts on daily life. As the only council member who remained on-site during last year’s water main break in my district, I have a unique perspective. We need two critical improvements: A modern infrastructure mapping system to quickly locate shutoff valves and prevent prolonged water flow and downstream damage. A fully equipped rapid response team trained to assess situations en route and begin repairs immediately upon arrival, with the right tools and expertise in hand. But if we were to expedite the repairs, we need to take immediate, strategic action across funding, oversight, and coordination.

Perrin Bostic
perrinbostic.com

What immediate actions can the City Council take to aid in curbing gun violence in Atlanta?

The City Council can take immediate steps by expanding peer-to-peer violence prevention programs that empower community members, especially young people, to intervene before conflicts escalate. These initiatives build trust at the neighborhood level and create credible messengers who can de-escalate situations in real time.

Additionally, the City should invest more into evidence-based violence prevention programs already operating in Atlanta. Strengthening these programs with consistent funding, staffing support, and coordination with schools, community organizations, and public health agencies will help address the root causes of gun violence. By pairing prevention with mentorship, workforce opportunities, and mental health resources, the City can provide alternatives to violence and create safer pathways for residents.

Transit, especially on the Beltline, remains a top concern for many voters. How can the city council help to fast-track these projects?

The City Council can help accelerate transit projects by improving transparency and accountability around funding and timelines. Creating a clear, user-friendly public dashboard will allow residents to track where dollars are being spent, the progress of construction, and upcoming milestones. This not only builds public trust but also ensures agencies are meeting their commitments.

It is also critical to make sure the Department of Transportation is fully staffed and resourced so projects don’t stall due to capacity issues. At the same time, the City must strengthen its partnership with MARTA to ensure that planning and execution remain aligned with Atlanta’s long-term mobility goals. By combining transparency, staffing support, and inter-agency coordination, the Council can keep transit, especially along the Beltline, on track and moving forward more quickly.

Gentrification remains an issue for many historic neighborhoods and the longtime homeowners living there. What is your solution to reviving neighborhoods without losing these legacy residents?

First, we must make sure residents are fully aware of the resources already available, such as the City’s Anti-Displacement Tax Fund, which helps longtime homeowners manage rising property taxes. Strengthening outreach and ensuring access to these programs will keep more families in their homes.

Second, renters also need protections. The City should explore the creation of a rent stabilization fund to provide relief for renters facing sharp increases, particularly in historically Black and working-class neighborhoods that are experiencing rapid change.

Finally, the City must work closely with the County, which is responsible for assessing property values, to ensure assessments are accurate and fair. Overinflated property values can unfairly drive up taxes, pushing families out of communities they’ve called home for generations.

This is not a funding issue, it’s about execution. We need to make sure the City’s “Pothole Posse” is adequately resourced, responsive, and measured against clear performance goals so residents see results quickly. At the same time, the Atlanta Department of Transportation must be fully staffed and supported to handle both routine maintenance and the larger-scale infrastructure work required ahead of major events like the World Cup.

By improving staffing levels, setting stronger accountability standards, and prioritizing proactive maintenance, we can ensure Atlanta’s streets are safe, reliable, and ready to welcome the world.

The City Council must prioritize water infrastructure as a top public safety and quality-of-life issue. That means fast-tracking repairs and replacements, with a focus on modernizing pipes and targeting areas where infrastructure is 80–100 years old and most at risk of failure. We should also partner closely with communities to identify chronic flood zones and areas with repeated service disruptions, making sure those neighborhoods are not overlooked. By combining modernization with community input, the City can address urgent needs while planning for long-term resiliency.

Finally, the Council must hold the Department of Watershed Management accountable for meeting deadlines and benchmarks, ensuring that the $2 billion investment is spent efficiently and transparently.

District 4

Jason Dozier
votedozier.com / @votejasondozier

What immediate actions can the City Council take to aid in curbing gun
violence in Atlanta?

Gun violence has left too many families in our city devastated, and as a council member I have seen firsthand the impact this has on communities. I have had to make heartbreaking calls to grieving mothers after shootings in places like Mechanicsville and Oakland City. These tragedies make clear that the City of Atlanta cannot stand on the sidelines.

The council must take immediate steps to strengthen violence prevention and intervention efforts. That means investing in community-based programs that interrupt cycles of retaliation, fully funding the Office of Violence Reduction, and supporting trusted messengers who are already working on the ground. We also need to strengthen coordination between APD, our schools, and community organizations to ensure that families have access to resources before conflict escalates.

Just as important, we must address the root causes of violence by tackling housing insecurity, poverty, and lack of opportunity. I have supported funding for youth jobs programs, mental health services, and neighborhood revitalization, because every investment in opportunity is an investment in public safety.

Transit, especially on the Beltline, remains a top concern for many voters. How can the City Council help to fast-track these projects

Transit on the Beltline is not just a convenience. It is critical to Atlanta’s future as a connected, equitable city. I have consistently championed Beltline rail as part of a broader strategy to reduce traffic congestion, improve mobility, and make sure Atlantans can get to work, school, and healthcare without depending on a car.

The council can fast-track these projects by ensuring MARTA and the Beltline remain aligned on planning and delivery, dedicating TSPLOST dollars to core transit investments, and leveraging federal infrastructure funding. It is also essential that we hold partners accountable for delivering on timelines and transparency, because the public deserves clarity on how and when these projects will be built.

For me, expanding Beltline transit is about connecting neighborhoods, creating affordable housing opportunities along the corridor, and building a city where everyone can thrive.

Gentrification remains an issue for many historic neighborhoods and the longtime homeowners living there. What is your solution to reviving neighborhoods without losing these legacy residents?

Atlanta’s neighborhoods are rich with history, culture, and community. Revitalization cannot come at the expense of displacement. I have made affordable housing and anti-displacement policies a central part of my work, and I will continue to push for solutions that allow legacy residents to stay in the communities they built.

That means strengthening our Housing Trust Fund, expanding property tax relief programs for seniors and long-time homeowners, and ensuring that public investments like the Beltline come with real affordability commitments. I have also worked to preserve Atlanta’s legacy businesses, because protecting the small businesses that anchor our neighborhoods is just as critical as protecting homeowners.

At the same time, I have supported new affordable housing developments across District 4, from supportive housing for our unhoused neighbors to new townhomes for working families, because we need more supply that is accessible to all income levels. The goal is not just growth, but growth that is equitable and sustainable.

