CAP Annual Meeting Honors Leaders, Touts Top 10

March 25,2010

Over 1,100 people gathered Wednesday morning for the 68th Central Atlanta Progress (CAP) and the Atlanta Downtown Improvement District (ADID) annual meeting. The event was held in the Thomas B. Murphy ballroom at the Georgia World Congress Center.

“I could not be more pleased with the quality, content and production of this year’s meeting,” said A.J. Robinson, president of Central Atlanta Progress. “I believe our Top 10 theme showcased Downtown well, and we were fortunate to have such an eclectic, and exceptional group of speakers between Coach Curry, Mayor Reed, Charlie Loudermilk and Jim Maddox.”

Loudermilk and Maddox were honored as recipients of the Dan Sweat Award and Turner Broadcasting Downtown Community Leadership Award, respectively. Loudermilk is a longtime philanthropist, Chairman of the Board and founder of Atlanta-based Aaron’s Inc. Maddox retired in 2009 after spending 32 years on the Atlanta City Council.

United Way served as a partner in this year’s meeting through their Shoebox Project. All of the table centerpieces contained shoeboxes filled with various personal care products for homeless women and children.

Robinson’s keynote address revealed the highly anticipated list of Top 10 accomplishments for 2009. They are:

1. Downtown’s Top 10 Redevelopment Opportunities: By the end of 2009, all but one of buildings sited in 2003 had been redeveloped with a new top 10 list steering efforts.

2. Imagine Downtown Encore Plan: CAP’s refreshed and reactivated road map for the future growth and redevelopment of our community continues to shape the future in Downtown.

3. Georgia Forward: Will work to help facilitate communication and cooperation among Georgia’s business, government, academic and community leaders, the initiative now to work together for common and goals.

4. Broad Street Plaza: Received a complete makeover with new granite and brick pavers, twelve circular planters, fencing, new landscaping and lighting, created a more comfortable and safe environment next to the MARTA Five Points Station for all to enjoy.

5. Woodruff Park’s Revitalization: Missing pavers and damaged granite seat walls were replaced and the pumps and filters of the Water Wall fountain were repaired. Thanks to a major grant from the City, the Recreation and Reading Room Area now houses the first permanent building in Woodruff Park.

6. Panhandling Prevention Campaign: After 18 months CAP’s “Give Change That Makes Sense” program continues to implement a three-pronged approach to end aggressive panhandling.

7. Atlanta Streetcar: While not successful in securing funding during the latest round of Federal stimulus grants, Atlanta is in a strong position for future funding opportunities and will continue to work to make this a reality.

8. New Atlanta Downtown Improvement District Headquarters: The Ambassador Force now calls its newest LEED certified space in the Olympia Building home. Facing the South end of Woodruff Park, this historic Building provides a perfect location for Ambassador operations.

9. Development Day & Downtown Excellence Awards: Downtown Development Day attracted more than 450 professionals from all areas of the real estate industry to the newest building at AmericasMart last November. Awards were given in Downtown Design Excellence and an Economic Impact Award to Cousins Properties for its revitalization of the 191 Building.

10. Downtown Dining District: Boast over 300 places to eat and drink in Downtown. 2009’s Restaurant Week boasted 60,000 diners during its two week run.

Gold sponsors included AirTran Airways, Atlanta Business Chronicle, The Coca-Cola Company, Epstein Becker Green, A Legendary Event and Skanska. Silver sponsors were Cousins Properties, Georgia Power Company, Lanier Parking Company, Jackson Spalding, Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. and A Perfect Image. A. Brown-Olmstead Associates, Allen Plaza/Barry Real Estate Companies, Georgia-Pacific LLC, King & Spalding LLP, KPMG. Portman Holdings, Resource Marketing and Reznick Group represented this year’s bronze sponsors.
 

About Central Atlanta Progress, Inc. (CAP) and the Atlanta Downtown Improvement District (ADID): Central Atlanta Progress, Inc., founded in 1941, is a private non-profit community development entity providing leadership, programs and services to preserve and strengthen the economic vitality of Downtown Atlanta. With a Board of Directors of Downtown's top business leaders, CAP is funded through the investment of businesses and institutions. The Atlanta Downtown Improvement District, founded in 1995 by Central Atlanta Progress, is a public-private partnership that strives to create a livable environment for Downtown Atlanta. With a Board of Directors of nine private and public-sector leaders, ADID is funded through a community improvement district within which commercial property owners pay special assessments. www.atlantadowntown.com