Silver Streak - June 2023

THE REAL ESTATE REPORT

Mid-Year Real Estate Report

Metro market still strong despite interest rate hikes, low inventory

active homes, eight are pending and 32 have sold in the last six months.”

She said those numbers show that there is still a large demand for housing in the area. “The average days on the market with that same data is only 19 and the average list price/sales price ratio is 99.6%. In other words, if you put a good home on the market that is priced right, we are still seeing multiple offers every time.”

Neumann said that the good news is the slight increase in interest rates has seemed to take the “insanity” out of the market. “In spring 2022, all sense of making offers based on market data was thrown out the window. Buyers were making offers, sight unseen, $100,000 to $200,000 over list price, waiving their due diligence, appraisal, and finance contingencies.”

By Kathy Dean

Real estate markets have been thriving across the U.S. for the last few years, and the Atlanta scene has been especially robust. Still, the local housing market has been affected by the recent interest rate increases, as has the rest of the country. Compared to April 2022, the number of sales in metro Atlanta, covering 11 counties, has dropped 33%. There has been a 24% decrease in new listings and an increase of 14% in total active listings. Still, the average home sales price of $497,864 has stayed the same since April 2022.

We checked in with several area professionals for the local perspective.

“The first half of 2023 has been interesting, to say the least,” said Erin Yabroudy, Lead Realtor, Erin Yabroudy & Associates, Harry Norman Realtors. She and her team cover the Buckhead, Intown, Sandy Springs, and Vinings areas.

“When interest rates began to approach 7% in late third quarter and early fourth quarter 2022, the market softened considerably. The overall economic forecast seemed relatively dismal, and buyers and sellers really paused,” Yabroudy stated.

Rates are currently down from those highs and buyers seem to have accepted the new normal, she said. “We are seeing even more multiple offer situations and properties selling above list price than we were last spring. Certainly, rates are higher than they were in recent history, but they are far lower than historical highs — they are actually lower than the average since 1971!”

According to Yabroudy, “Initially, we were expecting historical seasonality trends to continue in 2023, including a slight pause in the market in the early summer months when kids are out of school. However, the volatility of mortgage rates and inventory constriction felt earlier this spring has likely delayed sales activity that I believe will re-emerge during the upcoming summer months as inflation and interest rates continue to cool,” she said.

Multiple offers

Chrissy Neumann, Agent with Neumann & Co., Ansley Real Estate, covers the Sandy Springs/ Buckhead area. She stated that despite news reports, those areas have done extremely well.

“Inventory is still low and buyer demand is still high. Looking at the $1 million to $2 million price point in 30342, there are still only 16

While the demand hasn’t decreased, things have settled back to a more balanced market in which buyers may only be competing against one or two offers and being allowed to have a due diligence to inspect the property. “Overall, I think the rate increase was very positive for our area and something that needed to happen to ensure a more balanced market,” she said.

Neumann expects inventory to stay low for the foreseeable future and said that there is talk of a rate cut. “You couple those two together and I think we might actually experience a big surge of activity in the second half — more than even the first half!”

Serious buyers or kicking the tires?

The first half of the year has been busy for Matt LaMarsh, Atlanta Real Estate Advisor and Director of Communications for Engel and Völkers Atlanta. He covers the Sandy Springs area, and says “Low inventory, bidding wars, and increasing values still make the metro a great investment.”

“The uncertainty of interest rates for the last eight to 10 months has created a separation of buyers between the serious ones — those who have to move, relocations and exhausted renters with

This home at 1625 East Sussex Road NE in Morningside-Lenox Park was on the market from Engel & Volkers Atlanta.

Erin Yabroudy

Chrissy Neumann

Matt LaMarsh

healthy down payments — and the tire kickers trying out the market passively,” LaMarsh added.

He noted that economists are predicting that there will be fewer sales this year “and the data definitely supports that so far.”

“The low inventory is making it a challenge for those would-be sellers to become buyers. I hear several times a month, ‘Matt, we would love to sell and realize that great equity jump, but where would we move? There’s nothing on the market in the area we want to live.’”

In LaMarsh’s own neighborhood of Mount Vernon Woods, comparable sales range as low as $300 and as high as $1.3 million. “That is a really wide gap for only 270 homes,” he said.