I hear from residents every day about potholes, steel plates, and crumbling roads. As we prepare to welcome the world in 2026, we must treat street repair and maintenance as urgent infrastructure priorities. The council can accelerate progress by ensuring ATLDOT has the resources and staffing it needs to deliver timely repairs, and by dedicating more of our capital budgets toward resurfacing. I have pushed for better accountability from contractors to ensure that plates are removed quickly and that roads are restored to full quality after utility work.

Beyond repair, we also need to modernize our streets to be safer and more resilient. That means expanding bike and pedestrian infrastructure, redesigning dangerous intersections, and using Vision Zero principles to prevent traffic deaths. Hosting the World Cup is a chance to show the world an Atlanta that works for residents as well as visitors.

The water main breaks we experienced were a wake-up call that Atlanta’s aging infrastructure is overdue for comprehensive reinvestment. We cannot afford another crisis that leaves families and businesses without water for days. The council’s role is to ensure oversight, transparency, and accountability in how these billions are spent. That means setting clear priorities for the Department of Watershed Management, streamlining procurement so projects are not stuck in red tape, and creating a public dashboard so residents can track progress in real time.

We also need to maximize state and federal dollars by leveraging infrastructure grants and low- interest financing to stretch our resources further. As councilmember, I will continue to push for a proactive approach, fixing not just the pipes that break, but the entire system to make sure Atlanta’s water infrastructure is prepared for the next 50 years.

District 5

Liliana Bakhtiari
lilianaforatlanta.com / @lilianaforatlanta

What immediate actions can the City Council take to aid in curbing gun violence in Atlanta?

Gun violence is one of the most urgent issues facing Atlanta, but I also need to be clear about our limits: state law prevents the city from passing many commonsense gun safety measures. That means we can’t regulate sales, mandate background checks, or ban certain types of weapons. What we can do, and what I’ve prioritized on Council, is invest in prevention and accountability. I’ve supported funding for Cure Violence Atlanta, which trains community members to mediate conflicts before they escalate. I’ve worked to expand our mental health crisis response programs, including alternative response units, so not every emergency call is met with an armed officer.

Moving forward, we can strengthen youth development programs, expand hospital-based violence interruption efforts, and require better data on shootings so we can target resources where they’re most needed. And while we keep building these solutions locally, I’ll continue pushing state lawmakers to move the needle on state regulation, or to give Atlanta the authority to enact the gun safety measures our residents want and deserve.

Transit, especially on the Beltline, remains a top concern for many voters. How can the city council help to fast-track these projects?

As a member of the City Council, I’ve been clear that transit along the Beltline isn’t just about mobility, it is about equity, access, and ensuring our growth benefits all Atlantans. While Council doesn’t directly build or operate transit, we do hold significant power when it comes to oversight, funding approvals, land use decisions, and making sure our partners at MARTA and the Beltline remain accountable to their commitments. To fast track these projects, Council can prioritize transit funding in our budget process, direct federal and state dollars more efficiently, and create stronger timelines and transparency requirements for both MARTA and Atlanta Beltline Inc. I have pushed for greater public reporting so residents can see where every transit dollar is going and whether projects are moving forward on schedule.

We also have a role in aligning zoning and development policy for future transit. That means making sure we preserve the land needed for rail corridors, investing in displacement safeguards around planned stations, and pushing for more affordable housing near those routes so that the benefits of transit don’t just go to those who can already afford to live along the Beltline.

Ultimately, the Council’s job is to hold our regional partners accountable, secure funding, and make sure projects move from promises to construction. For me, that means keeping transit at the center of every conversation we have about the Beltline. Without it, we risk building a luxury amenity instead of the equitable, connected city as envisioned in the Beltline’s founding.

Gentrification remains an issue for many historic neighborhoods and the longtime homeowners there. What is your solution to solving neighborhoods without losing these legacy residents?

As someone who grew up in Atlanta and represents some of its most historic neighborhoods, I take the issue of displacement very personally. We cannot talk about revitalizing communities if the very people who built and sustained them are being pushed out. For me, preserving the ability for legacy residents to stay in their homes has been at the center of my work on Council. I’ve championed programs like the Anti-Displacement Tax Fund, which helps long-time homeowners in rapidly changing neighborhood pay for rising property taxes. I’ve supported expanding access to home repair programs, which allow seniors and lower-income homeowners to make critical improvements without facing predatory lending or being forced to sell. And I’ve backed funding for the Legacy Resident Retention Program along the Beltline, which was specifically designed to make sure that the people who lived near the Beltline before its development are not displaced by the rising costs of living in that area. But programs alone are not enough. We also must be proactive in shaping growth. That means strengthening affordability requirements in new developments, making sure city land is prioritized for mixed-income housing, and ensuring renters have protections against exploitation as well, not just homeowners. It also means working with communities directly to understand what investments they want to see, like the grocery store opened in the Sweet Auburn neighborhood just this year. Progress should benefit the people who already call these neighborhoods home, and I am committed to finding solutions to make sure that this progress does not come at the expense of displacement, but instead creates stability, opportunity, and equity for those who have been here the longest.

Atlanta’s infrastructure has not kept pace with our growth, and I hear the frustration from residents daily about potholes, steel plates, and the conditions of our streets. With the FIFA World Cup on the horizon, it is not just a matter of pride but of safety and accessibility that we address this head- on. My solution is twofold: first, accelerating repair and resurfacing by holding utility companies accountable for timely and high-quality work when they cut into our roads, and second, investing in a more proactive, rather than reactive, approach to street maintenance. I have supported increased funding for Public Works to expand crews and resources dedicated to pothole repair and repaving, and I’ve also advocated for leveraging new infrastructure dollars to modernize how we manage our roads, including technologies that help us detect and respond to problems faster.

The World Cup will bring hundreds of thousands of visitors to our city, but it will also highlight us on a global stage. This is our chance to not just patch over problems but to invest in long-term solutions that improve the daily lives of Atlantans while preparing us to welcome the world. My focus is ensuring that our investments make our streets safer, smoother, and more reliable for everyone before, during, and long after the World Cup.

Last year’s catastrophic water main breaks made one thing clear, our century- old water infrastructure is failing, and the cost of doing nothing is higher than the billions it will take to fix it. We cannot wait another decade to address this. Atlanta families and businesses depend on us to move with urgency. On Council, I’ve already voted to allocate tens of millions of dollars to emergency funds to stabilize our most vulnerable mains and to expand the Department of Watershed Management’s ability to respond faster. I supported adding critical positions to Watershed’s workforce, so we have the staff power to keep up with repairs and I have pushed for tighter oversight and public reporting on how these dollars are spent. I also co-sponsored legislation that committed us to prioritizing water infrastructure within the city’s capital improvement program, so these investments are not delayed or sidelined.

