Atlanta Intown - March 2026

Atlanta Intown

A Morningside Masterpiece

Editorial

Collin Kelley

Executive Editor

Beth McKibben

Editor-in-Chief

Sr. Editor Food & Dining

Cathy Cobbs

Managing Editor

Sammie Purcell

Associate Editor

Staff Writers

Katie Burkholder, Logan C. Ritchie, Sarra Sedghi, Hayden Sumlin, Stephanie Toone

Contributors

Sally Bethea

Intern

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The Atlanta History Center is celebrating its 100th anniversary starting in March with a series of special exhibitions and events showcasing its collections and Buckhead campus, which includes the historic Swan House. (Photo courtesy Atlanta History Center)

Over the last year, there’s a meme that has spread like wildfire across social media that asks something along the lines of: “You wake up and it’s 1986 again; what’s the first thing you’re doing?”

Lately, there are now AI clips of random people in 1980s garb and settings welcoming you or encouraging you to find your way back. And they’re always accompanied by this emotional button-pushing piece of instrumental electronic music that sounds wistful, sad, and is designed to plunge you right into nostalgia land.

Since these posts are obviously aimed at GenX’ers like me, I admit I fell for it and spent way too much time reading the thousands of comments of people my age who are desperate to return to a time before cell phones and personal computers, when “things were just better,” and they were in the prime of their youth.

This plucking of the heartstrings was, at first, a kind of made me go “awwwww,” but now it’s just creepy. Not because of the nostalgia, but because of the complete amnesia so many people seem to have about what was going on in the 80s.

Maybe because I got my start young as a journalist in the 1980s, and I’m jaded, but the rose-colored glasses meets selective memory of my generation is truly mystifying to me. And let me just add that I have friends and acquaintances who also indulge in this nostalgia haze in person as well, who long to return to a past that never existed except in their minds.

My memories of the 80s include great music, John Hughes’ movies, and Members Only jackets, but we were also on the brink of nuclear war, there was a crushing recession in the early part of the decade, the devastating AIDS crisis, Reganomics, Chernobyl disaster, the Iran-Contra Affair, and on and on. We didn’t have social media and

cell phones to keep us on neverending doom scroll, but we did have CNN, the evening network news, a whole lot of newspapers, and magazines (which I really do miss).

All this to say, I’m really not a nostalgia kinda of guy. However…

In February, I had the opportunity to Zoom with Lindsay Wagner, who played Jamie Sommers on the “Six Million Dollar Man” and then her own series, “The Bionic Woman.” This year marks the 50th anniversary (gulp!) of the series, which I readily admit to anyone who asks is still my favorite TV show of all time. I still have my Bionic Woman doll, board game, and lunchbox. Lindsay was incredibly nice and even had some words of comfort when I got a little verklempt. Hey, you don’t get to meet your childhood idols that often, so I’m allowed.

And, I will admit I’m nearly giddy at the prospect of seeing The Human League, Soft Cell and Alison Moyet at The Fox Theatre this summer because that line-up is the stuff 80s dreams are made of.

But I absolutely refuse to get on the nostalgia train because every trip you take makes the present seem even more unsatisfying. Don’t get me wrong, our current timeline is often a hellscape that I would like to completely disassociate from, but I refuse to lose myself in a past that some have idealized as some “golden age.” Because, friends, it was no such thing.

With all that said, if you really want to indulge in some nostalgia, the Atlanta History Center’s 100th anniversary exhibitions will give you some scope and facts worth tripping the light fantastic for. You can read more about it on page 14.

If this GenX’er can give you one solid piece of advice, it is this: keep scrolling.

MARTA to launch first bus rapid transit line in phases this April

By Collin Kelley

MARTA will launch its first bus rapid transit line in phases starting this April.

According to a media release, the Rapid A-Line will launch in two phases, with the first phase beginning Saturday, April 18, as part of the NextGen Bus Network.

The five-mile Rapid A-Line will connect Downtown Atlanta to Capitol Gateway, Summerhill, Peoplestown, and the Beltline’s Southside Trail. There will be connections to the rail system at Five Points, Georgia State, and Garnett Stations.

According to MARTA officials, the BRT project has experienced challenges, including the discovery of old infrastructure during excavation, and a battery recall on the New Flyer batteryelectric buses purchased to operate on the line.

These unforeseen circumstances have delayed completion of all 14 BRT stations and may require supplemental vehicles to provide initial service, the transit agency said.

When Phase 1 launches on April 18, it will feature the following:

■ 5 a.m. to 1 a.m. service hours.

■ In areas where construction has been completed, buses will operate in dedicated lanes with transit signal priority.

■ In areas under construction, temporary bus stops located near stations will be used.

Information about how to ride the new line, including detailed station and temporary stop locations and Breeze fare payment instructions, will be shared soon, according to the media release.

Phase 2 of the launch is scheduled for fall, when all BRT stations are complete. The BRT stations will feature offboard fare payment using the new Breeze system, real-time service information, level boarding, and other amenities usually associated with rail stations.

Backlash over pause of Eastside Beltline streetcar project

By Collin Kelley

Advocates for extending light rail along the Atlanta Beltline Eastside Trail criticized the MARTA Board of Directors on Feb. 12, accusing transit leaders of sidelining a key project without public input.

An large crowd turned up for the board meeting, with many filling up overflow rooms, to urge renewed support for the Streetcar East Extension, according to a report from The Atlanta JournalConstitution.

The plan to extend the Atlanta Streetcar from Downtown to the Eastside Trail and up to Ponce City Market has divided residents, businesses, and city leaders. Supporters said the project was promised as part of the 2016 More MARTA sales tax package and should proceed as originally envisioned.

The dispute goes back to last March, when Eastside design work was underway until Mayor Andre Dickens withdrew his backing in favor of prioritizing rail to the Southside Trail and building infill rail stations along existing MARTA lines.

Shortly afterward, a joint committee of city, MARTA, and Atlanta Beltline executives voted to halt work on the Eastside Trail effort. The AJC reported in January that the decision was made in private meetings and never voted on by the full MARTA board.

Notably, there was no mention of the decision to pause the Eastside Trail streetcar extension at an Aug. 12 public

meeting where Beltline leaders outlined a $3.5 billion transit plan.

During the meeting, MARTA interim CEO Jonathan Hunt and board Chairwoman Jennifer Ide defended the process, saying the committee — known as the Program Governance Committee — acted appropriately and that discussions about project priorities remain ongoing.

They acknowledged concerns about transparency and agreed to provide more frequent updates to the full board, while also saying they were waiting for clear direction from city leaders before committing further resources to the Eastside rail project.

Many speakers called for moving forward with streetcar extension, arguing that only one project in the More MARTA project list (the Rapid A-Line bus project connecting Downtown to Summerhill and the Beltline Southside Trail) is nearing completion after a decade of collecting the half-penny sales tax.

Members of the Beltline Rail Now advocacy group noted that close to $17 million has been spent on studies and design work by MARTA and Atlanta Beltline Inc., with $9.1 million specifically on the Eastside streetcar extension.

Other attendees urged the board to consider alternatives, such as driverless shuttles like the ones being used in the ATL Airport Community District and

coming to the Westside ahead of the FIFA World Cup.

In a media statement released after the board meeting, MARTA acknowledged there were questions about transparency in the process.

The statement said that after the March 13, 2025, public board meeting, when Dickens said the city was reprioritizing light rail on the Beltline, the Program Governance Committee met on May 27, 2025, and decided to temporarily pause the funding of two ongoing streetcar feasibility studies.

“The committee agreed that since the project was at 30% design, the most prudent course of action was to hold expending more funds until a reprioritization of projects could occur and

a path forward determined,” the statement said. “This decision was consistent with the IGA [intergovernmental agreement] process, and board notification is not required. However, MARTA is in the practice of updating its Board on a variety of projects, even when it is not required.”

The statement said discussions about the reprioritization of More MARTA projects is ongoing, and updates would be shared with the public.

