ATLANTA | Development Thread V

[matt_H]

Sounds like there's some movement with the proposed Archstone aparment complex at the corner of Piedmont and Cheshire Bridge.

According to Eater Atlanta, three restaurants at that corner are slated to close by the end of the year "to make way for planned apartments that will soon be built." (Eater Atlanta). So I guess this is news of potential announcements of potential progress for a potential project to break ground sometime in the future. So there's that.

Things are slow here, just trying to fill space.

[Zanarkand A East]

Originally Posted by Terminus

Ignore this rendering. It's hopelessly outdated. The Downtown DRC and the City worked with them to come up with a much better plan. I have it as a PDF but can't post it. If somebody messages me I'll mail it to them to post. It is, after all, now public record.

Here's a video interview with the developers of this project:

http://eastatlanta.patch.com/articles/ol...erting-to-student-housing#video-12456689

[ChrisInmanPark]

Some great new articles on the future of the Beltline and development in the Old Fourth ward.

What's next for the Beltline?

http://clatl.com/atlanta/whats-next-beltline/Content?oid=7029752&bt

Development in the O4W. I was very surprised that one of the new apartment projects would be 20% affordable housing. Does that necessarily mean Section 8? I know they did that in Atlantic Station and it did not turn out so well.

http://clatl.com/atlanta/atlantas-eastside-comes-alive/Content?oid=7029770

[bigstick]

Looks like a crane raising at 77-12th..

http://oxblue.com/open/brasfieldgorrie/7712thstreet

[Zanarkand A East]

Originally Posted by bigstick

Looks like a crane raising at 77-12th..

http://oxblue.com/open/brasfieldgorrie/7712thstreet

I work in 1180 Peachtree, and it's exciting to see this building go up. I hope they replace the apartments just north of it with another apartment tower too.

No parking lots in Midtown!

[simms3_redux]

^^^Selig just bought the apartments north of the tower, probably with far-out plans to partner with someone to do something there, but probably nothing too immediate. I think you may be referring to the beige "apartment" looking buildings to the west/southwest of this tower between 11th and 12th. Those, unfornately, were built unbelievably as it is as condos.

I read the CL article, which mentions that Perennial's Somerset Terrace 228-unit development is breaking ground in 2-3 weeks. Wow...though that's Christmas time, so I imagine more dirt moving work will be done later next year. I think we'll see a real turnaround in progress on all these apartments come January/February, exactly as the Novare Skyhouse timeline this past year.

[pdpmishap]

Originally Posted by ATLaffinity

I don't see how Bobby Berk survives. It's completely redundant with Room & Board. Is Ligne Roset a franchise? Why wouldn't they go to the Westside where other high end shops are?

I'd like to think Midtown is at critical mass but then I see Viewpoint basically has zero occupancy of the retail spaces. That hair place and, I forget... a cellular shop?

There was a crew today tearing down the plywood covering the retail space next to the Starbucks on 7th. It's actually a pretty good sized space. They uncovered the space on the other side as well. Either they've actually leased something or they're just finishing the entrances to make it easier to lease out. They also stripped the Viewpoint Sales Office/Main St. Parking awning.

[simms3_redux]

^^^I think there is relatively new ownership or a new leasing team for Viewpoint and that momentum is there (thought I heard something), so a lease may have actually been signed.

I also notived that building it rapidly underway for Cafe Intermezzo at 11th and Peachtree. I'm sure R.O.C. is in no hurry being a soft goods retailer, just needs to open by late spring to begin building momentum for their next fall/Holiday shopping season.

La Tagliatella has a "Now Hiring" sign out front and may open by the end of December. Buildout looks crazy inside.

[bigstick]

They have really jacked the crane up at 77-12th.........Just curious why they have gone so high with only 6 more floors to go, they are now doing the other crane as we speak....

http://oxblue.com/open/brasfieldgorrie/7712thstreet

[briantech]

Drove by 17th street today and looks like they are putting that metal wavey sidewalk overhang that provides zero shade or rain cover back up. You know, the one that completely fell off onto the interstate.

Maybe they'll bolt it on better this time ...

