Atlanta Project Thread IV

[smArTaLlone]

Residents of the Old Fourth Ward officially welcomed the latest redevelopment project to hit the neighborhood in a groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday that will bring 276 high-end apartments by the fall of 2013.

The project of one- and two-bedroom apartments, sits on a 3.7-acre tract bounded by Glen Iris Drive, Dallas and Rankin streets and Historic Fourth Ward Park.

The BOHO development is actually two buildings that will straddle Wilmer Street NE, which runs through the center of the development. The buildings will have self-contained parking, but the design will create 50 extra public parking spaces for community use on the street, the company said.

http://eastatlanta.patch.com/articles/old-fourth-ward-welcomes-bohemians

[smArTaLlone]

A proposed mixed-use project would redevelop an aging stretch of Piedmont Avenue between Buckhead’s glass office towers and Atlanta’s historic Ansley Park neighborhood.

Colorado-based developer Archstone is proposing 300 apartment units and 36,000 square feet of retail at Piedmont Avenue and Cheshire Bridge Road. Plans include a five-story mid-rise building for the six-acre site at the edge of Midtown, not far from Piedmont Park.

http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/print...apartments-retail-eyed-for-piedmont.html

[NYbyWAYofGA]

Originally Posted by smArTaLlone

http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/print...apartments-retail-eyed-for-piedmont.html

I love it! As I have discussed before, this is exactly the direction that corridors such as Piedmont and Cheshire Bridge should be going in. It is good to see plans such as these and the ones at O4W moving forward. Atlanta just keeps improving.

[bryantm3]

Originally Posted by NYbyWAYofGA

I love it! As I have discussed before, this is exactly the direction that corridors such as Piedmont and Cheshire Bridge should be going in. It is good to see plans such as these and the ones at O4W moving forward. Atlanta just keeps improving.

i like the idea, but i would hate for cheshire bridge to become another bland site for condos. it's so weird and quirky, it needs to retain some of that. it needs more density, sure, but i don't want the weirdness to go away.

[NYbyWAYofGA]

Originally Posted by bryantm3

i like the idea, but i would hate for cheshire bridge to become another bland site for condos. it's so weird and quirky, it needs to retain some of that. it needs more density, sure, but i don't want the weirdness to go away.

I'm sure there are ways to retain the quirkiness of Cheshire Bridge while increasing density. Quirkiness and density aren't mutually exclusive to each other.

[smArTaLlone]

Those fighting the years-long battle to save the three-story Crum & Forster Building on Spring Street were dealt a recent setback by the Atlanta City Council, which approved its demolition despite the fact that a zoning board disapproved of the razzing.

Plans call for saving the circa-1926 structure's lovely façade, probably the most striking feature of its Italian Renaissance Revival style. The proposed tower, an expansion to Technology Square, would rise behind those arches and could top out at 27 stories.

http://atlanta.curbed.com/archives/2012/10/08/wrecking-ball-looms-for-historic-midtown-building.php

[echinatl]

Originally Posted by smArTaLlone

http://atlanta.curbed.com/archives/2012/10/08/wrecking-ball-looms-for-historic-midtown-building.php

This sounds like a good compromise. I approve.

[smArTaLlone]

Originally Posted by echinatl

This sounds like a good compromise. I approve.

A a reminder, this is a preliminary rendering of what Tech has planned for the site. Based on their schedule, construction would have to begin next year.

[joecool]

Originally Posted by smArTaLlone

A a reminder, this is a preliminary rendering of what Tech has planned for the site. Based on their schedule, construction would have to begin next year.

I like that!!! So construction doesn't start till next year? )= Boo!!!

[(four 0 four)]

Following is part of an email received from The Atlanta Preservation Center. Does the desire for another mediocre highrise warrant overlooking the behind-the-scenes actions that lead to the expected demise of at least two-thirds of the Crum & Forster Building? Is this really how you want things to be accomplished? If the building is not worthy of keeping, then let the GTF follow the appropriate procedures to obtain the demolition permit.
It can't really be a 'good compromise' when what the community loses is more than just a building.

