Why Downtown Atlanta Still Isn’t Working — And the Future of South Downtown | Jon Birdsong

Downtown Atlanta should be the heart of this city.So why doesn’t it feel like it?In this episode of Tharon’s Take, Jon Birdsong joins Tharon Johnson for a real conversation about the future of Downtown and South Downtown Atlanta — from density and development to MARTA, public safety, walkability, and whether Atlanta is truly ready for the World Cup.This isn’t a surface-level conversation. It’s an honest look at what’s working, what’s not, and what it’s really going to take for downtown Atlanta to thrive.Jon breaks down the vision behind revitalizing South Downtown, including the acquisition of 10 city blocks and more than 50 historic buildings, why public safety and mental health services are critical to long-term success, and how infrastructure improvements — especially around Five Points MARTA Station — could reshape the future of the city.The conversation also dives into the reality of preparing for the FIFA World Cup, what visitors and residents can realistically expect, and why creating a true sense of place, affordability, and community will ultimately determine whether downtown Atlanta succeeds.If Atlanta is going to become the best version of itself, these are the conversations we need to be having.🎧 Watch the full episode now.#TharonsTake #Atlanta #DowntownAtlanta #SouthDowntown #ATL #CityPlanning #UrbanDevelopment #MARTA #WorldCup #AtlantaGrowth #FIFAWorldCup