Darin Givens
@atlurbanist.bsky.social
ThreadATL cofounder, urbanism addict, web developer, neurologically-challenged cane walker
✡רָפָאֵל🪬
✡רָפָאֵל🪬
Peachtree Street this evening, as seen from the window of an in-motion MARTA bus. I love looking at the city from a bus window, especially at night. Atlanta needs to fall in love with buses, IMO. That's a recipe for urban success.
November 16, 2025 at 12:59 AM
Peachtree Street this evening, as seen from the window of an in-motion MARTA bus. I love looking at the city from a bus window, especially at night. Atlanta needs to fall in love with buses, IMO. That's a recipe for urban success.
I honestly don't know -- maybe this is par for the course with transit in cities. Maybe Atlanta's situation is normal.
But it certainly *feels* weird to me when a 1.6 mile trip in Midtown takes the same amount of time to walk as it does to ride transit.
Perhaps I expect too much.
But it certainly *feels* weird to me when a 1.6 mile trip in Midtown takes the same amount of time to walk as it does to ride transit.
Perhaps I expect too much.
November 14, 2025 at 9:57 PM
I honestly don't know -- maybe this is par for the course with transit in cities. Maybe Atlanta's situation is normal.
But it certainly *feels* weird to me when a 1.6 mile trip in Midtown takes the same amount of time to walk as it does to ride transit.
Perhaps I expect too much.
But it certainly *feels* weird to me when a 1.6 mile trip in Midtown takes the same amount of time to walk as it does to ride transit.
Perhaps I expect too much.
This beautiful image features a train going past buildings that have stores at the bottom, with trees and other greenery nearby, and with people walking on a path alongside the tracks (and public seating too!). 😍
Atlanta can do this.
(Source: www.modacitylife.com)
Atlanta can do this.
(Source: www.modacitylife.com)
November 14, 2025 at 9:34 PM
This beautiful image features a train going past buildings that have stores at the bottom, with trees and other greenery nearby, and with people walking on a path alongside the tracks (and public seating too!). 😍
Atlanta can do this.
(Source: www.modacitylife.com)
Atlanta can do this.
(Source: www.modacitylife.com)
I want a world where we could reasonably expect a headline:
"Georgia governor considers corporate tax hike to fund big ideas from Atlanta mayor."
Make that world happen.
"Georgia governor considers corporate tax hike to fund big ideas from Atlanta mayor."
Make that world happen.
INBOX: Bloomberg reports that New York Governor Kathy Hochul is considering raising corporate taxes as part of broader efforts to close a potential budget shortfall and help fund some of Zohran Mamdani’s agenda as New York City mayor.
NY Governor Weighs Corporate Tax Hike to Help Fund Mamdani Plans
New York Governor Kathy Hochul is considering raising corporate taxes as part of broader efforts to close a potential budget shortfall and help fund some of Zohran Mamdani’s agenda as New York City ma...
www.bloomberg.com
November 14, 2025 at 8:34 PM
I want a world where we could reasonably expect a headline:
"Georgia governor considers corporate tax hike to fund big ideas from Atlanta mayor."
Make that world happen.
"Georgia governor considers corporate tax hike to fund big ideas from Atlanta mayor."
Make that world happen.
“I really want Gwinnett & Cobb to start thinking about what it would look like to have public transit in their communities that is connected to the city"
Says a mayor who's turned Eastside Beltline rail into a political football.
Says a mayor who's turned Eastside Beltline rail into a political football.
If I was the mayor of Atlanta, the poster child for ineffective governance and inability to get voter-approved transportation projects built, I might focus on getting shit built in my own city before making promises about getting my neighbors to follow suit.
November 13, 2025 at 11:21 PM
“I really want Gwinnett & Cobb to start thinking about what it would look like to have public transit in their communities that is connected to the city"
Says a mayor who's turned Eastside Beltline rail into a political football.
Says a mayor who's turned Eastside Beltline rail into a political football.
Reposted by Darin Givens
Another story of on-demand transit (or "microtransit") hype. The cute and responsive technology works in a tiny rural town, so they propose to do it in the big city, where it will be overwhelmed. Big cities need big transit, not these distractions.
www.thestar.com/news/gta/thi...
www.thestar.com/news/gta/thi...
November 13, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Another story of on-demand transit (or "microtransit") hype. The cute and responsive technology works in a tiny rural town, so they propose to do it in the big city, where it will be overwhelmed. Big cities need big transit, not these distractions.
www.thestar.com/news/gta/thi...
www.thestar.com/news/gta/thi...
I'm happy to see the redesign of the Jackson Street Bridge coming together at last! It's been several years in the making.
