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What’s New In District 2?

Friday, October 2nd, 2026

Welcome to Councilmember Kelsea Bond’s official City Council District 2 newsletter! As summer winds down, our office has been hosting town halls and community events, advocating for public transit and infrastructure, educating the community, and so much more! Keep reading to see what we’ve been doing in City Hall and how we’ve been spending time in our community! 🌳🌷

Keep reading for updates on:

If you have questions or suggestions as to what you’d like to see in these communications, please email us at kbond@atlantaga.gov. 💌

⚖️ Legislative Updates ⚖️

Build Beltline Rail! 🚊

On Monday, September 21st, our resolution affirming Council’s support for the construction of all 22 miles of light rail on the Atlanta Beltline passed unanimously! How did we get here? A decade ago, Atlanta voters overwhelmingly passed the More MARTA referendum, a half-penny sales tax that would fund MARTA expansion within the city over the next 40 years. Ten years later, we’ve barely made a dent in that project list, and since the Atlanta Streetcar Extension was secretly halted last spring, voters have been left wondering if their tax dollars would ever be put to use. Atlantans deserve and want expanded public transit! Now, it’s time to deliver on those promises.

Resolution 26-R-3999 calls on the Mayor’s Office to collaborate with MARTA and the Atlanta Beltline Inc. to develop a comprehensive implementation plan for construction of light rail on the Beltline by the end of January 2027. By getting back on track with Beltline Rail and other transit projects throughout the city, we have the opportunity to shape Atlanta’s future with intention for decades to come as our city grows. Atlanta is one of the most expensive cities to own a car, yet we make it too difficult to live without one. It’s time to invest in real options beyond cars and build a more connected, sustainable, and resilient city for the generations to come! 

What comes next? We’re excited to do our part to make this long-awaited plan a reality. The Mayor’s office has until the end of January, 2027 to come up with an implementation plan for light rail. Read more coverage of the legislation here, stay tuned for updates, and read about the latest Beltline transit study here.

Giving Atlantans a Voice 🎤

Have you ever tried giving public comment at a City Council meeting, and wound up waiting for hours on end just to speak for two minutes? We’re trying to change that! Recently, our office introduced legislation known as the People’s Voice Act, in collaboration with the Southern Center for Human Rights to reform Atlanta City Council’s public comment process. 

Public comment during City Council meetings is one of the ways that regular Atlantans can bring important issues to their elected representatives and the broader public. But right now, the public comment process lacks accessibility. City Council meetings are held in the middle of the workday, when many working people aren’t available, forcing them to take leave or find a babysitter. Even after making it to City Hall, community members still often have to wait through nearly an hour of proclamations before being able to speak, and new rules related to donated time have made public comment even more difficult.

People shouldn’t have to jump through so many hoops just to speak in a meeting! That’s why this legislation aims to expand access to public comment, reduce wait times, and ensure meaningful participation in the decisions that shape our city. While we are currently collaborating with other Councilmembers to reintroduce a revised draft, we expect the final product to be heard in Committee on Council. You can read more about the People’s Voice Act here, and read the current draft of the legislation here.

Atlanta City Detention Center ⛓️

In recent weeks, City Council has engaged in work sessions and debates regarding the Mayor’s proposed sale of the Atlanta City Detention Center (ACDC) to Fulton County, despite committing just years ago to close and repurpose the jail into a Center for Equity. The Atlanta City Detention Center is Atlanta’s only jail, constructed ahead of the 1996 Olympics during which thousands of homeless and low-income individuals were criminalized and arrested.

Thanks to community advocates in the 2010’s, the city passed a series of progressive reforms, including abolishing cash bail, decriminalizing marijuana, and ending ACDC’s contract with ICE, that led the jail population to be low enough to warrant its closure. The commitment to repurpose ACDC under Mayor Bottom’s administration was meant to mark a new approach to public safety in Atlanta, in which people were prioritized over profit. It’s clear that somewhere between now and then we got off track. 