Looking forward, LaMarsh expects activity to pick up during the summer.

“So far in 2023, average prices inside the perimeter (ITP) are up 10.6% at the end of April over where we started in January,” reported Kristen Pollock, Real Estate Advisor, Engel & Völkers Atlanta. “But that’s only part of the story. We’re also seeing homes selling a little slower on average than they were in the spring of 2022, which is to be expected.”

Although she’s licensed to help clients throughout the state, Pollock often works with clients in Intown areas including Morningside, Virginia Highland, Druid Hills, Midtown, West Midtown, Candler Park, Lake Claire and Decatur. She said that a year ago, the market was at its height with frequent multiple-offer scenarios.

“Rates had already started to rise, and buyers were trying to secure a home before they got much higher,” Pollock reported. “Now, rates are higher, and with fewer buyers in the market, some of the frenzy we were seeing back then has gone out of the market. Still, the pace of sales is faster than it was pre-pandemic. On average, homes ITP sold almost two weeks faster this April than in April 2019, a typical real estate year.”

Pollock stressed that Intown real estate is holding its value, and she’s not seeing the steep price drops that some buyers were expecting. New listings were down 22% in Intown this April compared to last, which can be in part attributed to sellers who are perhaps happier with their locked-in interest rate than their current home.

Intown Atlanta has been in a low inventory situation for years and metro

Atlanta would need 62,000 more homes this year to reach a balanced market, she explained. “We’re not on track for that. For this reason, we expect housing prices to hold, and an investment in Intown real estate to be a wise one for years to come.”

Still, Pollock is optimistic that the next dip in rates will result in an increase in sales and inventory as more sidelined buyers and sellers come back to the market. “I am seeing so many buyers and sellers waiting for the right opportunity to come their way. Even a slight dip in rates can set that in motion as it improves home affordability,” she said.

Low inventory remains

For Allen Snow, Broker Associate / Vice President, Developer Sales and Marketing, Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty, the overall Intown market has remained strong.

“Atlanta still has exceptionally low housing inventory, which is driving the strength of the market despite rising interest rates,” he said. “In my experience, the impact of higher interest rates is affecting home sales differently depending on price point. Homes of all types priced under $550,000 are moving quickly and the luxury market over $1.2 million remains robust.”

Snow noted that homes priced

between $550,000 and $1.2 million are remaining on the market longer than the other two price point categories. As rates rise, purchasing power lowers, which explains why the lower price point homes are selling quickly, he said.

“Buyers in the luxury home market appear unphased by the higher rates as most of them are purchasing with cash or mostly cash with a small mortgage,” Snow explained. “From what I see in the market, the higher rates are impacting the mid-priced — $550,000 to $1.2 million — market the most, due to the aforementioned reduction in purchasing power and because the majority of buyers in this price range are obtaining larger mortgages.”

Snow said he’s hopeful interest rates will settle in 5% to low 6% vicinity later this year. “Even if they don’t drop and remain at the current rates between 6.5-7%, they are reasonable compared to historical averages,” he stressed. “Additionally, I’m not seeing any evidence Intown housing inventories will rise significantly for the foreseeable future.”

Leigh Schiff is a Real Estate Advisor with Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty. She and her husband Michael head The Schiff Team; she’s the lead listing specialist, and he’s the lead buyer specialist.

In their territories of Buckhead / Sandy Springs, activity has been strong and constant in the first half of 2023, according to Leigh. “The homes that are priced correctly and in move-in condition are the properties that receive multiple offers the first weekend they hit the market. Roughly one-third of new listings are selling the first weekend they are on the market,” she said.

Leigh said she thought the higher rates would reduce the number of buyers looking for homes, “but there are still plenty of buyers looking for a new place to live. Until inventory levels start rising to a level where it is a balanced market for buyers and sellers, it appears that the higher interest rates will have little to no impact on the buyer pool in Atlanta.”

And there’s no slowdown in sight. “I hate to be repetitive, but this is due to the limited inventory on the market and the constant influx of buyers into the local market. I feel that the market will stay stable for the unforeseeable future,” Leigh predicted.