But we know $2 billion in replacements and repairs can’t come from the city alone. That’s why I’ve been advocating for us to aggressively pursue federal and state dollars, particularly through the bipartisan infrastructure law, which makes funding available for exactly these types of large-scale water system overhauls. We also need to modernize our procurement process, so we’re not caught in years of red tape while pipes continue to break beneath our streets. Finally, I will keep insisting that this work is done equitably. Too often, wealthier neighborhoods receive faster service while legacy communities are left waiting. Every resident deserves reliable, clean water. That’s why I’ve pushed for Watershed to adopt an equity-based approach that prioritizes the neighborhoods with the greatest vulnerability. Access to water is a basic human right. My role on Council is to make sure this investment stays at the top of our priorities, is fully funded, and is delivered in a way that builds long-term trust and resilience for every Atlanta Community.

District 6

Alex Wan
@AlexWanforAtlCityCouncil /@AlexWanforATL / @AlexWanforATL

What immediate actions can the City Council take to aid in curbing gun violence in Atlanta?

In my opinion, there are two primary levers that can most impact curbing gun violence in Atlanta – availability of guns and deterrence of use. To the first, as most people are aware, the city is preempted by both the state and federal governments in terms of what we are able to do regarding gun-related controls. Those seeking more substantive limits to accessibility should continue to lobby state and federal representatives to enact sensible laws. Meanwhile, the city council can continue pursuing strategies around secure storage of weapons (for example, of ering free gun lockboxes, promoting clean car campaigns, encouraging use of residential weapons safes, etc.) Additionally, the city council can continue to resource our public safety department so that gun violence incidents are investigated and quickly solved and that perpetrators are appropriately pursued and sentenced.

Transit, especially on the Beltline, remains a top concern for many voters. How can the City Council help to fast-track these projects?

Ultimately, the City must hold our partner agencies that are charged with implementing transit – namely MARTA and Atlanta Beltline – accountable for the resources with which we have entrusted them to deliver these projects. We have regular opportunities when they appear before our Council committees to remind them of the voters’ expectations and to continue exerting pressure – including voices from the community – on these projects. There is conversation currently underway about extending our tax allocation districts (TADs) to continue investing in redevelopment opportunities. We need to use this opportunity to seek commitments on transit project implementation as a condition to that consideration. Additionally, and while it would hopefully not come to this, we do have to recognize that there may be future redevelopment opportunities whose feasibility should be contingent on whether or not there is sufficient transit infrastructure to support them. Perhaps the specter of having to say “No” could provide strong incentive to accelerate delivery.

Gentrification remains an issue for many historic neighborhoods and the longtime homeowners living there. What is your solution to reviving neighborhoods without losing these legacy residents?

I have long sought and supported strategies to mitigate the effects of gentrification resulting from community revitalization. The state legislature seems best positioned to enact more sustained relief through homestead exemptions targeted to legacy residents either through senior status, term of residence, or both. Additionally, while we continue striving to be good stewards of city tax dollars, we will need our county and school agencies to exercise the same frugality, as they comprise the other (roughly 80%) of residents’ property tax bills. Another strategy would be exploring a meaningful senior school tax exemption as many of our neighboring municipalities have done. Additionally, the city council should continue to pursue programs that provide property tax relief (Westside Future Fund’s Anti-Displacement Tax Fund), assist with home repairs (Invest Atlanta’s Rebuilding Together Atlanta program), and inform/protect against predatory home buyers.

The current condition of our transportation infrastructure is painfully evident as one traverses any major thoroughfares in the city. Potholes create unpleasant rides that can potentially damage vehicles, and roads lacking safety features for vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians make for dangerous passage for all.

Fortunately, the city currently has multiple funding sources to make these repairs and maintain the facilities. The key is to maximize the capacity of the Department of Transportation and to deploy additional strategies to expand that capacity further. Some strategies I intend to continue pursuing during my next term include:

● Sufficiently staff the Atlanta DOT capital delivery team, even if it includes further

enhancing salaries to support recruitment

● Streamline procurement process to reduce time-to-contract

● Expand usage of creative contract vehicles such as Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) agreements to reduce legislative process drag time

● Expand partnerships with CIDs, Georgia DOT, nonprofit organizations that can manage projects and transfer project responsibility and funds to those entities

The water main break in the summer of 2024 and the protracted time it took to locate and repair it remains a painful reminder of the current condition of our water infrastructure. Just a few weeks ago, we experienced yet another water main break in Midtown that resulted in outages for businesses and residents. While system-wide repairs are estimated to cost over $2 billion and take 20 years to complete, it is imperative that the City approach that plan as vigorously as possible to prevent future devastating failures and to ensure our capacity to meet the needs of an ever-growing population. The good news is that the watershed enterprise fund appears to be in good financial standing. The key is prioritizing the restoration projects and having the discipline to follow that plan, all with the federal consent decree requirements still to complete. The City needs to pivot from a reactive approach to a more proactive approach with regards to repair and replacement. The quarterly reports from the Department of Watershed Management currently focus only on response-related key performance indicators (broken line and main break repairs), but we need to also establish and track preventive activity metrics (inspections, replacements, pipe conditioning, etc.) as well. We also should request and track progress against the Mayor’s long-term plan to keep it front of mind.

District 7

Jamie Christy
jamiechristy.com / @jamiechristyatl / Jamie Christy for District 7

What immediate actions can the city council take to aid in curbing gun violence in Atlanta?

The state legislature legislates gun control, but City Council can promote and support programs that focus on ending gun violence. Specifically, City Council can partner with CHRIS 180, which provides a teen violence reduction program and a Cure Violence Atlanta program. We can apply these programs in all NPUs based upon the CHRIS 180’s success in NPU V. This neighborhood has seen a 50% decrease in violent crime since working with the program. We need to continue funding for the Center for Diversion and Services (“CDS”), which helps at-risk individuals who show indications of committing more serious crimes if not provided resources to help with their behavioral health issues. Gun violence plagues our city and to deter it requires a holistic approach that begins with educational resources on gun use. We also must change the mindset that drawing a gun will solve disputes. Continued support for the Mayor’s programs, like Midnight Basketball, should be a priority for City Council as well. I will support establishing civic programs on gun safety and responsible gun ownership at the Public Safety Training Center to foster community involvement in preventing gun violence.

2. Transit, especially on the Beltline, remains a top concern for many voters. How can the City Council help to fast-track these projects?

