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2016 Index of Winners

Best Place to People Watch BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » CityScape » Readers Pick
Atlanta Beltline Inc

Best Place to Buy a Starter Home BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » CityScape » Critics Pick
West End
Movie stars are renting homes in Inman Park. Parents looking for top-notch schools pay top dollar in Decatur. Apartments along the Atlanta Beltline’s Eastside Trail are priced for Silicon Valley émigrés. Buckhead is Buckhead. If you’re looking for a place that won’t drain you and your roommates’more...
Movie stars are renting homes in Inman Park. Parents looking for top-notch schools pay top dollar in Decatur. Apartments along the Atlanta Beltline’s Eastside Trail are priced for Silicon Valley émigrés. Buckhead is Buckhead. If you’re looking for a place that won’t drain you and your roommates’ bank accounts, search WEST END. You will be close to MARTA, Downtown, and the interstate, plus food options ranging from Truly Living Well’s urban farm in neighboring Ashview Heights, Big Bear’s smaller grocery store, and a Kroger down the under-construction Westside Trail. www.atlantawestend.com. less...

Best Walkable Neighborhood BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » CityScape » Readers Pick
Midtown

Best Coffee House/Coffeeshop BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » CityScape » Readers Pick
Octane Coffee
And other metro Atlanta locations.

Best Playground BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » CityScape » Readers Pick
Historic Fourth Ward Park

Best Public Basketball Court BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » CityScape » Readers Pick

Best Public Pool BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » CityScape » Readers Pick
Piedmont Park Aquatic Center

Best Public Skatepark BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » CityScape » Readers Pick
Historic Fourth Ward Skatepark

Best Public Tennis Court BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » CityScape » Readers Pick
Bitsy Grant Tennis Center

Best Local Rabble-Rouser/Activist BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » CityScape » Readers Pick
Angel Luis Poventud

Best Radio DJ/Personality BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » CityScape » Readers Pick
Bert Weiss

Best Radio Station BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » CityScape » Readers Pick
WABE-FM (90.1)

Best Rec League BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » CityScape » Readers Pick
Atlanta Rollergirls

Best Rock Station BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » CityScape » Readers Pick
105.7 (WRDA-FM)
radio1057.iheart.com

Best Neighborhood to Have It All BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » CityScape » Critics Pick
West End
Yes, WEST END has won awards from Curbed and Redfin proclaiming it Atlanta’s coolest community. But it’s not the first time the neighborhood has been fashionable. The neighborhood that began in the 1830s as a small village and pub called the White Hall Tavern became its own city in the 1860s. Developersmore...
Yes, WEST END has won awards from Curbed and Redfin proclaiming it Atlanta’s coolest community. But it’s not the first time the neighborhood has been fashionable. The neighborhood that began in the 1830s as a small village and pub called the White Hall Tavern became its own city in the 1860s. Developers over the years built housing ranging from bungalows to gorgeous Victorian mansions — grand homes that, thanks to dedicated longtime residents and new arrivals unafraid to swing a hammer, can be seen in their gabled glory along Peeples Street, Oglethorpe Avenue, and other thoroughfares. Every year, a few well-preserved survivals from those days open up for the neighborhood’s tour of homes. Wren’s Nest is the most famous but it’s got plenty of lovely companions well worth a visit. www.atlantawestend.com. less...

Best Ideas to Right the Wrongs BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » CityScape » Critics Pick
Passage of the rape-kit bill
In the Georgia Capitol, even the brightest of ideas can die a humiliating death simply because it’s sponsored by a Democrat. But the PASSAGE OF THE RAPE-KIT BILL proves that’s not always the case. Early in this legislative session, state Rep. Scott Holcomb, D-Atlanta, introduced a bill that wouldmore...
In the Georgia Capitol, even the brightest of ideas can die a humiliating death simply because it’s sponsored by a Democrat. But the PASSAGE OF THE RAPE-KIT BILL proves that’s not always the case. Early in this legislative session, state Rep. Scott Holcomb, D-Atlanta, introduced a bill that would require law enforcement to pick up rape kits from hospitals within 96 hours. No-brainer, right? State Sen. Renee Unterman, R-Buford, who chairs the upper chamber’s Health and Human Services Committee, blocked the bill, saying the system to process rape kits wasn’t broken (it was — an AJC investigation found more than 1,400 kits at Grady Memorial Hospital had been left on the shelf). Republican and Democratic lawmakers and advocates added the language to another bill and navigated the measure past Untermann. In the final minutes of the session, House Speaker David Ralston, R-Blue Ridge, brought the new bill up for a final vote. Standing at the lectern was an exhausted and exasperated Holcomb, who bluntly told lawmakers they knew what was up for consideration. It passed. Holcomb earned a standing ovation for his hard work. less...

