ATLANTA | Development Thread V - Page 686

GeorgiaPeanuts · #**13701** Posted **Apr 15, 2015, 4:13 PM**

Yea, either they are working on getting those tenants or its just a wishful thinking mockup.

Here is a render of what the Rreal Taco will look like when buildout is finished:

PremierAtlanta · #**13702** Posted **Apr 15, 2015, 6:01 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobdreamz

Only by name!

http://relatedgroup.com/home.html

Perez is his own Master coming to Atlanta

I, for one, am too thrilled to have Mr. Perez interested in Atlanta. Think what you will but it says a great deal about the Atlanta intown residential market. The Great Recession cost intown the very daring CityPlace Buckhead but perhaps in its place Atlanta will get something even better.

Call me crazy but I would love to have a Park Grove Tower 2 variation in Midtown. I love the large terraces for each unit. Also, the unique shape of the building would be instantly recognizable. For the Buckhead site, I would love for a variation of Related Group's Parque Global Sempione residential towers. I feel that design would fit well right on Peachtree.

Whatever Related has planned, I am sure they will be welcomed additions to the Atlanta skyline.

micropundit · #**13703** Posted **Apr 15, 2015, 8:44 PM**

Thursday, 4/16/15, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed will announce that Kaiser Permanente will open a health care information technology center that is expected to bring 900 technology-related jobs to the city.The expansion, described as a technology center, will involve a total corporate investment of more than $20 million.

The project is expected to be formally announced during Thursday meeting of the Invest Atlanta board. The board of Invest Atlanta, the city’s economic development arm, will consider a $300,000 grant for “Project Big Chill” through Atlanta’s Economic Opportunity Fund program. The company is also eligible for state grants and tax credits for new jobs created.

http://www.ajc.com/news/business/big-corporate-expansion-coming-to-atlanta/nktx4/

PremierAtlanta · #**13704** Posted **Apr 15, 2015, 9:20 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by micropundit

Thursday, 4/16/15, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed will announce that Kaiser Permanente will open a health care information technology center that is expected to bring 900 technology-related jobs to the city.The expansion, described as a technology center, will involve a total corporate investment of more than $20 million.

The project is expected to be formally announced during Thursday meeting of the Invest Atlanta board. The board of Invest Atlanta, the city’s economic development arm, will consider a $300,000 grant for “Project Big Chill” through Atlanta’s Economic Opportunity Fund program. The company is also eligible for state grants and tax credits for new jobs created.

http://www.ajc.com/news/business/big-corporate-expansion-coming-to-atlanta/nktx4/

This is the exact type of economic news one wants to hear for the city center.

In addition to the fact that this announcement will bring 900 jobs to the city, one thing of note from the article is:

"The expansion, described as a technology center, will involve a total corporate investment of more than $20 million. Jobs will have an average wage of $107,000, according to the Invest Atlanta document."

Apartment and condo developers across the city are surely thrilled with these recent job announcements in town.

AtlantaMustang · #**13705** Posted **Apr 15, 2015, 9:33 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ATLcubs

Isn't the Midtown DRC meeting tonight?

Looks like the only thing on the recap of the meeting was Flip Flops (the bar on Crescent) expanding their outdoor areas. Nothing too exciting.

Atlanta3000 · #**13706** Posted **Apr 15, 2015, 11:05 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by PremierAtlanta

This is the exact type of economic news one wants to hear for the city center.

In addition to the fact that this announcement will bring 900 jobs to the city, one thing of note from the article is:

"The expansion, described as a technology center, will involve a total corporate investment of more than $20 million. Jobs will have an average wage of $107,000, according to the Invest Atlanta document."

Apartment and condo developers across the city are surely thrilled with these recent job announcements in town.