This home at 90 Palisades in Brookwood Hills was marketed by Erin Yabroudy & Associates, Harry Norman Realtors.

Kristen Pollack

Allen Snow

Leigh & Michael Schiff

Affordable senior housing planned at Assembly development

By Cathy Cobbs

A 100-unit affordable senior apartment community will break ground soon in Doraville on the site of the former General Motors Plant.

A statement released by real estate developer The Integral Group said that McShane Construction Company has been selected to build Veranda at Assembly, which will feature one-andtwo-bedroom units on a 2.9-acre tract of land. The four-story building will offer about 3,000 square feet of amenity space, including a bistro, fitness room, yoga room, and a rooftop terrace.

“We’re pleased to begin our fifth job in Georgia with The Integral Group,” McShane Vice President Brian Wood said. “Veranda at Assembly will provide an affordable option for seniors looking to maintain their independence, making it a great addition to Atlanta.”

The statement didn’t elaborate on the rental rates for the units, but a market feasibility analysis prepared by Real Property Research Group for Integral in 2019 said 30 of the apartments would be available for households earning up to 30% of the area median income, 25 for households earning 60% of the area median income, and 25 for households earning 80% of the area median income. The remaining 20 units would be rented at market value. The monthly costs would range from $415 for the lowest tier to $1,150 for the market-value apartments.

The entire complex will be restricted to renters 55 years or older, according to the market analysis.

Units will range from 692 square feet for a one-bedroom to 912 square feet for a two-bedroom.

Construction is expected to be completed in June 2024. The report said Veranda at Assembly will be financed in part by low-income housing tax credits allocated by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs.

The Assembly, according to the analysis, “is zoned for more than 10 million total square feet of office, residential, retail and studio space with approximately 10 acres committed to public parks, green spaces, and bike/ walking trails.”

Currently, Third Rail Studios and the Simmons SERTA corporate headquarters are anchor tenants in the complex. Future development plans include a movie theater, a brewery, a hotel, owner-occupied townhomes, and retail space.

The GM plant closed in 2008 after more than 60 years of operation. The land was purchased by the Integral Group in 2014.

McShane Construction Company, a female-owned company, was established in 1984 and is headquartered in Rosemont, Ill. with regional offices in Auburn, Ala., Irvine, Calif., Madison, Wis., Nashville, Tenn., and Phoenix, Ariz.

City, Community Foundation partner on affordable housing

By Dyana Bagby

The city of Atlanta and the nonprofit philanthropy organization Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta are partnering to invest a historic $200 million in affordable housing.

The announcement was made May 2 by Mayor Andre Dickens and Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta President and CEO Frank Fernandez. The funding will go toward the city’s goal of preserving and building 20,000 affordable housing units by 2026.

The Community Foundation has received a $100 million commitment from the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation and Joseph B. Whitehead Foundation. Dickens and the City Council are also working together to approve a $100 million affordable housing bond. Together, the funding will be used to ensure deeper, long-term affordability for communities with a higher risk of displacement, according to officials.

“Affordable housing has been

central in my administration and [this] announcement is a game-changer in our ability to have projects keep pace with a rapidly evolving market,” Dickens said. The investment would allow the city to focus on: expediting the development of affordable housing on publicly-owned land; preserving affordability where it already exists with infusions of subsidy to provide safe, dignified and high-quality communities; and securing the additional funding needed to get shovel-ready projects under construction.

“In every city, the trends have been moving in the wrong direction for entirely too long and too many people are struggling,” Community Foundation of Greater Atlanta President and CEO Frank Fernandez said.

“But we have a window of time particularly in the next three years to change the trajectory in Atlanta,” he said. “That is why we are moving with urgency to bring together all our partners, to have all hands on deck, and make a lasting change in housing.”

Don’t miss these big June events

trucks serving tastes from around the world, multiple bars, outdoor vendors and an artist market, free roller skating, live DJs and dancing, free games, and more. Tickets range in price from $25 for general admission to $55 for VIP. Visit atlanticstation.com for more details.