Best of MARTA BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » CityScape » Critics Pick
Sales tax to pay for transit expansion
Atlanta’s biggest obstacle is arguably the state of Georgia. If the city wants to try something progressive — say, levying a SALES TAX TO PAY FOR TRANSIT EXPANSION — oftentimes it must first ask permission from the GOP-controlled Gold Dome. It appeared this year that Fulton and DeKalb counties,more...
Atlanta’s biggest obstacle is arguably the state of Georgia. If the city wants to try something progressive — say, levying a SALES TAX TO PAY FOR TRANSIT EXPANSION — oftentimes it must first ask permission from the GOP-controlled Gold Dome. It appeared this year that Fulton and DeKalb counties, plus the city, would get a chance to ask voters to tax themselves to build more transit options. North Fulton mayors started bellyaching about needing more cash for roads than rail and the measure died. Thanks to House Majority Leader Jan Jones, a Milton Republican (!), a compromise was brokered allowing Atlanta to seek a half-percent sales tax to fund at least $2.5 billion for new rail and buses inside the city — and just the city. Sure, there still isn’t any meaningful statewide transit funding. And asking residents to carry the burden — like we’ve done for the sewer system overhaul, which the state was also expected to assist — can be a bittersweet gift. But we can’t get out of our car-oriented hellscape without the Gold Dome. less...

Best Local Athlete BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » CityScape » Critics Pick
Candace Hill
Last year CANDACE HILL, then a rising senior at Rockdale County High School, broke the world record to become the world’s fastest girl, running a 100-meter sprint in 10.98 seconds. And while most teenagers are still learning how to drive, Hill is deciding which shoe company would be her best sponsor.more...
Last year CANDACE HILL, then a rising senior at Rockdale County High School, broke the world record to become the world’s fastest girl, running a 100-meter sprint in 10.98 seconds. And while most teenagers are still learning how to drive, Hill is deciding which shoe company would be her best sponsor. (She inked a 10-year deal with ASICS, turning pro and skipping college athletics.) The scholar athlete failed to place for the Summer Olympics in Brazil. But she took defeat and found a lesson, telling FloTrack: “You’re 17. You don’t have to compare yourself to others, because you’re a different age from them and even though you didn’t get the results you wanted, just keep your head held high.” www.twitter.com/candacedasav. less...

Best Sports Executive Hire BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » CityScape » Critics Pick
Lisa Borders
When the WNBA needed to find a new president for the 20-year-old pro-basketball league, it made sense to tap LISA BORDERS. If the WNBA was looking for a leader with a contact list long enough to help boost its profile, they found her in the former Atlanta development executive, Atlanta City Council president,more...
When the WNBA needed to find a new president for the 20-year-old pro-basketball league, it made sense to tap LISA BORDERS. If the WNBA was looking for a leader with a contact list long enough to help boost its profile, they found her in the former Atlanta development executive, Atlanta City Council president, and philanthropic leader. The Atlanta native is a die-hard superfan who not only attends nearly every Dream game, but who also helped bring the WNBA team to the city. dream.wnba.com. less...

Best Street BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » CityScape » Readers Pick
Peachtree Street

Best Street Character BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » CityScape » Readers Pick
Baton Bob
batonbob.weebly.com

Best Street Musician BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » CityScape » Readers Pick
Guitar Red

Best suburb BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » CityScape » Readers Pick
Roswell

Best Talk Radio BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » CityScape » Readers Pick
WABE-FM (90.1)

Best College BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » CityScape » Readers Pick
Gwinnett Technical College

Best Columnist/Journalist BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » CityScape » Critics Pick
Bill Torpy
We smiled when the Atlanta Journal-Constitution tapped longtime reporter BILL TORPY to fill its much-needed metro columnist position a few years ago. And we giggled with delight when, after finding his rhythm, Torpy pointed his prose toward Mayor Kasim Reed. Since picking up the pen, he’s delved intomore...
We smiled when the Atlanta Journal-Constitution tapped longtime reporter BILL TORPY to fill its much-needed metro columnist position a few years ago. And we giggled with delight when, after finding his rhythm, Torpy pointed his prose toward Mayor Kasim Reed. Since picking up the pen, he’s delved into the city shortchanging firefighters of deserved pay raises, the dysfunctional Downtown streetcar, the abrupt and quizzical firing of the airport’s general manager, and the potential closing of the city’s largest homeless shelter, among other topics. Nearly each column has been met with a blistering press release from the office of the charismatic yet thin-skinned politician. Torpy, who in his past life was a Chicago boxer, has not backed down, opting to continue the jousting on Twitter. It’s worth noting that Hizzoner, himself a boxing fan, has not yet blocked the columnist on Twitter. Maybe he likes the sparring partner. www.ajc.com/staff/bill-torpy. less...

