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DadsGarage-109

Beltline/ Entertainment

Dad’s Garage Theatre Company receives grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies

Dad’s Garage Theatre, Photo courtesy of Dad’s Garage.

Dad’s Garage Theatre Company has been named a grantee recipient of Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Arts Innovation and
Management program, the theatre announced.

A spokesperson for Dad’s Garage said the organization is prohibited from disclosing the amount it received.

A $43 million, multi-year initative, Bloomberg Philanthropies is an invitation-only grant program that seeks to bolster “mid-size cultural organizations” like Dad’s Garage. The program provides unrestricted general operating support as well as arts management training in areas that include fundraising, strategic planning, marketing and board development.

Founded in 1995, Dad’s Garage Theatre Company began as a small, volunteer-led organization putting on theater and comedy shows. Since then, it’s grown to be a thriving mid-size theatre led by over 300 volunteers and performers.

“We are incredibly excited to participate in such a prestigious program along with a cohort of other great Atlanta arts organizations,” Lara Smith, managing director of Dad’s Garage, said. “Beyond the grant funding, the management training included in this program will help us continue to grow and improve as an organization.”

AIM targets arts non-profits because of the vital role that they play in building communities, driving local economies and supporting artists.

“The arts inspire people, provide jobs, and strengthen communities,” Michael R. Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg
Philanthropies, said. “This program is aimed at helping some of the country’s most exciting cultural organizations reach new audiences and expand their impact.”

According to AIM, all organizations invited to participate in the 2018 program are nonprofits that are at least two years old. The grants will be unrestricted to allow recipients to utilize the funds to address their greatest needs.

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Beltline/ Business/ Metro ATL

Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. details affordable housing efforts in new report

Pedestrians and cyclists using the Atlanta BeltLine.
CREDIT ALISON GUILLORY / WABE

Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. recently released its Affordable Housing Working Group Final Report, detailing efforts to develop better housing strategies around the BeltLine.

As one of the biggest urban developments nationwide in a rapidly growing city, ABI wants “to reinforce the goal that future benefits flowing from the Atlanta BeltLine must be available and affordable to all Atlantans, including low- and moderate-income families,” the report says.

In creating the report and housing plans, ABI formed a panel with members from across the public, private, and non-profit sectors to serve as the ABI Affordable Housing Working Group. The panel includes members of ABI, the Atlanta BeltLine Partnership, Invest Atlanta, the city’s Department of City Planning, the BeltLine Affordable Housing Advisory Board and more.

“This report would not have been possible without all of the right strategic alliances at the table,” Ernestine Garey, senior advisor to the CEO of Atlanta Housing and chair of the Working Group, said. “Likewise, a viable affordable housing initiative in Atlanta requires a comprehensive strategy where all key stakeholders are collaborating to ensure that we reach shared goals.”

The report proposes a number of goals and strategies for affordable housing development. One key point is that ABI intends to create and maintain a minimum of 5,600 designated affordable housing units within the BeltLine’s Tax Allocation District (TAD).

Currently, 1,600 such homes exist inside the TAD, so another 4,000 units must be created to meet that goal. Because ABI is neither a housing provider nor a development authority, though, the organization will rely on partnerships to meet the housing goal, the report said.

Another 1,042 affordable housing units exist in the BeltLine Planning Area, which extends half a mile beyond the TAD, and ABI plans to expand those as well.

To work toward the housing goals, the Working Group established eight key recommendations based on policy, zoning, and capital strategies. Additionally, the panel identified a number of action items, including allocating and expending a minimum of 15 percent of future TAD Bonds for affordable housing.

“Housing is key to affordability in Atlanta, and at ABI, we’re doing all we can to ensure that the benefits of the Atlanta BeltLine can be enjoyed citywide, across all economic demographics and within each neighborhood,” Brian P. McGowan, the outgoing CEO of ABI, said. “This report will help us move even further in that direction.”

The full report may be accessed here.

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Beltline/ Metro ATL

Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. appoints Clyde Higgs as interim CEO

Clyde Higgs

Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. has named Clyde Higgs as its interim chief executive officer following the departure of current CEO Brian P. McGowan.

Higgs has served as ABI’s chief operating officer since September 2015, working alongside the organization’s two previous CEOs. He has also served on the boards of Trees Atlanta and the City of Atlanta’s Affordable Housing Commission.

“As an essential part of the ABI leadership team, Clyde has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to ensuring the BeltLine remains true to its mission and vision,” Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms said. “The BeltLine is physically connecting Atlanta’s many diverse communities and neighborhoods, and it is important to have a leader in place who understands the significance of accomplishing this goal.”

Prior to joining ABI, Clyde served as the executive vice president of a collaborative, multi-billion dollar state-led revitalization effort in North Carolina, which improved workforce development, housing affordability and quality of life in the city of Kannapolis.