Juneteenth Celebration

The Atlanta History Center in Buckhead will hold its annual Juneteenth celebration on Sunday, June 18 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The commemoration will connect visitors to the crucial moment in American history when the last slaves were emancipated in Texas. This year’s immersive celebration will feature live music, storytelling, interactive activities, and more. Get more details at atlantahistorycenter.com.

Family Food Fest

The 9th annual Father’s Day celebration is set for Sunday, June 18, from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Georgia Freight Depot next door to Underground Atlanta. There will be plenty of food to taste from local chefs, cooking demonstrations, live entertainment, a kid’s zone, and much more. The event raises funds for the nonprofit Atlanta Culinary Charities, which supports afterschool and weekend programs for youth. Tickets are $35 in advance or $40 at the door. Visit familyfoodfest.org for more information.

Food That Rocks

By Collin Kelley

There are plenty of events happening around the metro this June (be sure to check out HowDoYouAtlanta.com to see more), but these definitely need to be on your calendar.

Atlanta Fringe Festival

The 11th annual event takes place June 5-11 at venues across the city with live theatre, improv comedy, puppetry, magic, storytelling, and more. Get tickets and see the full lineup at atlantafringe.org.

Water for Elephants

The Alliance Theatre is staging the world premiere of the musical based on the bestselling novel from June 7 to July 9. Romance, deception, and a little bit of magic are all thrown in about this traveling circus. Tickets are on sale now at alliancetheatre.org.

Virginia-Highland Summerfest

The 38th annual free event is Saturday, June 10, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. featuring fine art, live music, a 5K run, children’s activities, and more. There will be music

all day and the event will be capped off by headliners Perpetual Groove. The festival is produced by the VirginiaHighland Civic Association, this nonprofit fundraiser supports the maintenance of the neighborhood and highlights area shopping, dining, and nightlife. Get more details and the full music lineup at vahisummerfest.org.

Midnight Market

Head to Atlantic Station in West Midtown on June 9-10 from 6 to 11:55 p.m. There will be more than 30 restaurants and food

Sandy Springs is hosting its annual Food That Rocks event on June 8 from 7 to 10 p.m. at City Springs, 1 Galambos Way. Nearly 30 restaurants will be offering tastes, a dessert bar, and bottomless wine, beer, and cocktail tastings. There will also be live music from The Geek Squad. Tickets are $85 for general admission and $125 for VIP, which includes 6 p.m. early access and a swag bag. See the restaurant lineup and more details at foodthatrocks.org.

Virginia-Highland Summerfest

Water for Elephants Family Food Fest

Summer wine suggestions

WOMEN + WINE

With summer just around the corner, it's time to start thinking about the refreshing wines you’ll be drinking this season to help you stay cool. Whether you're looking for a crisp white to pair with seafood or a chillable red to accompany your barbeque, the selection process can be a bit overwhelming.

To make things easier for you, we’ve put together a quick guide to some of our favorite summer white wines that will help you beat the heat and enjoy the season with friends and family.

As the classics are making their way back into households on heavy rotation, be on the lookout for these varietals and regions that have been deemed Atlanta’s Summer 2023 must-have whites:

Grüner Veltliner: Talk about a wine having its moment! We can't seem to keep enough Grüner on the shelves. Grüner Veltliner is Austria’s most widely planted grape varietal.

This crisp, tangy white wine is known for its distinct flavors of white pepper, lime, and stone fruit. It's extremely approachable and food friendly. Fun fact: Austria is the land of the Wiener Schnitzel served with a vinegar based potato salad, always paired with a glass of Grüner Veltliner. Sounds like more people in Atlanta need to be pairing Grüner Veltliner with fried chicken and lemon pepper wings.

Suggested Wine: 2021 Brunn Grüner Veltliner 1 Liter, Niederosterreich, Austria.

Sauvignon Blanc: French Sauvignon Blanc has become increasingly popular over the past few years, and this summer is no exception. Who doesn’t love a glass of Sauvignon Blanc from Sancerre, France’s go-to region for the grape varietal. While Sancerre has always been a hot commodity, the recent perception of increased popularity might have something to do with the increase in scarcity. Winemakers in Sancerre have had several challenging growing seasons resulting in the production of less Sauvignon Blanc. The less wine they make, the less we get in the United States, the more we want it. But have no fear; just next to Sancerre is a region called Touraine that also makes exceptional Sauvignon Blanc at a fraction of the cost. Touraine Sauvignon Blanc is the

Katie Rice & Sarah Pierre

perfect wine to stock up on and have at the house for any summer occasion.