“Final policy decisions and approvals related to the More MARTA Program rest with the City of Atlanta and the MARTA Board of Directors, and we will continue to communicate outcomes and next steps as they move through the process,” the statement concluded.

News RoundUp

The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation has put Egleston Hall – one of the oldest and most historic buildings on the All Saints’ Episcopal Church campus in Midtown – on its annual list of Places in Peril. The church wants to implement a new master plan, which could mean demolition of the centuryold building. Scan the QR code to read the full story.

The High Museum of Art’s chief operating officer, Brady Lum, resigned after $600,000 was allegedly stolen from the Midtown institution.

The Woodruff Arts Center’s Governing Board launched an investigation into Lum’s activity in December and also hired an outside law firm to review it.

The Atlanta Braves will launch BravesVision, a team-owned television network that will air more than 140 games during the 2026 season, with streaming available and no local blackouts.

Atlanta secures 50-acre Tatum Lakes property for nature preserve

By Collin Kelley

The City of Atlanta has acquired the 50-acre Tatum Lakes property, the first step in transforming an urban forest into a publicly accessible park and nature preserve.

Located in Southwest Atlanta and loosely bound by Boulder Park Drive SW, Dollar Mill Road SW and Bakers Ferry Road SW, the site will offer residents and visitors the opportunity to experience nature in one of the city’s most ecologically significant landscapes.

The Conservation Fund negotiated and acquired this land on behalf of the city, working with the city as a key partner in the project. The city’s cost for the 50-acre Tatum Lakes property was $1.6 million, according to The Conservation Fund’s communications manager Josh Lynch.

“This project is personal to me—as a kid growing up in Adamsville, I passed these lakes every day going to school, DPR recreation centers for afterschool activities and pretty much anyplace I was headed

Cheers to 28 Years of Excellence

As a proud supporter of the High Museum Wine Auction, I am honored to give back to the cultural institutions that make our city extraordinary.

Scan this code to secure your tickets.

Invest Atlanta has approved a $2 million grant for the construction of 65 senior units in the heart of Downtown Atlanta. Called Five Peachtree Senior, the affordable housing community will be located across the street from Two Peachtree, the 48-story former state office building the city is converting into adaptivereuse housing. Since 1998, I have had the privilege of helping clients across Atlanta navigate life’s biggest investments. I lead with integrity, attention to detail and a deep understanding of the market. Whether you're buying or selling, you deserve representation at the highest level.

to or from,” Mayor Andre Dickens said in a statement. “Acquiring the Tatum Lakes Nature Preserve ensures this greenspace will be protected for generations to enjoy. We have made investing in our greenspaces a priority—Atlanta now invests more than twice the national average per resident. Our parks help create a healthier, more connected city, and conserving this land is just one way our Administration is reversing decades of underinvestment in underserved communities for Atlanta families and seniors.”

“Tatum Lakes Nature Preserve has always been a shared point of pride for my District 10 constituents and all who call Adamsville home,” Dist. 10 Councilmember Andrea L. Boone said “Thank you to Mayor Dickens, his Administration – especially DPR – for their for their collaboration and commitment in expanding access to greenspaces in Southwest Atlanta and citywide.”

Guided by community input, the Tatum Lakes Nature Preserve will protect sensitive habitats while expanding access to outdoor recreation through the creation of low-impact trails and amenities, according

to a press release. The property includes approximately four acres of lakes and wetlands surrounded by a mature oakpine-hickory forest, providing critical ecosystem services such as stormwater management, wildlife habitat and carbon sequestration.

Roberta Moore, Senior Field Representative for The Conservation Fund, said: “Working with the City on projects like this one is so enjoyable because we’re inevitably working toward creating someone’s new favorite park. And protecting these 50 acres in particular helps preserve our ‘city in the forest’ legacy while becoming a place where people connect with nature and each other. Just like Mayor Dickens and the many others who are involved, I have high hopes for this land becoming a fantastic new community space.”

The city purchased the property using Tree Trust conservation funds. Federal investment will be pursued to support master planning and initial capital improvements. Long-term stewardship will be managed by the Department of Parks and Recreation.

Northside Hospital new title partner of Peachtree Road Race

By Rough Draft Staff

The Atlanta Track Club’s annual Fourth of July 10K has a new title partner: Northside Hospital Peachtree Road Race.

The Atlanta Track Club announced Feb. 10 that Northside Hospital would be the naming rights partner for its running and walking event, and that The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC) would remain as its official media partner.

The AJC had been the title sponsor of the race for the past 49 years, from 1976 to 2025.

“Northside Hospital has been a partner of the Atlanta Track Club and the Peachtree Road Race for more than a decade, and we are thrilled to enhance that partnership in a big way as the new title partner of this great Atlanta tradition,” Northside Hospital Atlanta CEO Deidre Dixon said in a statement.

Northside Hospital’s title partnership also extends to the Club’s other Peachtreebranded events: Peachtree Junior and the Polar Opposite Peachtree Road Race.

“Northside Hospital has long been a trusted pillar of health and wellness in our community, and we are proud to welcome them as the new title partner of the

Peachtree Road Race,” Atlanta Track Club CEO Rich Kenah said in a statement. “Their commitment to keeping Atlanta active and healthy aligns perfectly with the mission of Atlanta Track Club. Together, we will continue to elevate the Peachtree experience for runners, volunteers and spectators while honoring the tradition that makes this race such an iconic July 4th celebration for all Georgians. At the same time, we are grateful to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution for nearly five decades of support that helped grow the Peachtree into a defining Atlanta tradition.”

The AJC will continue to serve as a hub for participants in the Peachtree Road Race where they can register for the race and cast their vote on the 2026 T-shirt Design Contest.

Registration for the 2026 Northside Hospital Peachtree Road Race opens March 18 for sponsor employees and Charity Entry participants. Atlanta Track Club member and lottery registration opens April 1. Sponsor employees, Charity Entries and Club members receive guaranteed entry, while all other participants must enter the lottery.

For more, visit atlantatrackclub.org.

Officials say Atlanta’s airport, MARTA ready for World Cup

By Sarra Sedghi

The FIFA World Cup 2026 Atlanta Host Committee held a virtual media panel on Feb. 12, featuring local officials involved with transportation logistics.

Guests included Rhonda Allen, Deputy General Manager of MARTA; Georgia O’Donoghue, Vice President of Operations at Mercedes-Benz Stadium and COO of the Atlanta World Cup Host Committee; William Pate, President and CEO of the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau; and Ricky Smith, General Manager of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Chris Raimondi of AMB Sports Entertainment moderated the discussion.

This event focused on mobility and visitor experience, particularly concerning airport operations, public transit, and how fans will arrive and move through the city.

“Atlanta has a storied history of hosting these major sporting events and doing it well,” O’Donoghue said. “Our public-private partnership, as well as our connectivity … has really set us up for success this summer, and we are ready to welcome the world.”

Pate said Hartsfield-Jackson was ready to receive soccer fans from around the world.

“Eighty percent of the U.S. population can get to Atlanta in two hours, so we’re very accessible,” he said. “We’re also number two in the country in international [nonstop flights].”

Smith detailed Hartsfield-Jackson’s capacity for an influx of travelers and accommodating guests so they can have a safe experience. “We see the airport as kind of the living room for the city,” he said.

Smith also said that Hartsfield-Jackson is currently expanding Concourse D to assist with the extra travelers.

Pate listed MARTA’s advantages, especially when it comes to traveling from the airport. “You take that train in the airport, and it takes you 20 minutes to be right in the middle of our convention district,” he said.

Allen highlighted MARTA’s new “Better Breeze” tap-to-pay system and stressed the push to encourage visitors to take the MARTA to attractions around the city, such as the High Museum of Art or Buckhead’s shopping district.

“Whether you’re coming in from the airport and going to Doraville to a watch party or you’re going to Decatur or West End, we invite you to try MARTA, and we look forward to having you with us,” Allen said.