“Clyde’s impressive background in economic development and urban revitalization, coupled with his experience working cohesively with ABI’s board, staff and other key stakeholders, will allow him to transition to the interim role with ease,” said John Somerhalder, Chairman of the ABI Board of Directors. “The Board has worked with Clyde ever since he joined ABI, and we trust him to take the helm as we search for permanent leadership.”

Outgoing CEO Brian McGowan announced in July that he has accepted a role as CEO of Greater Seattle Partners, an economic development organization in Washington. His last day will be August 17, 2018, and the board of directors will conduct a national search to determine ABI’s next permanent CEO.

“Clyde has been a great colleague and he has become a friend during my short term at ABI,” said Brian P. McGowan, outgoing CEO. “Clyde embodies the values that align with ABI’s mission, and I am fully confident in his ability to continue steering this project towards a vision that connects this City and supports the Mayor’s vision of One Atlanta.”

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Beltline/ Metro ATL/ Politics

Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms appoints two new members to executive team

Keisha Lance Bottoms. CREDIT KAITLIN KOLARIK / WABE

Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms has added two new members to her executive team, the city announced.

Winfield Ward Murray has been named Deputy Chief of Staff, and Vanessa Ibarra has been permanently appointed as Director of International Affairs.  

“Both Vanessa Ibarra and Winfield Murray have experience that will benefit our city greatly, and I am honored that they are willing to be part of our administration,” Bottoms said. 

Murray currently serves as the associate general counsel for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in Atlanta and, among other accomplishments, negotiated the largest settlement under the Fair Housing Act in Region IV within the last two decades. He’s also served as Atlanta’s assistant city attorney and as an attorney in the Office of the Solicitor for the U.S. Department of Labor. 

Ibarra has served as deputy director of the Mayor’s Office of International Affairs since 2017 and was named interim director in January of this year. Prior to that, she was the city’s chief of protocol and has worked in the private sector for an international recruiting firm. 

Murray’s appointment is effective immediately. Ibarra transitioned into her new position permanently earlier this month.

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Beltline/ Entertainment/ Food

Springer Mountain Farms cooking competition and tasting event to take place this weekend

Photo provided by Springer Mountain Farms

The third annual Springer Mountain Farms Southern Wing Showdown, a summer festival celebrating unique culinary takes on a Southern staple, will take place this Sunday.

The event will feature creative talent from over 30 prominent Southeastern chefs from Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.

Local purveyor Springer Mountain Farms will provide chefs with all-natural chicken, and each chef will serve their unique recipe as they battle it out to win ‘Best Wing.’ The competition is judged by festival goers and a panel of wing aficionados.

Additionally, the event’s alcohol sponsors, including George Dickel, Dixie Vodka and Chattanooga Whiskey, will serve cocktails to complement the dishes.

Lasting from 2 p.m. – 5 p.m., the festival will be held at new, larger location, The Fairmont (1429 Fairmont Ave NW), a newly opened event venue in Atlanta’s West Midtown neighborhood.

Both general admission and VIP First Taster tickets offer attendees all-inclusive wings, side dishes, wine, beer, cocktail samples and live music from local Atlanta musician Alex Guthrie. VIP First Taster tickets allow guests to enter the event an hour early at 1 p.m. and are $65 now and $70 at the door. General admission tickets are $55 in advance and $60 at the door.

The festival will support Angel Flight and Second Helpings Atlanta, two local non-profits. For more information, please go here.

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Beltline/ Metro ATL/ Transit

Atlanta City Council to host series of forums about More MARTA program

CREDIT ALISON GUILLORY / WABE

Throughout August, Atlanta City Councilmembers will host a series of community forums about the More MARTA Atlanta program, according to a City Council press release.

The forums will educate residents and city stakeholders about the More MARTA program and receive feedback on the proposed project list.

More MARTA Atlanta focuses on “taking a balanced approach to delivering transit projects that will improve service, accessibility, and connectivity to communities throughout the city of Atlanta and the regional network,” the release said.

Atlanta residents passed a half-penny sales tax for the More MARTA project in 2016. The funds will generate nearly $2.5 billion for transit expansion and enhancement projects over the next 40 years, according to the release.

More MARTA Atlanta’s original project list included more than 70 projects with an estimated price tag of $11.5 billion, significantly exceeding the program’s sales-tax budget.

Since then, public feedback and performance evaluations from the city and MARTA have helped readjust the project list.

The first forum will take place on Aug. 2 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Fort McPherson, 178 Hardee Avenue S.W. It will be co-hosted by Councilmembers Joyce M. Sheperd (District 12), Marci Collier Overstreet (District 11) and Cleta Winslow (District 4).

“We want to hear from our residents,” Sheperd said. “These forums will give the community an opportunity to join more in-depth discussions and get updates as we prepare to roll out Marta transit projects across the city. We’re asking everyone to attend.”

