ATLANTA | Development Thread V

[skyscraper_inspector]

Originally Posted by TarHeelJ

The lot consolidation here was discussed a few pages back and it was discovered that it included the old Engineer's Bookstore...and I hoped at that time that this building would be preserved. Why can't this dumbass put a convenience store in the historic building? Or does it have to be in as cheap a building as possible to work? I hope something is done quickly to save this building...there are enough empty/parking lots around that area that could hold his gas station.

Atlanta, please don't sit back and let this happen anymore.

Does anyone think there's any chance of him reusing the building in the new development? I think not, with the slope of that lot and the basement being a part of the building.

[TarHeelJ]

Originally Posted by skyscraper_inspector

Does anyone think there's any chance of him reusing the building in the new development? I think not, with the slope of that lot and the basement being a part of the building.

I don't think there's any hope of this guy reusing any part of this building...I think the only hope is for this little beauty is if the city can make changes to the industrial zoning codes in time. The article says that they are currently reviewing proposed changes but it might not happen in time to save this one.

Maybe next he can demolish the Medical Arts Building for one of his fabulous convenience store/gas stations.

[skyscraper_inspector]

Yeah. Check out a few of his existing gas stations:

https://www.google.com/maps/place/1801+D...3!8m2!3d33.7058261!4d-84.4577244!6m1!1e1

https://www.google.com/maps/uv?hl=en&pb=...ahUKEwjymODu3_3NAhVFaz4KHdMQDwIQpx8IZDAK

[cabasse]

Originally Posted by terilili

I get that he may be hoarding his properties so he can get a better price later, but that 1) assumes the market won't crash again, which it likely will, and 2) means that the midtown residents are the ones who suffer. I am so sick of walking around midtown and seeing his stupid empty lots with the giant signs. With all the developing going on, I'm sure we all would love to see those lots in the mix.

And, just to point out the other elephant in the room, but the last we heard from him was his plan months ago to add floors to the Campanille. It doesn't seem like he's made any movement on that project, not that it's one worth pursuing...

this kind of sums up my thoughts on the matter. sure its his prerogative for the time being, but it's kind of ridiculous that he just squats on his properties while the rest of the city evolves around him.

[NewUrbanist90]

Originally Posted by arctk2014

You've got to be kidding me....




https://whatnowatlanta.com/will-a-gas-station-replace-the-engineers-bookstore-building/

Tell me where the protest is and I'm there.

[skyscraper_inspector]

Originally Posted by NewUrbanist90

Tell me where the protest is and I'm there.

From the post:

"Pasha submitted an application for a Beer & Wine License, and as a result, he must appear before NPU E leadership in a public meeting August 2."

[Atlanta3000]

First of all, I grew up in historic Williamsburg, VA and much of it today looks just like it did since it's founding in 1632. Therefore I respect the significance of preserving historical buildings. I don't what to start a shit storm, but I hope we all understand there is a big difference from a building being historic(al) and one that is just OLD. Below are the guidelines/criteria The National Register uses (both need to be met).

I am curious if the folks here don't want a gas station at this site or is there a real reason(s) you believe the Engineer Bookstore should be left untouched for historical reasons and please list? Would you feel this way if the proposed development was a boutique hotel or "local chef-driven" farm-to-table-vegan restaurant?

National Register of Historic Places Program: Fundamentals
(1.) Age and Integrity: Is the property old enough to be considered historic (generally at least 50 years old) and does it still look much the way it did in the past?
(2.) Significance: Is the property associated with events, activities, or developments that were important in the past? With the lives of people who were important in the past? With significant architectural history, landscape history, or engineering achievements? Does it have the potential to yield information through archeological investigation about our past?

[bryantm3]

Originally Posted by Atlanta3000

First of all, I grew up in historic Williamsburg, VA and much of it today looks just like it did since it's founding in 1632.

omg!! i halfway lived there for 5 years. my dad was some kind of delegate for the colonial williamsburg foundation.

[arctk2014]

Originally Posted by Atlanta3000

I am curious if the folks here don't want a gas station at this site or is there a real reason(s) you believe the Engineer Bookstore should be left untouched for historical reasons and please list? Would you feel this way if the proposed development was a boutique hotel or "local chef-driven" vegan farm to table restaurant?

A boutique hotel and/or a chef-driven restaurant would have more than likely been just as justified in utilizing the existing structure for adaptive reuse; the competition/precedents in the area are too strong to warrant anything but considering a tear-down.

Historic preservation entails more than the buildings individually but rather entail a collection of structures as well.

[Atlanta3000]

Originally Posted by bryantm3

omg!! i halfway lived there for 5 years. my dad was some kind of delegate for the colonial williamsburg foundation.

Awesome, I lived there for over 15 years. There is not another town like it in the US.

[Hokiehaven]

Originally Posted by Atlanta3000

Awesome, I lived there for over 15 years. There is not another town like it in the US.

I spent my high school years there.

[Hokiehaven]

Originally Posted by terilili

I get that he may be hoarding his properties so he can get a better price later, but that 1) assumes the market won't crash again, which it likely will, and 2) means that the midtown residents are the ones who suffer. I am so sick of walking around midtown and seeing his stupid empty lots with the giant signs. With all the developing going on, I'm sure we all would love to see those lots in the mix.

And, just to point out the other elephant in the room, but the last we heard from him was his plan months ago to add floors to the Campanille. It doesn't seem like he's made any movement on that project, not that it's one worth pursuing...

It annoys me too, wish he would do something, cause it drags midtown down when he does nothing and owns so much property, but I get his perspective, it's money.