[Zanarkand A East]

Non-binding terms approved for new Falcons stadium deal

Timeline for new Falcons stadium

[Zanarkand A East]

Originally Posted by simms3_redux

^^^Selig just bought the apartments north of the tower, probably with far-out plans to partner with someone to do something there, but probably nothing too immediate. I think you may be referring to the beige "apartment" looking buildings to the west/southwest of this tower between 11th and 12th. Those, unfornately, were built unbelievably as it is as condos.

The ones you're referring to are Peachtree Walk, but I meant the ones between 12th and 14th along Crescent, near Tin Lizzy's. I hope Selig does something HUGE in that space, if that's the one that you're saying they bought.

Skyscrapers. Skyscrapers EVERYWHERE

[Zanarkand A East]

Just received by email:

Dear [Falcons Fan],

Earlier today, the Georgia World Congress Center Authority (GWCCA) Board approved a term sheet for the proposed new stadium on the GWCC campus. This is an important step toward reaching a final agreement, which we anticipate will occur in 2013.

A new stadium in Atlanta is important to the Falcons for a number of reasons: It will allow us to provide a league-competitive game day experience to our fans, and it will help the team remain competitive on the field over a long period of time. In addition, it puts into place a long-term solution following the expiration of our lease at the Georgia Dome.

But this new stadium is not just about the Falcons. It will be an iconic asset owned by the state that will provide economic benefits to our city, region and state. During the construction phase alone, the new stadium will add more than 4,500 new jobs to the state’s economy and generate more than $400 million in total economic impact, including more than $160 million in personal income.

In addition, a new stadium allows the city and state to remain competitive with other venues across the country in areas such as attracting new convention business, retaining events currently held in the Georgia Dome, hosting new marquee events in the future, and possibly adding Major League Soccer to Atlanta’s professional sports team mix.

All of these opportunities provide significant positive economic impacts for Georgia. For example, four of the Dome’s largest annual events – the SEC Championship Game, Chick-fil-A Bowl, Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game and Bank of America Football Classic – generate a combined annual economic impact of more than $100 million. And hosting marquee events such as a Super Bowl, World Cup and BCS Football Championship Game would have a combined potential to generate more than $450 million in economic impact.

The proposed financial arrangement for the new stadium is also beneficial to the state. Unlike the Georgia Dome, which was financed 100 percent with public money, the Falcons have agreed to fund about two-thirds of the cost of construction, as well as any cost overruns, with private dollars. In addition, the Falcons will take on the operating and capital risks that the state currently bears at the Georgia Dome. We are willing to do these things to ensure a great game day experience for our fans, and to be part of providing new opportunities to the city and state.

The public funding for the remaining one-third of the stadium construction costs will be covered by the existing hotel-motel tax, which is largely paid by visitors, not local residents. So, unless a Georgia resident stays in a hotel in the city of Atlanta or certain other parts of Fulton County, he or she will pay nothing in taxes to build the new stadium.

We are encouraged by today’s vote, and will continue to work in partnership with the GWCCA to reach a final agreement that is beneficial to all stakeholders, including the neighborhoods surrounding the new stadium. You can stay informed regarding our progress by visiting atlantafalcons.com and clicking on the link to the new stadium site.

We will strive to keep you informed of our progress along the way. Thank you for your support this season, and best wishes for a happy holiday season.

Sincerely,


Arthur M. Blank
Owner & Chairman
Atlanta Falcons

[echinatl]

Demolition has started at the Downtown Ramada Inn which will be converted to dorms. By the time the entire project is completed we'll have about 700+ more students living downtown.
They've also gutted the old souvenir store by Centennial park to be converted to the largest Waffle House.

[micropundit]

Westside Provisions District in a press release Monday announced plans to add 14,000-square-feet of retail space, plus a handful of other physical changes to the district coming in 2013.