Suggested Wine: 2022 Vincent Roussely L'Escale Sauvignon Blanc, Touraine, Loire Valley, France.

Albariño: We hope deep down in our hearts that every summer, people will continue to obsess over Albariño the way we do. It’s our favorite wine to pair with fish, oysters, or that simple lemon caper pasta that blows your mind every time. Albariño is a dry white wine from the Iberian Peninsula, hence its natural affinity to seafood. Albariño has a beautiful texture, mouth watering acidity, with notes of lemon peel, melon, and salty sea spray. It’s the perfect white wine for any season, but particularly the warm ones. Mark your calendars! Aug. 1is Albarano Day!

Suggested Wine: 2022 Forjas de Salnes Leirana

Albariño, Rias Baixas, Spain.

Wines of Portugal: Much like Albariño from Rias Baixas (known as Alvarinho in Portugal), the wines of Portugal are also in high demand at the moment. When looking for a low ABV wine, Vinho Verde is always a great option with an average abv between 8%-11%. The region of Vinho Verde produces many serious still white wines, but is most commonly known for its effervescent cheerful, everyday drinking wines. The fizzy Vinho Verde is perfect for afternoon picnics or an aperitif. Both the branco (white) and the tinto (reds) from Portugal can be fresh and lively on the palate depending on the region and producer.

Send

us

Grab your pup, kitty, rabbit, guinea pig, parrot, or other critters and pucker up for the camera.

Send your high-resolution images (1MB or higher) by June 14 to collin@roughdraftatlanta.com.

Be sure to include your name and your pets’ names.

Quite simply, people who choose our community want much more than just a beautiful place to live. They want engaging social opportunities, fine dining, impressive fitness & wellness programs, and expert care services should the need arise. They want someone who really understands. Meet the team and see how our experience makes all the difference in your experience at

Emory unveils new Winship Cancer Institute in Midtown

Emory University.

“This new design is going to, in our view, transform cancer care in Atlanta and beyond,” Ramalingam said.

“Even within this facility we have taken great depth to consider the patient experience and the ease with which they can navigate,” he said. “So, all the care comes to the patient as opposed to the patient having to go from place to place.”

By Dyana Bagby

The new Winship Cancer Institute at Emory Midtown opened to patients May 9 and its innovative design will enable them to receive nearly every aspect of their cancer care in one

building.

Surgery, radiation therapies, inpatient facilities, outpatient facilities, radiology services, biopsy, endoscopies survivorship, and palliative care — all will be provided in the 17-story tower located on the Emory University

Hospital Midtown campus at Linden Avenue and Peachtree Street. Previously, patients would have to travel from one office to another. This was an inconvenient way to receive care, said Dr. Suresh Ramalingam, executive director at Winship Cancer Institute of

For example, the pharmacy is next to the cancer institute’s exit. When patients leave the institute, they can pick up their medications and then go to their car. Before, patients would often have to get their prescriptions filled at outside pharmacies.

“That’s the level of detail that we have put into designing this building,” Ramalingam said.

The $440 million building broke ground in 2019. Input from more than 160 patients, families and care team members helped the design team see the cancer treatment experience through the patients’ eyes, Ramalingam explained.

The care model brings outpatient and inpatient cancer care together in five “care communities” organized by type of cancer, with adjoining floors, shared living rooms, and shared care teams of experts from multiple disciplines.

“We have all these services available, but they don’t happen in the same place — they’re spread out all on the hospital campus, which is how it is in most centers across the country,” Ramalingam said.

“We envision the cancer care model where everything comes to the patient,” he said.

The new cancer institute was built with a $200 million gift from the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation.

“Robert Woodruff established Winship in the 1930s to bring the highest standards of cancer care to Georgia,” said Russell Hardin, president of the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation, in a written statement.

“He was determined that Georgians would not need to travel elsewhere for the best cancer treatment. This new facility promises not only to expand access for more patients but also to make cancer treatment much more patientfriendly,” Hardin said.