Even more important is the fact that for each job created, an additional 2.5 jobs on average are created.

http://www.parkdaleparty.com/spin-off-jobs-just-what-are-the-numbers/

One thing is for certain, we will definitely see 1 or 2 substantial office buildings built in Midtown during this economic cycle. Midtown has probably surpassed the Perimeter in number of jobs created in the past 2-3 years (RIB, World Pay, Pandora, Twitter, Google, NCR...etc.)

ajdelo · #**13707** Posted **Apr 16, 2015, 1:11 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nanosolar

Latest on MMPT

From 2015 GA Rail Plan
http://www.dot.ga.gov/InvestSmart/Rail/Documents/StateRailPlan/DraftStateRailPlan-2015.pdf

"The current timeline envisions a phased development plan, building small sections at a time, both for the full station as well as the development of the surrounding underutilized property. This phasing could also reflect the timeline needed for implementing passenger rail service serving Atlanta. Currently the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is underway with conclusion planned for 2015. Recognizing the significance of the proposed MMPT to transportation connectivity in the Southeast, the Atlanta terminal was included among the White House’s “We Can’t Wait” initiative, which is designed to streamline the approval process for key infrastructure projects."

Yeah, but reading the current state of the Peachtree Amtrak station is depressing. Let's see, they use "small", "limited parking", and "accessibility issues" all in one sentence. And don't get me started about the, "one MARTA bus line" that serves it. But most depressing is that, "Amtrak, GDOT and other stakeholders are currently exploring opportunities to relocate from the
Peachtree Street Station to a facility that is less constrained operationally and will allow for enhanced passenger amenities."

Um, okay, how about this outrageously awesome multi-modal station in the heart of downtown around all those skyrise placeholders that is supposed to link the rest of the transit that flows through Atlanta? Instead, last I heard, the best place anyone who had any authority could think of was in the valley of nothingness behind the Ikea at Atlantic Station.

briantech · #**13708** Posted **Apr 16, 2015, 1:11 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajdelo

Yeah, but reading the current state of the Peachtree Amtrak station is depressing. Let's see, they use "small", "limited parking", and "accessibility issues" all in one sentence. And don't get me started about the, "one MARTA bus line" that serves it. But most depressing is that, "Amtrak, GDOT and other stakeholders are currently exploring opportunities to relocate from the
Peachtree Street Station to a facility that is less constrained operationally and will allow for enhanced passenger amenities."

Um, okay, how about this outrageously awesome multi-modal station in the heart of downtown around all those skyrise placeholders that is supposed to link the rest of the transit that flows through Atlanta? Instead, last I heard, the best place anyone who had any authority could think of was in the valley of nothingness behind the Ikea at Atlantic Station.

Can we start a petition or something showing the public's support behind moving the amtrak station down to 5points?

Atlanta3000 · #**13709** Posted **Apr 16, 2015, 1:28 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by briantech

Can we start a petition or something showing the public's support behind moving the amtrak station down to 5points?

You can create a Facebook page...tweet the FB page link to everyone that is influential in Atlanta Business, Community Affairs, activist for smart growth and city officials.

Let me know if I can help!

GeorgiaPeanuts · #**13710** Posted **Apr 16, 2015, 1:35 PM**

The billboard on 811 peachtree looks like it is being deconstructed this morning

ATLSkyPalaceOwner · #**13711** Posted **Apr 16, 2015, 1:54 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeorgiaPeanuts

The billboard on 811 peachtree looks like it is being deconstructed this morning

Atlanta3000 · #**13712** Posted **Apr 16, 2015, 2:02 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeorgiaPeanuts

The billboard on 811 peachtree looks like it is being deconstructed this morning

Post pics if it happens!!!

testarossa50 · #**13713** Posted **Apr 16, 2015, 4:06 PM**

There are multiple fatal technical issues inherent to moving the Amtrak station down to Five Points, but those are well beyond the scope of this thread. My understanding is Amtrak has more or less said "no" to the idea.

