Atlanta, GA

Atlanta City Council devotes $3 million toward ‘rapid housing’ for the homeless

Published

1 month ago

March 19, 2024

Atlanta City Council devotes $3 million toward ‘rapid housing’ for the homeless

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – Monday, the Atlanta City Council voted yes to an extra $3 million dollars for the idea of ‘rapid housing.’

“Rapid housing is moving someone in a housing opportunity whether that be an extended stay or one of the trailers so we can get them off the street,” said Michael Julian Bond, Atlanta City Council Post 1 At Large.

It also can be called bridge housing. There, individuals could be connected to resources to help them get on their feet permanently.

“When we see an investment like that $3 million into bridge housing for people we know how critical that is,” said Terry Tucker, CEO of Frontline Response.

The city council gave it the green light but it’s still unknown how exactly the non-profit Partners for HOME plans to use the money. That group opened a shipping container community a couple months ago and they’ve hit the ground running.

“You do need a wraparound approach because people 9 times out of 10 did not become homeless or unhoused by accident,” said Bond.

Tucker said Frontline Response works closely with Partners for HOME. He believes bridge housing can be a key to finding permanent solutions.

“We’ve had people come into our warming center with no place to live but had a job offer to be an engineer. All they needed was a bus ticket to get to the job,” said Tucker.

Council member Bond said there is still more work to be done but rapid housing is helping people.

“You want to make sure that you are providing people with resources they need to become stable, and that they have shoulders they can lean on until they can stand on their own,” said Bond.

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Atlanta, GA

Legendary Atlanta hip-hop producer Rico Wade laid to rest

Published

2 hours ago

April 27, 2024

Press Room

Legendary Atlanta hip-hop producer Rico Wade laid to rest

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – On Friday legendary Atlanta hip-hop producer Rico Wade was laid to rest. The music icon died at age 52 earlier this month.

A private service was held at Ebenezer Baptist Church, led by Rev. Raphael Warnock.

“In a real sense his music has been a part of the soundtrack of our lives. And while I’m the pastor of this church and a Senator from Georgia, we are roughly the same age. He’s a couple years younger than me, so to see someone like him come from where he came from, telling the stories of kids like him, I think is so important,” Rev. Warnock said.

Wade was a trailblazing and innovative musical talent known for discovering hip-hop duo OutKast and helping launch the careers of artists like TLC and Goodie Mob. He was also a founding member of The Dungeon Family, an Atlanta-based music collective made up of famous hip hop, funk, and soul artists.

“I grew up with him all through the music and all that, so I’m going to miss him a whole lot. He’s been a very big influence on hip hop in Atlanta,” Gregory Gibbs said.

“Just to be here on the day he marks his ending on the earth, just you know, his blessings will still outpour on others,” Mekisha Smith said.

After the service, Wade’s casket was loaded into a horse-drawn carriage and driven through his hometown streets. Atlanta rappers Killer Miker, 2 Chainz, and T.I. were all in attendance.

“It takes a great spirit, a person with a generous heart to summon this crowd to one place at one time,” Rev. Warnock said.

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Atlanta, GA

Ruke Orhorhoro reacts to becoming an Atlanta Falcon | 2024 NFL Draft

Published

9 hours ago

April 26, 2024

Press Room

Ruke Orhorhoro reacts to becoming an Atlanta Falcon | 2024 NFL Draft

With the eighth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Atlanta Falcons select… Bijan Robinson! Terry Fontenot, Arthur Smith and the Atlanta front office staff put together the newest Falcons draft class. Get an exclusive look at how this rookie class came together as we follow along every pick in episode two of On the Rise.

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Atlanta, GA

Buckhead drive-thru Starbucks aims for sexy upgrades

Published

16 hours ago

April 26, 2024

Press Room

Buckhead drive-thru Starbucks aims for sexy upgrades

A ho-hum standalone Starbucks could undergo a full aesthetic makeover along a prominent Buckhead corridor that’s experiencing a multitude of changes right now.

Atlanta-based architecture, engineering, and planning firm GDP Group has filed plans to renovate and expand an existing drive-thru Starbucks location at 3330 Piedmont Road with a hip, modernized new look.

The Starbucks is located at the entrance to what’s been rebranded Buckhead Landing—the former Piedmont Peachtree Crossing shopping long anchored by Disco Kroger. Regency Center, the developer and owner, unveiled a fresh roster of tenants for other buildings in the strip center last month.

How the Starbucks in question appeared in 2023 as the husk of Disco Kroger still stood behind it. Google Maps

Planned renovation of the Piedmont Road facade. GDP Group; via Buckhead SPI-9 Development Review Committee

GDP Group is scheduled to formally present its Starbucks plans Wednesday to the Buckhead SPI-9 Development Review Committee.

Designs call for expanding the building, relocating drive-thru equipment from being wall-mounted to freestanding, and updating furniture and fixtures. No ordinance variations are being requested.

In front of the Starbucks, work to create what’s being called a Complete Street project—or what Atlanta urbanists are calling anything but—is ongoing near the Buckhead Landing main entry.

Find more context and images in the gallery above.

GDP Group; via Buckhead SPI-9 Development Review Committee

How the Piedmont Peachtree Crossing/Buckhead Landing shopping center fits with denser development in central Buckhead. Starbucks is located at the Piedmont Road entry. Google Maps