Emory’s new Winship Cancer Institute in Midtown. (Photos by Dyana Bagby)

Ronald McDonald House names volunteer of the year

“On the contrary, it’s a very uplifting situation because sometimes you’d have a child that is there for treatment. And they’ll smile at you and it’s like OK, they’ve made my day,” she said.

By Bob Pepalis

Alexandra Thim, the Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities Volunteer of the Year, has a long history with the charity.

Thim, a Decatur resident, used to manage the Ronald McDonald House at Egleston for four years before she changed careers to work in a school environment so she could be home with her kids in the summer and after school. But when she retired nine years ago, Thim started volunteering.

The Ronald McDonald House partners with children’s hospitals and gives families a place to stay close to their hospitalized child. Families don’t have to pay, although Thim said a $20 per night donation is requested but is not required.

Both houses in Atlanta – near Egleston and in Sandy Springs near Scottish Rite – try to provide dinner every night. Sometimes volunteer groups come in and provide meals on the weekend. They have a pantry available with food. The houses also have toiletries available, providing a clean room and a private bath.

“They get to stay as long as the child is in the hospital or in day treatment,” she said.

Thim said she does a little bit of everything. Sometimes she makes sure the pantry is stocked and the laundry baskets for families are filled with supplies. She’ll clean the refrigerator or man the phone when the staff is in a meeting.

“The staff loves it because it helps them with things they don’t have time for, and everybody is so appreciative. And I just find it so satisfying to be able to do this for these families that are going through a difficult time,” Thim said.

When she worked as the house manager, people asked her if it was depressing, but she said no.

Another volunteer who enjoys helping out is Sandy Springs resident Dick Schweitzer. He recently celebrated his 93rd birthday at the Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities location near Scottish Rite. He greets families, makes meals and delivers games and crafts.

To learn more about volunteer opportunities, visit armhc.org/volunteer.

Kathy Kiernan, a fellow volunteer. sits with Alexandra Thim, right, who was named the Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities Volunteer of the Year.

SUSTAINABILITY Way down yonder on the Chattahoochee

ABOVE THE WATER LINE

Sally Bethea

Thirty years ago, country singer Alan Jackson released his hit single about muddy water, a lot of living, and a little loving on the Chattahoochee River near his hometown of Newnan—located on the southern (downstream) fringes of metro Atlanta. Way down yonder on his boyhood river, Jackson recalls learning how to swim and who he was on days “hotter than a hoochie coochie.”

The music video that accompanied this timeless summer classic—with Jackson water-skiing in torn jeans and a cowboy hat—won the Country Music Award for video of the year in 1993. If you’ve never seen it, the clip is worth a watch. The song’s upbeat tempo and images of youthful enthusiasm will put a smile on your face. As “Chattahoochee” co-writer Jim McBride said at the time: “People just associate with that song. With most people, there’s a river that they have memories about.”

The season for making new summer memories is now upon us. Where will you head? To the beach, your favorite river, or a lakeside cabin? Perhaps you’ll play with your children or grandchildren beside a neighborhood creek. Wherever you go to cool off on the hot days that are sure to come, I wish you clean, safe, and trash-free waters. Today, your favorite swimming and fishing holes are likely to be cleaner than they were when Jackson’s most successful song was released three decades ago.

Holding Polluters Accountable

Over the past 30 years—as journalists, photographers, and filmmakers produced stories about environmental threats— the general public took a closer look at the waterways in their hometowns: the streams in their backyards and the rivers and lakes that serve as playgrounds and drinking water supplies. Concerned about more harm to their communities and armed with new scientific data, the public demanded that clean water laws be enforced; they insisted that polluters be held accountable to protect people, wildlife, and property.

Environmental advocates became more numerous and effective in their strategies to achieve clean, swimmable waters, using legal actions when needed. With greater resources—thanks to volunteers and generous donors—substantial improvements have been made. Our rivers, lakes, streams, and beaches are cleaner and safer, although the specter of emerging

contaminants, such as microplastics and “forever chemicals,” remains, as does the ubiquitous problem of trash.