Chattahoochee Riverkeeper’s decades-long fight for clean water pays off

Sally Bethea

I reached my diamond jubilee earlier this year: a three-quartercentury birthday that hit me harder than I expected. The frightening state of our country and the world was (and continues to be) a significant factor in my angst – joining the unavoidable oldage aches and pains and memory lapses. Even so, I’m proud to have reached this milestone in basic good health (knock on wood) and with family, projects, and travel that keep me interested and busy.

Like most people my age, I’m also reflecting on the past; well, the parts I can still remember. Landscapes, people, adventures, failures, loves, accomplishments, and even words. My family and I are word people, not so much numbers. While many words

and phrases come to mind to color my professional and personal life, one is at the top of the heap. Those who worked with me at Chattahoochee Riverkeeper during my 21 years with the organization know that word well. It’s persistence. Pleasant persistence, when possible. Dogged, indefatigable, and (usually) never-ending persistence, when necessary.

Sewer Redux

For the past 32 years, Chattahoochee Riverkeeper (CRK) has persisted in its efforts to restore and defend the hardestworking river in Georgia. That labor is varied, challenging, and frustrating, but also satisfying, as I describe in my memoir, Keeping the Chattahoochee (UGA Press, 2023). Five million people depend on this waterway, which flows diagonally across north Georgia from the mountains, through Atlanta, to the Alabama state line, then downstream to the Gulf of Mexico. It supplies drinking water and so much more.

From CRK’s beginning on March 1, 1994 – and continuing virtually non-stop today–the organization has focused a significant amount of its time and resources on the city of Atlanta’s compliance with clean water laws. The Chattahoochee downstream of the city was considered one of the most polluted waterways in Georgia in the 1980s and 90s. Atlanta regularly discharged untreated sewage and polluted stormwater into the river and its tributaries at least three to four times per month–and had been doing so for decades.

When state and federal agencies repeatedly failed to take any meaningful action to clean up the bacteria-laden water that threatened public health, recreation, wildlife, and property values, CRK filed and won a federal Clean Water Act lawsuit in the late 1990s. For years, the organization persisted in court, with the media, elected officials, and neighborhood groups, as it also regularly monitored the river.

Decades of Vigilance

Following its court win, CRK spent more years working with Atlanta to help raise funds to implement a mandated sewer system overhaul and then verify that those repairs had resulted in cleaner water. The organization’s monitoring persistence led to the discovery of dozens of small pipes that had been overlooked and were continuing to contaminate streams flowing through neighborhoods. Working with the city, this oversight was corrected.

A few years after “Sewer Mayor” Shirley Franklin’s two terms ended in 2010 – and two billion dollars were spent on sewer system repair – the river and its tributaries were dramatically cleaner. More than three decades of relentless effort by CRK and many others had resulted in the recovery of 60 miles of the Chattahoochee, urban tributaries, and a downstream lake. The city prospered, as major downtown development projects could at last be serviced by the updated sewer system.

individualized INSTRUCTION

Vacant land along the long-blighted river was improved with homes and businesses. It became possible to safely boat and fish in the water. The visionary RiverLands project was launched.

Second Lawsuit Settled

Urban infrastructure requires constant monitoring and proactive maintenance by competent, transparent managers. As the years passed, CRK continued to take

water samples in the Chattahoochee and its tributaries during the Reed, Lance-Bottoms, and now Dickens administrations.

Unfortunately, city officials too often turned their attention to other municipal programs, apparently believing that Atlanta’s massive water treatment systems had been permanently “fixed.”

People were hired to manage these systems who were not all sufficiently transparent, honest, or competent; one of those is in jail and another was fired two years ago.

During this time, the city’s R.M. Clayton sewage treatment plant, its largest, began to deteriorate. Three years ago, CRK’s samples of river water at the plant revealed significant ongoing pollution problems.

IN OUR PREHISTORIC ERA

The water being discharged into the Chattahoochee contained harmful levels of bacteria and other pollutants. Discussions with the city and state and federal agencies failed to yield a comprehensive plan to overhaul the plant in an expedited fashion. With no other choice, CRK sued Atlanta in September 2024 – 29 years after the organization filed its first Clean Water Act lawsuit against the city.

In February, a federal judge finalized and approved a settlement to resolve the second lawsuit, reaffirming the city’s commitment to invest tens of millions of dollars in new equipment, upgrades, and repairs over the next 60 months. According to Jason Ulseth, CRK’s riverkeeper and executive director, these improvements will continue to safeguard the river for all who depend on her.

Persistence for the common good–for our collective well-being–sustains democracy. It fosters the continuation of fair elections, the rule of law, and the protection of human rights and civil liberties. None of these things are a given. Naively, I used to think they largely were. No one should ever give up on a clean and healthy environment – or on fairness, equality, social justice, and democracy. No action is too small to make a difference. Keep moving. Keep pushing. Keep persisting!

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Atlanta History Center celebrates its 100th anniversary

By Rachel Spooner

The Atlanta History Center is anticipating an eventful year in honor of its centennial. From the center’s largest exhibition to date to a sports-themed

overhaul of the Goizueta Children’s Experience in partnership with five of the city’s professional teams, residents and visitors will have the opportunity to experience Atlanta’s past, present, and future throughout 2026.

Founded in 1926, the Atlanta Historical Society is dedicated to preserving the city’s history. That history was made more accessible to the public in 1990 with the establishment of the 33-acre Atlanta History Center campus in Buckhead, which includes curated gardens, historic homes like the Swan House, the Cyclorama of the Battle of Atlanta, and the museum itself, featuring permanent and rotating exhibits.

“There's truly something for everyone here,” said Pola Changnon, chief content officer for the AHC. With six curated exhibitions and experiences spanning from March into the fall, museum-goers can explore something new all year.

Two of the AHC’s centennial exhibitions will highlight the Civil War, including the center’s largest-ever exhibition, “More Perfect Union: The American Civil War Era,” opening in July.

“Atlanta is this significant metro area, a thriving area in the country, let alone in the southeast, with probably the most active piece of the Civil War under our feet,” Changnon said.

The Atlanta Campaign of 1864 marked the turning point of the Civil War, making the city a relevant spot to examine the conflict. The exhibition will include never-before-seen artifacts and immersive narratives.

“A lot of the goal is for us to make this, especially for audiences that might not be as familiar with these stories, feel human,” Chagnon said. “It's not only about the battlefields and about the steady progress of the Union Army, or what it meant, specifically in Atlanta, to literally live in the turning point of the Civil War. It's about how it impacted people, whether it was for the enslaved population, the self-emancipated

population, women, or people living on farms.”

The AHC’s senior military historian and curator, Gordan Jones, is a major force behind the large exhibition. Through “More Perfect Union,” Jones is revisiting and improving an exhibition he curated that was deinstalled from the center 30 years ago.

“We have new artifacts, new scholarship, and new technologies to be able to communicate this story in a more fulsome way,” Changnon said. “I think the quote that our historian always uses is, ‘this is not your grandfather's Civil War.’”

Coincidentally, the AHC will celebrate its 100th anniversary in the same year America will enter its 250th. The first exhibition of the centennial, showing from March 17 to April 12, will bring the Freedom Plane to Atlanta, connecting the two anniversaries by displaying a selection of America’s founding documents from the National Archives. Atlanta will be one of eight locations across the country to welcome the Freedom Plane documents. Admission to the AHC will be free for the duration of the exhibition.

The final exhibition of the centennial, opening in the fall, is titled “Exile from Georgia: The Cherokee and Muscogee Trail of Tears.” The museum worked with representatives from the two native tribes to ensure that their history was presented respectfully and to “challenge visitors, so they walk away with a clearer understanding of this complex history,” according to the center’s website.

The land Atlanta sits on has a long history, which the AHC additionally tells through its gardens. With native plants, flowering displays, and even heirloom animals at the Smith Farm Gardens,

the gardens “tell the history of the land,” Changnon said. “It's a different expression of history. The gardens are interpreted through these different lenses that can fill in more about the natural world in terms of history.”

