Atlanta setting up kiosks downtown

By Eric Stirgus

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Anyone walking around Woodruff Park in downtown Atlanta recently has noticed several large, metal kiosks there.

So what are they about?

The kiosks are part of the city's street vending program. The program is being managed by General Growth Properties. A portion of the money from advertisements on the kiosks will go to the city.

Vendors will be charged to rent the kiosks, an idea that's rankled some longtime vendors. Existing vendors will get to rent the kiosks for $500 a month. New vendors will negotiate their rates, said David Edwards, senior policy adviser to Mayor Shirley Franklin.

Atlanta has been trying for about two decades to better regulate the estimated 30 permitted street vendors who have set up shop downtown and near its sports venues. Many downtown residents and business leaders have complained some vendors are pushy and sell counterfeit goods and their stands are eyesores.

The city is planning 20 kiosks in downtown Atlanta, including locations near the Georgia Aquarium and the World of Coke.