Atlanta Downtown Announces 2026 Award Recipients
February 09, 2026
Central Atlanta Progress (CAP) and the Atlanta Downtown Improvement District (ADID) will honor three Atlanta business leaders at their 2026 Annual Meeting & Awards Celebration at the Georgia Aquarium on March 11, 2026.
A highlight of every CAP/ADID Annual Meeting for more than two decades, the awards program pays tribute to the people and institutions that are shaping the next chapter in Downtown's dynamic growth. The recipients of the 2026 awards are:
- Dan & Tally Sweat Lifetime Achievement Award: Billy Payne
- Marcus Downtown Economic Impact Award: The Sports Council, Accepted by Dan Corso, President, ASC
- Warner Bros. Discovery Community Leadership Award: Dorthey Hurst
The Dan & Tally Sweat Lifetime Achievement Award was created to honor those who have demonstrated true leadership and advocate for “doing the right thing” for Downtown.
This year, we are honoring Billy Payne, whose vision and perseverance transformed the future footprint of Downtown Atlanta when he led the effort to host the1996 Centennial Olympic Games in Atlanta. Billy Payne's greatest legacy was his vision to create a lively world-class park in the middle of Downtown, transforming a quiet overlooked part of the city into what is today, Centennial Olympic Park.
Centennial Olympic Park was conceived as both a celebration space for visitors and a lasting civic asset for Atlantans. The park’s construction not only provided a beautiful public gathering space but also became the nucleus for further development, sparking millions of dollars in private and public investment.
The impact of Payne’s work in Downtown Atlanta extends well beyond the Games themselves. The revitalization around Centennial Olympic Park helped attract major cultural and tourist attractions, including the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, and the Center for Civil and Human Rights, as well as new hotels, offices, housing, and entertainment venues. These major developments have helped make Downtown a destination for residents and visitors alike, cementing Payne’s legacy as a transformative civic leader whose imagination helped redefine the heart of Atlanta.
The Marcus Downtown Economic Impact Award recognizes an individual, company, or project that has stimulated revitalization efforts that strengthen and advance Downtown at large. The award’s selection criteria include both quantitative and qualitative impacts, from increasing investment dollars to leaving a “positive mark” on the community. This award is given to the people and places we consider to be “game-changing” for Downtown’s development.
The Atlanta Sports Council has been a driving force behind Downtown’s evolution, using sports to fuel economic growth, boost Atlanta’s reputation, and attract global attention. Since 1988, they’ve turned big games into even bigger opportunities, bringing in visitors, new infrastructure, and the world’s spotlight. After the Olympics, the Sports Council kept the momentum going, locking in major events like the College Football Playoff National Championship, SEC Championship Game, NCAA Final Four and, of course, the Super Bowl. With each event, tens of thousands fill our hotels and restaurants, turning Downtown into Atlanta’s stage for the nation and the world. Beyond economics, the Sports Council’s work has helped reframe Downtown Atlanta’s identity. By consistently showcasing the district as a walkable, event-ready hub anchored by venues like Mercedes-Benz Stadium and State Farm Arena, the Council has strengthened confidence among developers, event organizers, and residents alike. In that way, the Sports Council hasn’t just filled calendars; it has helped Downtown Atlanta evolve into a place where big moments happen, and where long-term growth continues to follow the cheers.
The Warner Bros. Discovery Community Leadership Award was created to recognize the unsung heroes of Downtown—people who make a difference because they care deeply about their community, not for recognition. Every recipient has a unique story of quiet leadership, shown through many small actions that together help make Downtown better for everyone.
Since 2004, Dorthey Hurst has been a familiar presence in Downtown, always working to make her neighborhood safer. She leads the Downtown Neighborhood Association, serves on the NPU-M Public Safety Committee, and supports citywide efforts like Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms’ Anti-Violence Advisory Council and the Edgewood Task Force. Dorthey focuses on building trust and keeping conversations open, especially with local police. Her efforts have given the community a stronger voice and made it a safer place to live.
Dorthey’s profound commitment to showing up and “doing the work” to support a safer Downtown makes her truly deserving of this honor.