The AHC’s centennial will not only celebrate the past, but also the present. The museum is collaborating with the Braves, Hawks, Falcons, Atlanta United, and Atlanta Dream to retrofit the Goizueta Children’s Experience to teach younger visitors about sports in the city. There will be games, activities, and storytelling that emphasize teamwork, perseverance, and hometown pride. Admission to the experience is included with the purchase of a museum ticket. If going to the museum isn’t enough, visitors can bring home a piece of Atlanta’s history during the center’s centennial. Opening in April, the “Atlanta in 100 Objects: A Century of Stories” exhibit will be accompanied by

a coffee table book available for purchase featuring the selected objects that tell Atlanta’s tale. Some of the objects include Spelman College bulletins, a Civil War battle flag, and the Auburn Avenue Rib Shack sign. The artifacts will be spaced throughout the campus, sending visitors on a self-guided treasure hunt through time.

“Our story is Atlanta’s story, but it’s also America’s,” said Sheffield Hale, president and CEO of Atlanta History Center, in a statement. “As we enter our next century, we remain committed to honoring the full, complex history of this city and spotlighting the people, places, and moments that shape both Atlanta and the nation in a clear, evenhanded way grounded in evidence. Through its contradictions, courage, creativity, and culture, Atlanta offers a powerful lens for understanding what it means to be American.”

Your MARTA experience is changing soon

Kamasi Washington, PJ Morton, and The Roots to headline Atlanta Jazz Festival

By Katie Burkholder

A better Breeze fare payment system launches March 28!

NextGen Bus Network

Bus routes change on April 18!

The Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs has announced the lineup for the 49th annual Atlanta Jazz Festival, which returns to Piedmont Park on Memorial Day weekend, May 23-25.

as it became known later,” Dickens said. “This was a way to celebrate the city’s cultural diversity and to make sure that we all enjoyed ourselves… This is how we kick off summer here in the ATL, and the best is still yet to come as we grow.”

Tap to pay with a bank card or digital wallet for faster, easier entry at new, more secure faregates and validators. Spend down your current Breeze balance before May 2. Learn more itsmarta.com

During the announcement event at Illuminarium on Feb. 10, Mayor Andre Dickens, Atlanta Beltline, Inc. President and CEO Clyde Higgs, leaders from festival sponsors Bank of America and Design Essentials, and featured artists spoke about the impact the event – the largest free jazz festival in the country –has had on Atlanta’s cultural landscape for almost five decades.

“It’s been nearly 50 years since the great Mayor Maynard Jackson created our jazz festival and the Office of Cultural Affairs,

49th Annual Jazz Festival

Lineup

A smarter, faster, better bus network is coming to you around the region. Bus service will be more consistent, more frequent, and provide more access. Find a map of your new route and more info at www.itsmarta.com/nextgen or by scanning the QR code below.

SATURDAY, MAY 23

Buddy Red: 1 p.m.

Aja Monet: 3 p.m.

Nate Smith: 5 p.m.

Christian McBride & Ursa Major: 7 p.m.

Kamasi Washington: 9 p.m.

Along with three days of live jazz from several Grammy-nominated and -winning artists, the weekend will also include a special ticketed event on Friday, May 22.

The Miles Electric Band will perform at Atlanta Symphony Hall to honor jazz legend Miles Davis’ centennial and kick off the festival.

The festival will also include a familyfriendly space filled with games and interactive activities for kids of all ages, food vendors, and VIP opportunities.

To learn more, visit atljazzfest.com.

SUNDAY, MAY 24

Cleveland P Jones: 1 p.m.

Myron McKinley Trio: 3 p.m.

Donnie performing The Colored Section: 5p.m.

Esperanza Spalding: 7 p.m.

The Roots: 9 p.m.

MONDAY, MAY 25

Cody Matlock: 1 p.m.

Nicole Zuraitis: 3 p.m.

Destin Conrad: 5 p.m.

Butcher Brown: 7 p.m.

PJ Morton: 9 p.m.

Atlanta Botanical Garden to celebrate 50 years with SUPER

By Rough Draft Staff

In celebration of this year’s 50th anniversary, the Atlanta Botanical Garden will treat visitors to a display of floral fireworks this spring with tens of thousands of colorful and fragrant bulbs.

ABG has doubled the number of spring bulbs it normally plants for its annual Atlanta Blooms!, and throughout March and April the grounds will explode with more than 200,000 tulips, daffodils, hyacinths and crocuses.

Dubbed for the anniversary as Atlanta SUPER Blooms!, the display will include huge swaths of nearly 140,000 bulbs blanketing the Great Lawn, the grassy oval in front of the Fuqua Conservatory. The effect is expected to create an immersive experience in blooms – including a popular photo op.

The lawn will feature 51 different varieties of bulbs in a warm-color blend of tulips and hyacinths that circle through a cool-color blend of tulips and daffodils. Longtime favorites like Tulip ‘Daydream’, ‘Blushing Beauty’ and ‘Sunlover’ will join new beauties including ‘Dafeng’, ‘Paleis Het Loo’ and ‘Jennie Butchart’. Tulip ‘Paul Sherer’, considered the darkest tulip available, will return again this year in the lawn display.

In addition to the Great Lawn, more than 69,000 tulips and other bulbs will be displayed as usual in annual beds throughout ABG. Royal Horticultural Society award winners Tulip ‘Ballerina’, ‘Menton’ and ‘Foxtrot’ will be flowering in some areas. The Anne Cox Chambers Flower Walk will be awash in an ombre display moving from warm colors to cool.

And the Edible Garden will return to Holland-style rows of tulips – which are edible.

On Thursdays from March 12 to April 9, visitors can enjoy the displays during the soft light of evening at Tulips at Twilight. The new event, included with regular Garden admission from 5 to 8 p.m., will include cash bars with specialty cocktails,

live music, a local artists market and lawn games.

Atlanta SUPER BLOOMS! displays are weather dependent, so guests are encouraged to check the garden’s website, atlantabg.org, for bloom updates before planning their visit.

Atlanta Opera breaks ground on Molly Blank Center for Opera

By Collin Kelley

The Atlanta Opera held a groundbreaking ceremony on Feb. 16 for its new headquarters in Buckhead.

The $64 million Molly Blank Center for Opera and the Arts will include the historic Bobby Jones Golf Course Clubhouse, which will be preserved as a main entryway into the new campus.

The arts center will include administrative offices, rehearsal areas, a theater, a 200-seat recital hall, and education spaces. The Atlanta Opera

will continue to utilize the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center as its main stage for large productions.

The center will overlook the golf course and is adjacent to the Atlanta Beltline Northwest Connector Trail.

Funding for the project came from a $110 million fundraising campaign, which included a $27.5 million gift from Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank to name the center after his mother, Molly Blank, who was an artist.

The new center is expected to open in the fall of 2027.

Stutzmann Conducts Bruckner

+ Pianist Leif Ove Andsnes performs Beethoven

Bach’s Mass in B minor

+ the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus

Pictures at an Exhibition

+ Isabelle Faust performs Bartók’s Second Violin Concerto

Decatur Book Festival appoints new executive director

By Rough Draft Staff

The Decatur Book Festival has appointed Bailee Yarbrough as its new executive director.

A Decatur resident, avid reader, and dedicated festival volunteer, Yarbrough holds a Ph.D. in chemical engineering and previously led large-scale initiatives at ExxonMobil and Dow Chemical Company.

“Bailee has a rare combination of industrial experience and deep community commitment that aligns perfectly with the values and vision of DBF,” DBF President Mathwon R. Howard said in a statement, “She’s a thoughtful, steady leader who will help DBF deepen its connection with

readers, authors, and our community.” Yarbrough succeeds Leslie Wingate, who is retiring after guiding the festival’s successful return to in-person programming in 2024 following the COVID-19 pandemic and leading the celebration of DBF’s 20th anniversary in 2025.

DBF also announces the retirement of programming director Denise Auger, who began as a volunteer in 2007 and helped shape the festival’s literary voice for nearly two decades.

