Matt Garbett
@unplannedatlanta.bsky.social
Urbanist. Troublemaker. Trespasser. Art Supporter. Hot Dog Lover. Ask me about parking. Cofounder ThreadATL.
When the most detailed expenditure of proposed TAD funding is $155M to The Stitch, another giant sparkling project that doesn't really qualify as necessary infrastructure (we could use a lot more 5th Street bridges)... well, doesn't really make one lean towards the TADs as responsible does it?
October 23, 2025 at 3:30 AM
When the most detailed expenditure of proposed TAD funding is $155M to The Stitch, another giant sparkling project that doesn't really qualify as necessary infrastructure (we could use a lot more 5th Street bridges)... well, doesn't really make one lean towards the TADs as responsible does it?
Just a regular reminder that renters are almost always considered 2nd class citizens.
October 13, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Just a regular reminder that renters are almost always considered 2nd class citizens.
Reposted by Matt Garbett
dropped off some stickers and a pile of How I'd Fix Atlanta Season Two for @burnaway.org's first annual BOOK/ZINE fair.
it's gonna be so awesome.
if you're in ATL tomorrow, make sure to head over to The Goat Farm and check it out:
burnaway.org/programs/boo...
it's gonna be so awesome.
if you're in ATL tomorrow, make sure to head over to The Goat Farm and check it out:
burnaway.org/programs/boo...
October 10, 2025 at 4:09 PM
dropped off some stickers and a pile of How I'd Fix Atlanta Season Two for @burnaway.org's first annual BOOK/ZINE fair.
it's gonna be so awesome.
if you're in ATL tomorrow, make sure to head over to The Goat Farm and check it out:
burnaway.org/programs/boo...
it's gonna be so awesome.
if you're in ATL tomorrow, make sure to head over to The Goat Farm and check it out:
burnaway.org/programs/boo...
Related to this post (which you should read & the link to the full document): 1) Does anyone know the assessed value of the Krog Street Market properties that just sold for $220M? and 2) Does anyone have an explanation why the city, APS, and county aren't up in arms about the commercial assessments?
🧵1/3
I've argued against a 25-year extension of all the (already) 20+year-old tax increment financing districts (TADs) in Atlanta. Someone sent me an email from "Atlantans for Safety" arguing against my explanation for why extending the TADs is a bad idea. Their email & my responses are (next)...
I've argued against a 25-year extension of all the (already) 20+year-old tax increment financing districts (TADs) in Atlanta. Someone sent me an email from "Atlantans for Safety" arguing against my explanation for why extending the TADs is a bad idea. Their email & my responses are (next)...
October 11, 2025 at 3:05 AM
Related to this post (which you should read & the link to the full document): 1) Does anyone know the assessed value of the Krog Street Market properties that just sold for $220M? and 2) Does anyone have an explanation why the city, APS, and county aren't up in arms about the commercial assessments?
I'm not asking so I can be critical. Just curious. What does it mean to be an "International City"? I'm pretty sure there's not a correct or single definition. What do you think an International City means and what do you think Atlanta's power structure means by it?
October 6, 2025 at 12:02 AM
I'm not asking so I can be critical. Just curious. What does it mean to be an "International City"? I'm pretty sure there's not a correct or single definition. What do you think an International City means and what do you think Atlanta's power structure means by it?
@danimmergluck.bsky.social @julianbene.bsky.social how do you stay sane with everything you know about this stuff? I've looked at TADs before but I'm doing a shallow dive into the TADs in D12 and I just want to bang my head against the wall.
October 3, 2025 at 3:13 AM
@danimmergluck.bsky.social @julianbene.bsky.social how do you stay sane with everything you know about this stuff? I've looked at TADs before but I'm doing a shallow dive into the TADs in D12 and I just want to bang my head against the wall.
Honestly, Dan and Julian are probably the smartest people in the room to talk about this and Sean the ablest journalist to cover it. Worth a read of the whole thread and exchanges.
"Immergluck...said the mayor’s proposal 'begs the question of why.' By extending the TADs, the city 'would be siphoning off dollars that should be going to schools, basic city services and citywide affordable housing.'"
Extending TIFs for another 25 years in a **Red Hot City** makes no sense. 1/4
Extending TIFs for another 25 years in a **Red Hot City** makes no sense. 1/4
October 3, 2025 at 2:46 AM
Honestly, Dan and Julian are probably the smartest people in the room to talk about this and Sean the ablest journalist to cover it. Worth a read of the whole thread and exchanges.
I love how the TADs are being treated as if they are free money, money that will vanish if the TADs dissolve.
