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** Note From The Mayor
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December 2024
https://app.frame.io/f/4457dad1-9a84-47b9-8601-f8d14911828f

Click the image to watch Mayor Andre Dickens’ Christmas greeting.

Happy Holidays, Atlanta!


Earlier this month, I traveled to South Africa for an official visit with a delegation of 35 Atlanta political, business, and community leaders. The purpose of the trip was to strengthen our ties with South Africa and to reaffirm our shared commitment to advancing economic, cultural, and educational collaboration. While we were exploring the diverse landscapes and historical monuments, I realized how much we have in common. As home of the top two figures in the world, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela, we share a rich history, a resilient spirit, and a vision of progress. We are both committed to creating opportunities for our residents and businesses to thrive and we both believe in the group project. The group project drives innovation, inclusion, and prosperity. And most importantly, it promotes community.


Throughout my life, I’ve been blessed to travel the world. I have visited more countries and cities than I can count and yet, I still believe Atlanta is the best city in the world.


As we head into a new year, my administration and I are strategically planning our next steps to ensure that the progress we’ve made in public safety, affordable housing, food insecurity, youth development, and sustainability continues in 2025.


Until then, I wish you a very happy holiday season and a joyful new year.

The Peach Drop is back!

Whether you grew up in Atlanta or flew to Atlanta, you should be familiar with our city’s New Year’s Eve celebration, the Peach Drop (https://youtube.com/shorts/JvqJu8k2F88?feature=share) . Despite being cancelled in recent years, the Peach Drop is back and returning to Underground Atlanta. Attracting nearly 50,000 people, the Peach Drop will feature live performances from Big Boi, Neon Trees, and Res. Not to mention the event will include fireworks, food, and art. And of course, we will lower the infamous giant peach to count down to the new year. There’s only one place to be this New Year’s Eve.
https://youtube.com/shorts/JvqJu8k2F88?feature=share


** What’s going on in Atlanta?
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Goodr Opens Grocery Store at William Walker
Recreation Center

Goodr is on a mission to end waste, fight hunger, and feed communities and Mayor Dickens is committed to standing in the gap for families experiencing food insecurity. William Walker Recreation Center is home for the newest Goodr Grocery Center, providing 100 local families with free monthly access to nutritious food such as fresh produce, meat, milk, eggs, and more. This mutual partnership between the City and Goodr is working, and we are seeing the fruits of our labor, literally.

The City Meets the River

Promises made and promises kept. Mayor Dickens promised to take the city to the river and he reached this milestone when he joined Trust for Public Land for the official ribbon cutting ceremony of Atlanta’s first public access point to the Chattahoochee River – Standing Peachtree Greenspace. The event unveiled an accessible kayak launch, a fully accessible path to the river, woodland restoration, and upgrades to the access road.

This site is a part of the Chattahoochee RiverLands (https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://atlantaga.us14.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6ccac341034c98afd33b4edff&id=4f18c6dcab&e=7dd92c10ac__;!!ENSHsYdSoey7eA!59oGNMbrLPXPDcbonzfwQHpq0vRzDgQhn83snncSn-skMNfrhfrC0PwAACPmB6Nlbu-A_NGiDPK_QO75f8Rnx7TntqLlMx6ci5k$) – a bold regional vision to connect 19-metro Atlanta cities and 7 counties to the Chattahoochee River. Once completed, the Chattahoochee RiverLands will connect nearly 1 million nearby residents and visitors to the outdoors, where they can enjoy a variety of activities such as kayaking, swimming, bicycling, picnicking, walking, camping, and wheeling along the river.

Welcome Home Bonaventure

First came The Melody, then came Bonaventure. As part of the Mayor’s Rapid Housing Initiative, Mayor Dickens and Partners for Home opened the newest permanent supportive housing project named Bonaventure. This development added 23 more units toward the Mayor’s ambitious promise to build 500 units of high-quality, quick delivery housing for our unsheltered population by the end of 2025. Each studio unit is fully furnished and includes a refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher, cooktop, and washer/dryer combo. Residents will also receive critical wraparound support like case management and mental health services. Bonaventure is two blocks away from Ponce City Market and the Beltline Eastside Trail. Residents are expected to begin moving into their unit before Christmas.


** ATL Social Conversations
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#ToyGiveaway

Atlanta knows how to spread the holiday cheer and that’s exactly what happened at the Mayor’s Christmas Toy Giveaway. Alongside Kandi Burruss, 2 Chainz, Zion Joy, and DJ Greg Street, Mayor Dickens brought smiles to hundreds of children from our communities by gifting them some of their favorite toys.


** #WorldMigrantsDay
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To celebrate World Migrants Day, City Hall was transformed into an international, cultural experience with more than 30 partners and 14 Consulates. This special occasion honored the strength and resilience of migrants who traveled the world hoping to build a brighter future for themselves and their families. Thank you for being a part of Atlanta’s story.

#CenterForCulture&Creativity

In the heart of the West End, a thriving hub for Atlanta’s creative community, a new center and mural is being dedicated to two of our most iconic cultural figures, Pearl Cleage and Zaron Burnett. This center will reflect the City’s commitment to uplifting our communities through the power of art and creativity. It will also pave the way for the next generation of artists who will continue to elevate Atlanta’s global cultural presence.

#HarperSkatepark

The next Tony Hawk could be skating around corner or nailing a kickflip at the new Harper Skatepark, the second official skate park in District 12. This milestone was a significant achievement for the Department of Parks and Recreation Park Pride, and Friends of Empire’s ongoing mission to revitalize greenspaces and create vibrant, positive spaces for community engagement and activity.

We’re here if you need someone.


The holiday season is joyful for many, but it can also be very challenging for some. If you're feeling overwhelmed, remember you’re not alone. Help is available—just call or text 988 to reach trained counselors who are ready to listen and support or visit www.silencetheshame.com to learn more.


Organizations like Silence the Shame, founded here in Atlanta, are breaking the stigma around mental health, and helping people of all backgrounds access the care and support they deserve.


In Atlanta, we believe in lifting each other up—during the holidays and every day. Let’s take care of ourselves and one another.

Atlanta city skyline with skyscrapers and trees


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