Mayor Andre Dickens issued four Administrative Orders that strengthen accountability across City government and accelerate the City’s ability to implement the Atlanta Neighborhood Reinvestment Initiative (NRI). The NRI is Mayor Dickens’ “whole of government” approach to reorient public systems toward a more inclusive focus on residents’ needs and create whole, healthy, thriving and connected neighborhoods across the city of Atlanta.

In his second inaugural address, Mayor Dickens said, “...the defining work of this next term is the Neighborhood Reinvestment Initiative—an effort to ensure that every neighborhood in Atlanta is safe, connected, healthy and whole.” The Orders translate that charge into clear operating direction—sharpening execution, protecting neighborhood stability and strengthening how the Mayor’s Office and city departments deliver on second-term priorities.

“Second terms are about action and execution,” said Mayor Dickens. “For me, a promise made to Atlanta’s neighborhoods is a promise kept. These Administrative Orders ensure our operations, investments and decision-making match our stated priorities—and that we hold ourselves to the same standards of accountability we expect across City government.”

The Four Administrative Orders

Neighborhood Reinvestment Initiative Alignment
Directs the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Strategy Officer to align City Planning, operations, capital prioritization and performance management with the Neighborhood Reinvestment Initiative (NRI).

The Order requires development of an interdepartmental operational plan, removal of structural barriers to execution, alignment of resources with priority outcomes and establishment of clear performance metrics with quarterly reporting to the Mayor.

Blight Condemnation to Protect Neighborhood Stability

Addresses long-standing neighborhood concerns by directing the Chief of Staff and Chief Operating Officer to advance blight condemnation actions against properties meeting statutory criteria. The Order requires designation of a Public Officer, consistent with applicable law, to execute condemnation proceedings.

The focus is on eliminating health and safety hazards, preventing prolonged vacancy and returning properties to productive use. The Order executes existing authority and does not create new law or tax policy.

Pension Review to Stop Predatory Investors from Harming Neighborhoods
Supports the City’s housing and anti-displacement goals by directing the Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Housing Officer and City Treasurer to review City pension exposure to entities engaged in harmful housing practices.

When documented harm is identified—including speculative acquisition, sustained vacancy, systemic code violations, artificial price inflation or displacement impacts—the Order mandates fiduciary-compliant disinvestment. The directive emphasizes transparency and ensures City capital does not undermine City values or neighborhood stability.

Restructuring Mayor’s Office to Align with Second-Term Priorities
Directs the Chief of Staff to redesign the structure, staffing, workflows and spending of the Mayor’s Office to function as a disciplined execution engine for second-term priorities—and to support the cross-department coordination required to deliver NRI outcomes.

Within 90 days, the Chief of Staff must submit a revised organizational structure, staffing and resource plan, budget realignment and performance accountability framework to ensure clear ownership of priorities and results-driven governance.

What This Means for Atlanta Residents
Collectively, these Administrative Orders reinforce Mayor Dickens’ commitment to good government and to delivering on the NRI so every neighborhood has the opportunity to be safe, connected, healthy and whole.

For Atlanta residents, these Orders will create stronger accountability and a City government focused on delivering real results. They accelerate action on blighted properties; ensure public dollars and pension investments do not contribute to displacement; align City operations with neighborhood reinvestment; and strengthen the Mayor’s Office to execute priorities efficiently and transparently—all in service of making Atlanta the best place in the country to raise a child.

Links to the Orders can be found here, here, here and here.

Re: Pension Review Administrative Order

Pension Board Chairman Garry W.  Bridgeman welcomed the review saying, “This is an important and prudent review to confirm the City’s pension fund is not inadvertently undermining neighborhood health. Transparency and due diligence are essential, and while we believe exposure is limited, the review ensures our investments remain aligned with long-term stability and fiduciary responsibility.”