The 2025 festival welcomed nearly 20,000 attendees, featuring 145 authors and moderators across 65 sessions, alongside more than 100 exhibitors and 350 volunteers. The 2026 festival will take place Oct. 2-3, with programming and additional details announced in the coming months.

“At its heart, the Decatur Book Festival is about the community coming together to share stories and ideas,” Yarbrough said in a statement. “I am honored to steward DBF forward and continue creating welcoming spaces where readers and writers of all ages can gather, spark curiosity, and explore new perspectives.”

Insider’s guide to The Masters Tournament at Lake Oconee

Conveniently located halfway between Atlanta and Augusta, Lake Oconee offers an unforgettable experience during Masters week. From luxurious lodging to savoring a delectable meal, there are plenty of ways to indulge during your stay. For golf lovers, the area’s six stunning courses provide the perfect opportunity to test your skills while soaking in the beauty of Greene County. Lake Oconee is the ideal.destination to make the most of Masters week.

The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee

Celebrate one of the biggest sporting events in the world by letting The Ritz-Carlton be your premier destination. Culinary experiences, championship golf courses, and a newly transformed spa welcome you back after a visit to Augusta National.

Linger Longer Steakhouse

A stylish Lake Oconee restaurant featuring a delightful menu. Guests can enjoy generous cuts of meat, seafood, and family sides, all with the perfect wine pairing.

Oconee Cove

Hidden behind a wall of tales is Lake Oconee’s only speakeasy. Oconee Cove beckons you to indulge in an unparalleled collection of rare spirits and small plates.

Amore Del Lago

Indulge in the ultimate Italian experience. Savor homemade pizza and pasta inspired by authentic recipes. Enjoy fine wine and al fresco dining.

Gaby’s by the Lake You can watch The Masters at the bar while enjoying Master inspired cocktails and beer. They also offer the perfect golf snacks like BBQ pork nachos.

The Spa

Immerse in the opulence of the spa, boasting redesigned spaces and innovative treatments. Choose from body treatments, specialized massages, custom-tailored facials, and four signature wellness treatments.

Golfing in Greensboro

There’s no better time to explore golfing in Greensboro to elevate your experience! The courses at Lake Oconee are a must-add to your Masters checklist. Designed by legendary architects, these courses offer an unforgettable blend of challenge and beauty.

Harbor Club

Named one of the top three places to play in the state of Georgia by Golfweek, Harbor Club is the only public course in Greene County and a must do on your golf checklist!

Reynolds Lake Oconee

If you’re staying at The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee, or one of the cottages or condos through Reynolds Lake Oconee Vacation Rentals, you’ll have access to the incredible Reynolds’ courses: Great Waters, Landing, Preserve, National, and Oconee.

The Kingdom at

Reynolds Lake Oconee

Offering an integration of superior equipment technology with golf instruction, The Kingdom at Reynolds Lake Oconee is one of only two such facilities in the country, providing guests with an exclusive retreat for full-game improvement.

Dining in Greensboro

No visit to Greensboro is complete without savoring the flavors of our unique local cuisine, with a variety of charming restaurants and hidden gems, there’s something to delight every palate.

The Yesterday Cafe

Nestled in the heart of historic downtown Greensboro, The Yesterday Café is a beloved

Southern eatery known for its warm hospitality, charming atmosphere, and signature Buttermilk Pie—a dessert so famous it has been featured in Southern Living.

Café 44

Grab a breakfast sammie and a cup of coffee on your way out to Augusta. This cute café serves breakfast, lunch, and pastries Monday thru Saturday.

Table at the Lake

Table at the Lake is an upscale restaurant located in Greensboro. They focus on thoughtfully sourced ingredients and seasonal menus. Open for dinner or Sunday brunch. The Spanish octopus is a must try!

Silver Moon

After soaking up all the action at the Masters Tournament, treat yourself to a memorable dinner at The Silver Moon — a beloved local favorite. Insider tip: when you arrive there is no hostess, just write your name on the chalkboard by the door.

Transportation to and from the Tournament

If you’re planning to make Lake Oconee your base while attending the Masters Tournament - you’ll want reliable transportation for the roughly hour and a half drive to Augusta. While renting a car is one option, two local professional services stand out for comfort, convenience, and a stress-free travel experience.

RTSO

For visitors who want a professional, comfortable ride without the hassles of driving, RTSO offers premium ground transportation services tailored to events like the Masters. Their fleet includes luxury sedans, SUVs, and larger vehicles.

Lake Oconee Limo

If you’re looking for a more upscale or group-friendly option, Lake Oconee Limo provides luxury transportation to Augusta, nearby airports, and surrounding cities. With a fleet that includes premium sedans, SUVs, and limo sprinter vans.

Find your reason to stay a little longer

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Film Review:

‘Wuthering Heights’ captures what it feels like to fall in love with romance

By Sammie Purcell

In an early scene in “Wuthering Heights,” Edgar Linton (Shazad Latif) listens as his ward, Isabella (Alison Oliver) explains, in thorough detail, the plot of William Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” over tea in the garden. Isabella, who has just read the play for the first time, is completely entranced by the fate of the doomed lovers. Edgar, the unwitting victim of her obsession, is less so. He tries to come across as a devoted listener, but his attempts are unconvincing, to say the least. Isabella, so wrapped up in her new discovery, barely notices.

This is one of the most telling moments in Emerald Fennell’s “Wuthering Heights,” a loose adaptation of Emily Brontë’s 1847 gothic novel about the passionate love affair between Catherine (Margot Robbie) and Heathcliff (Jacob Elordi). In the press leading up to the release of “Wuthering Heights,” Fennell has spoken at length about her own obsession with this particular novel, and how in adapting Brontë’s work, she wanted to make the type of movie that played in her head while reading the book for the first time as a teenager. In this respect, Fennell feels not unlike Isabella – a young woman captivated by her first brush with allconsuming, madness-inducing passion. Some of the critical responses to the movie so far, on the other hand, feel a bit like Edgar – uninterested in this more antiintellectual approach.

There are certainly aspects of Fennell’s decision to make the movie she envisioned as a teenager that don’t quite work. If you’ve read “Wuthering Heights,” you know that while it’s about two people in love, it’s also about two people determined to make each other as miserable as possible. It’s about generational trauma, and revenge, and class conflict, and race (Fennell’s response to questions about why she decided not to cast an actor of color in the role of Heathcliff felt particularly lacking). That’s the thing about

“Wuthering Heights” – it’s magnificently complex, the kind of thing it’s a little difficult to believe is almost 200 years old.

But, if you’ve read “Wuthering Heights” (especially if you read it as a teenager) you also know that it has the power to warp young minds in the way that not many stories do. Fennell’s film is not so much an adaptation of the novel as it is a visual representation of what it feels like to read “Wuthering Heights” –or, in Isabella’s case, “Romeo and Juliet” – and feel scandalized, shocked, and entranced for the first time. Is there a deep exploration of the thematic complexity of Brontë’s novel? Not really. But, Fennell is clearly more interested in the emotional rather than the intellectual – and in that respect, she wholeheartedly achieves something great.

We open with a hanging where (in typical Fennell fashion), the revelers are aroused to a frenzy by the twitching body suspended in front of them. There, we meet young Catherine (Charlotte Mellington) and her companion, Nelly (Vy Nguyen, and then Hong Chau as an adult), both just as excited as the rest of the crowd. Later at home, Cathy’s drunkard father (Martin Clunes) brings home an orphan who Cathy names Heathcliff (played as a child by Owen Cooper), after a brother who passed away. Heathcliff and Catherine slowly fall in love, but are separated by a tragic misunderstanding, one that pushes Catherine to marry her neighbor, Edgar, who promises more wealth than Catherine has ever known.

Years later, Heathcliff returns with vengeance on his mind.

To read Sammie’s full review of “Wuthering Heights,” scan the QR code.

