Atlanta Mayor Dickens delivers 2026 State of the City, spotlights $5 billion neighborhood plan [video]

18, 2026. During this speech, Mayor Dickens highlighted his “One City with One Bright Future,” mission. The 61st mayor of Atlanta focused on business developments and shared his vision for how his Administration, in collaboration with City partners, will continue to move Atlanta forward.

Dickens emphasized his commitment to making Atlanta a city of safe, healthy, connected neighborhoods with an expansive culture of equity, empowering upward mobility and full participation for all residents, embracing youth development, and an innovative, dependable government moving Atlanta forward, together.

In his speech Dickens focused on a sweeping neighborhood reinvestment initiative aimed at making Atlanta “the best place to raise a child.” The plan seeks to revitalize under-resourced communities through investments in housing, transit, infrastructure, and economic development.

He also addressed his Moving Atlanta Forward agenda focused on opportunity, safety and investment for the future – for everyone. This agenda is built on four pillars:

One Safe City The One Safe City plan is a balanced approach that mobilizes the entire government and engages our partners, communities and residents. It addresses the root causes of crime as well as targets gangs, drugs, illegal guns and repeat offenders. One Safe City is working to keep all our neighborhoods safe and welcoming for residents, visitors and businesses.

A City of Opportunity for All We want to ensure that all Atlantans share in Atlanta’s growth and prosperity. We invest in our young people, care for the most vulnerable and create opportunities for all to advance. This means a focus on education, workforce development, equity programs, affordable housing and other initiatives to support our residents.

A City Built for the Future We are making smart investments to improve Atlanta’s existing infrastructure while developing and implementing new infrastructure projects to meet the needs of today and prepare for the needs of the future. From new investments in transportation that build a safe, equitable mobility network throughout Atlanta, to resilience and sustainability actions that can be taken at the local level to combat the global climate crisis, we believe investing in infrastructure is essential for fostering economic growth and improving Atlanta’s competitiveness on the world stage.

Effective & Ethical Government Atlanta’s success is directly tied to how much confidence residents and businesses have in City policies and practices. We want to foster a culture of integrity and innovation in the City. This includes transparency, efficiency and accountability for City actions and decision-making. It also means delivering on City services and programs, being responsive to resident needs and providing timely, reliable information.

Andre Dickens is the 61st Mayor of Atlanta, bringing a lifelong commitment to the city and a dynamic vision to drive its progress as a global city of opportunity. A native Atlantan and product of Atlanta Public Schools, Mayor Dickens is focused on expanding opportunities, equity, and prosperity for all residents.

As Chief Executive Officer, Mayor Dickens oversees the largest budget in Atlanta’s history, managing billions of dollars in general, enterprise, trust and pension funds. Under his leadership, the City of Atlanta achieved a historic upgrade to a AAA bond rating, the highest in the city’s history. Well known for his goals of being a model employer, each of the city’s nearly 10,000 employees received pay increases annually and a $17.50/hr minimum wage.

Mayor Dickens has implemented major advancements in public safety, economic development, and community support since taking office in 2022. With a vision of One Safe City, Mayor Dickens has championed initiatives to reduce crime, such as establishing the Nightlife Division to improve safety in higher crime nightlife areas. His approach also includes community-focused programs that led to a 21% reduction in homicides in 2023, with trends indicating further reductions in 2024. Through his Light Up the Night initiative, Atlanta’s street lighting network expanded with 30,000 energy-efficient LED lights installed over three years, significantly improving visibility and safety across neighborhoods. The Mayor’s Office of Violence Reduction has been instrumental in gang prevention, conflict resolution, domestic violence reduction, and more. Additionally, Mayor Dickens launched programs like the Midnight Basketball League and Year of the Youth, which provide Atlanta’s youth with positive outlets and skill-building opportunities, correlating directly with the city’s reduced crime rates.

In economic development and housing, Mayor Dickens has advanced Atlanta’s affordability and inclusivity through a $58.7 million housing bond to create and preserve affordable housing, targeting homelessness and housing instability. He set an ambitious goal of establishing 20,000 affordable housing units by 2030, including innovative projects like The Melody, which uses repurposed shipping containers to offer sustainable housing for the unhoused. The city has also established a historic $60 million Homeless Opportunity Bond, the single largest investment addressing homelessness in Atlanta’s history. These initiatives reflect his commitment to creating stable and accessible housing for all Atlanta residents.

Mayor Dickens also led a coalition to prevent Buckhead’s de-annexation, thereby maintaining the city’s integrity and resources. His Moving Atlanta Forward infrastructure package, currently with $240 million in active projects, is dedicated to upgrading roads, public spaces, and neighborhood connectivity. The expanded Pothole Posse further streamlines infrastructure maintenance, addressing road issues and enhancing city responsiveness.

As a proactive climate action leader, Mayor Dickens has secured substantial grant awards to support sustainable urban development and environmental resilience. This dedication to a comprehensive approach to growth and safety reinforces Atlanta’s future as a vibrant, connected, and equitable city.

Before his election as Mayor, he served eight years on the Atlanta City Council as an at-large representative. As a Council member, he championed initiatives in public safety, transportation, affordable housing, workforce development, and senior citizen programming. Key achievements include creating the Department of Transportation, advocating for a $15 per hour minimum wage for city employees, implementing BeltLine Inclusionary Zoning for affordable housing, and establishing a $40 million Housing Opportunity Bond.

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