Best Tourist Trap BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » CityScape » Readers Pick
Atlanta Beltline Inc

Best UnderRated Thing About Atlanta BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » CityScape » Readers Pick
Atlanta Beltline Inc

Best Urban Evangelist BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » CityScape » Critics Pick
Eric Kronberg
To make Atlanta the walkable transit-connected city everyone says they want, it’s gonna take more than just new buildings here and a bike lane there. True change will require tweaking policies that have helped make Atlanta a disconnected mess. From a gorgeously rehabbed church in Reynoldstown, a bushymore...
To make Atlanta the walkable transit-connected city everyone says they want, it’s gonna take more than just new buildings here and a bike lane there. True change will require tweaking policies that have helped make Atlanta a disconnected mess. From a gorgeously rehabbed church in Reynoldstown, a bushy bearded architect is spreading the gospel. Sought-after architect and urban thinker ERIC KRONBERG takes the warm fuzzy platitudes you hear about urbanism and, using his skills and words, brings them to life — or just eloquently states where Atlanta’s falling behind. High on Kronberg’s list of enemies is Atlanta’s glut of parking, which goes hand in hand with walkability, affordability, and transit ridership. Through public meetings, blog posts, and community sit-downs, Kronberg and his allies show people how parking really works, as well as its negative impacts. He and his firm Kronberg Wall have produced stellar buildings, including rebuilding homes in New Orleans, mixed-use properties, and the design of Inman Park restaurant Folk Art. They brainstorm ways warehouses and old industrial properties along the Atlanta Beltline’s Westside Trail could come to life. To the architect who thinks bigger than the space he is designing, we salute you. www.kronbergwall.com. less...

Best Radio Station BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » CityScape » Readers Pick
OG 97.9 (WWWQ-FM)

Best Volunteer Program BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » CityScape » Readers Pick
Hands On Atlanta

Best Walkable Neighborhood BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » CityScape » Readers Pick
Inman Park

Best Warrior in Fight Against HIV/AIDS BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » CityScape » Critics Pick
Dr. David Holland
Fulton County has HIV and AIDS infection rates of epidemic proportions, especially among young black men. The reasons for this crisis are rooted in stigma, lack of access to health care, and poverty, among other factors. In a Downtown clinic, DR. DAVID HOLLAND, one of Fulton’s top public health officers,more...
Fulton County has HIV and AIDS infection rates of epidemic proportions, especially among young black men. The reasons for this crisis are rooted in stigma, lack of access to health care, and poverty, among other factors. In a Downtown clinic, DR. DAVID HOLLAND, one of Fulton’s top public health officers, is taking steps to address the crisis by putting up a defense against the virus’ spread. The clinic across the street from Grady Memorial Hospital, part of Fulton County’s forward-looking HIV/AIDS Task Force, offers pre-exposure prophylaxis, aka PrEP, in the form of Truvada, a pill that can drastically reduce the chance of HIV infection when taken properly. The clinic is aimed at high-risk individuals, particularly young men who have sex with men. The drug is available free — helpful in a place where many lack health insurance. www.fultoncountyga.gov/hivaids. less...

Best Ideas to Right the Wrongs BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » CityScape » Critics Pick
Freedom University
In 2011, the Georgia Board of Regents approved a policy that prohibits undocumented immigrants from receiving in-state tuition and from attending the state’s top universities. The move shut out thousands of young Georgians from receiving a higher education, despite President Barack Obama’s executivemore...
In 2011, the Georgia Board of Regents approved a policy that prohibits undocumented immigrants from receiving in-state tuition and from attending the state’s top universities. The move shut out thousands of young Georgians from receiving a higher education, despite President Barack Obama’s executive order that protected from deportation people who were brought to the U.S. as children. Enter FREEDOM UNIVERSITY. Founded by four Georgia professors and run entirely on donations, the school aims to provide the same quality education the students would receive at state schools — free. The nonprofit also tries to help the young people apply for college located in states that allow undocumented students and advocates to change policies. In a perfect world, says Executive Director Laura Emiko Soltis, there would be no need to have “underground schools.” Until Georgia gets there, Freedom U continues. www.freedomuniversitygeorgia.com. less...