New Downtown restaurants in historic department store building

By Beth McKibben

Atlanta-based RPB Management Group will open an entertainment, dining, and events center at 207 Peachtree on the corner of Peachtree Street and Andrew Young International Boulevard this spring. Located in the historic Regenstein’s Department Store building, the 45,000-square-foot complex will feature six concepts overall, including the existing Red Phone Booth cocktail and cigar bar and Amalfi Cucina + Mercato. Rooftop lounge Aire, sports bar Peachtree Sporting Club, and barbecue and live music joint American Dive will join Red Phone Booth and Amalfi Cucina at 207 Peachtree later this spring.

Aire

The indoor-outdoor rooftop lounge will focus on cocktails and shared plates. Aire marks the first time the roof will open to the public and play a part in the history of the nearly century-old building. Expect

DJs during late nights here.

Peachtree Sporting Club

Referred to as an “upscale sports bar”, Peachtree Sporting Club will serve elevated pub fare in a mid-century modern country club setting. The bar will feature a 20foot panoramic television for watching games, as well as seven tournament-grade simulator bays featuring golf, soccer, and skeet shooting.

American Dive

Billed as a testament to roadside Americana, American Dive will take up residence in Regenstein’s former storage vault. The menu will serve barbecue, beer, wine, and cocktails and offer pool, darts, and arcade games, a jukebox during the day, and live music at night.

In addition to its restaurants and bars, a grand ballroom at 207 Peachtree will provide space for weddings and large events, all within walking distance of the Peachtree Center MARTA station

and Downtown attractions like Centennial Olympic Park and MercedesBenz Stadium.

The historic building housed Regenstein’s Department Store from 1930 to 1978, then sat vacant for nearly 40 years. In 2018, Marx Realty began restoring the entire building, preserving original architecture elements like the elevator.

Red Phone Booth and Amalfi Cucina opened at the 207 Peachtree building in 2016. Both include locations in Buckhead.

The new restaurants at 207 Peachtree join several other restaurants in the works within the heart of downtown Atlanta and

South Downtown near the state capitol. Many of these restaurants will open ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup this summer. 207 Peachtree (207peachtree.com), 207 Peachtree St., Downtown. New restaurants opening spring 2026.

Dining concepts to open in May at the former CNN Center

By Beth McKibben

Real estate developer CP Group announced in February that 12 new dining establishments would open at the former CNN Center in May.

Called The Center, CP Group partner Chris Eachus said reopening the CNN building to the public will return it to Atlantans and act as a welcoming gathering space meant for everyday use.

“For decades, this building functioned as a fortress. With the building opening back up to the city, we are reconnecting one of Atlanta’s landmarks with the people and energy of downtown . . . and bringing it back as a destination that’s welcoming, useful, and designed for every day, all-day use,” Eachus said in a prepared statement.

Part of the renovation currently underway at The Center includes the atrium. The 24,000-square-foot space

Pat LaFrieda)

■ Mimi Taqueria (Mexican)

■ Flora D’Italia (Italian, pizza)

■ Dessert Box (bakery)

■ Mastro’s Ocean Club (atrium anchor restaurant serving steak, seafood, cocktails)

CNN took over the Omni International Complex in 1987, becoming the global headquarters for the media company founded by Ted Turner. The 1.2 million-square-foot space connects to State Farm Arena and the Omni Hotel. CNN departed the building in 2024, relocating to Turner Techwood Campus in Midtown, not far from the original location of the 24-hour newsroom.

CP Group expects to open the renovated atrium at The Center in May, which will feature public art installations and arts and branding programming

will feature a food hall called CTR Food Works with 11 restaurants and Atlanta’s “largest” full bar. CP Group is working with Chattahoochee Food Works founder Robert Montwaid to develop the restaurant stalls for The Center’s food hall. All should open prior to the 2026 FIFA World Cup matches in Atlanta this summer.

As of publication, the following seven restaurants are confirmed for CTR Food Works and The Center’s atrium:

■ La Tropical (Latin American)

■ Fuzzy’s (seafood)

■ Patty & Frank’s (burgers and hot dogs from Andrew Zimmern and

in partnership with ASHA Advisory, a community-focused arts and culture advisory board led by Neda Abghari and Bem Joiner, co-founder of Atlanta Influences Everything. Branding programming will include three digital LED signs spanning 12 stories along the exterior of The Center, offering local artists and creatives the opportunity to display their work to the public.

The Center already serves as Atlanta’s FIFA World Cup volunteer headquarters, and will eventually be home to ATL House, the Atlanta FIFA World Cup host committee’s private headquarters and event space.

A second location of Chops is coming to Centennial Yards

By Beth McKibben

In an Atlanta restaurant announcement most didn’t see coming, Buckhead Life Restaurant Group will open a Downtown location of its iconic West Paces Ferry Road steakhouse, Chops Lobster Bar, later this year.

This location will serve as another milestone moment for the three-decadeold restaurant, which opened in Buckhead in 1989.

Chops will reside on the ground floor of a new hotel within the Centennial Yards entertainment district overlooking Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The yet-named hotel will join Hotel Phoenix in the South Downtown neighborhood, which opened at the end of last year and includes a French-Southern restaurant and cocktail bar.

Expected to open by the end of

2026, Chops Lobster Bar will occupy 13,000 square feet at the Centennial Yards entertainment district hotel and resemble the look and feel of its Buckhead counterpart.

“From a service standpoint, the focus remains luxury, quality, and a first-class operation. From a design and décor perspective, the space will draw from iconic Chops Atlanta and Boca elements,” a statement from Buckhead Life provided to Rough Draft reads. “The recent expansion of Chops Lobster Bar Buckhead was a major upgrade, introducing red banquettes in the elevated dining room and dramatic chandeliers in the Plaza (private) room.”

“We’re bringing the strongest of those design elements into the new space and pushing them further to create a more modern, cutting-edge experience,” the statement continued.

And look for a similar menu Downtown, including the restaurant’s “Chilled BLT” wedge salad, prime-aged cuts of beef, whole steamed and cracked lobsters, and the popular Chops martini.

Buckhead Life also owns Atlanta Fish Market, Bistro Niko, Corner Café, Kyma, and Pricci in Atlanta. The group includes a location of Chops in Boca Raton, FL.

Centennial Yards is currently home to Wild Leap Brewery and Hotel Phoenix,

New Italian spot Füm opens at Star Metals

By Beth McKibben

Another Miami import recently joined the restaurant lineup at the Star Metals complex on Atlanta’s west side.

Füm, considered a “contemporary Italian” restaurant, opened at Stella at Star Metals on 11th Street last week, just around the corner from Miami-based Ghee Indian Kitchen on Howell Mill Road.

Backed by Grassfed Culture Hospitality, Füm (Italo-Gaelic for “smoke”) won’t be the only concept at Stella from the Miami restaurant group. Later this spring, Grassfed Culture plans to open a reservation-only cocktail bar and listening room called Rabbit Ears on the 17th floor of the Star Metals building.

As for Füm, expect a menu centered on open-fire cooking techniques, including dry-aged steak entrees, a bone-in pork chop with smoked tomato-miso sugo, and saffron-spiced trout garnished with trout roe. The menu also features handmade pastas like strozzapreti with braised grassfed oxtail, agnolotti with smoked corn and taleggio, and chitarra with sea urchin and Osetra caviar.

Füm features an Italian-leaning wine list, as well as a selection of champagnes. In addition to wine, look for classic Italian

cocktails and riffs on aperitifs, like the Muratore made with Italian extra-virgin olive oil and fat-washed amaro, Koji sake, Lapsang Souchong tea, and tequila.

The recent restaurant openings at Star Metals come after a slew of closures over the last two years around the southern

with the sprawling entertainment district expected to add nearly 500,000 more square feet to the 50-acre development. A location of Shake Shack and cocktail bar The Irish Exit, backed by the team behind The Dead Rabbit, will join Chops Lobster Bar at the district. A Live Nation concert venue will anchor this portion of Centennial Yards.

