20 Years Later: the Redevelopment Legacy of the Atlanta Olympics

It's been 20 years since the city of Atlanta hosted the 1996 Summer Olympics. The city's National Public Radio station is exploring the legacy of the games.

1 minute read

July 20, 2016, 5:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Centennial Olympic Park

4kclips / Shutterstock

Stephanie Stokes writes an article as part of the "Atlanta Remembers: The 1996 Olympics" series about the redevelopment of the city's oldest public housing project.

The story details the history of Techwood Homes, the former public housing project, and its replacement, Centennial Place. According to the article, Techwood Homes was an example of a change in policy toward public housing as the city prepared for the 1996 Summer Olympic Games.

The article relies heavily on the testimony of Renee Glover, who directed the Atlanta Housing Authority, beginning in 1994 and during the 1996 Olympics. One of Glover's largest planning projects was called the Olympic Legacy Program, which guided the redevelopment of the city's public housing projects, starting with Techwood Homes. The article concludes by examining the tough question of whether the project was worth the cost of displacement.

By our count, WABE's series commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Atlanta Olympics already has 12 articles posted online.

Friday, July 15, 2016 in WABE

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

July 1, 2025 - KQED

Google street view of red brick multi-story power plant building in Pittsburgh, PA.

Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower

A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.

July 4 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Cyclist on protected bike lane in middle of street in Washington D.C. with Washington Monument obelisk visible in background.

Trump Prompts Restructuring of Transportation Research Board in “Unprecedented Overreach”

The TRB has eliminated more than half of its committees including those focused on climate, equity, and cities.

July 4 - Streetsblog USA

Blue and silver Amtrak train at small station.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train

The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.

July 3 - New Orleans City Business