ATLANTA — Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens delivered his State of the City business remarks Monday morning.
Mayor Dickens addressed a range of business and civic leaders at the Woodruff Arts Center.
He said "the state of the city is strong" and offered a vision of "efficient and effective government" as "my vision of successful governance."
Dickens highlighted several business and civic markers as he touted his record as mayor, among them the city's AA+ credit rating, the filling of 23,000 potholes and 5,000 acres of parkland he said would soon be purchased.
"All of these things are a testament to our city's forward momentum," Dickens said. "A momentum built on choosing what's best for our Atlanta."
He also touched on the future Atlanta Public Safety Training Center, which has faced a wide-ranging protest movement across the last two years. Dickens said that "despite the many distractions" the facility "has made significant progress and is on schedule to open before the end of the year."
Dickens touted declining crime in the city as well, saying major crimes against people were down 15% and homicides are down 21% in 2023.
The mayor has made affordable housing and combating homelessness a centerpiece of his administration, as well, and pointed to 40 shipping container units that were recently opened at The Melody and a groundbreaking for the Ralph David House that will have 50 units of affordable housing for people who have experienced homelessness.
"We will make homelessness rare, brief and non-reoccurring," Dickens said.
The mayor continued in touting the city's recent development record and the 2026 World Cup games that will be hosted in Atlanta.
"As I mentioned earlier Atlanta is growing. That means our work to remove inequities, revitalize our neighborhoods, and create opportunities for all is getting harder. My all includes everyone, without exception," he said.
Dickens concluded: "We will make our communities a place that residents can be proud of. From the south side to the north side to seniors, minorities, women and youth. Let’s close the Tale of Two Cities in Atlanta. Let's Move Atlanta forward together."
You can re-watch the mayor's address below.
You can re-watch Mayor Dickens' State of the City address from last year on our YouTube channel as well.
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