Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: What will replace Atlanta Medical Center on the Old Fourth Ward skyline?

Spotted on the Atlanta calendar: Community Engagement - Gun Violence Prevention Panel

Patch AM Team's profile picture
Patch AM Team, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge
Friday January 2nd Patch AM
Friday January 2nd Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Good morning Atlanta! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • What will replace Atlanta Medical Center on the Old Fourth Ward skyline?
  • Why a BeltLine shooting has Westside Trail users rethinking their routes
  • Can you identify the suspects in this Hemphill School Road home invasion?

Also on today's calendar: Community Engagement - Gun Violence Prevention Panel and 9 more events.

Find out what's happening in Atlantafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: I quit my job as a banker. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Atlantafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Friday: Showers late in the afternoon, with a high of 61 and low of 51 degrees.
  • Saturday: Rain and a thunderstorm, temps: high: 58, low: 40.
  • Sunday: Pleasant with sunshine, with a high of 60 and low of 36 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Atlanta Medical Center demolition enters final stage as skyline undergoes major transformation (fox5atlanta.com) — Demolition of the former Atlanta Medical Center in the Old Fourth Ward is nearly complete, clearing the way for a major mixed-use redevelopment that will reshape the Atlanta skyline. Developers plan a “live, work, play” district with a grocery store and pharmacy to avoid a food desert, and say community input will guide planning through 2026 before construction starts in 2027.
   

2. Teen shot on Atlanta Beltline; police search for suspect (wsbtv.com) — An 18-year-old is recovering after being shot on the Atlanta BeltLine’s Westside Trail near Langhorn Street and Westview Drive on New Year’s Eve, and police are still searching for the suspect. Regular trail users say the incident heightens worries about youth gun violence and safety on the relatively desolate Westside stretch, though many insist they’ll keep walking the trail while calling for better development and youth programs.
   

3. Atlanta police seek suspects in Hemphill School Road home invasion (fox5atlanta.com) — Atlanta police are asking residents for help identifying two men who forced their way into a Hemphill School Road NW home on Dec. 18, threatened the resident, and stole electronics. Investigators released surveillance video and are offering up to $5,000 for tips leading to an arrest and indictment, with anonymous tips accepted through Crime Stoppers Greater Atlanta.
   

4. African American bookstore in Atlanta to close after 35 years in business (atlantanewsfirst.com) — A beloved African American-owned bookstore at Greenbriar Mall in southwest Atlanta is closing at the end of March after 35 years, as owner Nia Damali retires. Medu Bookstore has long served as a community hub, hosting authors and nurturing relationships with local readers who say the shop’s energy and cultural focus will be deeply missed.
   

5. DNA test helps Atlanta man reunite with long-lost father (atlantanewsfirst.com) — An Atlanta man’s decision to upload his DNA to an ancestry website led to an emotional reunion with the father he never knew, who flew in from Toledo to meet him. Their story, rooted in Atlanta, offers hope to others searching for long-lost family members and shows how modern DNA tools can reconnect lives even after decades apart.
   

📸 Around Atlanta

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Atlanta

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

📣 Atlanta Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Atlanta PatchAM possible:

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

🪧 Patch Classifieds

  • Looking for a room for rent
    Hi I am single homeless female looking for a room for rent. I can only afford to pay you 400 dollars a month. I smoke and is crippled so no working... (More info)
  • 🔧 New Customer HVAC Repair Special
    🔧 New Customer HVAC Repair Special... (More info)

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Residential Roofing - Fascia Explained —New Image Roofing Atlanta Read on Patch
  • The Atlanta Health Review: Where Medicine Meets the City —Ariana Lyons Read on Patch
  • Meet LifeLine Animal Project's Pets of the Week —Timyka Artist Read on Patch
  • Sanctuaire Farms Property Owners Will Immerse Themselves in Life-sized Home Plans at Walk Your Plans Atlanta —Julie Herron Carson Read on Patch
  • Monks “Walk For Peace” Celebrated and Welcomed by Georgian’s —Dr. Jazz' Thomas-Jones Read on Patch
  • Good morning and Happy New Years Eve,
    Great news !!!….our fur baby/family pet of 14 years (Noodles) has been found and located. Apparently, he was taken along with 2 other pets by someone… (Nextdoor Pittman Park)
  • COLLECTIVE IMPACT❤️🎄❤️🎄!!
    I just want to thank all of the amazing folks who purchased board games and cozy blankets for all of the children who have been living in extended… (Nextdoor Druid Hills)
  • January is #NationalHumanTraffickingPreventionMonth. GDOT works with GDED at welcome centers & statewide partners to train staff to spot trafficking... (X: GADeptofTrans)
  • Atlanta, here’s a view from Midtown as we rang in the new year. Mayor Andre Dickens hosted an innovative citywide fireworks show to welcome 2026... (X: CityofAtlanta)
  • Atlanta Staffing posted a job opening for PM Housekeeper/Room Attendant in Atlanta. Apply here.
  • PSG Global Solutions posted a job opening for Houseperson in Atlanta. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Atlanta here.

Ok Atlanta! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I just lost interest.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

More from Atlanta