There's a post that prevents cars from entering the new two-way bike path, and several parking spaces are here to lure photographers from parking in the bike lane.
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There's a post that prevents cars from entering the new two-way bike path, and several parking spaces are here to lure photographers from parking in the bike lane.
1/2
November 13, 2025 at 4:50 AM
I'm happy to see the redesign of the Jackson Street Bridge coming together at last! It's been several years in the making.
There's a post that prevents cars from entering the new two-way bike path, and several parking spaces are here to lure photographers from parking in the bike lane.
1/2
There's a post that prevents cars from entering the new two-way bike path, and several parking spaces are here to lure photographers from parking in the bike lane.
1/2
Nice! This section of the 5th Street bike lane has been closed for many months due to construction for a new building. It's good to see it back. I stood here for a minute and saw several people using it.
November 12, 2025 at 10:55 PM
Nice! This section of the 5th Street bike lane has been closed for many months due to construction for a new building. It's good to see it back. I stood here for a minute and saw several people using it.
Reposted by Darin Givens
Remember all the hype about how Uber and Lyft would allow people to live car-free?
Well, it turns out ridehail has no discernible impact on car ownership at all.
Analysis from Glenn Mercer's excellent newsletter:
glennmercer.substack.com/p/the-impact...
Well, it turns out ridehail has no discernible impact on car ownership at all.
Analysis from Glenn Mercer's excellent newsletter:
glennmercer.substack.com/p/the-impact...
November 12, 2025 at 7:54 PM
Remember all the hype about how Uber and Lyft would allow people to live car-free?
Well, it turns out ridehail has no discernible impact on car ownership at all.
Analysis from Glenn Mercer's excellent newsletter:
glennmercer.substack.com/p/the-impact...
Well, it turns out ridehail has no discernible impact on car ownership at all.
Analysis from Glenn Mercer's excellent newsletter:
glennmercer.substack.com/p/the-impact...
On average, about 340 U.S. flights get canceled per day.
But this Sunday, over 2,200 were canceled, and the increase is due to the government shutdown.
Meanwhile, Amtrak has been unaffected by the shutdown because it makes enough money from ticket revenue.
Build more train lines, please.
But this Sunday, over 2,200 were canceled, and the increase is due to the government shutdown.
Meanwhile, Amtrak has been unaffected by the shutdown because it makes enough money from ticket revenue.
Build more train lines, please.
November 10, 2025 at 5:23 AM
On average, about 340 U.S. flights get canceled per day.
But this Sunday, over 2,200 were canceled, and the increase is due to the government shutdown.
Meanwhile, Amtrak has been unaffected by the shutdown because it makes enough money from ticket revenue.
Build more train lines, please.
But this Sunday, over 2,200 were canceled, and the increase is due to the government shutdown.
Meanwhile, Amtrak has been unaffected by the shutdown because it makes enough money from ticket revenue.
Build more train lines, please.
Reposted by Darin Givens
The Transit Guy has an excellent post about the success of the Plane Train inside Atlanta's airport. This is the train system that takes passengers to and from terminals.
By ridership, it's one of the 15 busiest train systems in the nation!
1/
thetransitguy.substack.com/p/the-busies...
By ridership, it's one of the 15 busiest train systems in the nation!
1/
thetransitguy.substack.com/p/the-busies...
The Busiest “Rail Line” You’ve Never Heard Of Is In the Suburbs of Atlanta
Atlanta’s 2.8-mile Plane Train quietly moves more people each day than most American transit systems, and might be the most efficient rail line in the Western Hemisphere.
thetransitguy.substack.com
November 7, 2025 at 7:23 PM
The Transit Guy has an excellent post about the success of the Plane Train inside Atlanta's airport. This is the train system that takes passengers to and from terminals.
By ridership, it's one of the 15 busiest train systems in the nation!
1/
thetransitguy.substack.com/p/the-busies...
By ridership, it's one of the 15 busiest train systems in the nation!
1/
thetransitguy.substack.com/p/the-busies...
I'm sorry that 24 yr-old Sam Foster lost the Marietta mayoral race but it's honestly encouraging that he only lost by 87 votes!! Foster campaigned on affordable housing, reliable buses, bike infrastructure & walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods. 🙏 Bless you
www.atlantanewsfirst.com/2025/11/05/d...
www.atlantanewsfirst.com/2025/11/05/d...
Longtime Marietta mayor keeps seat from 24-year-old challenger
Sam Foster is 54 years younger than incumbent Steve “Thunder” Tumlin.
www.atlantanewsfirst.com
November 5, 2025 at 3:50 PM
I'm sorry that 24 yr-old Sam Foster lost the Marietta mayoral race but it's honestly encouraging that he only lost by 87 votes!! Foster campaigned on affordable housing, reliable buses, bike infrastructure & walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods. 🙏 Bless you
www.atlantanewsfirst.com/2025/11/05/d...
www.atlantanewsfirst.com/2025/11/05/d...