Timely delivery of transit projects is the bane of MARTA’s existence. MARTA must be held accountable and new leadership must have the ability to mandate timely completion of projects, and penalties for MARTA for failure to deliver projects on time. MARTA is not managed by City Council, but City Council controls MARTA’s funding through implementing a 1.5% city-wide sales tax. I will not approve an increase in MARTA sales tax until MARTA provides timely bus and rail service. I also will demand that MARTA use the funds raised from the tax to improve the quality of service, as well as safety in the already-existing services. I will support a City Council committee that oversees MARTA funding and spending on a weekly basis with the authority to challenge spending to ensure transparency on MARTA’s budget and project delivery. Additional oversight with ongoing communication should help avoid misappropriation and improve timely project delivery.

Gentrification remains an issue for many historic neighborhoods and the longtime homeowners living there. What is your solution to reviving neighborhoods without losing these legacy residents?

As gentrification occurs, property taxes rise as well which forces longtime residents out of their homes. Many residents cannot afford to pay the increasing property taxes or, if they pay the increased property taxes, they cannot pay for necessary repairs on their homes. Legacy residents should not be required to choose nor be forced out of their homes. Property taxes should not be raised based on the surrounding area’s value or new homes built in the neighborhood, but rather on the value of each home based on its condition and history. If a home has not been renovated, its value should not exponentially increase based on the value of a newly built home. On the ballot in November is a Senior Property Tax Relief measure. This measure proposes at an additional $50,000 homestead exemption for seniors who reside in the City. Another measure that applies to seniors in Fulton County proposes a 25% school tax exemption for residents aged 65 and older. I am a supporter of these measures.

To effectively address infrastructure concerns, I will establish a public works task force under the City Utilities Committee to establish an expedited schedule for streets in most need of repair. This task force will focus on implementing a proactive plan for expedited pothole repairs and timely metal plate replacements, ensuring that we maintain safe road conditions across District 7 and the City. Further, in the past, the City had the “pothole posse” to assist with immediate street repair issues The City should revitalize this effort, even if only to prepare for the FIFA World Cup.

Additionally, I will collaborate with District 8 on its transportation task force, working together to tackle broader transportation issues. I recognize the importance of collaboration with my fellow council members on citywide challenges. I am committed to working alongside them to ensure that all districts receive the attention they require regarding infrastructure while also considering the specific needs of Buckhead.

Atlanta cannot afford to continue its reactionary approach to water main breaks and wastewater spills. We need a proactive plan. I believe the first step in a plan is to map the entire water and sewer system to determine the condition of each water and sewer line. A review of the mapping will allow us to prioritize repairs and replacements where the needs are greatest. We can develop and then follow a long-term schedule for repair and replacement across District 7 and the City. This approach enables the City to efficiently allocate resources by investing first in areas where public safety and economic stability are at greatest risk. We should consider adopting advanced materials and technologies that offer greater durability and longevity than traditional infrastructure. Communication with engineering experts, the City Council, business leaders, and Buckhead CID will be essential during the mapping and scheduling process. With these repairs and replacements, we can create a modern water infrastructure that meets current demands and can handle future growth. This investment will support local businesses and homeowners and increase economic development. Strong oversight will be necessary to ensure timely compliance with the plan. I intend to propose creation of an independent oversight committee consisting of engineers, neighborhood representatives, and financial experts to track maintenance, spending, and progress on repairs. This step ensures transparency for residents and holds the City and the Council accountable.

Allen Daly
allendaly.com / @daly.allen

What immediate actions can the City Council take to aid in curbing gun violence in Atlanta?

The City Council has made great strides in fighting gun violence over the past few years, with a 46% decrease in the citywide murder rate over the past three years. However, there is always more that can be done to keep our streets safe. I would fight for increased funding for the mayor’s Office of Violence Prevention to combat the root causes of gun violence through community involvement and integration. Additionally, we need to promote the use of anger management diversionary programs within our court system – the number one cause of gun violence incidents are escalating trivial disputes, so programs intended to prevent these arguments from intensifying into murders are vital to preventing gun violence. Finally, we must continue to enforce the law against parents who allow their children to access firearms and use them during crime.

Transit, especially on the Beltline, remains a top concern for many voters. How can the City Council help fast-track these projects?

The Rapid A-Line project recently encountered construction delays because of the presence of unexpected water lines and a parking lot underground. This is because the City of Atlanta somehow does not know what’s underneath its streets – no comprehensive mapping of Atlanta’s underground has been performed, which threatens the construction of crucial projects such as the A-Line. We need to undertake a comprehensive audit of our city’s roadways and infrastructure so construction projects can proceed with accurate information that allows deadlines to be met. Additionally, the city should revive the proposed Eastside Trail light rail project, which is the only project that would connect one of Atlanta’s most vibrant opportunity zones to the transit system. Finally, we must require MARTA and Beltline project leaders to provide transparent, quarterly progress updates tied to funding milestones. If timelines slip, the public should know why. We also need dedicated funding oversight to ensure that the revenue from the More MARTA sales tax and Beltline TAD is spent where voters expected it.

Gentrification remains a top issue for many historic neighborhoods and the longtime homeowners living there. What is your solution to reviving neighborhoods without losing these legacy residents?

My #1 priority is to stop any raises to the city mill rate, and lower them. This will give relief to all residents. I would also support the implementation of laws, such as the ones in Washington, D.C. and San Francisco, which give current tenants right-of-first-refusal any time their current apartment is put up for sale by their landlord. These laws would allow us to keep residents in their current homes and prevent excess displacement. We can also utilize project labor agreements and community workforce agreements in the construction of government projects, which provide local residents with employment opportunities that allow them to remain in their homes.

With regards to the World Cup, the city must pull out all the stops and fast-track road repair for the first half of 2026. Long term, my platform calls for the implementation of Smart Streets, using adaptive traffic signals to change signal timings based on current traffic conditions. Automatic responses to changing traffic conditions will help reduce congestion, reduce the amount of time vehicles have to wait at a red light, and reduce fuel consumption and emissions.

Watershed must improve its collection rate. We can fast-track work by bundling projects for efficiency, using federal infrastructure dollars, state revolving loans, and bond financing instead of waiting on slow collections alone.

Rebecca King
voterebeccaking.com / @rebeccaforatlanta

What immediate actions can the City Council take to aid in curbing gun violence in Atlanta?