Instead of expanding their carceral footprint, Fulton County and City of Atlanta have the ability to collaborate to reduce the jail’s population through the Path to 1,000 recommendations put forward by the Community Over Cages Coalition. This means pursuing reforms like expanded use of pre-arrest diversion, enhanced data transparency around APD’s use of diversion, expanding the use of pretrial release, implementing text notification systems to reduce failures to appear, and increased funding for homelessness services and supportive housing. Endlessly growing Atlanta-Fulton County’s jail footprint does nothing to address the underlying problems causing jail overcrowding. The tools are there; we need to use them. 

Fulton County has been a terrible steward of the jail, and numerous human rights violations have been committed under the Sheriff’s watch. This sale, especially without commitment from the City, County, Sheriff, and court system to seriously make an effort to increase investment in programs like Community Violence Interruption (which has been extremely successful in Baltimore), pre-arrest diversion, and homeless services is dangerous and irresponsible. If the jail is sold, the City should at least use the funds acquired or saved through the transaction to invest in these programs. As of two weeks ago, City officials announced they had no plan as to how to spend the money.

You can watch City Council’s recent work session on the proposed sale here, in addition to all regular Council meetings on the ATL26 YouTube page. The legislation will go through Finance/Executive Committee, followed by a full Council vote.

Zoning 2.0 🏙️

For several years, the City of Atlanta has been working to revise its zoning code to make it simpler and easier to understand. Zoning is a powerful tool that can determine what our neighborhoods look like, what gets built, and who can afford to live there (or not). For this reason, it’s incredibly important that Atlanta use this rewrite as an opportunity to ensure that Atlanta’s zoning code works to promote affordable and walkable neighborhoods. Stay tuned for an upcoming City Council work session on Zoning 2.0 on October 15, and check out this report by Sarah C. Bronin containing recommendations on Atlanta’s zoning rewrite.

🌳Around Town🌷

Breaking Down Our Budget 💸On Thursday, August 20th, we participated in a budget town hall to educate our neighbors about Atlanta’s budget process! Through a presentation and breakout groups, we discussed what’s in Atlanta’s budget, what’s not, and how to make our budget process more transparent and democratic!

Let’s Talk Data Centers 🔌 Georgia has quickly become the #1 state in the country for data centers, forcing working people to pay the price in utility bills, environmental impact, and more. That’s why, on Thursday, August 10th, I joined a Data Center Town Hall with elected officials and community members organizing to fight back against Big Tech taking over our neighborhoods. Let’s keep up the good work!

Close the Jail Press Conference ⛓️‍💥 Last Monday, I joined the Community over Cages Coalition, including organizations like Women on the Rise, Southern Center for Human Rights, and Snap Co, on the steps of City Hall to celebrate their work on the Taskforce to Reimagine ACDC. Years ago, this city made a commitment to reimagine public safety. Now, the Mayor is turning his back on that promise. These community leaders, many of them formerly incarcerated Black women, poured their hearts and souls into a vision to construct a center for community and equity. Atlanta owes them more than an apology – we need to make good on the promise to do public safety differently in Atlanta.

🎉 Upcoming Community Events 🎉

District 2 Bike Ride 🚲 Join the District 2 office THIS FRIDAY at 7PM for an autumn bike ride around D2! Meet us at the Little 5 Points Community Center. Riders of all experience levels are welcome! RSVP here!

Jurassic Park 🚲 Jurassic Park will be screening at Central Park (TODAY) Friday October 2nd. Come out and bring snacks! RSVP here.

Rescheduled Movie Night 🔮 Our last movie night got rained out! Join us on a new date, October 9th, for a screening of the iconic Jim Henson musical, Labyrinth. RSVP here!

Comprehensive Transportation Plan Open House 🚲 The Atlanta Department of Transportation is introducing Atlanta’s Comprehensive Transportation Plan, and they want to hear from you! The CTP is a long-term plan for transit projects throughout the city, with the first step being community engagement. The District 2 CTP town hall will be held on October 27th. Come out to tell the DOT what you want to see in Atlanta’s future!  

