As always, the winds of change blew fierce across Atlanta in 2022.
But in a year filled with news of sky-high Midtown proposals, BeltLine progress, and downtown’s big comeback visibly starting, Urbanize Atlanta readers were most interested in… a totally random selection of topics. Except for the common theme that was the southside of town, which interestingly accounts for half of the most-read stories in 2022.
Here’s a quick rundown:
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10. Back in the spring, a reader tip prompted this photographic preview of Spivey Splash Water Park, which is promoted as a “premier destination spot for people around the world to enjoy”:
April: “South of Atlanta, bodacious public water park to open next month”
Clayton County Parks and Recreation
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9. Atlanta’s booming TV and film industry and the (false) promise of delectable, oniony sliders was apparently a winning combination:
July: “Yes, Hollywood is building a White Castle near downtown Atlanta”
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8. Prior to another red-hot summer of ATL development, we took stock of seismic changes happening south of downtown:
May: “Don't look now, but Atlanta's southside is blowing up”
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7. Not all big news involved huge projects in ’22, as this venture called the first Black-developed micro-community in the United States proved:
November: “South of downtown Atlanta, uniquely cheap housing concept has risen”
Overview of a community designed to promote neighborly interactions. South Park Cottages
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6. During a banner year for ATL accolades, this was definitely a highlight:
August: “Economist publication names Atlanta most livable city in U.S.”
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5. Dubai + a long-abandoned Ingles shopping center on Jonesboro Road + unprecedented ambition/delusion = “The Roman” proposal:
August: “20 renderings: Audacious megaproject uncloaked in Clayton County”
An updated rendering for the multi-tower, $800-million The Roman proposal, which would be anchored by a modernistic, low-rise amphitheater shown at center. Courtesy of Roman United; designs, Yamasaki/Bad Consult
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4. A combination of candid nostalgia, real offensiveness, and a serious contemplation of how ATL perceptions have changed in recent years:
January: “Remembering the Atlanta map that offended everyone, 7 years later”
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3. Sprawl in 2022 proved itself very much alive across the metro:
July: “South of Atlanta, massive swath of land sells for 1,000+ more homes”
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2. Evidence that Atlantans, by and large, aren’t averse to useful bus services—at least when they lead to the ocean:
June: “New bus service from Atlanta to Florida beaches launches”
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1. An introduction to the “ATL Trains” concept was proof that metro Atlantans are curious about, if not starving for, innovative transportation solutions. This is our most-read story since Urbanize Atlanta launched last year:
September: “Introducing 'ATL Trains': A revolutionary approach to Atlanta transit?”
The aerial overview of a hypothetical regional commuter train network in existing railroad right-of-way. Courtesy of Caleb Stubbs/ATL Trains
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