ATLANTA | Development Thread V - Page 290

atlantaguy · #**5781** Posted **Oct 24, 2012, 3:33 AM**

Regarding Amtrak and multiple lines of commuter rail at the MMPT, it is entirely possible as proven by this almost four year old blog. A very detailed and fascinating three part read that puts everything in perspective.

http://tracktwentynine.blogspot.com/2009/02/envisioning-new-rail-hub-for-atlanta.html

http://tracktwentynine.blogspot.com/2009/02/envisioning-new-rail-hub-for-atlanta_20.html

http://tracktwentynine.blogspot.com/search?q=atlanta

trainiac · #**5782** Posted **Oct 24, 2012, 3:58 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by testarossa50

I actually think you are not far off on your assessment of the MMPT, and in general the MMPT is one of the least exciting things on the horizon for me. We're building a massive terminal without anything to connect with it.

My preference would be to nix the MMPT for the time being and instead focus on the Lovejoy rail line. Don't bother bringing it to downtown on the busy, congested CSX/NS shared rail line that parallels MARTA. We should just have the commuter rail line terminate in East Point, and build a station to connect with MARTA. Most people who ride the Lovejoy train will need to ride MARTA to another stop anyways; why not avoid building miles of redundant infrastructure and let them get on MARTA at the earliest possible point?

Years down the road, when the MMPT is built and commuter rail has expanded, we can consider extending the rail line to downtown. But for now it's just a needless luxury.

Also I question the positive impact train stations have on neighborhoods. Most train station areas I've been to around the world are a bit sketch. Even in cities like Oslo.

Honestly, the current Greyhound station is so dismal and so heavily used that I think MMPT is good just for that. It's just that bad

BlueSangha · #**5783** Posted **Oct 24, 2012, 7:36 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by simms3_redux

^^^And people love the Schwab building (I think it's been awarded numerous times). I complained about it once and got yelled at, LoL. People in Buckhead just don't understand real urbanism, hehe, and the architecture is ok ("as long as it beats what was there it's considered a good project")

And I have to correct myself, I read the sign wrong. It said 7,500 sq ft available...I don't care about the awards, the building is ok, but WHY there, in front of that great hotel. it's like putting the garage in front of your house to me, it's just bizzar.

testarossa50 · #**5784** Posted **Oct 24, 2012, 12:25 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by atlantaguy

Regarding Amtrak and multiple lines of commuter rail at the MMPT, it is entirely possible as proven by this almost four year old blog. A very detailed and fascinating three part read that puts everything in perspective.

http://tracktwentynine.blogspot.com/2009/02/envisioning-new-rail-hub-for-atlanta.html

http://tracktwentynine.blogspot.com/2009/02/envisioning-new-rail-hub-for-atlanta_20.html

http://tracktwentynine.blogspot.com/search?q=atlanta

I don't find any of that very reassuring. We're talking a massive overhaul of the way Atlanta's rail lines work, although the way he describes it the changes are kind of hard to follow.

It would require one of:

- A rerouting of Amtrak's line from Atlanta to New Orleans. Instead of going through Birmingham on NS, it would go through Montgomery on CSX. As it stands now, Amtrak trains don't go through downtown, and Amtrak doesn't allow trains to dead-end at a station: all movements have to be through movements. To force them through downtown, you have to send them on a line that exits Atlanta from the south, and the only lines that exist Atlanta from the south and continue on the New Orleans are owned by CSX.
- A rerouting of Amtrak's line from Atlanta to Washington DC. Instead of going through Charlotte, it would have to go through Columbia, SC. Similar reasons as above. Of note, the line to Columbia is a CSX line, not an NS line.

In either of the above cases, you've going to ruffle major feathers with (1) Amtrak (2) CSX and (3) Birmingham and/or Charlotte. All will probably be completely up-in-arms that Atlanta wants fundamental network changes just so we can get a new station downtown.

I'll neglect for now the issue that north-south platforms would be required as well and those would be +/- 1,000 feet from Five Points at best, but that's a major concern as well.

Given these challenges, I really think we ought to back off on the MMPT idea. I'd rather spend a few million on a flashy new Greyhound terminal if that's what we want to do. Priority #1 should be getting some commuter rail projects up and running, even if they cannot yet connect with downtown feasibly.

My point about a much simpler commuter rail line to Lovejoy that terminates in East Point rather than downtown applies to other potential lines as well. A commuter rail line to Gainesville could easily terminate at Doraville station. A commuter rail line to Stone Mountain could easily terminate at Avondale. All would be vastly cheaper and easier than spending tons of time and resources to service those last few miles into downtown. We have a fantastic subway system--let's rely on it.

atlantaguy · #**5785** Posted **Oct 24, 2012, 1:14 PM**

^Seems as though the solution would be for Amtrak to loosen up a bit with their strict operational requirements. It works just fine all over Europe. Otherwise, I consider the MMPT to be a massive mistake. Spending of that level for a glorified bus terminal and a line or two of commuter rail is ridiculous.

testarossa50 · #**5786** Posted **Oct 24, 2012, 1:58 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by atlantaguy

^Seems as though the solution would be for Amtrak to loosen up a bit with their strict operational requirements. It works just fine all over Europe. Otherwise, I consider the MMPT to be a massive mistake. Spending of that level for a glorified bus terminal and a line or two of commuter rail is ridiculous.

