Local leaders plan to form an alliance aimed at developing an “aerotropolis” around Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport to attract business development and improve the look of areas around the airport.
The airport is surrounded by a hodge-podge of counties and cities that in many cases have not grown as robustly as metro Atlanta areas to the north. A group tentatively called the Atlanta Aerotropolis Alliance, would aim to “leverage the airport” by making it a hub of economic activity and enhance the appearance and safety of the area, according to a draft document developed by the Atlanta Regional Commission, which is facilitating the effort.
“Much of the area around Atlanta’s airport does not convey ‘Welcome to the busiest airport in the world’ or ‘Welcome to a world-class city,’” the draft document says.
The group’s targeted members would be major businesses and property owners around the airport, elected officials, colleges, universities and other nonprofits, according to the document. The alliance would serve as an umbrella over future airport area community improvement districts and include local chambers. It would play a role similar to that of organizations such as Central Atlanta Progress, Progress Partners in North Fulton and the Gwinnett Partnership.
Other airports nationally and around the world have attracted high-tech, manufacturing, logistics and tourism businesses, according to the draft document, which cites examples in Dallas, Detroit, and Memphis, and at Washington Dulles and Amsterdam Schiphol airports among others.
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