Atlanta State of Downtown report shows growing residency, infrastructure investment

Atlanta leaders are celebrating the history and ongoing revitalization efforts in the city’s historic downtown urban core. The 2026 State of Downtown report highlighted growth and ongoing challenges. Downtown Atlanta Inc. reports visitation in the neighborhood has returned to 85% of pre-pandemic levels. Major infrastructure projects such as The Stitch highway cap, the former CNN Center’s renovation, and campus upgrades at Georgia State University support that activity. However, millions of square feet of vacant office spaces are an ongoing issue. Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said demand has changed and the city is paying attention. Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens (center) joins Atlanta City Councilmember Jason Winston (left) and Georgia State University President Brian Blake at the State of Downtown breakfast on Oct. 28, 2026. Credit: Amanda Andrews / GPB News “We can’t build downtown’s future around the market 20 years ago,” Dickens said. “We need a neighborhood where people ca