ATLANTA | Development Thread V

[Libertarian]

Simms, you're attempting to fit Atlanta into the traditional city format. Whether it's a good or bad thing, such cities as Atlanta don't fit that model. There are some cities where the intensely developed areas are along an axis rather than being bunched together (Wueppertal and Karlovy Vary; and to a lesser extent Chicago and Miami). Other cities are decentralized and suburbanized (Dallas, Houston, LA, etc.) Atlanta is interesting as it combines both characteristics. In many ways nontraditional models actually work better. There is less congestion and some overhead can be minimized. I think the socioeconomic and physical aspects of Atlanta are quite competitive.

[bryantm3]

this is all very interesting, but can we try to limit down the debating in this thread?

[Tuckerman]

Originally Posted by bryantm3

this is all very interesting, but can we try to limit down the debating in this thread?

I agree. I think debates on whether GSU has a role in college football or whether the shape of the Atlanta is different, better, worse, than other cities are very important and useful. However, I would appreciate a construction thread that is chiefly about construction. There are the city discussion threads that are excellent for general musing on the nature of cities. And, importantly, there are the specific Atlanta threads where one can discuss football, parks, Buckhead and all those elements that are specific to Atlanta. I am aware that almost any topic, including GSU football, can be shown to be related to construction - as can sewer development - but it is a stretch. All big metro areas are unique and deserve to be discussed in their own terms and in comparison with other comparable areas, but this will always be speculative discussion. Construction, on the other hand, is much more concrete (no pun intended) and is either planned, taking place, or finishing up.

[RobMidtowner]

I have never understood the obsession with Buckhead. It is an urban area crunched into suburban infrastructure. Like many areas in Atlanta, development occurred way before the state/city/county had a chance to the build infrastructure to catch up. So the functionality of the area, aside from a few marginal improvements here and there, is permanently locked into the current layout and will likely never get any better. Not to say that Midtown is so much better, in fact Midtown has plenty of issues with urban design. Walkability is getting better but still has issues. And the grid functions OK for north-south traffic, but east-west traffic routinely overloads the grid. Also, the further north you go towards Buckhead, the grid breaks down and creates traffic jams (in particular 17th at Peachtree, W. Peachtree and Spring). But from an infrastructure standpoint, Midtown is better equipped to handle density than Buckhead.

[Zanarkand A East]

Originally Posted by GTdan

You guys are insane if you really think that only $200 million of public money will be spent on getting a new stadium. Yes, the city will probably only give $200 million for construction. But what about infrastructure improvements, land purchasing, and even the millions of dollars that the city will spend to demolish the existing dome. I guarantee this number will exceed $500 million of public money.

Source?

[themaguffin]

I have never understood the obsession with Buckhead.

I see it as the result of the civil rights era... both Buckhead and Perimeter. Neither should exist in the capacity that they do. It's unsustainable and both areas are traffic disasters.... just truly awful.

[scania]

Originally Posted by themaguffin

I see it as the result of the civil rights era... both Buckhead and Perimeter. Neither should exist in the capacity that they do. It's unsustainable and both areas are traffic disasters.... just truly awful.

I guess some of you only walk or use Marta when traveling in Midtown. Traffic is just as bad in Midtown. There are times of the day that it takes 20 minutes or more to get from Plaza Midtown to the Midtown Promenade. Of course this is during the traffic peaks, but traffic isn't bad in Buckhead or Perimeter when its not rush hour. If you are talking about interstate traffic, the traffic is just as bad in Downtown as it is anywhere during rush hour. Here again, stop with the bull.

[clexmond]

Originally Posted by scania

I guess some of you only walk or use Marta when traveling in Midtown. Traffic is just as bad in Midtown. There are times of the day that it takes 20 minutes or more to get from Plaza Midtown to the Midtown Promenade. Of course this is during the traffic peaks, but traffic isn't bad in Buckhead or Perimeter when its not rush hour. If you are talking about interstate traffic, the traffic is just as bad in Downtown as it is anywhere during rush hour. Here again, stop with the bull.