Reposted by Darin Givens
Tim Echols lost reelection for Georgia Public Service Commission because voters think he works for the power company instead of the public. He just sent an email to his supporters saying he’s going to go on vacation for the remainder of his term. Public service indeed.
Shoutout to @tiamitchell.com for flagging this email from the now out-going, veteran Georgia utility regulator Tim Echols, who announced in an email he is leaving the Public Service Commission immediately and taking a sabbatical
November 5, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Tim Echols lost reelection for Georgia Public Service Commission because voters think he works for the power company instead of the public. He just sent an email to his supporters saying he’s going to go on vacation for the remainder of his term. Public service indeed.
I was very happy to vote for Jacob Chambers for my District 2 Council rep, and for Rohit Malhotra for Council President, and Juan Mendoza for Post 1! Let's gooooo!
(For mayor, I wrote in "stop cop city" because what else was I gonna do)
(For mayor, I wrote in "stop cop city" because what else was I gonna do)
November 4, 2025 at 7:32 PM
I was very happy to vote for Jacob Chambers for my District 2 Council rep, and for Rohit Malhotra for Council President, and Juan Mendoza for Post 1! Let's gooooo!
(For mayor, I wrote in "stop cop city" because what else was I gonna do)
(For mayor, I wrote in "stop cop city" because what else was I gonna do)
I did not realize that Dick "I lied about weapons of mass destruction and shot a hunter in the face but still got a $36mil severance package from Halliburton" Cheney was still alive until yesterday. That surprised me.
November 4, 2025 at 12:47 PM
I did not realize that Dick "I lied about weapons of mass destruction and shot a hunter in the face but still got a $36mil severance package from Halliburton" Cheney was still alive until yesterday. That surprised me.
Reposted by Darin Givens
Urbanize Atlanta reports that Microsoft is giving 22 acres near Bankhead MARTA Station to the City for development. This is part of the land Microsoft purchased several years ago with hopes of putting a major headquarters on it -- hopes that fizzled.
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atlanta.urbanize.city/post/microso...
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atlanta.urbanize.city/post/microso...
Microsoft gifting portion of Westside campus property to City of Atlanta
Transit-connected acreage fronts Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway where two projects didn't take off
atlanta.urbanize.city
November 4, 2025 at 4:09 AM
Urbanize Atlanta reports that Microsoft is giving 22 acres near Bankhead MARTA Station to the City for development. This is part of the land Microsoft purchased several years ago with hopes of putting a major headquarters on it -- hopes that fizzled.
1/2
atlanta.urbanize.city/post/microso...
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atlanta.urbanize.city/post/microso...
It's not open yet, but the bike lane under construction on Juniper Street looks pretty impressive. The wayfinding signage seems like a nice touch.
November 4, 2025 at 1:55 AM
It's not open yet, but the bike lane under construction on Juniper Street looks pretty impressive. The wayfinding signage seems like a nice touch.
Reposted by Darin Givens
Thanks to Councilmember Jason Dozier for introducing legislation to eliminate parking minimums citywide in Atlanta at today's City Council meeting!!
This is a great proposal.
This is a great proposal.
Dozier introduces a paper to end mandatory parking minimums in the city as part of the zoning 2.0 rewrite.
November 3, 2025 at 11:17 PM
Thanks to Councilmember Jason Dozier for introducing legislation to eliminate parking minimums citywide in Atlanta at today's City Council meeting!!
This is a great proposal.
This is a great proposal.
Good luck making eye contact with a Waymo, or a driver behind tinted windows, or a driver behind bright headlights.
Or if you're a visually impaired pedestrian.
And *please* stop it with "bright reflective clothing." Do people who write this stuff actually walk & carry an orange vest? Seriously.
Or if you're a visually impaired pedestrian.
And *please* stop it with "bright reflective clothing." Do people who write this stuff actually walk & carry an orange vest? Seriously.
November 3, 2025 at 9:27 PM
Good luck making eye contact with a Waymo, or a driver behind tinted windows, or a driver behind bright headlights.
Or if you're a visually impaired pedestrian.
And *please* stop it with "bright reflective clothing." Do people who write this stuff actually walk & carry an orange vest? Seriously.
Or if you're a visually impaired pedestrian.
And *please* stop it with "bright reflective clothing." Do people who write this stuff actually walk & carry an orange vest? Seriously.
The new connection between the Beltline & Ponce de Leon Avw looks nearly done! I'm eager for the fencing to come down. Question for cyclists: what's your opinion of the bike lanes on Ponce? I'm wondering what the experience will be like for cyclists coming from the BL to the street.