CRUM & FORSTER ISN'T ABOUT PRESERVATION ANYMORE,
IT'S ABOUT THE PERVERSION OF CITY PROCEDURES!

The City Attorney's office settled the Georgia Tech Foundation's (GTF) lawsuit against the City of Atlanta and the Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA).

* The case was not tried by the Fulton County Superior Court.
* No public record of approval by the City of Atlanta and the BZA has been located.
* The agreement reached by the City Attorney's office and GTF states that the BZA and the Office of Planning are required to issue the contested Special Administrative Permit (SAP).
* Issuance of the previously denied SAP (which showed the Crum &Forster Building demolished) will in turn allow rapid application for and the likely issuance of a demolition permit.
* EVERY agency involved that has reviewed this matter has unanimously voted against GTF's position.
* Who authorized this "settlement" if not City Council, the BZA and the AUDC?
* Did this "settlement" occur because of the influence and decisions of the Mayor's office in the judicial process, in concert with the City Attorney's office?
* Georgia Tech Foundation's immense political influence should not be permitted to override City and judicial procedures.
Countless citizens who participated in the AUDC, BZA and Zoning Review Board hearings should not be nullified by the Mayor's office!

Please voice your opposition to the "settlement" by attending the November 1st BZA hearing and writing, emailing or calling your City Council member and the Board of Zoning Adjustment.

[smArTaLlone]

Originally Posted by (four 0 four)

Following is part of an email received from The Atlanta Preservation Center. Does the desire for another mediocre highrise warrant overlooking the behind-the-scenes actions that lead to the expected demise of at least two-thirds of the Crum & Forster Building? Is this really how you want things to be accomplished? If the building is not worthy of keeping, then let the GTF follow the appropriate procedures to obtain the demolition permit.
It can't really be a 'good compromise' when what the community loses is more than just a building.

I read that the GTF could simply transfer the property to the GT board who would have the legal right to demolish the entire building. I'm not sure why the school would have that right but its a pretty big trump card in this battle. I wonder if that threat played a role in the city deciding to just settle the case.

[echinatl]

Originally Posted by (four 0 four)

Following is part of an email received from The Atlanta Preservation Center. Does the desire for another mediocre highrise warrant overlooking the behind-the-scenes actions that lead to the expected demise of at least two-thirds of the Crum & Forster Building? Is this really how you want things to be accomplished? If the building is not worthy of keeping, then let the GTF follow the appropriate procedures to obtain the demolition permit.
It can't really be a 'good compromise' when what the community loses is more than just a building.

I don't know exactly what went on behind the scenes, but what we're getting is a usable mid-rise, while saving the most iconic part of a historic but abandoned building. I don't know how it went down, but usually these things just get demolished (by following proper procedures). So, if the renderings we've seen are correct, I'm still ok with the outcome.

[joecool]

Originally Posted by echinatl

I don't know exactly what went on behind the scenes, but what we're getting is a usable mid-rise, while saving the most iconic part of a historic but abandoned building. I don't know how it went down, but usually these things just get demolished (by following proper procedures). So, if the renderings we've seen are correct, I'm still ok with the outcome.

I agree. The only good part of the building is going to be saved. I'd rather have a mid-rise than an empty building that will never be used. Now buildings like City Hall East and the Biltmore are worth saving. Not to mention the building in downtown that is right against I75/85 is DEFF worth saving! But this building I could live without but am glad they are saving the front part which is very nice!

[smArTaLlone]

John Stephenson, interim CEO of Atlanta Hall Management, the non-profit entity formed to build and manage the downtown football shrine, reported to the NFF board that enough sponsorship and loan commitments have been secured to proceed with construction.