Nearby at The Mitchell, Khao Thai Isan and a location of soul food institution Busy Bee Cafe will open in 2026 and 2027 respectively.

Just around the corner along Hotel Row, a slew of new restaurants will open over the coming months, including Estrellita, Bottle Rocket, Broad Street BBQ, Mule Train, Brewhouse Cafe, Delilah’s Everyday Soul, and El Tesoro. Tyde Tate Thai Kitchen and Spiller Park Coffee are holding down Mitchell Street and Hotel Row as construction continues around the site, which includes the redevelopment of 56 buildings and six acres of parking lots.

Weekly food festival Smorgasburg Atlanta will return to South Downtown in March at the intersection of Forsyth and Trinity.

Chops Lobster Bar (chopslobsterbar.com), 85 Centennial Olympic Park Dr., Centennial Yards. Opening by the end of 2026.

Howell Mill Road corridor, including at Star Metals and neighboring complexes The Interlock and Westside Provisions District.

Exorbitant parking fees at these complexes were initially blamed for the restaurant shakeout in the area. However, further reporting indicated the problems facing restaurants were due to a multitude of factors, in which parking played a small part. Rapid overdevelopment, high rent, parking issues, traffic congestion, ongoing construction, and too-similar restaurant concepts within striking distance of one another compounded, leading to a snowball effect.

The pace of restaurant closures has since slowed, as construction winds down on Howell Mill Road and developers in the area continue courting new restaurants and retail businesses to fill vacant spaces.

Füm (fumatl.com), 660 11th St., Stella at Star Metals. Open Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday, 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Beltline Bagel Battle

Why did the PopUp Bagel chain open a new store so close to locallyowned Emerald City Bagels on the Atlanta Beltline? Read the whole story by scanning the QR code.

MOVE FOR GRADY WALK RIDE RUN

Amid closures, Nordstrom Rack coming to Atlantic Station

By Collin Kelley

Fashion retail store Nordstrom Rack will open a new location at Atlantic Station this fall.

The 28,000-square-foot store Nordstrom Rack is the off-price division of Seattle-based Nordstrom department stores, offering apparel, accessories, beauty products, home decor, and shoes from many of the top brands.

The opening announcement comes after a spate of closures late last year that rocked the mixed-use development, including the departure of the Publix supermarket, DSW shoe store, and Banana Republic. Nordstrom Rack will take over the DSW space.

Property manager, Hines, called the closures a “natural cycle” of turnover in the retail world, but the 6,000+ residents of the development have demanded a voice in the future of Atlantic Station.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Nordstrom

Rack to Atlantic Station,” Vikram Mehra, senior managing director at Hines, said in a media statement. “The brand is a natural fit for our retail mix, offering the value-driven fashion and home selections our shoppers want. This addition further underscores the strong leasing momentum and the continued evolution of Atlantic Station’s retail experience.”

Atlantic Station has recently announced additional new leases, including lifestyle brand MINISO, which recently opened, while designer streetwear shop Repeat ATL and En Vogue Nail Bar are expanding their square footage.

Restaurant openings slated for 2026 include Gocha’s All Day, Playa Bowls, and a second location of Busy Bee Café.

After Publix closed on Dec. 27, residents launched a petition (which has more than 1,800 signatures) to have Trader Joe’s open a new grocery store at Atlantic Station.

Disguise opens new interactive tech center in West Midtown

By Katie Burkholder

Disguise, the award-winning technology company behind the immersive tech at venues like Illuminarium, unveiled its new 8,000-square-foot office and Experience Center in West Midtown on Feb. 12.

Designed for creators, technologists, and production teams, the center is a hands-on space for the creative community to test, learn, and build skills with the technology trusted on the world’s biggest concert tours and live productions.

“From festivals like Coachella and Glastonbury to in-stadium fan engagements, and Broadway shows like Maybe Happy Ending to Hollywood film productions, over the past 25 years, Disguise has transformed how audience experiences are being created,” Disguise SVP of Customer Excellence, Sarah Lewthwaite, said. “This expansion gives us the ability to be closer to our clients in the Southeast and offer a more dedicated, in-person experience for exploring creative ideas, testing technology and collaborating

on ambitious projects together.”

The new space, located in Atlanta’s historic Westside Paper building, houses offices for Disguise’s creative and technical solutions team, a dedicated hardware support center for the Americas, and the Experience Center, an interactive showroom for Disguise’s cutting-edge virtual production technologies.

On display in the Center is a cuttingedge LED stage for demos, prototyping, and research and development; Disguise X1, a software-only product for utilizing the company’s offerings without the need

for server rentals or added rack space; and demos of use cases for Disguise’s technology, like LED flooring and fullvenue projections.

Disguise will host free workshops, certification programs, and master classes for creators and production teams.

“[We are excited for] what this next step represents for the next generation of visual experiences in the Southeast,” Disguise CEO Fernando Küfer said.

“This Experience Center reflects our commitment to the Atlanta creative community and to the future of fun and audience engagement.

To learn more, visit disguise.one.

An arboretum for the City of Atlanta was first imagined by Trees Atlanta more than 20 years ago. As the bold idea of the Atlanta Beltline began to take shape, the community benefits of adding a linear arboretum along the trail took hold. Donate or buy tickets at www.treesatlanta.org/rootball MAY 14, 2026

Harvin Greene launches boutique luxury real estate firm, DOSSIER

By Rough Draft Staff

One of Atlanta’s most accomplished real estate agents, Harvin Greene, has launched DOSSIER, a boutique luxury real estate firm.

Greene, whose team ranked No. 2 in Atlanta by sales volume in 2024, created DOSSIER in partnership with Side, the real estate brokerage platform that supports agents in building and scaling independent companies.

Greene is a nationally ranked real estate leader who closed nearly $160 million in residential sales across 2024 and 2025, placing her among the top 0.5% of Realtors nationwide.

She represented Atlanta’s highestpriced sale of 2025 with a $15.75 million estate in the Tuxedo Park neighborhood. In 2024, she represented the buyer in the purchase of a $19.8 million mansion in Buckhead, breaking the record for Atlanta’s most expensive residential sale to date.

Her accolades include ranking as the

No. 5 Team in Georgia by RealTrends, No. 2 Team by the Atlanta Realtors Association in 2024, and No. 1 Agent companywide at Dorsey Alston Realtors in 2024, along with Life Member status in the Atlanta Realtors Association Top 10 Producer Club and recognition as a

Answers for puzzles on page 28.

Phoenix Award recipient for sustained career excellence.

With 17+ years of real estate experience complemented by a decade of global marketing leadership at The Coca - Cola Company, Greene’s perspective has been shaped further through years of hands - on renovation and design - build work alongside her husband, builder Tommy Greene of T2Greene.

“We’re seeing more consolidation than ever in real estate, but bigger doesn’t always mean better for clients,” Greene said in a statement. “DOSSIER was built as a response to that — a firm where innovation, integrity, and

exceptional service aren’t diluted by scale.”

Greene said DOSSIER is a natural next chapter: a founder-led firm that offers a polished, deeply personalized experience rooted in discretion, strategy, and thoughtful presentation.

“Harvin represents the future of independent luxury real estate,” said Guy Gal, CEO and co-founder of Side. “She’s not just selling homes — she’s building a brand that elevates how clients feel, decide, and invest. We’re honored to power DOSSIER behind the scenes as it grows.”

Find out more at heyDOSSIER.com.

Myers Carpet building to become mixed-use development on Beltline

By Rough Draft Staff

The Atlantic Companies will transform the former Myers Carpet building at 1500 Northside Dr. into a retail-anchored mixed-use destination situated directly on the Atlanta Beltline’s Northwest Trail.

The 1950s-era building sits on 2.7 acres adjacent to Monday Night Brewing’s flagship taproom, The Grove.

The adaptive reuse development will follow The Grove’s momentum with 10,500 square feet of food and beverage and retail space, a 7,000 square foot showroom, and 3,700 square feet of flexible office space.