Atlanta’s largest transit investment in four decades, More MARTA will serve 126 neighborhoods. It’s slated to increase access to jobs by 56 percent and improve transit services to communities with large minority or low-income populations by 61 percent.

Atlanta residents unable to attend the scheduled community forums are encouraged to learn more about the program, review the project list and provide feedback online here.

These are all of the upcoming More MARTA Atlanta community forums:

Aug. 2

  • Time: 6–8 p.m.
  • Location: Fort McPherson, 1794 Walker Avenue S.W.*Navigate to 250 Sayers St SW, Atlanta, GA 30310 — Enter the Lee St. gate, then follow red arrows to Redevelopment Authority. If your GPS takes you to the Tyler Perry Studios gate next to the MARTA station, DO NOT ENTER, you’ll be turned around. Continue past their entrance to Lee Street.
  • Hosted by: Atlanta City Councilmembers Joyce M. Sheperd (District 12), Marci Collier Overstreet (District 11), and Cleta Winslow (District 4)

Aug. 9

  • Time: 6–8 p.m.
  • Location: MARTA Headquarters, 2424 Piedmont Road
  • Hosted by: More MARTA Atlanta

Aug. 15

  • Time: 6–8 p.m.
  • Location: To be determined
  • Hosted by: Atlanta City Councilmembers Natalyn Archibong (District 5), Carla Smith (District 1), Amir Farokhi (District 2), and Jennifer Ide (District 6)

Aug. 23

  • Time: 6–8 p.m.
  • Location: C.T. Martin Recreation Center (formerly Adamsville Recreation Center), 3201 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive S.W.
  • Hosted by: Atlanta City Councilmembers Andrea L. Boone (District 10) and Michael Julian Bond (Post 1 At-Large)
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Beltline/ Entertainment/ Metro ATL

Art on the Atlanta BeltLine season to continue with two festivals throughout the next month

“The Art of Reconciliation.” William Massey created this artwork along the Beltline from old junk that volunteers picked up from the streets of Atlanta. The image is of a man named Tony, who was homeless, but is now employed and has a roof over his head. Photo by Dena Mellick

The Atlanta BeltLine’s “Art on the Atlanta BeltLine” exhibition will continue its 2018 season with two festivals in the next month, according to an Atlanta BeltLine Partnership press release.

On July 29, the BeltLine Walls mural festival will kick off in the Lee/Murphy Tunnel on the Westside Trail, featuring muralists live-painting through August 11, along with a family paint day August 4.

Additionally, between August 8-11, the Art. Music. Film. Movement festival (AMFM) will take place at The Bakery on the Westside Trail in collaboration with the National Black Arts Festival, ARTlanta Gallery and The Bakery.

Free and open to the public, the AMFM festival will feature art exhibitions, interactive installations, musical acts, a keynote speaker and a “BeltLine After Dark” adults-only concert series.

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Beltline/ Decaturish/ Metro ATL

Dragon Con-inspired dog event to take place late next month

Late next month, WoodRUFF Bark, which began last year as a Halloween-themed pet parade and costume contest, will become a new Dragon Con-inspired event.

The new pet-centered event, called Doggy Con, will still feature the parade and costume contest, along will pet-based vendors, prizes and more.

Participants must register by August 16 to participate in the costume contest. Register online for $10 here, or register onsite at the event for $15. All funds raised from the event go directly back to supporting Woodruff Park.

Doggy Con will take place Saturday, Aug. 18 at 91 Peachtree St NW in Atlanta on Woodruff Park’s Main Lawn, from 9 a.m.- noon. The parade begins at 10 a.m. with the prize ceremony to follow at 11 a.m. 

For more information, including the schedule and list of vendors, visit the event website or Facebook page.

Atlanta Beltline Mural

Beltline/ Food/ Metro ATL

Atlanta BeltLine Partnership offering free walking, biking tours of BeltLine starting this weekend

A wall mural near the end of the Beltline at Irwin Street. Photo by Mariann Martin

The Atlanta BeltLine Partnership is teaming with UnitedHealthcare to offer free walking tours of the BeltLine beginning this weekend, according to an ABP press release.

On the Trees Atlanta-led tour, guests will get to see the BeltLine Arboretum, showcasing both the Eastside and Westside trails with a focus on horticultural and historical elements. Attendees can also enjoy fun health and wellness activities like yoga with Dancing Dogs Yoga and consultations from a health coach, as well as a water infusion station, a trail mix bar and popsicles from King of Pops.

This weekend’s tour will take place on Saturday, July 29 from 10 a.m. until noon.

Bike enthusiasts can also take part in free bike tours on Saturday mornings, which alternate between Eastside and Westside Trails each week. Additionally, ABP offers $25 bus tours along the 22 miles and 45 neighborhoods that make up the Beltline.

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