Continue and expand APD’s conflict resolution efforts: Allocate funding to ensure sustained support for the Atlanta Police Department’s (APD) conflict resolution and de-escalation programs, particularly in schools and high-crime neighborhoods.
Partner with community groups that are engaged in the community and working with the neighborhoods to reduce gun violence, crime and homelessness.
Increase police hiring with a community focus: Prioritize hiring officers from within the communities they’ll serve, and ensure training emphasizes cultural competency, de-escalation, and community trust-building.
Strengthen neighborhood policing beats: Fund enough officers in neighborhoods so that there are consistent presence and relationships with residents.
Expand job training and apprenticeship programs: Partner with local unions, tech companies, and trade schools to offer vocational training starting in high school.
Fund year-round youth employment programs: Provide paid internships, especially during out-of-school time, to keep youth engaged and off the streets.
Create mentorship pipelines: Pair youth with mentors in various career fields, including public service, arts, tech, and skilled trades, through city- supported initiatives.

Transit, especially on the Beltline, remains a top concern for many voters. How
can the City Council help to fast-track these projects?

Conduct a comprehensive audit of funds allocated through the Tax Allocation Districts (TADs) and More MARTA programs to determine if resources have been spent as intended and in the most efficient manner.
Increase transparency in how Beltline and MARTA funds are used by requiring quarterly public reporting and independent oversight, ensuring taxpayer dollars are delivering promised results.
Redirect underutilized or misallocated funds back into high-impact Beltline transit segments to keep momentum moving forward.
Adopt a “One for All, All for One” approach to Beltline transit development by recognizing that funding and construction should occur as quickly as possible across all of the Beltline instead of selecting sections. When a study is paid for, then adhere to the recommendations if the study is apolitical and unitifed in its approach to completing the Beltline.
Convene the Community Improvement Districts (CIDs) within the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) to align funding, planning, and execution strategies.
Introduce legislation that allows regional infrastructure funds and transportation investments to be used on Beltline and MARTA expansion projects—recognizing the Beltline as a key regional asset, not just a city project.
Streamline project approval and implementation

Gentrification remains an issue for many historic neighborhoods and the longtime homeowners living there. What is your solution to reviving neighborhoods without losing these legacy residents?

The City should empower Invest Atlanta to serve as a stabilizing
force in gentrifying neighborhoods—funding home improvements,
tax relief, and small business support to help residents stay and
thrive. A revolving investment model ensures that when a home is
eventually sold (outside the family), a portion returns to Invest
Atlanta to keep reinvesting in the same community.

Modernize the city’s impact fee system by creating a revolving fund structure: Every time a building is sold or transferred, a portion of the transaction triggers an additional contribution to the city’s infrastructure fund.
Dedicate these recurring funds to high-need priorities like streets, sidewalks, stormwater drainage, and watershed improvements, especially in areas affected by rapid development.
Amend city ordinances to ensure that this mechanism uses a 75% 25% ratio. 75% will be used locally and 25% will go to other areas of the city. Once 75% has completed needed projects then the 75% can be utilized in other areas until it is needed again.
Ensure transparency and accountability by publicly tracking where and how these funds are used, with annual reporting and community input.

Empower Community Improvement Districts (CIDs) to take a more active role in contracting and managing infrastructure projects—including streetscape upgrades, sidewalk repairs, and transit-supportive development.
The city can partner with CIDs to contract work directly, reducing the administrative burden on city departments and speeding up project timelines.
Streamline the permitting process for CID-led or CID-supported projects by creating a dedicated city review lane—prioritizing high-impact infrastructure and transit work.
Establish clear timelines and accountability for permit approvals to prevent unnecessary delays, while maintaining quality and safety standards.

Thomas Worthy

worthyforatlanta.com / @worthyforatlanta / @worthyforatlanta / @WorthyforATL

What immediate actions can the City Council take to aid in curbing gun violence in Atlanta?

Gun violence is a public safety crisis, and we must act on both immediate prevention and long-term solutions. City Council can prioritize investments in community-based violence interruption programs, expand youth engagement and afterschool opportunities, and ensure stronger coordination between APD, Fulton County, and community organizations. Staffing, training, and trust matter. We need well-trained officers embedded in neighborhoods, coupled with wraparound services like mental health care and job pathways, so we prevent violence before it starts. Public safety must be both strong and smart—supporting first responders while also addressing the root causes that put people at risk.

Transit, especially on the Beltline, remains a top concern for many voters. How can the City Council help to fast-track these projects?

I bring direct experience as a former MARTA Board Chair. I helped negotiate historic labor agreements and secured a AAA bond rating for MARTA. Council must align closely with MARTA to accelerate high-impact investments: building four infill rail stations that connect the Beltline to heavy rail in all four quadrants of the city, expanding east–west connectivity, and fast-tracking bus rapid transit and trail-to-transit connections. I strongly support transit on the Beltline. I support making the Beltline stronger as a trail and greenspace network and a real transportation alternative by connecting it to MARTA through reliable feeder service and using innovative and alternative transit modes to serve the loop that are now a realistic option. Council should also explore Special Services Districts and federal grants to unlock additional transit funding to make this a reality now.

Gentrification remains an issue for many historic neighborhoods and the longtime homeowners living there. What is your solution to reviving neighborhoods without losing these legacy residents?

We must strike a balance between revitalization and stability. I support expanding inclusionary zoning so that new developments set aside affordable units, and I’ll champion incentives for naturally occurring affordable housing that helps seniors and longtime residents stay in place. Property tax relief programs, targeted grants, and public-private partnerships are key to preventing displacement. At the same time, leveraging public land for mixed-income development—like opportunities near Lindbergh—can add housing choices without erasing neighborhood character. Growth must benefit the families who built these neighborhoods, not push them out.

We need to get the fundamentals right: fixing potholes, synchronizing traffic lights, and enforcing rules that keep lanes clear. I’ll push to get the “pothole posse” back to work, require delivery trucks and rideshares to use designated loading zones instead of blocking major corridors, and ensure repairs are done right the first time. For the World Cup and beyond, Council should establish a Project Delivery Office with experienced managers to accelerate roadwork and reduce bottlenecks. Safe, smooth streets aren’t just about convenience; they’re essential for residents, businesses, and visitors alike.

Atlanta’s water system is one of our most urgent challenges. First, we need a comprehensive mapping initiative using GIS and sensors to know exactly what’s underground. Too many records are incomplete or missing. Second, we must adopt a long-term capital plan that prioritizes the oldest and most vulnerable lines while expanding capacity for growth. Third, transparency is critical. Ratepayers deserve to see a real-time, public-facing dashboard showing where dollars are going and how projects are progressing. Council must also aggressively pursue state and federal funds to offset costs. Reliable water isn’t optional, it’s the foundation of a safe, thriving Atlanta.

District 11

Andre Burgin

andreburgin.com / @andreburgin4atl / @andreburgin4atl

What immediate actions can the City Council take to aid in curbing gun violence in Atlanta?

