ATLANTA — During his State of the City address on Monday, Mayor Andre Dickens stressed the word 'all,' highlighting the progress that all Atlanta residents have helped create in 2023.
From expanding youth initiatives such as midnight basketball to creating more affordable housing like the Melody, Dickens stressed that he wants to continue to make the city the best place for a family to raise a child.
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“I want to remind you that my goal is to make Atlanta the best place in the nation to raise a child, and that's why we are going to make every year the 'Year of the Youth,'" announced Dickens.
In 2023, Dickens announced the year would be known as the 'Year of the Youth,' focusing city efforts on directing Atlanta's children out of a path of poverty.
“We raised $4 million in scholarships, invested $1.5 million in 32 youth organizations, and signed up over 700 mentors. Together, with many of you in this room, we raised and invested more than $20M in early childhood education! We’ve seen real results from this work, and with our partners at APS, our graduation rate is the highest in our city’s history," revealed Dickens.
While highlighting the city's accomplishments, Dickens explained the challenges Atlanta is still up against, "it was the best of times; it was the worst of times. While many people in Atlanta have reveled in the remarkable progress of our city, not everyone has been able to join in the prosperity."
The mayor said he wants to focus on investments this year to ensure that every part of Atlanta sees growth, including some of the most blighted communities. Dickens announced that the city would create a fresh food market on the south side after facing multiple rejections from bigger grocery chains that said they couldn't make a profit in the area.
In addition to the grocery store, Dickens revealed that the city would create three new Marta stations.
"A better, more accessible rail system is key to Atlanta’s future, and I am committed to ensuring that Atlanta residents have access to the quality transportation they deserve,"
He said investments like these will unite the city and ensure that all of Atlanta experiences prosperity.
The mayor also touched on the state of Atlanta's future public safety training facility, which he explained is on track to open by the end of 2024.