The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

In Atlanta, one gardening enthusiast has taken on the challenge of improving MARTA stations using his green thumb.

Metro Atlanta ranks highly in many "best places" lists. But there's one ranking the region is not proud of -- it has the second least healthy commute in the nation.

Despite doomsayers' claims that low-density Atlanta would never take to car sharing, Flexcar, the largest car sharing company in the U.S., is expanding its presence in the city.

Having gone 25 years without a comprehensive review of all routes and operations, officials at MARTA -- metro Atlanta's transit system -- have decided that the time is finally right for an overhaul.

Fear of hurricanes, high housing costs, and prohibitive insurance premiums are driving coastal Florida residents north to Atlanta. Real estate agents and developers are happy, but the region is already strained by growth.

Assaults and property crimes are also up in 2006, according to recently released FBI data. City officials are hoping the increase is a one-time occurrence, and not a trend that could endanger its ongoing urban revitalization efforts.

Transportation Secretary Peters and the head of Georgia's Dept. of Transportation chatted about grandchildren during a recent visit, but forgot to discuss the region's stalled commuter rail project.

In their annual trip to cities that work better than theirs does, Atlanta leaders visit Vancouver to see first-hand the benefits of density, transit and regional planning.

Though not mentioned in this article, a Hope VI-funded revitalization of Atlanta's Carver Homes housing project led to the development of a school which is now being considered as a city-wide model.

Metro Atlanta's boom probably won't last unless state and local leaders tackle the worsening traffic and begin investing in public transit.

Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International is the world's busiest passenger airport. But the federal government thinks it may not be enough to handle future demand. A $1 million grant will enable the region to crunch the numbers.

As suburbanites who moved to the City of Atlanta to avoid crushing traffic congestion are ironically realizing, over-stressed in-town roads are buckling under the pressure of exponentially increasing usage. But help may not be on the way.

A consultant's report recommends Atlanta codify the protection of artists' spaces in new zoning. Many cities are trying to redress the "Catch-22" of gentrification -- the displacement of artists from neighborhoods they helped turn around.

Confirming what Atlanta residents have long sensed based on mind-numbing traffic and high-rise condo towers breeding like bunnies, the Census Bureau announced that the Atlanta region has added more residents since 2000 than any other U.S. metro.

Atlanta's famously high levels of in-migration are propping up the regional housing market, even as other metro areas experience declines - or collapses - of their residential sectors.

Only three governments in Metro Atlanta support the local rail transit system. While the Atlanta City Council voted to extend the sales tax funding the system, some elected officials would like to put the issue to a public vote.

Despite being sued over its construction, a developer built a parking deck against code and severely limited the potential of the remaining downtown block it sits on.

Recently released Census population estimates project Metro Atlanta surpassing five million residents for the first time. The metropolitan statistical area is up to a whopping 28 counties.

The city is responding to a new parking survey by adding uniform public parking signage and revising its parking structure zoning.

Georgia and South Carolina have announced plans to build a port at the mouth of the Savannah River, jointly operated by the two states.