Curbing gun violence requires holistic, proven approaches that attack root causes. Cities like Chicago and Baltimore are achieving real results by employing community-based violence interruption programs (e.g., Cure the Violence model). This means targeted funding in high-risk areas (including District 11) with wraparound services like job training, health services, housing support, and counseling. Also, the Mayor is on the right path with his effort to focus on blight removal. This needs to be paired with funding to improve street lighting as physical environments impact public safety.

Transit, especially on the Beltline, remains a top concern for many voters. How can the city council help to fast-track these projects?

City Council helps fast-track projects with transparent project tracking and ruthless prioritization. Digital Transparency: We need a public facing roadmap and dashboard showing construction milestones, budget status, and accountability metrics for both MARTA and ATLDOT. Residents should be able to see progress in real-time. City Council must have RACI charts for projects, end-to-end, to establish who is Responsible, Accountable, and should be Consulted if or when issues occur.

As a community leader, I witnessed the Cascade complete streets project suffer from poor project management and departmental communication siloes decision-making slows progress. Joint working sessions anchored by roadmaps, dashboard, and accountability framework drives productivity.

Ruthlessly Prioritize: Focusing on completing projects that (1) serve the most residents and (2) connect underserved communities to jobs and services. There are many projects still pending on the Moving Atlanta Forward list, Campbellton Corridor is a key project that deserves prioritization.

When we prioritize projects based on impact, community engagement improves. MARTA meetings often lack detail and clarity about timelines and trade-offs. Proper transparency, prioritization criteria helps ensure we get substantive community input that actually shapes decisions that move projects forward.

Gentrification remains an issue for many historic neighborhoods and the longtime homeowners living there. What is your solution to reviving neighborhoods without losing these legacy residents?

Anti-displacement is one of my core campaign priorities as this is a key issue for District 11 residents. My approach aims to provide stability with growth. Tax Relief for Legacy Residents: We need to expand homestead exemptions and tax freezes for seniors and long-term residents; key factors that force people from homes they’ve owned for decades. Rezoning for Middle Housing: We continue to miss opportunities to diversify housing by expanding options for middle housing. Duplexes and Garden Style housing can increase housing affordability, density, and diversity without destroying neighborhood character. This gives residents real options to size down or live in growing neighborhoods.

My solution is data-driven prioritization with accountability mechanisms baked into execution. Prioritize High Impact Areas Systematically: Focus on high traffic volume areas factoring in those in the worse conditions and/or identified in the high injury network. Not every street can be fixed tomorrow, but we need transparent criteria for which streets get repaired first and why.
● Analyze water/sewer related data in coordination with Atlanta Department of Watershed
and Department of Transportation
● Identify and prioritize key hospitality corridors to be frequented by visitors
● Reference and prioritize communities in the Vision Zero Action plan
Accountability Frameworks: After prioritization comes execution. Too many projects
experience delays that hard businesses and residents; that can’t happen in the lead up to the
World Cup.
● RACI charts identifying who’s responsible across each project milestone
● Establish and enforce contractor performance standards with penalties for delays
● Dashboards to track milestones E2E, budget status, and accountability metrics

I’ll approach this similar to my previous response; ruthless prioritization and accountability frameworks. These two things enable us to move quickly in Tech, and they can help the city as well. The water main break exposed decades of deferred maintenance and poor tracking.

Improve Infrastructure Mapping: The fact that we’re discovering unmapped infrastructure during projects is inexcusable in 2025. I’ll advocate for comprehensive infrastructure mapping using modern technology to prevent surprises that cause costly delays.

Interdepartmental Coordination: I’ll push for project bundling (i.e., sewer repair and street resurfacing) to minimize delays. Proper coordination reduces costs and community impact.

Accountability Frameworks: RACI charts and prioritization criteria based on age, failure risk, and community impact. Residents deserve to know where their neighborhood stands in the queue and why; contractors need to know they have performance tracked by metrics with Consequences.

I’ll bring data-driven project management experiences from Big Tech to ensure this critical investment delivers results efficiently and equitably.

Curt Collier
curtcollieratl.com / @curtcollier.atl

What immediate actions can the city council take to aid in curbing gun
violence in Atlanta?

Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are all at odds with the threat and realities posed by gun violence. This is why we have to take an all-hands-on-deck, collaborative approach with various departments within City Hall, our public school system and our communities, the people. It sounds daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Real progress has happened in both Atlanta, and Chicago, a city with similar per capita homicide data to our own. Let me share just a bit of data
to show you what I mean:
2020 – Both cities experienced what many call The Pandemic Surge in homicides
2021 – Both cities curbed those homicide numbers significantly.
2022 – Here is where we see Chicago homicides on a downturn, while Atlanta’s had an uptick.
2023 – Chicago homicides continue a steady downturn, while Atlanta’s drops drastically.
2024 – Both cities continue on a downturn, yet the rate of their downturns are not as significant as the previous year.

The point is, per capita, Chicago beat Atlanta to achieving the goal of less homicides per capita, post-pandemic. From 2021-2022, when Chicago homicides took a dip, the city took a whole-of-government approach to scale Community Violence Interventions (CVI). My plan mirrors what worked in Chicago in 2022: Day 1, work across council to draft legislation to convene an Atlanta Safety Cabinet and launch a 90-day hotspot plan to identify beats heaviest hit by homicides and non-homiscidal shootings. Fix any lighting and vegetation overgrowth in identified blighted target areas within 72 hours. Fund CVI partners and “Light the Night” with youth activations. Expand 911 behavioral-health and diversion teams like PAD, so police officers can focus on gun cases and clearances. Publish weekly beat scorecards, track data, and use a data-based approach to make adjustments within the first 90 days. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, execute a public reporting campaign with the findings, allowing feedback and adjustments as necessary.

Transit, especially on the Beltline, remains a top concern for many voters. How can the city council help to fast-track these projects?

I support Beltline transit—ordinantly– not at the expense of Campbellton or the Southwest corridor. Unfortunately, by nature of neglect in transportation improvements for decades, District 11 deserves front-and-center attention in the Atlanta taxpayer transportation conversation. Now, that said, from the beginning I have called myself the infrastructure candidate, because I know that our city-wide infrastructure need is at the heart of our current tipping point. Yes, we have FIFA. Yes, we have another Superbowl, Yes, since 1996, we’ve attracted international attention, big business, big dollars, and a host of new people.