Around the world, the “waterkeeper” movement (waterkeeper.org) began to proliferate in the 1990s. There are now seventy-five waterkeeper groups in the Southeast alone, including my former organization, Chattahoochee Riverkeeper (CRK, chattahoochee.org), which will celebrate its own thirtieth anniversary next year. Alan Jackson’s song was a prelude, then the soundtrack, for CRK’s early years, when, joined by downstream communities and riverfront landowners, the organization successfully sued the city of Atlanta to stop its chronic sewage spills

After spending more than $2 billion to upgrade its crumbling sewer system, the city no longer regularly dumps untreated sewage into the river and its tributaries. With the help of tens of thousands of volunteers, more than 2.2 million pounds of trash have been pulled from the Chattahoochee and its watershed by CRK over the decades. Other Georgia waterways have experienced similar successes fostered by collaboration, monitoring, land protection, policy changes, and legal actions.

The Problem with Rain

Polluted storm runoff remains a big problem. Anything dumped or dropped on the ground or in a gutter can end up in the nearest body of water. Stormwater pollution results from materials, chemicals, and trash washed into the storm drains from streets, yards, rooftops, parking lots, construction sites, and industrial operations, e.g., chemical manufacturing, poultry processing, landfills, mining, and hazardous waste treatment.

When large, even small construction sites are graded without installing erosion control measures, muddy water flows offsite and downslope to the nearest stream every time it rains. The results include harm to aquatic plants and animals,

clogged stream channels, toxic green-blue algae fed by excess nutrients, and higher bills for more expensive drinking water treatment.

This type of pollution is significant because—unlike the water that goes down a sink or toilet in your home—stormwater is untreated. It flows directly to a lake, river, or the ocean, unless it is slowed by trees, plants, and rain gardens that allow the water to soak into the ground. Dense urban areas, like Atlanta’s core with its sixteen-lane Downtown Connector (I-75/85), produce massive floods of stormwater.

Making matters worse, the increasing air temperatures of climate change bring more intense storms to the Southeast: more polluted runoff, more flooding, and more days that are hotter than a “hoochie coochie.”

Although the government, at all levels, is required to manage this pollution, agencies rarely have sufficient resources or political will to get the job done; environmental groups and others have had to step up and take some responsibility. Over the years, CRK has invested heavily and successfully in training, monitoring, policy-making, and enforcement programs to stop muddy and toxic stormwater from leaving construction sites and industrial sites, respectively.

Despite ongoing challenges, the news about today’s Chattahoochee is good. As the river slowly meanders past Alan Jackson’s hometown, the water is dramatically cleaner; one day, the time may even be right to drop “muddy” from the lyrics of his biggest hit.

Ways You Can Stop Stormwater Pollution

■ Maintain your car or truck. Never dump anything into a storm drain. Recycle used oil, antifreeze, and other fluids. Wash your car at a commercial facility or on a lawn, not on a paved surface.

■ Reduce your use of fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides. Mulch lawn clippings. Plant trees. Replace some of your lawn with native, drought-resistant plants.

■ Direct downspouts to vegetated areas, not a storm drain in the street.

■ Have septic systems regularly inspected and pumped out when needed.

■ Scoop pet poop and properly dispose of it.

Alan Jackson in the “Chattahoochee” music video.

GET OUT OF TOWN

A Weekend in Destin

White sand, blue water, delicious seafood, and memorable sunset cruises

com). Yes, it’s pricey, but so delicious we ate there two nights in a row. The seafood gumbo and Oysters Rockefeller were my favorites. There’s usually a long wait, but you can sit on the dock overlooking the harbor until a table is ready. You might spot a frolicking dolphin or a blue heron.

By Jacob Nguyen

If you’re ready for a break from Tybee Island and want something less raucous than Panama City, then head to Destin, Florida for its famous white sand beaches and crystal blue water.

Destin is a little over five hours away from Atlanta, so my friend and I left around 9 a.m. on Friday, gained an hour crossing into the central time zone, and were having lunch on the beach by 1:30 p.m.

Our first stop was the Crab Trap (crabtrapflorida.com), which was just a short walk from our Airbnb. We were seated on the porch overlooking the beach and ocean. We ate a mound of crab legs with corn on the cob and a side of gumbo.