November 1, 2025 at 8:21 PM
The new connection between the Beltline & Ponce de Leon Avw looks nearly done! I'm eager for the fencing to come down. Question for cyclists: what's your opinion of the bike lanes on Ponce? I'm wondering what the experience will be like for cyclists coming from the BL to the street.
This new Illinois law provides $860 million to public transit agencies for their operations spending (via sales tax on motor fuel).
I'm drooling just thinking about it. Could we ever see this in Georgia?
I'm drooling just thinking about it. Could we ever see this in Georgia?
Good morning!
Last night, Illinois’ legislature passed a law, SB2111, which will fund a major expansion of service for the Chicago region’s transit systems, thanks to new revenue sources.
The law also takes a major step forward in coordination between agencies.
Last night, Illinois’ legislature passed a law, SB2111, which will fund a major expansion of service for the Chicago region’s transit systems, thanks to new revenue sources.
The law also takes a major step forward in coordination between agencies.
Statement from the RTA: "The passage of SB2111 is a landmark moment for public transit in Illinois."
Read the full statement here or below. www.rtachicago.org/about-rta/pr...
Read the full statement here or below. www.rtachicago.org/about-rta/pr...
October 31, 2025 at 1:31 PM
This new Illinois law provides $860 million to public transit agencies for their operations spending (via sales tax on motor fuel).
I'm drooling just thinking about it. Could we ever see this in Georgia?
I'm drooling just thinking about it. Could we ever see this in Georgia?
This TAD extension will allegedly protect legacy residents, build affordable housing, put rail on the Beltline, build a new hospital, and support small businesses. That's quite a project list.
It makes me wonder...what's Mayor Dickens' track record with following through on project lists?
It makes me wonder...what's Mayor Dickens' track record with following through on project lists?
October 31, 2025 at 12:20 PM
This TAD extension will allegedly protect legacy residents, build affordable housing, put rail on the Beltline, build a new hospital, and support small businesses. That's quite a project list.
It makes me wonder...what's Mayor Dickens' track record with following through on project lists?
It makes me wonder...what's Mayor Dickens' track record with following through on project lists?
Reposted by Darin Givens
Very excited to see what you all come up with for this: As we look at the future of MARTA, @ajc.com wants to see your MARTA dream map. Take this image, draw the rail or BRT lines you’d like to see and then send it back to us. We plan on featuring maps in future coverage: www.ajc.com/news/2025/10...
October 30, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Very excited to see what you all come up with for this: As we look at the future of MARTA, @ajc.com wants to see your MARTA dream map. Take this image, draw the rail or BRT lines you’d like to see and then send it back to us. We plan on featuring maps in future coverage: www.ajc.com/news/2025/10...
In 2013, we gave General Motors $17.5 million in state & local tax incentives to locate an "innovation center" on Mansell Rd in Roswell, GA.
Now GM is closing the center. 325 people are being laid off.
www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news...
Now GM is closing the center. 325 people are being laid off.
www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news...
General Motors to close Georgia Innovation Center, cut hundreds of jobs - Atlanta Business Chronicle
GM is cutting hundreds of jobs in Georgia.
www.bizjournals.com
October 29, 2025 at 3:30 PM
In 2013, we gave General Motors $17.5 million in state & local tax incentives to locate an "innovation center" on Mansell Rd in Roswell, GA.
Now GM is closing the center. 325 people are being laid off.
www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news...
Now GM is closing the center. 325 people are being laid off.
www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news...
Reposted by Darin Givens
Maurice Cox, a national leader in city planning, is consulting with Atlanta on how to make Downtown "a thriving neighborhood."
"Cox spoke of transforming auto-centric spaces into pedestrian-oriented spaces...the goal is to create 20-minute neighborhoods"
saportareport.com/new-partners...
"Cox spoke of transforming auto-centric spaces into pedestrian-oriented spaces...the goal is to create 20-minute neighborhoods"
saportareport.com/new-partners...
New partnerships needed to create a healthy Downtown and Atlanta region - SaportaReport
Read New partnerships needed to create a healthy Downtown and Atlanta region by Maria Saporta for SaportaReport here.
saportareport.com
October 28, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Maurice Cox, a national leader in city planning, is consulting with Atlanta on how to make Downtown "a thriving neighborhood."
"Cox spoke of transforming auto-centric spaces into pedestrian-oriented spaces...the goal is to create 20-minute neighborhoods"
saportareport.com/new-partners...
"Cox spoke of transforming auto-centric spaces into pedestrian-oriented spaces...the goal is to create 20-minute neighborhoods"
saportareport.com/new-partners...