What we haven’t done is revitalize our infrastructure to keep up with the economic and entertainment success. With this, we have left our own faithful long-time and legacy population with the burden of success. Instead of prosperity, they live with daily potholes, busting pipes, low water pressure, and boil water advisories.
Newcomers immediately leave the Atlanta honeymoon phase when they realize that public transit in Atlanta pales in comparison to comparable cities like Washington D.C. and other urban centers where public transit ridership encompasses people in every income bracket. I could go on, but respectfully, I will say that I am poised to support transportation that makes sense, even if it means advocating for improvements today, that should have been carried out over the last half-century.

Gentrification remains an issue for many historic neighborhoods and the longtime homeowners living there. What is your solution to reviving neighborhoods without losing these legacy residents?

Gentrification shouldn’t mean eviction by another name. My approach is to grow with our legacy residents, not around them–to house our most vulnerable populations, not evict them. Gentrification is a popular term. The history of our city shows that we once used another term: Urban Renewal. Urban Renewal is what we have to thank for the eviction and or demolition of over 60 public housing complexes (whole neighborhoods) in Atlanta from the 1990s to the 2010s. Can you guess the primary demographics that were housed in these 60-plus neighborhoods? African-Americans won first place and seniors won second place in what seemed to be the displacement Olympics, spurred on in part by the attraction of the Centennial Olympics in 1996.

My aim is to protect, and preserve our populations. I support expansion of senior property tax exemptions, subsidy programs, and even city-sponsored automatic identification of those eligible for these programs. I support more home ownership initiatives for those wanting to own properties. As an educator, I benefitted from about $40,000, thanks to Invest Atlanta, in down payment assistance to purchase our home. This is the model, continue to create and fund programs for our public servants to obtain home ownership. There are also other important middle-housing avenues to explore and I look forward to collaborating with colleagues in City Hall to this end.

FIFA is less than eight months away. It’s a little late to create a robust plan that would benefit Atlanta taxpayers more than those coming for a couple of weeks. Let me explain. Permeable roads are my solution for resilient road revitalization, first in District 11, and throughout the city.

This takes longer than repaving and would be a part of a more comprehensive infrastructure plan that would simultaneously allow space and time to fix the underlying sewer/water infrastructure. So, if I must give an answer based solely on FIFA, we need a traffic audit ASAP. With this audit, we can preemptively address and manage expectations of what is to come. While I am for permeable roads, and not for wasting more money and resilience opportunity on temporary paving, this is a possibility. More importantly, if there is any maintenance or streamlined improvements that we can make to our MARTA system, public transit improvement
is my real FIFA transportation answer. We know where our hotels are, so we can start auditing likely travel routes to and from those areas. Had we as a city enforced our well thought out Short Term Rental (STR) ordinance, requiring licenses to be obtained by all STR owners, we could also audit likely travel routes to and from our most dense STR neighborhoods. However, knowing that Southwest Atlanta is one of the hardest hit neighborhoods in the Atlanta low-accountability/unlicensed STR boom, we can just use common sense and audit routes to and from our corridors as well. Once these audits reports are produced, we can work with the city’s Communications Department, Local businesses, hyper-local influencers (Social Media and otherwise) on a Welcome to Atlanta Campaign that is strategically meant to guide transportation routes.

Thank you for reading until the end. This answer’s length is a direct correlation to the length of time we have spent not investing in the right infrastructure that would make FIFA travel a nonissue.

On August 5, 2025, business owners, and community leaders of the Cascade Rd SW Corridor met to discuss the 4-year delayed Cascade Complete Street project. In that meeting I spoke the truth. We have the resources to have a 24/7 construction schedule. With this schedule, I proposed that the street would be reopened in two weeks. Someone must have been listening, if not to me, to the business owners who were hundreds of thousands of dollars down in profit, due the years-long road closure. That weekend, ATLDOT released a statement saying they would execute a 24/7 work schedule and have the road opened in a couple of weeks. It was so. I would suggest this same kind of urgency with these $2 billion, already allocated to the water infrastructure problem–because we can.

Stephen Dingle
dingleforatlanta.com / @dingleforatlanta

What immediate actions can the City Council take to aid in curbing gun violence in Atlanta?

Truly curbing gun violence in Atlanta requires an investment into our young people. This is not me blaming young people, this is me saying that gun violence is a culture problem. Unless you completely ban firearms, which isn’t happening in the South, no legislation is going to stop someone from using a firearm to harm people. We must invest in our communities to provide safe, healthy environments where we cherish and value life and respect our fellow Atlantans. This takes a group effort, and it is not going to get fixed tomorrow, but we have to be willing to do the work. It is going to take families, organizations, programs, schools, and even jobs. Everyone must be invested.

Transit, especially on the Beltline, remains a top concern for many voters. How can the City Council help to fast-track these projects?

This is something that Atlantans want. It is an expensive project but besides the cost, the major concern is the residents, businesses, and transit methods that will be affected during construction and figuring out how to best maneuver through that.

Gentrification remains an issue for many historic neighborhoods and the longtime homeowners living there. What is your solution to reviving neighborhoods without losing these legacy residents?

Rewarding long term residents with freezing property taxes. Bringing more housing, especially diverse housing options, duplexes, triplexes, townhomes, etc, by changing the outdated ordinances in our city. More housing, especially more diverse and affordable housing, creates a competitive market to keep prices moderate or low.

Once I’m elected, my first week will be spent with the department of transportation, watershed, and public works and traveling through our district to improve infrastructure. No matter what class you’re a part of in Atlanta, EVERYONE deserves to have proper infrastructure, paved streets, safe travel lanes/sidewalks/bike lanes, no potholes, functioning streetlights, and appropriate traffic signage.

I am a believer in doing it right and slow is better than fast and wrong. Of course, I want repairs expedited quickly but not at the sacrifice of quality. It is up to us in City Government to be transparent with constituents about the process, how long it will take, and what adjustments and compensations that have to be made to get it down so our city can operate smoothly for years, and decades to come, if not even longer.

Reginald Rushin

voterushin.com / @reginaldrushin

What immediate actions can the City Council take to aid in curbing gun violence in Atlanta?

The City Council could allocate funding supporting after school programs, mentorship initiatives, and job training programs. Support community events and town halls. Collaborating with churches and other organizations promoting awareness.

Transit, especially on the Beltline, remains a top concern for many voters. How can the City Council help to fast-track these projects?

These projects can be fast-tracked by streamlining project approval processes, prioritizing funding, supporting transit-oriented development, and community engagement.

Gentrification remains an issue for many historic neighborhoods and the longtime homeowners living there. What is your solution to reviving neighborhoods without losing these legacy residents?

Protecting legacy residents from gentrification can be attained by creating affordable housing options through Community Land Trusts, Inclusive Zoning, Community Engagement, Policy Solutions that regulate rent controls, Tax Incentives and Community Benefit Agreements.