I'd personally rather we put focus on developing Five Points into a desirable area with lots of highrise development and forget the transit component of the project, which at this point is limited to some commuter buses (meh), Greyhound (meh), and a commuter train line that seems unlikely to ever be built.

joecool · #**13714** Posted **Apr 16, 2015, 4:57 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeorgiaPeanuts

The billboard on 811 peachtree looks like it is being deconstructed this morning

I will be so happy once this starts construction. Lets hope soon!!!!!!!!!!!

briantech · #**13715** Posted **Apr 16, 2015, 5:11 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by testarossa50

There are multiple fatal technical issues inherent to moving the Amtrak station down to Five Points

Not arguing with you -- what are they? I honestly have no idea. Do you have a link to an article or something?

jsvh · #**13716** Posted **Apr 16, 2015, 5:32 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by briantech

Not arguing with you -- what are they? I honestly have no idea. Do you have a link to an article or something?

This blog post does a good analysis on what needs to be done for regional rail in Atlanta (It supports Amtrak at the MMPT as do I, but it requires some changes) : http://tracktwentynine.blogspot.com/2009/02/envisioning-new-rail-hub-for-atlanta_21.html

Atlanta3000 · #**13717** Posted **Apr 16, 2015, 5:46 PM**

I may be off the "RAILS" here, but....
Why does Amtrak's participation even determine the viability of this project or not? If you look at the map below, Atlanta and the Southeast for that matter are significantly underserved with regard to Amtrak. Unless Amtrak greatly intends to make major capital improvements to their network in the Southeast - this is a complete waste of money. The MMPT is projected to cost at least $1.5+ Billion. From my "uneducated" perspective, all we really need is a renovated/new Five Points station and take the rest of the money to build out MARTA, Beltline and/or streetcar. Just my $.02.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/mulad/8438870763/in/faves-beyonddc/

micropundit · #**13718** Posted **Apr 16, 2015, 5:52 PM**

The new Kaiser Permanente IT campus in Midtown will be 157,000-square-feet at 1375 Peachtree Street Northeast ( former HQ of EarthLink) will host 900 jobs and will have an economic impact in excess of $360M by 2019, according to City of Atlanta officials.

http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/story/28820752/kaiser-permanente-brings-900-jobs-to-georgia

briantech · #**13719** Posted **Apr 16, 2015, 6:07 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atlanta3000

I may be off the "RAILS" here, but....
Why does Amtrak's participation even determine the viability of this project or not? If you look at the map below, Atlanta and the Southeast for that matter are significantly underserved with regard to Amtrak. Unless Amtrak greatly intends to make major capital improvements to their network in the Southeast - this is a complete waste of money. The MMPT is projected to cost at least $1.5+ Billion. From my "uneducated" perspective, all we really need is a renovated/new Five Points station and take the rest of the money to build out MARTA, Beltline and/or streetcar. Just my $.02.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/mulad/8438870763/in/faves-beyonddc/

Nah I mean I agree with you. "No one" takes amtrak realistically. It's just that if they ARE going to build a new station, it just seems to make so much sense to put it at MMPT from an urban connectivity standpoint.

In terms of actual usage though, having a Megabus / Greyhound terminal probably would get far more usage at MMPT than Amtrak.

testarossa50 · #**13720** Posted **Apr 16, 2015, 6:44 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by briantech

Not arguing with you -- what are they? I honestly have no idea. Do you have a link to an article or something?

That article is a good primer on the basic issues, from an advocate's perspective. To sum:

- Amtrak doesn't like to "shove" loaded trains; this means all movements must be a pull-through movement.
- The only train line that pulls through the heart of Five Points is CSX, coming in from the East. Amtrak is on the NS coming in from the Northeast.
- Getting onto CSX would require using the Beltline (yes, the Eastside Beltline everyone loves) with passenger trains. An impossible idea at this point.
- You could also go on NS, but that is a shared alignment with CSX running through the gluch--NS is actually on the "wrong" (west) side of the CSX tracks as it runs through downtown. Extremely busy lines, all of them, and would require a lot of cooperation with both railroads.
- Worse, this would require Amtrak to redraw the route; instead of heading towards Birmingham, the trains would exit Atlanta towards Montgomery. Disconnecting a number of cities from Amtrak service is a heck of a lot to ask just because Atlanta wants its train station moved three miles south.

imo it's just time to give up on the idea. As another poster says, Amtrak isn't even that big of a thing here. Our service is pathetic; not worth moving mountains to get it in a somewhat better location.