Q&A on the news

By Lori Johnston

For the AJC

Q: Why are there so many newsstands in front of Woodruff Park? There are at least four on one block.  Who owns them?

—Brenda E. Jefferson, Decatur

A: The newsstands are part of the new City of Atlanta Street Vending Program, a public-private partnership between the city and General Growth Properties. The first phase was launched in October, with the kiosks installed along Peachtree Street, facing Woodruff Park. Twenty of the steel-framed kiosks with canopies and spots for advertising are being placed downtown near the Georgia Aquarium and World of Coca-Cola among other locations, according to General Growth Properties, a Chicago-based mall operator and owner. GGP is managing the street vending program. The vendors, which lease and manage the kiosks, are selling items such as newspapers, sunglasses, handbags and souvenirs. The kiosk vendors will follow standard operating hours and business protocol, according to GGP. Plans are to have about 80 kiosk locations in the Atlanta area. Vendors who previously sold items on city streets operate some of the kiosks. The street vending program was created after the Atlanta City Council last November passed a new public vending ordinance and resolution authorizing the mayor to contract out management of Atlanta’s public vending program.

Lori Johnston wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or e-mail q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).