Prioritize and identify the most critical pothole and plates that pose a safety issue. Increase funding for maintenance, implement a timely repair schedule, engage the community to report issues and address promptly, and preventive measures.

City Council could expedite this by allocating and increasing funding, prioritizing projects and streamline project management processes, and adopt innovative technology.

Delvin Davis
delvinforatlanta.com

What immediate actions can the City Council take to aid in curbing gun violence in Atlanta?

City Council can act immediately by expanding community-based violence prevention and intervention programs, increasing support for credible messengers, and strengthening coordination with public safety and social service agencies. For example, allocate funding for street outreach workers and trauma-informed wraparound services in neighborhoods hardest hit. Pass ordinances that support safe storage, gun buyback programs, and penalties for illegal possession while working with state lawmakers to tighten loopholes. Increase lighting, cameras, and environmental design in high-risk corridors, and partner with nonprofits to offer job training, mental health, and youth engagement alternatives in violence prone areas. The Council should also establish a citywide violence prevention task force with community representatives and enforce data-sharing agreements among city, county, and law enforcement so interventions can be timely and evidence-based.

Transit, especially on the Beltline, remains a top concern for many voters. How can the City Council help to fast-track these projects?

To accelerate transit projects, the Council can prioritize reallocating city budgets toward shovel ready projects, streamline permitting and approvals, and use bond authority to front capital. Leverage public-private partnerships and adopt value-capture financing (such as TADs or special assessment districts) along transit corridors to fund expansions. Push to coordinate with MARTA, the state, and regional agencies so Beltline extensions and transit overlays are built in tandem. Use participatory budgeting to elevate rider led priority projects and ensure local buy-in. Where possible, bundle smaller transit investments to create coherent packages attractive to federal and state matching funds. The Council should also champion enabling legislation reducing bureaucratic barriers to transit financing and Oversight.

Gentrification remains an issue for many historic neighborhoods and the longtime homeowners living there. What is your solution to reviving neighborhoods without losing these legacy residents?

Gentrification demands a strategy of inclusion. First, establish and expand legacy homeowner protection funds—grants or tax rebates to longtime owners facing rising property taxes. Second, require new developments that receive subsidies to set aside deeply affordable units and prioritize local residents. Use community land trusts or limited-equity cooperatives to retain control of land and keep housing permanently affordable. Promote gentle density (ADUs, small multi units) near transit in ways that complement existing character. Support small businesses owned by residents via microloans, facade grants, and stabilization funds. Mandate strong anti-displacement clauses in zoning and subsidy agreements and create a city office of equitable development whose job includes early warning of displacement pressure and rapid response.

To tackle potholes, street plates, and wear — especially before FIFA and other events — the Council should authorize an emergency infrastructure repair fund and fast-track contracts for resurfacing and plate replacement in critical corridors. Use performance-based contracting (pay for measurable outcomes) and allow city engineers to bundle small repairs into larger zones for efficiency. Increase preventive maintenance budgets rather than just reactive patches. Leverage state and federal infrastructure funds, and coordinate with utility agencies to ensure roads are finally repaved after underground work. Use a citizen reporting app or ‘Fix It’ dashboard tied to Council oversight so repairs are transparent, prioritized, and tracked in real time.

To accelerate the $2 billion in required repairs, the Council must treat water infrastructure replacement as a top-tier capital priority. First, pass a resolution designating it urgent and fast-track permitting, procurement, and contracting processes. Second, pursue a water infrastructure bond or dedicated funding stream, possibly via Impact Fees or user fee surcharges with equitable relief for low-income households. Third, partner with state, federal (e.g., EPA) programs, and philanthropic capital to layer funding and relieve burden on city budget. Fourth, prioritize projects by risk and vulnerability (age, break frequency, critical zones) to sequence work smartly. Finally, require full coordination with all utilities to minimize repeated dig-ups, enforce quality controls, and maintain public communication to manage expectations and disruptions.

Stephanie Flowers
stephanie4atl.com / @stephanie4atl

What immediate actions can the City Council take to aid in curbing gun violence in Atlanta?

Citywide, crime is trending down thanks to the leadership of Mayor Dickens and the work of APD and community partners. But District 12 has not seen that same level of progress because our current leadership has failed to bring proven solutions to our neighborhoods. Gun violence cannot be addressed by policing alone — it requires prevention and opportunity. As council member, I will work hand-in-hand with the Dickens administration to fully fund the Office of Violence Reduction and expand programs like Cure Violence, youth mentorship, and summer jobs that give young people positive pathways. I will also prioritize bringing violence interrupter partnerships to District 12, while ensuring APD has the resources to partner effectively with the community.

Transit, especially on the Beltline, remains a top concern for many voters. How can the City Council help to fast-track these projects?

Transit is moving forward across much of Atlanta, yet the Southside continues to wait. Under our current District 12 leadership, projects like the Campbellton Road BRT and Southside Beltline rail have been delayed while other areas see progress. As council member, I will push MARTA to deliver quarterly accountability reports, sponsor legislation to expedite permitting for approved projects, and insist that Southside transit dollars are spent where they were promised. District 12 deserves a voice that makes sure we are no longer last in line.

Gentrification remains an issue for many historic neighborhoods and the longtime homeowners living there. What is your solution to reviving neighborhoods without losing these legacy residents?

Other districts have fought to protect legacy residents, but District 12 has fallen behind. Too many families are being priced out of the neighborhoods they built while developers reap the rewards. I will expand the Anti-Displacement Tax Fund, increase support for the Housing Trust Fund, and require Community Benefits Agreements for every major redevelopment. I will also champion a Right-to-Return program so displaced families have first priority in new affordable housing. Revitalization should build up our communities — not erase them.

Atlanta is preparing for the FIFA World Cup, but District 12 streets are still full of potholes and plates that sit for months. Other districts have moved faster because their leadership has demanded results. As council member, I will fight for a dedicated line item in the City budget for resurfacing and pothole repair, require a public online dashboard so residents can track progress, and hold contractors accountable to clear deadlines. District 12 deserves safe, reliable, and well-maintained streets.

Last year’s water main breaks exposed the urgent need to repair our aging infrastructure. While the city is planning a $2 billion rebuild, District 12 has some of the oldest and least-maintained pipes — and our current leadership hasn’t fought to prioritize them. As council member, I will work to make sure procurement processes are efficient so funding can be released quickly and projects move forward without delay. I will also push for citizen oversight and require quarterly progress reports from the Department of Watershed Management to guarantee that District 12 is at the front of the line in this historic investment.

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Atlanta Election 2025: Q&As with Atlanta City Council candidates

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