Atlanta State of the City: Mayor focused on infrastructure, housing, and reelection

ATLANTA - Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens delivered a passionate State of the City address Tuesday evening, painting a positive picture of his administration's progress while making his case for reelection later this year.

"The state of the city is strong!" said Dickens. "I promised you safer streets. Another promise kept—since 2022, homicides in Atlanta are down 26%."

In true Atlanta fashion, rapper Jermaine Dupri welcomed the mayor on stage at the Woodruff Arts Center in Midtown.

In Dickens' remarks, he emphasized his administration’s efforts to stave off the Buckhead City movement and move forward with the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center, despite national "Stop Cop City" protests. 

"We have ensured that the next generation of first responders will have a state-of-the-art training facility at our Atlanta Public Safety Training Center," Dickens said.

What we know:

Mayor Dickens took credit for steering a "fractured" city in the right direction when he took office, out of the pandemic and a spike in crime. 

"Atlanta is the best bet for the future, and everybody knows it," Dickens said.

He cited Atlanta Public Schools' all-time high graduation, and the city's triple-A bond rating from Fitch as pointers of the city's vitality.

Dickens didn't address the Inspector General's sudden resignation last week, nor the drama leading up to it.

But he did hint at more changes on the way to reinforce the city's "commitment to ethical government."

By the numbers:

One of the biggest issues Dickens spoke about was the city's affordable housing crisis and the homelessness that has resulted. 

"We've committed over $60 million to get folks off the street and into places they can call home," Dickens said, crediting city council for approving those funds.

But Dickens didn't directly address the death of Cornelius Taylor, who witnesses say was killed by a city truck that was clearing a homeless encampment. 

He also addressed the city’s infrastructure challenges, pointing to the plan to replace aging water pipes and the use of AI to predict water main breaks. 

Additionally, he noted that the city’s "Pothole Posse" has repaired nearly 30,000 potholes since his tenure began.

But he acknowledged the city’s century-old water system needs a lot of work still. 

"This is a system that we inherited, but now it's our responsibility to start fixing it."

What's next:

Looking ahead, Dickens has set his sights on Atlanta’s role as a host city for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

He said the eight matches played here will bring nearly $1 billion to the city.

But before that, Dickens is up for reelection this November. So far, no one else has publicly declared their candidacy. 

"I love this city, and I'll never stop fighting for it," Dickens said. "Not today, not tomorrow, not when I leave City Hall in 2030.

SEE ALSO:

• Atlanta crime rates plummet: Major reductions in homicides, auto thefts
• Ping pong protest: 'Stop Cop City' demonstrators throw balls at Atlanta City Council
• Atlanta water crisis: City Council approves small business relief plan
• City of Atlanta talks about Summer Safety Plan, Tuesday's shootings
• Mayor Dickens declares Atlanta's infrastructure needs complete revamp