That's not how it works.
That's not how it works.
October 2, 2025 at 10:04 PM
I love how the TADs are being treated as if they are free money, money that will vanish if the TADs dissolve.
That's not how it works.
That's not how it works.
Ok, a little help needed. @atlantabeltline.org keeps saying that the $1B they've spent on the trail has generated $9B in economic development. But I can't find where that number comes from and what means were used to generate it. Anyone see it anywhere?
September 25, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Ok, a little help needed. @atlantabeltline.org keeps saying that the $1B they've spent on the trail has generated $9B in economic development. But I can't find where that number comes from and what means were used to generate it. Anyone see it anywhere?
The studies on the different modes of transit for the Beltline.
drive.google.com/file/d/1AZYR..., drive.google.com/file/d/1KWl9..., drive.google.com/file/d/1qcRQ...
drive.google.com/file/d/1AZYR..., drive.google.com/file/d/1KWl9..., drive.google.com/file/d/1qcRQ...
Revised V2 Beltline Transit Mobility Alternatives Report.pdf
drive.google.com
September 24, 2025 at 4:29 PM
The studies on the different modes of transit for the Beltline.
drive.google.com/file/d/1AZYR..., drive.google.com/file/d/1KWl9..., drive.google.com/file/d/1qcRQ...
drive.google.com/file/d/1AZYR..., drive.google.com/file/d/1KWl9..., drive.google.com/file/d/1qcRQ...
I'm not entering into the drawing since I have a copy (would love to have it signed) but this is an amazing book about homelessness. I just wish he had some copies to give Atlanta elected officials who really, really, really need to read it.
I've got some extra copies of There Is No Place for Us, and I'd love to give away 5 signed books.
Just repost, like, or comment to signal your interest. I'll pick names at random on Friday.
Totally optional: feel free to share how the struggle for stable housing shows up in your life or community.
Just repost, like, or comment to signal your interest. I'll pick names at random on Friday.
Totally optional: feel free to share how the struggle for stable housing shows up in your life or community.
September 18, 2025 at 4:23 AM
I'm not entering into the drawing since I have a copy (would love to have it signed) but this is an amazing book about homelessness. I just wish he had some copies to give Atlanta elected officials who really, really, really need to read it.
I cannot count how many times at meetings, events, forums, from the mouths of city business groups and their CIDs/BIDs, and employees and elected officials the words, "We hope to have this project completed by the World Cup."
This, to me, is a fundamental aspect of the "Atlanta Way." /1
This, to me, is a fundamental aspect of the "Atlanta Way." /1
September 18, 2025 at 3:31 AM
I cannot count how many times at meetings, events, forums, from the mouths of city business groups and their CIDs/BIDs, and employees and elected officials the words, "We hope to have this project completed by the World Cup."
This, to me, is a fundamental aspect of the "Atlanta Way." /1
This, to me, is a fundamental aspect of the "Atlanta Way." /1
Want to join me for an interesting excursion this Saturday, noon-1PM? Meet at The Last Meter Statue in Piedmont Park (near the 14th St entrance) and we'll walk to a site that most of us probably barely register.
For 5 minutes we'll extend our attention in silence, just focusing on what we see /1
For 5 minutes we'll extend our attention in silence, just focusing on what we see /1
September 11, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Want to join me for an interesting excursion this Saturday, noon-1PM? Meet at The Last Meter Statue in Piedmont Park (near the 14th St entrance) and we'll walk to a site that most of us probably barely register.
For 5 minutes we'll extend our attention in silence, just focusing on what we see /1
For 5 minutes we'll extend our attention in silence, just focusing on what we see /1
Finished Red Hot City by @danimmergluck.bsky.social. Little odd for me since I was present for a good portion of the book (how we didn't cross paths during the Beltline opening, Ft. Mac, and Turner Field is beyond me).
I'm gonna put this up there as a 5 star regarding really essential reading /1
I'm gonna put this up there as a 5 star regarding really essential reading /1
September 9, 2025 at 2:15 AM
Finished Red Hot City by @danimmergluck.bsky.social. Little odd for me since I was present for a good portion of the book (how we didn't cross paths during the Beltline opening, Ft. Mac, and Turner Field is beyond me).
I'm gonna put this up there as a 5 star regarding really essential reading /1
I'm gonna put this up there as a 5 star regarding really essential reading /1
I'm rereading @danimmergluck.bsky.social's Red Hot City and it struck me how similar the first chapter of books that are tied to issues of race in Atlanta are. "Here's my version of how we got to where we are before I get to what this book is about."
