Quote:
Originally Posted by jddar
Actually, both Pershing Point and Peachtree Point were both much more dynamic in the mid to late 1970's. Both were densely populated (by Atlanta standards) with many folks, mostly Gay men, living in older apartment buildings and converted hotels (now, all demolished). There was neighborhood supporting retail along Peachtree at Pershing Point. The sidewalks were active and vibrant. Among many other things, there was an Art House type cinema beside Rhodes Hall that drew crowds most nights. Overall it was a much different place--far from the boring sterile corporate wasteland of today. So really, the recent development along this particular stretch of Peachtree has not at all improved the neighborhood--in fact, it pretty much destroyed it.
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I just did my research. It's no secret that gay men provided the impetus for the growth and redevelopment of Midtown, and the gay population (which I am part of) has a large influence, but is less influential now with the advent of young (straight) professionals to the area and empty nesters.
That being said, the corner of 10th and Peachtree was as seedy a corner as one could have in the entire country, and Pershing Point/etc was a single family streetcar neighborhood that saw decline and then
slow renewal due to the gay men. The only thing that was high density about it (and the only thing besides single family homes) that was demolished was the Pershing Point Apartments, which was about 15ish floors. Everything else was single family homes that were rescued from utter disrepair and mostly empty sidewalks.
This happens in every city. What's there now is higher density and more diversified uses. Dewberry was not all of it, but he has improved the area from a tax base perspective and a value perspective. The Artmore Hotel is a much better hotel than any tiny thing that was there before. In addition, you have more residents living in the older apartment buildings, nicer office buildings (many of which address the street), and a few high rise apartment buildings (I live in 1280 West, which is 40 floors). The High is a draw, and now there is the MODA, the library branch, and a few other attractions. Center Stage is a huge draw for concerts and don't forget about the improv club right there, and now you have SCAD and John Marshall School of Law. The area is much livelier than it could have been. If you were a gay man living amongst other gay men in that era (the 70s), then I still don't understand your sentimentality towards what was. I came here in 2006 and even since then I notice a large difference in the area and in Midtown in general.
Hate to disagree with you, but Midtown is mostly headed in the right direction, Pershing Point included. If you want single family homes, look 2 blocks away to Ansley Park, which has homes that are so much nicer than anything that was in Pershing Point. (and might I add there are still a couple of notably saved homes in Pershing Point)
If Dewberry puts up a Pershing Park Plaza on every block, then yes, I will hate him. He won't.
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and he's out to make money, not be a charitable cause for the city. Can we please get more developers out of Georgia Tech?? Ok, thanks.
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