PONCE CITY MARKET ANNOUNCES 2024 ‘EARTH WEEK AT PONCE’ CELEBRATIONS & EVENTS 

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 4/10/24

Lineup includes Community Events, a Two-Day Sustainable Businesses Market, Environmental Stewardship Workshops, Networking Events, & More

 Ponce City Market announces it will host Earth Week at Ponce, a multi-day celebration featuring free and open-to-the-public community events sponsored by Rivian, a two-day sustainable businesses market, workshops on environmental stewardship, networking events for professionals in the sustainability field, and more, from Thursday, April 18 through Monday, April 22, 2024. Attendees will have the chance to engage with green technology, participate in recycling initiatives and learn from leaders in environmental advocacy. 

Hosted at Ponce City Market and organized by Atlanta Green Market, the series of events aims to inspire, educate, and empower the community. The event is targeting Blue Standard verification by Oceanic Global, which recognizes events that work to minimize event-related waste while showcasing the power of community and consumer choices in advancing market-based solutions to environmental challenges.

The lineup includes:

• Thursday, April 18, 6-8pm – Atlanta Women in Sustainability Meetup at Rivian’s Showroom: This gathering is an invaluable opportunity for women passionate about sustainability to connect, share insights, and learn about leadership and support within the sector. Tickets for the free event are available here, and food and drinks will be provided.

• Friday, April 19, 5-8pm – Climate Techies Meetup at Rivian’s Showroom: Attendees will dive into the world of innovation at this meetup, which will provide a unique platform for founders, investors, and corporations in the climate technology and sustainability sectors to connect, share ideas, and explore cutting-edge solutions to combat climate change. Tickets are available here, and food and drinks will be provided.

• Saturday, April 20, 3-6pm – Climate Fresk Workshop at Rivian’s Showroom: This free, interactive workshop is designed for both novices and experts and invites the public to explore climate science, using IPCC reports to help participants understand and act on climate issues. Tickets are available here, and food and beverages will be provided.

• Sat., April 20 & Sun., April 21, 10am-3pm – Earth Week at Ponce’s Sustainable Businesses Market at The Shed & The Trestle: Ponce City Market invites the public to The Shed and The Trestle, the open-air community spaces located where Ponce City Market meets the Atlanta BeltLine, to explore a diverse array of local, sustainable products and services committed to sustainability over two days. On Saturday, Georgia Forestry Foundation (GFF) is bringing together environmental and nature-focused non-profits for a “Back to Nature” celebration. Participants include Georgia Aquarium, Zoo Atlanta, Trees Atlanta, and Chattahoochee Nature Center, among others. Sunday’s market theme is “Happy People, Happy Planet” and will feature vendors including Fresh Harvest, Compost Now, The Rounds, Vertical Activewear, Atlo and more. No tickets are needed for this drop-in market.

• Monday, April 22, 5-8pm – Atlanta Sustainability Showcase on The Roof’s Terrace: Located on The Roof at Ponce City Market and sponsored by ATDC Georgia Tech, this showcase will more than an event; it will focus on the movement towards a greener, more sustainable future and bring together bright minds and passionate individuals in the sustainability sector – from local government officials and industry innovators to major corporations, small businesses, startups, and community organizations. This gathering will be a unique opportunity to bridge gaps, share knowledge, and ignite collaboration across all sectors working towards environmental stewardship in our state. Tickets ($30) are available here. 

“Positioned as a pivotal gathering for those eager to engage with sustainability champions, explore innovative green brands, and actively participate in impactful environmental initiatives, Earth Week at Ponce 2024 stands out as an essential destination,” says Tyler Thompson, Founder & CEO, TESS Co-op & organizer of Earth Week at Ponce. “Whether you’re seeking to forge connections with peers who share your commitment to the planet, uncover sustainable solutions that align with your lifestyle, or play a role in driving meaningful change, Earth Week at Ponce offers an unparalleled opportunity to immerse yourself in the movement towards a more sustainable Atlanta.”

Designed with sustainability in mind, Ponce City Market is committed to employing green practices throughout the property and has been awarded numerous accolades such as LEED Gold Certification (LEED Gold Core & Shell, LEED for Homes, LEED Gold CI – Jamestown Office), the Urban Land Institute’s Global Award for Excellence, BOMA International TOBY Award, PEDS’ Golden Shoe Award, and ULI Atlanta’s Project of the Year, among others. The building showcases Jamestown’s vision to take a 100-year-old building and make it green. 

With a focus on building community connections, Ponce City Market incorporates a pedestrian network, public green spaces, and access to the Atlanta BeltLine corridor—all within the revitalized historic property. Ponce City Market encourages the use of alternative transportation methods through 530+ bike parking spaces, direct access to Atlanta’s Beltline trail, and a complimentary shuttle to and from MARTA for tenants and employees. Ponce City Market also offers on-site Zipcars and designated pickup and drop-off locations for rideshare vehicles.

As part of Ponce City Market’s next phase, 619 Ponce is Atlanta’s first Georgia-grown mass timber building utilizing a regional supply chain and is targeting net-zero carbon operations, LEEDv4 Core & Shell certification, and Fitwel certification. 619 Ponce comprises four stories and includes 88,000 square feet of office space – 57,000 of which has been leased by Sage, the leader in accounting, financial, HR, and payroll technology for small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) – and 27,000 square feet of retail space – 18,000 of which will house Pottery Barn. In addition to outdoor space on every level, the building’s biophilic design features natural wood columns and ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows with operable panels. Jamestown broke ground on 619 Ponce spring 2022, the building topped out in June 2023, and completion is expected this spring. 

In 2020, Jamestown made a formal commitment to achieve net zero operational carbon emissions portfolio-wide by 2050 and adopted all 17 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. As a partner in the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)’s Better Climate Challenge, Jamestown is committed to reducing its carbon emissions by 50 percent within 10 years and sharing best practices to help other organizations transition to a clean energy future. 

Additionally, Jamestown has committed to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), pledging to reduce its Scope 1 (property-generated) and Scope 2 (landlord-generated) greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent by 2030, from a 2018 base-year, and to measure and reduce its Scope 3 (third party-generated) emissions.