Midtown Named One of Five Great Neighborhoods in America

ATLANTA, GA — Midtown has been named one of America's great neighborhoods in 2016 by the American Planning Association.

The organization, which released its list of Great Places in America 2016 on Monday, named Midtown as one of the nation's five great neighborhoods.

"With its riches-to-rags-to-riches history, lively arts scene, and proactive planning and community building, Midtown Atlanta is the preeminent urban neighborhood in Atlanta," the organization said. "It stands out as a dense, mixed-use walkable area in a region traditionally known for its decades of sprawling growth."

The organization made the announcement to kick off National Community Planning Month. It listed 15 neighborhoods, streets, and public spaces that it had designated as the 2016 Great Places in America.

The Midtown Alliance was cited especially for its efforts in "transforming this part of Atlanta into a true mixed-use, new urbanist, live-learn-work-play community.

"In the late 1990s, Midtown Alliance worked with the city of Atlanta on a Blueprint Midtown master plan that led to the largest rezoning effort in the city’s history. These efforts have led to almost $5 billion in new private investment since 2000 in this 1.2-square-mile urban core."

"This achievement belongs to everyone who has contributed to Midtown’s incredible transformation, from policymakers and business leaders to civic partners, members, residents and workers," said the Midtown Alliance in a statement on its website. "Together, we are carrying out ambitious plans to make our neighborhood great, in every dimension."

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Besides its master plan, Midtown was also cited for unique architectural features in such landmarks as the Fox Theatre; more than 2,200 street trees in the public right of way, and a growing array of parks, outdoor cafes, and street activities; and the area's attractions and events that bring 6 million annual visitors to the area each year, including this weekend's Pride Celebration; the annual Peachtree Road Race; and the recently held Music Midtown.

The other four neighborhoods recognized were downtown Santa Ana, CA; Old Louisville in Louisville, KY; Nob Hill in Albuquerque, NM; and downtown Warren, R.I.

Image: Midtown Alliance