He did mention I believe since the announcement of desiring to add floors to Campanile to do ground level transformations with a restaurant, etc. instead of the lobby that it has now. Though he's said that years before. If it happens I'm sure it'll be heavily influenced by Colony Square once that gets rolling.

http://atlanta.curbed.com/2016/3/3/11150852/campanile-atlanta-midtown-renovation

[Hokiehaven]

Originally Posted by MdtwnATL

Hmmm...I dunno. I'd agree only if the bottom of Loews / 1075 Peachtree and 1010 Midtown never filled in. Once all of that fills in (and it will once Colony Square is complete or well underway), you'll have Crescent Ave, all of 12th & Midtown and Colony Square to your right, Piedmont Park immediately behind you and hopefully an enhanced "Midtown Mile" to your immediate left (possibly a built out 999 Peachtree?). This just seems like the most central location of the area of Atlanta already calling itself "The Heart of it All."

I imagine that something along the lines of Water Tower Place in Chicago with a major office tower above it would eventually do well there.

I think those areas inevitably will fill in too. They are priced astronomically, but perhaps Colony Square will prove there is a market for more in Midtown, even at that price point.

I have imagined the 10th street spot to something similar, Columbus Circle in NYC, but as you said with offices and probably a hotel or residences too.

[Atlanta3000]

For all Those Who Knock John Dewberry - I would Suggest You Read This


This guy is on our team! He could have easily sold out a long time ago for a considerable profit or thrown up some crappy Novare(sque) condos/apartments and appeased many. Instead Dewberry is extremely thoughtful and deliberate to see his vision (our vision) for the 10th Street and Peachtree site be developed the right way. It's time the people on here and the other "armchair quarterbacks" in the city give this man the respect he deserves.

I would suggest you read the rather long John Dewberry profile in the AJC from a couple of years ago - or - at minimum read the quote below from the article.

http://personaljourneys.myajc.com/the-long-pass/

Dewberry says he could have sold some of his land at a great profit if he wanted to. He had $70 million waved at him for one site but didn’t bite. He’s waiting. For Midtown to get more people. For a giant tenant who will agree to anchor his office plans. He’s in no rush. The Peachtree property generates enough money from parking and such to mostly cover its carrying costs, he says.

“What I’m trying to do is not about money,” Dewberry says. “It is about ... my goal to create a livable, walkable Peachtree Street.” He imagines something like Michigan Avenue in Chicago.

[1lifealex]

Marta experimenting with double decker bus. http://commuting.blog.ajc.com/2016/07/18/marta-to-test-double-decker-bus/

[BlueSangha]

Ain't nothing livable or walkable goin on on that block. IMO the center of midtown just shifted north away from 10th street. Ain't no big tenant coming, and one block does not a Michigan Avenue make. Freakin block is a hell-hole.

[BlueSangha]

Originally Posted by 1lifealex

Marta experimenting with double decker bus. http://commuting.blog.ajc.com/2016/07/18/marta-to-test-double-decker-bus/

Can't even drive the ones they operate now. 😂😂😂

[TarHeelJ]

Originally Posted by Atlanta3000

First of all, I grew up in historic Williamsburg, VA and much of it today looks just like it did since it's founding in 1632. Therefore I respect the significance of preserving historical buildings. I don't what to start a shit storm, but I hope we all understand there is a big difference from a building being historic(al) and one that is just OLD. Below are the guidelines/criteria The National Register uses (both need to be met).

I am curious if the folks here don't want a gas station at this site or is there a real reason(s) you believe the Engineer Bookstore should be left untouched for historical reasons and please list? Would you feel this way if the proposed development was a boutique hotel or "local chef-driven" farm-to-table-vegan restaurant?

National Register of Historic Places Program: Fundamentals
(1.) Age and Integrity: Is the property old enough to be considered historic (generally at least 50 years old) and does it still look much the way it did in the past?
(2.) Significance: Is the property associated with events, activities, or developments that were important in the past? With the lives of people who were important in the past? With significant architectural history, landscape history, or engineering achievements? Does it have the potential to yield information through archeological investigation about our past?

First of all I think a 1930 building is worth considering for restoration - that is without question. This building may not look all that special at first glance, but if you look at the details of it is more than just an old brick building. The way it addresses the street is important too and the placement of the front display windows is unique.

Atlanta doesn't have the luxury of having a couple of centuries of these solid brick structures to play around with like some other cities, and if we want our city to have any historic character in the future we have to be more diligent about respecting our past. I don't think anyone can accuse Atlanta of foregoing progress by keeping historic buildings. And it's not like there aren't several vacant lots within that same little area that could be handle a gas station/mini mart pile of shit - this historic building needs a restaurant or something Georgia Tech oriented, but I would feel the same way whatever was proposed to demolish/replace it.

As for the National Register criteria, the standards are a bit different than for local historic designation...a building can be beloved by the local population but not be important enough for landmark status.

[TarHeelJ]

Originally Posted by BlueSangha

Ain't nothing livable or walkable goin on on that block. IMO the center of midtown just shifted north away from 10th street. Ain't no big tenant coming, and one block does not a Michigan Avenue make. Freakin block is a hell-hole.

Unless I'm mistaken there is at least one restaurant along 10th Street on that block and a row of historic store fronts. Hell hole?

[Atlanta3000]

Originally Posted by BlueSangha

Ain't nothing livable or walkable goin on on that block. IMO the center of midtown just shifted north away from 10th street. Ain't no big tenant coming, and one block does not a Michigan Avenue make. Freakin block is a hell-hole.

BlueSangha I bet you have $1+ Billion in Bitcoins in your wallet. How about you put your money, where your mouth is. Build something real purity there!!!!

Until then.....STFU.