Even if there is comparable traffic in Midtown (which I don't believe there is) I don't understand your example. From Plaza to Midtown Promenade you turn left on 8th and go straight. Even during the worst traffic on Friday afternoon it takes only as long as the lights. If it's taking you 20 minutes I have to seriously question your route finding, especially considering you can walk that distance in 20 min.

[AtlantaMustang]

Originally Posted by clexmond

Even if there is comparable traffic in Midtown (which I don't believe there is) I don't understand your example. From Plaza to Midtown Promenade you turn left on 8th and go straight. Even during the worst traffic on Friday afternoon it takes only as long as the lights. If it's taking you 20 minutes I have to seriously question your route finding, especially considering you can walk that distance in 20 min.

Even taking a busier street like 10th you should be able to make it in less than 20 min. The only problem spot should be 10th and Monroe, but I wouldn't think that would add up to 20 min. The thing about Midtown is that it's roughly on a grid, with decent sized blocks, so there are many different routes you can take and not be stuck on a clogged artery street. That's the major structural difference between Midtown and Buckhead or Perimeter. You're not forced into certain routes. A street gets blocked for some reason in Midtown, take another. Doesn't work quite as easily in Buckhead.

[themaguffin]

Traffic is just as bad in Midtown.

Who said it wasn't bad? BUT, there's more than one way to get around Midtown. I work in Perimeter and there are few options.

I can't think of any location in Midtown that takes as long as it can often take to simply get out of Ravinia.

[AtlantaMustang]

On the site for the ferris wheel downtown, they do have concrete poured on site, and it appears they are prepping more areas for something similar. I'll be able to post some pictures later in the week, maybe after some more progress has been made.

[briantech]

Ground has definitely broke for the ferris wheel:

[AtlantaMustang]

Originally Posted by briantech

Ground has definitely broke for the ferris wheel:

Well there ya go, haha. Thanks briantech!

[ATLaffinity]

Originally Posted by AtlantaMustang

Even taking a busier street like 10th you should be able to make it in less than 20 min. The only problem spot should be 10th and Monroe, but I wouldn't think that would add up to 20 min. The thing about Midtown is that it's roughly on a grid, with decent sized blocks, so there are many different routes you can take and not be stuck on a clogged artery street. That's the major structural difference between Midtown and Buckhead or Perimeter. You're not forced into certain routes. A street gets blocked for some reason in Midtown, take another. Doesn't work quite as easily in Buckhead.

I don't think Midtown traffic is bad but that Midtown Promenade/Midtown Place super-block is murder. And North Ave. west of the interstate in rough because of GT. There are no alternate routes to move E-W.

[atlantaguy]

Originally Posted by themaguffin

I see it as the result of the civil rights era... both Buckhead and Perimeter. Neither should exist in the capacity that they do. It's unsustainable and both areas are traffic disasters.... just truly awful.

I disagree. I see both as a result of nearby wealth and the fact that big malls were developed in the middle of each.

[Libertarian]

PCM picks up 600 jobs, guaranteeing the success of the investment
http://www.ajc.com/news/business/health-tech-company-picks-ponce-city-market-bring-/nYTBN/

[shivtim]

Originally Posted by briantech

Ground has definitely broke for the ferris wheel:

Thanks for the update. I saw this wheel when it was in Paris; I'm looking forward to seeing it in Atlanta.

[Nanosolar]

Originally Posted by Libertarian

PCM picks up 600 jobs, guaranteeing the success of the investment
http://www.ajc.com/news/business/health-tech-company-picks-ponce-city-market-bring-/nYTBN/

Just the beginning for PCM. That will place will be amazing for Atlanta.

[atlantaguy]

^Agreed! Fantastic news.....this is just the beginning.

[bigstick]

Originally Posted by shivtim

Thanks for the update. I saw this wheel when it was in Paris; I'm looking forward to seeing it in Atlanta.

Me too, shivtim talk more about this on city-data. I got thrown off there years ago, that place is a joke.