Collin Kelley

Atlanta

Editor at Atlanta Intown

Editor at Rough Draft Atlanta

Find me under my name at bsky.

Articles

Atlanta City Council approves Capitol 'skybridge' despite objections

1 week ago | roughdraftatlanta.com | Collin Kelley

The controversial "skybridge" connecting the State Capitol with a new legislative office building will move forward after a vote by the Atlanta City Council on Monday, June 16. The council voted 10-2 to approve right-of-way and air rights to construct the $10 million enclosed pedestrian walkway across Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.
First forums for Atlanta mayor and city council candidates set for June 17

1 week ago | roughdraftatlanta.com | Collin Kelley

Committee for a Better Atlanta (CBA) will host the first forums to feature City of Atlanta candidates from individual districts and at-large posts, as well as candidates for mayor and city council president. The June 17 forums are an opportunity to hear directly from candidates on their perspectives and policies on the issues important to the business and civic community, while also providing the chance to share their vision for the city.
Kodac Harrison's new memoir chronicles 40 years as a musician and poet

1 week ago | roughdraftatlanta.com | Collin Kelley

Kodac Harrison's new memoir, "Chasing My Vagabond Heart," chronicles more than 40 years in the life of the musician, poet, artist, photographer, and emcee. And while he might call himself a vagabond, the term renaissance man more aptly describes his devotion to Atlanta's art scene. Harrison, 76, began working on the memoir more than 13 years ago, then put it away while touring, releasing albums and poetry collections, and getting married to his wife, Patty.
Car accident leads to water main break in Buckhead

2 weeks ago | roughdraftatlanta.com | Collin Kelley

The Atlanta Department of Watershed Management (DWM) is repairing a 16-inch water main that was damaged in a car accident Saturday morning along Peachtree Road in Buckhead. The incident has caused water outages and road closures in the area of 2099 Peachtree Road. In a press release sent at 11 a.m., DWM said two northbound lanes of Peachtree Road are temporarily closed to protect both work crews and the public.
City council committee advances scaled-down tree protection ordinance

2 weeks ago | roughdraftatlanta.com | Collin Kelley

A long-awaited overhaul of Atlanta's tree protection ordinance moved a step closer to becoming law this week, as a key city council committee approved a scaled-down version of the legislation on June 10 - but not without controversy.
ðŸª© Queer DIY nightlife

2 weeks ago | roughdraftatlanta.com | Collin Kelley

Protests and praiseJun. 12 - While protests against ICE arrests nationwide and here in metro Atlanta have dominated the news, the arrest of Andry Hernández Romero has probably flown under your radar. Fifty-one lawmakers signed a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio demanding answers about Romero, a gay Venezuelan national who was deported and imprisoned in El Salvador without due process or evidence that he had committed any crime other than seeking asylum.
Atlanta marks one year until FIFA World Cup with sponsors, projects

2 weeks ago | roughdraftatlanta.com | Collin Kelley

The Atlanta World Cup Host Committee (AWCHC) marked "One Year to Go" until the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a series of announcements and projects ahead of the city's first match next summer. The AWCHC hosted a community briefing on Wednesday, June 10, at Mercedes-Benz stadium that brought together civic leaders and key stakeholders from across the region to outline their collective efforts to prepare for the global event.
Atlanta City Council committee pans Capitol 'skybridge' plan

2 weeks ago | roughdraftatlanta.com | Collin Kelley

The Atlanta City Council's Transportation Committee voted Wednesday, June 11, to hold a controversial piece of legislation that would allow a "skybridge" to connect the State Capitol with a new legislative office building. The $10 million elevated pedestrian bridge, which would be suspended over Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, is part of a $392 million facelift to the Georgia Capitol complex.
Feds threaten to take back money for The Stitch project

2 weeks ago | roughdraftatlanta.com | Collin Kelley

The Trump administration is threatening to claw back $157 million awarded to the City of Atlanta for The Stitch project. The Stitch received a $157.6 million U.S. Department of Transportation Neighborhood Access & Equity (NAE) Grant, matched by nearly $30 million in local funds. However, the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has proposed rescinding un-obligated NAE grant funds as part of Trump's effort to rein in government spending.
FIFA Club World Cup matches in Atlanta a precursor for 2026

2 weeks ago | smokesignalsnews.com | Collin Kelley

Atlanta will get its first taste of global soccer excitement beginning June 16, when six matches of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup tournament are played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The FIFA Club World Cup was created in 2000 as a tournament for the seven best individual clubs. But, for 2025, FIFA has moved to make it a marquee event held every four years, featuring 32 clubs, including the winners of the last four continental championships.