Now, I read a lot of books about this topic. /1
Now, I read a lot of books about this topic. /1
September 7, 2025 at 2:51 AM
I'm rereading @danimmergluck.bsky.social's Red Hot City and it struck me how similar the first chapter of books that are tied to issues of race in Atlanta are. "Here's my version of how we got to where we are before I get to what this book is about."
Now, I read a lot of books about this topic. /1
Now, I read a lot of books about this topic. /1
Amazing book. If you're in DC I'd go. Hopefully he'll be speaking in Atlanta soon.
This is at 2pm today! If you're in DC, it'd be great to see you there.
If you're in DC this Saturday, I'll be at the National Book Festival (free to attend!) talking about There Is No Place for Us, immersive journalism, and what it means to bear witness through long-term reporting. The panel will be livestreamed on C-SPAN's Book TV.
September 6, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Amazing book. If you're in DC I'd go. Hopefully he'll be speaking in Atlanta soon.
Thanks as always for @thexylom.com for doing this work. Support them if you can.
Happy home opening weekend for Georgia Tech and the Atlanta Falcons!
Talking about perfect timing, marta is single-tracking across its entire system this weekend, according to data gathered by @thexylom.com. That's a roughly 62.5% service cut across all trunk lines in Downtown and Midtown Atlanta:
Talking about perfect timing, marta is single-tracking across its entire system this weekend, according to data gathered by @thexylom.com. That's a roughly 62.5% service cut across all trunk lines in Downtown and Midtown Atlanta:
MARTA Weekend Service Dashboard
docs.google.com
September 6, 2025 at 4:34 AM
Thanks as always for @thexylom.com for doing this work. Support them if you can.
Freshly sliced melon (any type) with just a sprinkling of good salt on it is really one of the most refreshing possible things on a hot August day in Georgia.
August 19, 2025 at 4:19 AM
Freshly sliced melon (any type) with just a sprinkling of good salt on it is really one of the most refreshing possible things on a hot August day in Georgia.
Reposted by Matt Garbett
Seizure medication, wheelchairs, Social Security cards, dentures, urns of ashes, work uniforms — just some of what's been thrown away during cruel, degrading, utterly counterproductive homeless sweeps.
A good time to revisit this gutting @propublica.org story:
A good time to revisit this gutting @propublica.org story:
August 15, 2025 at 2:52 AM
Seizure medication, wheelchairs, Social Security cards, dentures, urns of ashes, work uniforms — just some of what's been thrown away during cruel, degrading, utterly counterproductive homeless sweeps.
A good time to revisit this gutting @propublica.org story:
A good time to revisit this gutting @propublica.org story:
1st endorsement of 2025 ATL City Eleections Juan Mendoza for post 1 at Large. He brings much needed expertise to budgeting, accounting, financing, and he's plenty enough of a good urbanist for me. He's actually already read some of the books I recommended
www.juanforatlanta.com
www.juanforatlanta.com
August 14, 2025 at 1:45 AM
1st endorsement of 2025 ATL City Eleections Juan Mendoza for post 1 at Large. He brings much needed expertise to budgeting, accounting, financing, and he's plenty enough of a good urbanist for me. He's actually already read some of the books I recommended
www.juanforatlanta.com
www.juanforatlanta.com
Meet and Greet with @rohitforatlanta.bsky.social at the Atlanta Preservation Center in Grant Park. Get out and meet the candidates!
August 12, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Meet and Greet with @rohitforatlanta.bsky.social at the Atlanta Preservation Center in Grant Park. Get out and meet the candidates!
Pet peeve or am I doing it wrong. Say it's Saturday & I say "I'll see you next week." I don't mean this approaching week. That's "this week." "Next week" means the following week.
Happens when giving directions, 2. "You'll want 2 turn right @ the next turn. No, u turned right @ this turn. NEXT TURN
Happens when giving directions, 2. "You'll want 2 turn right @ the next turn. No, u turned right @ this turn. NEXT TURN
August 11, 2025 at 2:49 AM
Pet peeve or am I doing it wrong. Say it's Saturday & I say "I'll see you next week." I don't mean this approaching week. That's "this week." "Next week" means the following week.
Happens when giving directions, 2. "You'll want 2 turn right @ the next turn. No, u turned right @ this turn. NEXT TURN
Happens when giving directions, 2. "You'll want 2 turn right @ the next turn. No, u turned right @ this turn. NEXT TURN
Opinion | They Let Their Children Cross the Street, and Now They’re Felons
www.nytimes.com
August 7, 2025 at 2:02 PM