Midtown is always changing, and there seems to be a new business opening in every direction. You
might not notice, but a lot of work is going into the future planning of Midtown and beyond.
Want to know about the community? What’s going on next weekend? The best source for
anything about Midtown can be found online at http://www.midtownatl.com .
Since its creation in 1978, Midtown Alliance has been responsible for the revitalization of Midtown.
The Midtown Alliance is a non-profit membership organization and a coalition of leading
business and community leaders “…united in the commitment to Midtown.”
The M.A. is governed by a 71-member board of the district's top private sector leaders.
According to the web site “…the Alliance uses a comprehensive approach to planning and
development that includes initiatives to enhance public safety, improve the physical
environment, and strengthen the urban amenities which give the area its unique character.”
Guided by a visionary master plan – Blueprint Midtown – and in partnership with the Midtown
Improvement District, Midtown has become a national model for urban excellence.
Other communities hoping for the same renewal program success stories are reaching out to
get more people involved.
The Making of Modern Atlanta Project is a partnership with the Andrew J. Young Foundation and the
Young School of Policy studies at Georgia State University. It is a multi-disciplinary approach to
document the transformation of Atlanta and the application of “…the Atlanta Way.”
It’s being called “the Atlanta Way” because it’s been documented on video; which can be a useful
model for other cities faced with big urban renewal projects. Questions are asked about public policy,
environmental concerns, and future issues relating to building a better city.
Since 2009, hundreds of people have participated as panelists, experts, advisors, and volunteers to
bring the project together. Ambition and answers are aplenty, thanks to wisely selected participants.
A narchive of their work can be seen at http://www.andrewjyoungfoundation.org .
The project includes Ambassador Young’s memoir, The Making of Modern Atlanta, a documentary
film and the creation of a digital archive of interviews with influential Atlantans.
In addition, recorded panel discussions address the critical policies in managing a diverse city and
sharing the lessons from The Making of Modern Atlanta. Recently, Ambassador/Former Atlanta
Mayor Young hosted another of his Leadership Forums, this time at Morehouse College. “You have
to realize that the Harvest is great but the Laborers are few,” said Ambassador Young “…if you’re
going to be the Harvester for the blessings of urban life, you might not
see great wealth, your reward may not be monetary. But remember, you’re going to do a lot of people
a lot of good in the long-term. That’s the Atlanta Way.”
-- -Ray Macon
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