🎥 Doraville’s love letter
Tuesday talk
July 1— Welcome to July, Silver Streak readers!
This week, we have details on the newly released “Made in Doraville” documentary. While no additional screenings have been announced just yet – it debuted on June 21 – Sammie Purcell has specifics on how the project went from concept to completion in just a year.
We also have news on the fire that destroyed Furniture Bank, a nonprofit that supplies families in need with furnishings and household items. For additional information on how you can volunteer or make a donation, see our story below.
And Boulevard NEXT, the redevelopment of the Atlanta Medical Center site in Old Fourth Ward, will incorporate residential, retail, and office spaces guided by Wellstar. Scroll down for more on the groundbreaking ceremony yesterday.
But first, a few headlines:
A slew of new laws take effect in Georgia today, from limits on transgender student athletes to a guarantee to keep in vitro fertilization legal.
International travelers arriving at Hartsfield-Jackson can now use a new facial recognition system – available only to U.S. citizens – that speeds up customs by replacing passport checks with photo matching, reducing wait times by 22% since its launch.
Atlanta-based Home Depot is buying specialty building products distributor GMS Inc. in a $4.3 billion deal.
The Public Service Commission will decide in July on freezing Georgia Power rates and the utility’s long-term energy plan.
The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra has announced its 2025-26 season, which will kick off in October.
Here’s what’s in today’s newsletter.
• Boulevard NEXT in O4W
• ‘Made in Doraville’ documentary
• Furniture Bank fire
AND
• Stories of Atlanta | Lance Russell
Enjoy!
Groundbreaking ceremony held for redevelopment of Atlanta Medical Center site
A groundbreaking ceremony was held yesterday for the redevelopment of the Atlanta Medical Center site in Old Fourth Ward.
The property has been dormant since Wellstar abruptly closed the hospital in 2022. The City of Atlanta imposed a development moratorium on the property before signing off on a plan with development firm Integral.
The 22-acre site is now destined to become a mixed-use development dubbed Boulevard NEXT (or BLVDNEXT) with residential, retail, and offices with “health and wellness resources,” guided by Wellstar.
Learn more about the redevelopment here.
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A year later, ‘Made in Doraville’ documentary debuts
In June of 2024, Rough Draft Atlanta spoke with a group of local Doraville women looking to make a documentary about their hometown. Almost exactly a year later, “Made in Doraville” played at the Tara Theatre on June 21 to a bustling crowd.
“We’ve said from the very beginning, if our family and friends find joy in this, then we’re successful,” said Karen Ketchum, one of the producers of the film. “Of course, if somebody picks it up and turns it into something bigger, that would be amazing. But we really did this for our people and the people of Doraville.”
The film, which runs about 40 minutes long, covers a number of Doraville’s historical events, from a refinery fire in the 1970s to the closure of the town’s General Motors plant in 2008. But what the film really investigates is just what Ketchum said: the people of Doraville and their strength.
Read more from Sammie Purcell here.
Furniture Bank needs support after fire
A devastating fire at the Furniture Bank of Metro Atlanta has left the nonprofit scrambling to supply needy families with furnishings and household goods.
A June 18 electrical fire destroyed the 15,000-square-foot warehouse on Murphy Avenue in Southwest Atlanta and its contents, including a large donation of beds and dressers from the University of Georgia, meant for families in Metro Atlanta.
Executive Director Megan Anderson said the Furniture Bank dipped into its reserves last week and spent $20,000 to buy beds for waiting clients. The organization is seeking monetary donations and volunteers when it resumes collections on July 7.
Find out how to make a donation or volunteer here.
Stories of Atlanta by Lance Russell
VIA SAPORTAREPORT
This week on the Stories of Atlanta, we take a look at what seems to be an Atlanta history contradiction. It has to do with the naming of a neighboring city and why it got its name.
With the unpleasantness of dealing with Atlanta’s rowdy element behind them, Atlanta’s city fathers turn their attention to what would become a constant nemesis during the city’s pre-Civil War days – fire. Of course, Atlanta’s history and General Sherman’s infamous blaze go hand-in-hand, but prior to the big one, the threat of fire was always on the minds of Atlantans, so they came up with a plan to be better prepared.
Explore more of our newsletters
Did you know Silver Streak has other newsletters that go deeper into what’s happening across metro Atlanta?
Stacks: Our newest newsletter covering Atlanta’s literary scene, author profiles, book reviews, and more comes out the second Sunday of each month.
Sketchbook: All about Atlanta’s art scene. Artist profiles, art openings, museum events. Wednesdays.
Side Dish: News about the food scene. Beyond just openings and closings, Side Dish includes recipes and a regular feature on pop-ups. Thursdays.
Scene: The only newsletter focused on the movie world. Reviews, interviews, podcasts. Fridays.
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Today’s Silver Streak was edited by Julie E. Bloemeke.
The post 🎥 Doraville’s love letter appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.