Throughout the course of 60-plus years of explosive growth in Downtown Atlanta, CAP has worked "behind the scenes," integrating ideas, building partnerships, and coordinating efforts to improve the central city.

Some of the milestones in the history of CAP and its predecessor organizations are highlighted below:

1941	The Central Atlanta Improvement Association (CAIA) is chartered.
1946	The Lochner Traffic Plan, initiated by CAIA, recommends a Downtown freeway system.
1952	At CAIA's request, the Georgia General Assembly enacts legislation to build Georgia Plaza Park.
1960	The Uptown Association is formed to promote the Ponce de Leon Avenue / North Avenue corridor.
1967	The Central Atlanta Improvement Association and the Uptown Association merge to form Central Atlanta Progress, Inc. (CAP).
1971	CAP conducts its first comprehensive planning project, the Central Area Study (51K, PDF), which focuses on transportation issues.
1971	The MARTA system, as envisioned by the Central Area Study, is approved in a public referendum.
1973	CAP organizes Park Central Communities, Inc., to develop a multi-use project on 78 acres in the Bedford-Pine Urban Redevelopment Area.
1975	CAP forms the Downtown Environmental Patrol, which evolves into the Atlanta Clean City Commission.
1976	CAP establishes a $63 million Mortgage Consortium for close-in neighborhoods.
1977	A mounted patrol, financed by CAP, is instituted as a means of increasing police visibility.
1977	CAP starts the Midtown Business Association, now known as the Midtown Alliance.
1980	CAP leads a drive to rebuild the Bowen Homes Day Care Center, which had been destroyed by a boiler explosion.
1981	The City, State, Fulton County, MARTA, and CAP begin planning for the redevelopment of Underground Atlanta.
1984	Trees Atlanta is founded by CAP, the Atlanta Parks Commissioner, and the Junior League to address Downtown's lack of green space.
1985	CAP helps to start the Downtown Child Development Center, which provides quality child care for 120 children.
1985	CAP organizes the Underground Festival Development Company to coordinate the redevelopment of Underground Atlanta as a new town center.
1988	The Central Area Study II (66K, PDF), sponsored by the City, Fulton County, and CAP, at a cost of $1.7 million, is unveiled. The emphasis shifts to quality of life in the Central Area.
1990	COMNET, the Security Communications Network, initiated by CAP in cooperation with the Atlanta Police Department.
1990	CAP forms the Central Area Network for Jobs, to place homeless people in meaningful jobs.
1990	CAP sponsors a ULI Redevelopment Study for the Summerhill neighborhood.
1991	CAP manages the Peachtree Street and Auburn Avenue Design Competition, resulting in designs that were constructed in time for the Centennial Olympic Games.
1991	CAP and the City appoint the Fairlie-Poplar Implementation Task Force, which brings needed focus and resources to Downtown’s first commercial district.
1995	CAP forms the 120-block Atlanta Downtown Improvement District (ADID) to make Downtown cleaner, safer and more hospitable.
1995	CAP creates COPA, Inc. to help redevelop the area around the new Centennial Olympic Park.
1996	The Ambassador Force® of Downtown Atlanta begins operation under the direction of CAP.
1996	CAP’s Municipal Court Study leads to the creation of the Atlanta Community Court.
1996	CAP’s Housing Study outlines the case for Downtown housing – thousands of new and rehabbed units are built before and after the Centennial Olympic Games.
1998	Northyards Business Park is begun by CAP affiliate COPA, Inc.
1999	CAP and COPA gain City, county and school board approval for the Westside Tax Allocation District (3.5 MB, PDF) to create an incentive for Downtown development.
1999	CAP’s third comprehensive planning project, the Central Atlanta Action Plan (5.24 MB, PDF), is completed.
1999	CAP creates Homeward, Inc. to battle homelessness in metro Atlanta and spearheads the effort to build the Resource Opportunity Center (the Rock).
1999	ADID creates and initiates the Clean Team to keep Downtown’s sidewalks clean.
2000	ADID expands its area to 200 blocks and its mission to include transportation, marketing and capital improvements.
2000	CAP creates the Downtown Transportation Management Association to improve access and mobility in Downtown.
2000	CAP creates First Thursdays Art Walk, a monthly evening event promoting Downtown galleries.
2001	CAP manages the City Center Livable Centers Initiative (2.34 MB, PDF) planning program for southern Downtown.
2001	CAP creates Downtown Atlanta Restaurant Week, offering a week of 3-course meals in Downtown's finest restaurants at a special price.CAP creates Lunch on Broad, a weekly lunchtime concert series in the Fairlie-Poplar district.
2002	ADID’s banner program enlivens Downtown streets.
2002	CAP Economic Development Department creates Downtown Development Day to showcase new housing, commercial and entertainment developments and quality office space.
2003	Let's Do Downtown, 100-day Downtown Initiative launched in partnership with City.
2003	Imagine Downtown, eight-month strategy planning process for Downtown launched.
2003	Downtown Atlanta's In Bloom program installs and sets up maintenance for flower baskets throughout Downtown.
2003	CAP/ADID launch new website – www.atlantadowntown.com , developed by Turner.
2004	CAP received $3.6 Woodruff grant and $500,000 Turner Broadcasting contribution for Imagine Downtown.
2004	The Atlanta City Council, Fulton County Board of Commissioners, and the Atlanta Board of Education approved the creation of an Eastside Tax Allocation District for much of Downtown east of Peachtree Street.
2005	Ground is broken by Governor Sonny Perdue and Mayor Shirley Franklin and phase one construction of Ivan Allen Jr. Boulevard is completed.  ADID was an integral catalyst and financial supporter of this roadway project to improve east-west access in Downtown.
2005	CAP orchestrates a two-stage juried international design competition to commission a tribute to former Mayor, Senator and UN Ambassador Andrew Young.
2006	The Imagine Downtown vision plan to guide Downtown investment and public improvements is adopted by Atlanta City Council.
2006	Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin asks CAP to staff the appointed 19 members tasked to study the feasibility of a Civil and Human Rights Center.  The Coca-Cola Company graciously donates to this cause a 2 ½ acre site adjacent to the Georgia Aquarium and the new World of Coca-Cola Museum.
2006	The Downtown and Midtown Wayfinding Signage System is installed including over 270 signs supporting over destinations.
2006	CAP/ADID created a weekly lunchtime concert series,Wednesdays in Woodruff.
2006	CAP/ADID partnered with the City of Atlanta to create the Woodruff Park Reading Room, an open-air reading room in northern portion of Woodruff Park.