Taste of the Fourth 🍴 The Old Fourth Ward Neighborhood Association is hosting its annual Taste of the Fourth fundraiser on Thursday, October 8th! Find more information and purchase tickets here.

Trees Atlanta Tree Sale 🌳Trees Atlanta is having its annual tree sale! You can purchase a tree in person on October 10th. Find more information here!

Poncey-Highland Restaurant Week 🍷Poncey-Highland Restaurant Week is this month, October 19th – 25th! During this week, participating restaurants will serve items specially made for Restaurant Week, with 25% of proceeds going back to supporting the neighborhood. Get more info here. 

🚲District 2 Updates & Resources🚆

  • Have Ideas for NEW Transit Projects? 🛣️ Provide your input into ATLDOT’s Comprehensive Transportation Plan by filling out the survey here! These submissions will help inform ATLDOT’s next round of capital delivery projects.
  • Need Help? 📲 Whether it’s a broken crosswalk sign, sewer issue, or any other non-emergency, you can fill out a 311 ticket here. Don’t get the results you need? Email us your 311 case number, and we’ll help escalate to the proper channel.
  • See Someone in Need? ➕ Call PAD, the Policing Alternatives and Diversion team, at 311 M-F between 7 AM- 12 AM and select option 2 for ‘Supportive Services.’ PAD sends out their team within 30 minutes to address individuals who are experiencing extreme poverty, mental health concerns, or homelessness.
  • Get LIVE City Updates 📲 Sign up for Notify ATL text or email updates for live emergency and weather-related alerts so you can stay on top of what’s going on. Sign up here.
  • Atlanta’s Housing Help Center 🏠 Need housing assistance? The Housing Help Center can help you navigate housing resources and provide guidance for your housing needs.
  • Citywide Solid Waste Collection Services 🚛 Place all bins at the curb by 7 AM on your collection day. Questions? Call 404-546-0311 or visit atl311.com.
  • John Howell Park Restoration 🛝VAHI Civic Association is accepting donations for improvements in John Howell Park, as a part of their ongoing beautification efforts! You can donate directly to them here. 
  • ATLDOT Capital Projects🚦You can read more about current and slated Moving Atlanta Forward Infrastructure Package projects using the Moving Atlanta Forward Dashboard.
  • NextGen Bus Network 🚌 Bus routes may have changed. Find more information here! 

🚇Marta Updates 🚇

  • Riders with balances remaining in the previous Breeze System must complete their transfers by October 30th, 2026! Riders are encouraged to act early to avoid losing access to remaining funds. You can transfer your remaining balance here.
  • MARTA has increased long-term parking rates by $2 a day and reduced the free period in its long-term parking facilities from 24 to 14 hours. This affects all paid long-term parking locations in the system but does not affect any of MARTA’s existing free daily parking locations. All MARTA fares remain the same.

To receive MARTA updates directly in your inbox, you can sign up for their newsletter here!

Get Involved

Want to get involved in your neighborhood, but don’t know where to start? Find your Neighborhood Planning Unit (NPU) using this NPU locator or get involved in your local neighborhood association:

Find Your NPU

NPU Monthly Meetings:

  • NPU-E – Register here. Every first Tuesday at 6:30 pm – Next meeting is October 6th
  • NPU-F – Register here. Every third Wednesday at 7:00 pm – Next meeting is October 21st
  • NPU-M – Register here. Every fourth Monday at 6:15 pm – Next meeting is October 26th
  • NPU-N – Register here. Every fourth Thursday at 7:00 pm – Next meeting is October 22nd

District 2 Neighborhood Associations:

Thanks for taking the time to read our newsletter! Don’t hesitate to reach out to our office with questions, comments, or newsletter suggestions. Thanks for helping us work to build an Atlanta that works for the 99%!

Solidarity,

Kelsea Bond

District 2 Councilmember