The next steps, Stephenson said, are to complete architectural drawings and set a date to begin construction. Originally targeted to open this year and later targeted for 2013, the Hall of Fame now plans an opening in late 2014.

http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-georgia-spo...ollege-football-hall-of-fame-in-atlanta/

[Student]

GWCC Plans Centennial Park Renovation

"ATLANTA — The Georgia World Congress Center is planning a makeover for Centennial Olympic Park.

The park's future begins with a potential wish list of projects, developed by the park's original design firm.

Assistant park manager Joe Skopitz told Channel 2's Jim Strickland what they're hoping to solve.

"How do we really get them to spend some time here and enjoy the space, rather than just passing through?" Skopitz said.

The vision plan plots several new features, basically around the park's edges. Some of the ideas include better water features with real wading, a beer garden and terrace restaurant."

See the rest here...


http://www.wsbtv.com/news/news/local...al-olym/nSdZQ/


*** With the Georgia Aquarium, WOCC completed and the Civil/Human Rights Museum + College Football Hall of Fame on the way, this will definitely become a premier tourist destination.

[smArTaLlone]

Originally Posted by Student

GWCC Plans Centennial Park Renovation

"ATLANTA — The Georgia World Congress Center is planning a makeover for Centennial Olympic Park.

The park's future begins with a potential wish list of projects, developed by the park's original design firm.

Assistant park manager Joe Skopitz told Channel 2's Jim Strickland what they're hoping to solve.

"How do we really get them to spend some time here and enjoy the space, rather than just passing through?" Skopitz said.

The vision plan plots several new features, basically around the park's edges. Some of the ideas include better water features with real wading, a beer garden and terrace restaurant."

See the rest here...


http://www.wsbtv.com/news/news/local...al-olym/nSdZQ/


*** With the Georgia Aquarium, WOCC completed and the Civil/Human Rights Museum + College Football Hall of Fame on the way, this will definitely become a premier tourist destination.

Here's a pdf of the proposed upgrades. They have envisioned some pretty cool stuff including a carousel, new terrace restaurant, a skate park, and an expanded amphitheater.

http://posting.clatl.com/images/blogimag...0356-centennialolympicparkvisionplan.pdf

[Terminus]

Originally Posted by smArTaLlone

I read that the GTF could simply transfer the property to the GT board who would have the legal right to demolish the entire building. I'm not sure why the school would have that right but its a pretty big trump card in this battle. I wonder if that threat played a role in the city deciding to just settle the case.

GT is a creature of the State of Georgia and doesn't have to follow city of county regulations. GTF is a private entity and does.

[joecool]

Originally Posted by Terminus

GT is a creature of the State of Georgia and doesn't have to follow city of county regulations. GTF is a private entity and does.

So I guess that explains why a lot of GT buildings are so unfriendly to pedestrians. I'm guessing they don't really care about pedestrian friendly streets or transportation?

[smArTaLlone]

Originally Posted by joecool

So I guess that explains why a lot of GT buildings are so unfriendly to pedestrians. I'm guessing they don't really care about pedestrian friendly streets or transportation?

I would guess that most the pedestrian unfriendly GT buildings were simply built in a different time period when urbanism was not of great concern.

[smArTaLlone]

NPU-W is seeking the support for its opposition to SAP Application No. BL-12-035, in which Fuqua Development is attempting to foist a cookie cutter suburban model on an urban neighborhood in direct contravention of the BeltLine Masterplan as well as the BeltLine Overlay District regulations.

'The introduction of this purely retail focused plan does not further the goals of the BeltLine to provide residential focus in areas designated as BeltLine stops. It is also contrary to the developer’s own statements that its “concepts incorporate characteristics of ‘live, work, play’ into communities and integrate urban lifestyles with shopping center environments.” Nothing about the proposal integrates this retail development into the existing community nor does it provide a means of integrating new residential into the retail development.'

http://eastatlanta.patch.com/articles/npu-w-opposes-glenwood-place-development



The large retail space is rumored to be a Walmart but the developer maintains that he is talking to several grocers for the anchor space.



More information on Glenwood Place can be found on this flyer
Glenwood Place.pdf