Agreed. I don't see a need for the requirements, but as long as they are there we need to take them seriously.

micropundit · #**5787** Posted **Oct 25, 2012, 6:16 PM**

GM is considering Atlanta for one of its massive data/IT facilities, similar to one announced for Austin last year. Called “innovation centers,” GM announced plans to hire some 10,000 techies to staff four of these centers in various parts of the country.Bis Now is reporting that GM is in talks with UPS for Big Brown’s former Innoplex building, a nearly 230k SF facility at 2010 Warsaw Rd in Roswell .
http://www.bisnow.com/atlanta-real-estate/2012/10/25/gm-decides/

simms3_redux · #**5788** Posted **Oct 25, 2012, 9:06 PM**

Just so everyone knows, 77 12th started work on the 10th floor on the 9th, and is now about halfway done with the 12th floor. That's a rate of about 1 floor per week, which is super fast.

Tuckerman · #**5789** Posted **Oct 25, 2012, 10:46 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by simms3_redux

Just so everyone knows, 77 12th started work on the 10th floor on the 9th, and is now about halfway done with the 12th floor. That's a rate of about 1 floor per week, which is super fast.

This is good news. After a sleepy start they are really moving along and the building is really looking good. At this rate they should top out in late December early January.

GThomas · #**5790** Posted **Oct 26, 2012, 1:09 PM**

Skyhouse updated its Floor Plans section which includes a couple of pictures with each unit showcasing views. Sorta fun to peruse.

http://skyhousemidtown.com/floor-plans/

testarossa50 · #**5791** Posted **Oct 26, 2012, 1:41 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by GThomas

Skyhouse updated its Floor Plans section which includes a couple of pictures with each unit showcasing views. Sorta fun to peruse.

http://skyhousemidtown.com/floor-plans/

Cool. The corner 1/1s on the top floor would be a dream bachelor pad. I'm kind of surprised they didn't put in a second half bath and add another $100 to the rent.

Looks like the building is about 10% rented right now (opening is a month away, right?). Not bad considering units are probably only shown as rented if they have a signed contract; more are probably in process or considering it. Rents start at $1.95/sf and go to about $2.20...I was expecting a bit more of a range than that.

clexmond · #**5792** Posted **Oct 28, 2012, 8:53 PM**

In case anyone is interested in the plans for the two empty lots along Spring north of Tech Square:

http://www.centergy.org/digital_brochure.pdf

I have no idea when it might happen, but I stumbled across it while browsing around.

mayhem · #**5793** Posted **Oct 29, 2012, 12:46 AM**

That's a very old plan.

clexmond · #**5794** Posted **Oct 29, 2012, 1:45 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by mayhem

That's a very old plan.

True, but Kim King & Associates just recently sold Centergy One to raise capital so I'm crossing my fingers these lots are in play again.

mayhem · #**5795** Posted **Oct 29, 2012, 9:55 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by clexmond

True, but Kim King & Associates just recently sold Centergy One to raise capital so I'm crossing my fingers these lots are in play again.

Check this page out:
http://www.realestate.gatech.edu/hpc/index.php

ATLaffinity · #**5796** Posted **Oct 29, 2012, 2:03 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by clexmond

True, but Kim King & Associates just recently sold Centergy One to raise capital so I'm crossing my fingers these lots are in play again.

I live there. I've basically given up on the area. Nothing happens on that lot. Nothing happens with that dreadful surface lot across from B&N. Now that computer center is being held up with the historic building.

matt_H · #**5797** Posted **Oct 29, 2012, 3:03 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by mayhem

Check this page out:
http://www.realestate.gatech.edu/hpc/index.php

That's the proposed building at the Crum and Forster site. There's been a lot of back and forth between GTF and preservationists for years, and it's still in limbo whether or not it'll be able to move forward. It's gotten somewhat sticky recently though...

http://midtown.patch.com/articles/should-the-crum-forster-be-saved

jnihiser · #**5798** Posted **Oct 30, 2012, 1:59 PM**

Père Goriot · #**5799** Posted **Oct 30, 2012, 10:14 PM**

Here's a pic from my office today of Sky House & 77 12th (photo by moi)

mayhem · #**5800** Posted **Oct 31, 2012, 2:57 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by matt_H

That's the proposed building at the Crum and Forster site. There's been a lot of back and forth between GTF and preservationists for years, and it's still in limbo whether or not it'll be able to move forward. It's gotten somewhat sticky recently though...

http://midtown.patch.com/articles/should-the-crum-forster-be-saved

My bad, I somehow confused the two sites.