Best Youth Mentor BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » CityScape » Critics Pick
Shawn Deangelo Walton
Sometimes the best thing someone can do for young people is be present in their lives. In West End, SHAWN DEANGELO WALTON is filling that role. After graduating from Morehouse College with a degree in childhood development, the metro Atlanta native settled in Atlanta’s westside and founded WeCyclemore...
Sometimes the best thing someone can do for young people is be present in their lives. In West End, SHAWN DEANGELO WALTON is filling that role. After graduating from Morehouse College with a degree in childhood development, the metro Atlanta native settled in Atlanta’s westside and founded WeCycle Atlanta, a nonprofit that teaches young children about sustainability through urban agriculture and bicycling. He has taught them how to build small businesses, stay active, and, occasionally, stay straight when he’s found them avoiding school. Much like Bearings Bike Shop in Adair Park, Walton helps kids earn bicycles through doing good deeds. This past summer he started mentoring children, teaching them how to start lawn-mowing services, and sell items such as incense. Walton placed a $1 bounty on real-estate investors’ numerous (and illegal) signs on utility poles aimed at hoodwinking desperate people to sell their houses for less than they’re worth. And when a child expressed interest in learning about the police department, Walton was able to secure a sit-down with a local officer, who also donated tennis racquets for the youth, helping to build ties between community and law enforcement. www.wecycleatlanta.org. less...

Best Neighborhood Bar BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » CityScape » Trophy Case
Manuel’s Tavern
The news that MANUEL’S TAVERN would shut its doors to undergo an overhaul didn’t just scare regulars who feared losing that familiar smoky smell. It also meant enduring the 2016 presidential primaries somewhere other than the Poncey-Highland haunt. But when the pub reopened its doors in early August,more...
The news that MANUEL’S TAVERN would shut its doors to undergo an overhaul didn’t just scare regulars who feared losing that familiar smoky smell. It also meant enduring the 2016 presidential primaries somewhere other than the Poncey-Highland haunt. But when the pub reopened its doors in early August, the crowds made clear that old habits die hard. The familiar political operatives, journalists, and politicians can once again be found with beer glasses in hand. The TVs are back up on the walls. Come November, the screens will broadcast election returns to (mostly) Democrats sitting at the same sticky tables surrounded by the same political memorabilia. You can’t renovate the spirit out of the place. less...

Best Accessories Shop BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Consumer Culture » Critics Pick
Fossil & Hide
Karen Horn Smith and Jenny Watts’ local accessories line FOSSIL & HIDE is designed for those who aren’t afraid to be asked, “Is that an animal skull hanging from your necklace?” because the answer is probably, “Yes.” Since spring 2012, the local duo has been churning out rock ’n’ roll-inspiredmore...
Karen Horn Smith and Jenny Watts’ local accessories line FOSSIL & HIDE is designed for those who aren’t afraid to be asked, “Is that an animal skull hanging from your necklace?” because the answer is probably, “Yes.” Since spring 2012, the local duo has been churning out rock ’n’ roll-inspired wares in a signature style that embraces chunky metals and large stones of turquoise and quartz that lend themselves to statement-making layering. Score a choker, bangle, necklace, ring or earring set of your own at pop-up shops at Argosy and Estoria, or from ATL stockists such as Live Free Tattoo, the Clothing Warehouse, Kudzu Antiques, Henry & June, and Citizen Supply. www.fossilandhide.com. less...

Best Adult Toy Store BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Inserection

Best Gym BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Consumer Culture » Critics Pick
Dance 411 Studios
Our dreams of feeling like we’re in a Step Up movie come true at DANCE 411 STUDIOS. The Adult Hip-Hop class playlist will make even the shiest dancer start moving, especially when the first notes of Missy Elliot’s “Get Ur Freak On” start playing. The studio offers an alternative to your run-of-the-millmore...
Our dreams of feeling like we’re in a Step Up movie come true at DANCE 411 STUDIOS. The Adult Hip-Hop class playlist will make even the shiest dancer start moving, especially when the first notes of Missy Elliot’s “Get Ur Freak On” start playing. The studio offers an alternative to your run-of-the-mill gym workout with classes like pole dancing, twerking 101, interpretative hip-hop, ballet, and more — all with beginner level options for the easily intimidated. The hour-long classes are energetic, fun, and will have you sweating in no time. Cool down after class while catching a glimpse of real choreographers rehearsing their routines.  less...

Best Antique Store BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Kudzu Antiques + Modern

Best Art Market BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Indie Craft Experience

Best Art Supply Store BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Binders Art Supplies and Frames - Buckhead

Best Asian Food Market BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Buford Highway Farmers Market

Best Place for Your Mind, Body and Spirit BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Hannah Glasco

Best Auto Repair Shop BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
My Favorite Automotive

Best Barber Shop BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
The Shave Barbershop

Best Bike Shop BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Outback Bikes

Best Bikini Wax BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Sweet Peach Wax & Sugaring Studio

Best Book Store BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Book Nook

Best Bootcamp BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Modo Fitness Boot Camp

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