By David Pendered July 21 – The public corruption trial of Atlanta’s former CFO, “James” “Jimmie” “Jim” “Anthony” “A.” Beard, and fate of two full-automatic rifles he bought with city funds may be soon be complete. A newly filed order by a federal judge sets Beard’s sentencing for Aug. 27 at 2:30 p.m. U.S. District […]
Short Takes
Sally Sears and archives from AlabamaBy David Pendered MONTEVALLO, ALA. – MAY 19 – Sally Sears’ latest project is the preservation of an important segment of history in her birthplace, a college town an hour south of Birmingham. Sears, a longtime Atlanta journalist and civic leader, has established an ongoing effort to preserve and share some of her parents’ local […]
Short Takes
Revealing history hidden by the seaBy David Pendered BEAUFORT, N.C. – March 3 – Exposing a previously concealed serial number of a typewriter is a big deal when the machine comes from the sunken wreckage of a German submarine sunk in World War II. Michelle Crepeau revealed the serial number in her work as a conservator at the North Carolina […]
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Soccer in the Streets, 2026 World CupBy David Pendered Feb. 8 – Soccer in the Streets got another shot of adrenalin when the World Cup announced the schedule of games in Atlanta in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. All the youngsters who play the “beautiful game” in Atlanta’s mission-driven soccer program will be hoping for a seat at a game. A […]
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Former ATL CFO corruption trial delayed to May 15By David Pendered Jan. 24 – The federal corruption trial of a former CFO for the City of Atlanta has been postponed again, this time from Feb. 12 to May 15. Defendant Jim Beard requested the 90-day delay. Beard faces an eight-count indictment that a federal grand jury handed down on Sept. 15, 2020 in […]
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The BeltLine does not need fixed rail to be successfulBy Howard S. Wertheimer Note to readers: Howard S. Wertheimer, FAIA Emeritus, LEED AP, is a lecturer at Georgia Tech’s School of Architecture; former AVP for Capital Planning & Space Management and Institute Architect at Georgia Tech, and former COO at Piedmont Park Conservancy Oct. 6 – There is a fast-growing community of citizens who […]
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Better Atlanta TransitBy Mike Dobbins Sept. 10 – There is a great need for better Atlanta transit. The current plans are obsolete. There have been no comprehensive transit plan updates since: Before the 2017 transit referendum; Before COVID with its ongoing disruption of settlement patterns, thus shifting the locations of origins and destinations essential to plan transit […]
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MARTA, transit at post-pandemic inflection pointBy David Pendered July 30 — Survival of the nation’s transit systems may depend on service innovations such as door-to-door service, which MARTA is evaluating, and new revenues such as New York’s planned commuter tax, according to panelists at a recent briefing hosted by the Volcker Alliance and Penn Institute for Urban Research. This inflection point is […]
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Correcting Atlanta’s Growth Mythology – Why It MattersBy Mike Dobbins March 9 – As a member of AIA Atlanta’s Architect Principals Roundtable back in 2015, I looked forward to our meeting welcoming Tim Keane as Mayor Kasim Reed’s newly appointed commissioner of planning. His emphasis on elevating design quality as a core value was music to our ears. Leaving the meeting, though, one […]
Short Takes
ATL CFO trial: Guns, wire fraud charges stay togetherBy David Pendered Feb. 1 – Former Atlanta CFO Jim Beard will face charges in the same federal corruption trial on counts involving two machine guns and wire fraud, a federal judge ruled Jan. 24. U.S. District Judge Steve C. Jones issued an order rejecting Beard’s claim that prosecuting him in the same trial on […]
