Cityscape
Atlanta has always been about making the best of a crappy situation. So some Yankees burned the city to the ground — at least the site-clearing work is done for the rebuilding. Am I right? So, how have we fashioned sows' ears into silk purses over the last year? After an Auburn Avenue church razed some run-down apartments, a local farmer turned the unsightly vacant lot into a model organic urban garden. Or how about the cavernous and abandoned City Hall East that, despite the lousy economy, is slated to be redeveloped into a regional retail and restaurant showplace?
The school cheating scandal has hit the city hard, but the AJC's aggressive coverage proves that the daily newspaper can still have plenty of bite. And when some guy decides he has nothing to live for and gets on top of a roof, a rap star takes time out of his busy day to talk the jumper down. That's the sort of crazy, unpredictable, exciting town we live in. Frustrations and setbacks abound, but someone's usually trying to make things a little better. Consider this Best Of issue a measure of encouragement.
— Scott Henry
Best bike lanes for aiding traffic flow BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Critics Pick
Best bizarro local news story BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Critics Pick
Best chance to watch gold medal Olympians BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Critics Pick
Best community garden for bringing a community together BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Critics Pick
Best con for people who couldn't get laid at Dragon*Con BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Critics Pick
Best excuse to spend a few days out of the office BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Critics Pick
Best local blogger rivalry BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Critics Pick
Best local political figure BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Critics Pick
Best mainstream tourist attraction BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Critics Pick
Best neighborhood listserv (for outsiders) BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Critics Pick
Best new (born) thing in Atlanta BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Critics Pick
Best new thing in Atlanta BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Critics Pick
Best off-the-beaten path tourist attraction BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Critics Pick
Best opportunity for national retail and food hall glory BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Critics Pick
Best place for a beach getaway/history lesson BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Critics Pick
Best political theater BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Critics Pick
Best progressive radio personality BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Critics Pick
Best public bus route BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Critics Pick
Best reason to get over loss of NHL franchise BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Critics Pick
Best response to city's anti-graffiti ordinance BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Critics Pick
Best reuse of a demolished housing project BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Critics Pick
Best sign of old-school media relevance BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Critics Pick
Best sign of political common sense BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Critics Pick
Best sports bargain BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Critics Pick
Best urban wilderness refuge BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Critics Pick
Best elementary school BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Readers Pick
Best high school BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Readers Pick
Best middle school BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Readers Pick
Bizarro local news story BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Readers Pick
Charity BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Readers Pick
College BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Readers Pick
Con(vention) BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Readers Pick
Day care center BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Readers Pick
Dog park BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Readers Pick
Free annual event BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Readers Pick
Free thing to do in Atlanta BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Readers Pick
Georgia beach retreat BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Readers Pick
Georgia mountain escape BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Readers Pick
Hiking spot BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Readers Pick
Intown park BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Readers Pick
Jogging path BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Readers Pick
Landmark BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Readers Pick
Local athlete BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Readers Pick
Local blog BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Readers Pick
Local blogger BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Readers Pick
Local celebrity BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Readers Pick
Local hero BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Readers Pick
Local place to commune with nature BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Readers Pick
Local political figure BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Readers Pick
Local sports radio show BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Readers Pick
Local sports team BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Readers Pick
Local TV anchor BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Readers Pick
Local TV, magazine or newspaper reporter BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Readers Pick
Local Twitter feed BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Readers Pick
Local YouTube video BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Readers Pick
Morning drive-time radio show BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Readers Pick
Neighborhood festival BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Readers Pick
Neighborhood for yard sales BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Readers Pick
New thing about Atlanta BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Readers Pick
Non-commercial radio show BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Readers Pick
Non-commercial radio station BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Readers Pick
Off-the-beaten-path tourist destination BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Readers Pick
OTP park BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Readers Pick
Overall neighborhood BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Readers Pick
Overrated thing about Atlanta BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Readers Pick
Party school BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Readers Pick
Person you hate to love BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Readers Pick
Person you love to hate BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Readers Pick
Picnic spot BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Readers Pick
Place to people-watch BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Readers Pick
Place to ride your bike BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Readers Pick
Playground BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Readers Pick
Public basketball court BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Readers Pick
Public pool BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Readers Pick
Public tennis court BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Readers Pick
Best bike lanes for aiding traffic flow BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Critics Pick
Best bizarro local news story BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Critics Pick
Best chance to watch gold medal Olympians BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Critics Pick
Best community garden for bringing a community together BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Critics Pick
Best con for people who couldn't get laid at Dragon*Con BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Critics Pick
Best elementary school BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Readers Pick
Best excuse to spend a few days out of the office BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Critics Pick
Best high school BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Readers Pick
Best local blogger rivalry BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Critics Pick
Best local political figure BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Critics Pick
Best mainstream tourist attraction BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Critics Pick
Best middle school BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Readers Pick
Best neighborhood listserv (for outsiders) BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Critics Pick
Best new (born) thing in Atlanta BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Critics Pick
Best new thing in Atlanta BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Critics Pick
Best off-the-beaten path tourist attraction BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Critics Pick
Best opportunity for national retail and food hall glory BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Critics Pick
Best place for a beach getaway/history lesson BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Critics Pick
Best political theater BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Critics Pick
Best progressive radio personality BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Critics Pick
Best public bus route BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Critics Pick
Best reason to get over loss of NHL franchise BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Critics Pick
Best response to city's anti-graffiti ordinance BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Critics Pick
Best reuse of a demolished housing project BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Critics Pick
Best sign of old-school media relevance BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Critics Pick
Best sign of political common sense BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Critics Pick
Best sports bargain BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Critics Pick
Best urban wilderness refuge BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Critics Pick
Bizarro local news story BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Readers Pick
Charity BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Readers Pick
College BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Readers Pick
Con(vention) BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Readers Pick
Day care center BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Readers Pick
Dog park BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Readers Pick
Free annual event BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Readers Pick
Free thing to do in Atlanta BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Readers Pick
Georgia beach retreat BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Readers Pick
Georgia mountain escape BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Readers Pick
Hiking spot BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Readers Pick
Intown park BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Readers Pick
Jogging path BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Readers Pick
Landmark BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Readers Pick
Local athlete BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Readers Pick
Local blog BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Readers Pick
Local blogger BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Readers Pick
Local celebrity BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Readers Pick
Local hero BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Readers Pick
Local place to commune with nature BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Readers Pick
Local political figure BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Readers Pick
Local sports radio show BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Cityscape » Readers Pick