A central breezeway will bisect the building to provide direct Beltline access to retail storefronts and create a communal gathering space.

“The initial response to The Grove has been incredible,” Joel Iverson, Co-Founder and CEO of Monday Night Brewing, said

in a press release. “Providing our customers a gathering spot and expanded food and beverage offerings connected to our original location reflects just how far we’ve come over the last 20 years.”

The Atlantic Companies acquired the property in January 2023 and worked with the Atlanta Beltline to integrate the trail through the site, a move that links Northside Drive to Howell Mill Road.

The Atlantic Companies has tapped Brittany McCall of SRS Real Estate Partners to lead the retail leasing and Paul Reese of Capital Real Estate Group to head office leasing. The development team consists of Gensler as architect, KimleyHorn as civil engineer, Peter Constructive as general contractor and Westbridge as development consultant.

The Atlantic Companies said the project should be complete by the end of the year.

Underpaid & Overhated: The future of the Atlanta Dream

By Selah Thomas

EDITOR’s NOTE: This story is a partnership with VOX ATL, a youth-led nonprofit media organization that prepares teens for life, career, and community by harnessing the power of youth voice and uncensored self-expression. Find out more at voxatl.org.

The future of Atlanta starts with a dream, the Atlanta Dream to be exact.

Women’s basketball is on the rise, with names such as Caitlin Clark, A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, and Napheesa Collier. All of these women are legends on the rise who deserve to be seen, heard, and paid like it. But championship-winning MVPs are paid like interns compared to their NBA counterparts.

This disrespect isn’t just national, it’s local too. The Atlanta Dream is one of the two women’s teams in Atlanta (the other being the Atlanta Vibe). However, they continue to fight for fair pay, coverage, and even basic recognition in their

hometown. The question isn’t whether women’s basketball is growing; the real question is why Atlanta hasn’t caught up.

Despite being the first professional women’s team in Atlanta, the Dream get played and paid like they had just arrived. While overall WNBA coverage is growing, the Dream continues to struggle to receive media attention, even in their own city. Because of their lack of coverage, people even in the Dream’s hometown have never heard of them.

Former Dream player, Angel McCoughtry, talks briefly on the lack of awareness, stating, “When I first came to the Dream, nobody knew the team existed, so we had to fight to get some recognition in the city. Um, we had to let people know that there was a women’s team. And you know, each year we just got more and more popular, but we still didn’t have the fans the Hawks had, and we went to the finals three or four times.”

In a survey of Atlanta locals, 27% didn’t know who the Atlanta Dream is. Fewer viewers also equals lower salaries, because in order to make money, fan engagement is crucial. Whether that’s subscribing to the league pass so you can watch your favorite players from anywhere, or simply buying a ticket and attending the game. Although you have the option to subscribe to the League Pass, blackout restrictions often make games in your area unavailable. Therefore, most viewers aren’t aware of the WNBA teams in their area, and how can you support a team you don’t know about?

According to The Athletic, the Atlanta Dream were initially founded in 2008, being named after the iconic “I Have

A Dream” speech given by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Over the years, the Dream has won three Eastern Conference championships (2010, 2011, 2013) with the help of key players like; 2x Olympic gold medalists Angel McCoughtry and former WNBA champion Erika de Souza. They currently play at the Gateway Arena in College Park. Notable players from their 2025 roster include: 2022 rookie of the year Rhyne Howard (University of Kentucky), gold medalists Allisha Gray (University of South Carolina), and NCAA 2024 champion Te-Hina PaoPao (University of South Carolina).

The pay gap between the WNBA and the NBA is larger than you might think. I surveyed Atlanta locals to better understand the role the Atlanta Dream plays in their community. In that survey, 77% of respondents said they believe the Atlanta Dream players are not fairly paid for their work. The NBA’s salary cap is $140.5 million, while the WNBA’s salary cap is $1.1 million — the league, not the team.

This means the lowest-paid NBA player still made five times higher than the highest WNBA player this season. For example, Caitlin Clark (Rookie of the Year, 2024) made an estimated $77,000, while Victor Wembanyama (Rookie of the Year, 2023-2024) made an estimated $13 million.

It’s common for WNBA players to play overseas to support themselves financially. According to Sportico, following the 2023 season, 50% of WNBA players participated in overseas leagues during the winter.

Dream players such as Naz Hillmon (Australia), Jordin Canada (Australia), Angel McCoughtry (Turkey), and Tiffany Hayes (Turkey) also found work playing overseas during the offseason. Because of this, championship winner Napheesa

Collier and New York Liberty’s Breanna Stewart created a 3v3 league named UnRivaled set to play from January to March. UnRivaled debuted this past January, and their average salary is still about $118,000 more than the average WNBA salary.

Although the Dream is the first women’s pro team in Atlanta, their media coverage is lower than their salaries. In a survey, 72% of people said they knew who the Dream were, but 67% had never been to a game. 60% said they rarely hear about the Dream in the news. The majority, 91% of people, said they don’t think the Dream gets the same amount of respect as the Hawks.

It’s the same pattern on social media; it’ll take you a second to find Dream coverage on the WNBA’s own Instagram. They’re barely featured on platforms like Bleacher Report, Just Women’s Sports, and ESPNW, although these are platforms designed to promote women’s sports news. You’re more likely to find coverage on Allisha Gray, considering she’s won numerous awards this season, including Eastern Conference Player of the Month for May. Even in injury, Caitlin Clark still gets more media attention than Rhyne Howard and Britney Griner.

People are willing and ready to support, and the numbers show that. 61% of people said they are supportive of the Dream, but supporting and engaging are two different things. While 72% of people surveyed know who the Atlanta Dream are, 67% of them have never attended a game. This gap needs to be filled with visibility and access. People can’t support what they don’t know, and if 60% of people said they rarely hear about the Dream and 33% have never heard of them, it’s clear the media plays a role in this.

SUMMER CAMPS

Something Different: Unique and unusual summer camps for kids

By Rough Draft Staff

If you’re looking to add something fun, memorable, and a little different to your kids’ summer schedule, then these unique camp experiences might be just what you’re looking for.

For nature lovers and outdoor adventurers ages 4–13, Dunwoody Nature Center Summer Camps (dunwoodynature.org)

offers a twist on the classic day camp. The camp blends traditional play with environmental exploration, creek days, hikes, crafts, and science-based activities. Older kids (ages 9–13) even spend time at the Island Ford campus of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, where they canoe, track wildlife, and enjoy wilderness-style challenges. Sessions run weekly throughout June and July.

The MJCCA Day Camps (mjccadaycamps.org) at the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta in Dunwoody combine classic summercamp fun with some twists: think STEAM activities, culinary experiences, pickleball and sports clinics, art, and drama.

The Summer Safari Camp at Zoo Atlanta (zooatlanta.com) lets campers ages 5–14 explore wildlife and conservation up close at the Grant Park landmark. Each weeklong session mixes behind-the-scenes tours, interactive educational activities, and scientists-in-training investigations that connect curious kids with animals and habitats from around the globe. Sessions run from May through late July.

Summer Camp at the Atlanta History Center (atlantahistorycenter.com) gives campers a creative spin on learning about the past with hands-on experiences like designing ancient cities, unraveling myths, or exploring architectural wonders from around the world. These themedriven weeks (June 1–26) build academic

curiosity and imaginative play — perfect for kids who love storytelling and learning by doing.

Little Shop of Stories (littleshopofstories. com) in Decatur is offering themed book-centric summer camps where kids engage with stories through crafts, games, character play, and projects that focus on the love of reading at the heart of learning.

Circus Camp (circuscamp.org) in Decatur invites campers ages 5–15 to step into the world of circus arts – juggling, tightrope, acrobatics, trapeze, and more – under the guidance of trained instructors. Each week-long session lets kids try various circus skills and culminates in performances that showcase what they’ve learned.

For kids looking for a sports experience, D‑BAT Buckhead (dbatbuckhead.com) offers baseball and softball-focused camps that combine skill development with competitive fun.

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