Then it was time to hit the beach. The water is clear and warm, and it really is the reason to visit Destin. We spent the majority of our time lounging and swimming. Be sure to bring a beach umbrella and plenty of sunscreen!

Evening is the best time to explore Destin and check out some of the attractions and sites. Destin Harbor Boardwalk is the epicenter of the town and is full of restaurants, bars, souvenir shops, and where to find sunset and dolphin cruises, parasailing, charter fishing trips, and snorkeling. You can book any of these activities and see options at destinboardwalk.com.

The boardwalk is a little hectic with tourists, but we decided to book a sunset cruise with Southern Star (southernstardolphincruise.com) to see

the dolphins. I’ve been on these types of tours before and it's usually hit or miss, but we were inundated with dolphins. They were racing alongside the boat, leaping out of the water, and being very playful.

The nearly 1.5-hour cruise ended with an incredible sunset view across

the harbor as the boat took us back to the boardwalk. The cruise was $35 per person, but it was worth it in my opinion.

Then it was on to what I consider the best restaurant in Destin – Boshamps Seafood and Oyster House (boshamps.

After another day on the beach, we headed back to the boardwalk to take a Hydrojet boat tour (hydrojetboats. com). These are long, sleek speedboats that take you on hour-long tours of the harbor, so if you feel the need for speed then hold on tight. This tour might not be for everyone. It’s bumpy, you get wet, but it is so much fun. We didn’t see many dolphins this time, but the boat experience is really what you pay $35 per person for.

One last food recommendation is to have breakfast at The Pancakery (thepancakery.com). There’s usually a wait here, too, but you can browse the adjoining beach shop until they text that your table is ready. The Blueberry Hill stack of pancakes topped with fresh berries is amazing.

While we stayed in a really comfortable Airbnb just across the street from the beach (the website Worldwide Traveler says there are more than 300 properties available in Destin), there are plenty of hotels. Whether you want something upscale or no-frills motel, there are plenty of options at hotels.com.

For more about visiting Destin go to destinflorida.com.

Destin Beach

A heron at Destin Harbor.

Dolphins frolic in Destin Harbor.

A Destin sunset.

The shops and restaurants at Destin Harbor Boardwalk

The view from Boshamps restaurant.

Summer Fun Concerts, festivals, rodeos, and more in

North Georgia and North Carolina

By Collin Kelley

If you’re headed to the North Georgia Mountains in June, there are plenty of events and activities to keep you entertained along with the usual hiking,

Check out these events: Travis Tritt

The country star will perform at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds in

Hiawassee on Saturday, June 10, at 7 p.m. Get tickets and more information at georgiamountainfairgrounds.com.

Blue Ridge Mountains

Wine & Jazz Festival

Head to Ellijay on Saturday, June 24, for this day-long event (11 a.m. to 9 p.m.) featuring music, food, fine art, and wine from regional vineyards. The cost is $70 per person. Get more details at gilmerchamber.com.

Mountain Top Rodeo

The 34th annual rodeo is set for June 9-10 starting in Dahlonega. There will be steer wrestling, team roping, barrel racing, bull riding and more. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for kids, Get more info at mountaintoprodeo.com.

Authentic Unlimited

Slip over the border to Franklin, NC, to see the bluegrass band perform Friday, June 23, at 7:30 p.m. at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts. Get tickets and details at smokymountainarts.com.

Gazers of the Galaxy

Ascend Georgia’s highest peak, Brasstown Bald, on Saturday, June 24, at 8:30 p.m. to get closer to the stars! Expert astronomers will be on hand to guide visitors on a tour of the night sky. Find out more at exploregeorgia.com.

Thunder in the Smokies

The oldest and largest motorcycle rally in the southeast takes place in Maggie Valley NC from June 30 – July 2. There will be music, games, and rides on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Visit handlebarcorral.com for more.

Mountain Top Rodeo Gazers of the Galaxy

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You’ll find plenty of 55+ focused content there as well as opportunities to register for our upcoming events throughout the year. More information can also be found in the Aging in Atlanta monthly special sections of your Atlanta Journal-Constitution print and ePaper editions.