The expansion will include major additions and changes to the North End of the district, the area that includes Star Provisions, Jonathan Adler and Taqueria del Sol, according to the release:

1.Approximately 14,000 square feet of additional retail space off Howell Mill Road.
2.Mezzanine spaces and outdoor areas.
3.95 new parking spaces.
4.A newly graded and paved parking lot.
5.Improved driveway aprons.
6.Improved exterior lighting in the North End parking lot.



http://www.whatnowatlanta.com/2012/12/10...o-add-14000-square-feet-of-retail-space/

[Zanarkand A East]

Blank: Seat licenses are part of stadium plan

"There will be some component of PSLs,” Blank said in an interview at his Buckhead office shortly after the Georgia World Congress Center Authority board approved a nonbinding agreement on the framework of a stadium deal. “We’re going to try to keep that to the lowest possible number we can that’s feasible. It will not be in the range of some of the newer stadiums that you have heard and read about."

[jpk1292000]

As a Falcons' fan, I couldn't be less excited about this new stadium. That's also because I'm an urbanist. The $1 billion spent on the new stadium won't make the city more walkable. It won't improve transit. Nor will it decrease traffic congestion. I just imagine what $1 billion spent on other infrastructure projects in the metro area would do to improve the quality of life and wonder what's so wrong with the Georgia Dome that the city needs to stop everything and get this project lined up ASAP.

Of course, I understand the economics of why they're doing it. The Georgia Dome is fine, but big, shiny, fancy new digs are better. At least it's being built downtown and not in the suburbs, but still.

Yawn.

[Zanarkand A East]

Originally Posted by jpk1292000

As a Falcons' fan, I couldn't be less excited about this new stadium. That's also because I'm an urbanist. The $1 billion spent on the new stadium won't make the city more walkable. It won't improve transit. Nor will it decrease traffic congestion. I just imagine what $1 billion spent on other infrastructure projects in the metro area would do to improve the quality of life and wonder what's so wrong with the Georgia Dome that the city needs to stop everything and get this project lined up ASAP.

Of course, I understand the economics of why they're doing it. The Georgia Dome is fine, but big, shiny, fancy new digs are better. At least it's being built downtown and not in the suburbs, but still.

Yawn.

There are infrastructure projects planned along with this stadium plan, but we can each judge the details of that for ourselves when a deal is actually struck between GWCCA and the Falcons early next year. The city and state are moving quickly on this deal because the new stadium will create 4,000+ jobs, drive tourism with a new venue (with rent payments by the Falcons that could fund GWCC redevelopments), possibly bring a Major League Soccer team and Superbowl to Atlanta, and a private owner is covering 70% of the cost. The other 30% will be covered by the existing hotel/motel tax on visitors, so this a ironically a great deal for Atlantans, the Falcons, the city, and the state. By comparison, the Georgia Dome was funded 100% by taxes, albeit at a lower overall cost. There are other possible uses for tax revenue slated for tourism, but spending $300 million and getting a $1 billion facility is hard for Georgia to pass up. The Georgia Dome lease ends in 2017, and starting the process for a new stadium 3 years ago means there will be a new deal and venue in place by then. Sorry if that doesn't excite you , but many of us are extremely excited about this

[Kenn]

Hi All:

I'm a native Atlantan currently residing in LA. I visit Atlanta at least once a year and was just in town over the Thanksgiving Holiday. Random observations:

- Atlantic Station was bustling. The new line up of local stores and restaurants - albeit a still too small percentage of the total tenant base - is starting to give the area a bit of flavor. Dilliard's was packed. The salesperson who helped me said sales are up four years in a row. He also said they own the building outright and are pleased with the stores progress.
- If you look at an arial of Peachtree Circle/I-85/Brookwood and Atlantic Station there is very little distance over 85 and then 75 for MARTA to connect first Brookwood at the Amtrak station and then AS. The spur could sprout off right from the existing bridge over 85. Or, I believe MARTA has already built a spur from the current tunnel pointing right toward Brookwood which was put in place when the system was originally under construction and there was still hope of running a line up 75 to Cobb. These two stations would first re-connect Peachtree where it was sliced off from Midtown and Downtown and then, more important, connect the increasingly important islands of AS and the Westside. MARTA needs to build more tiny spurs to spots where people want to go - and increasingly already are - and stop with the "outward and onward" nonsense which does nothing but stretch the already thin trunk lines. The belt line is brilliant in this regard and I think the streetcar will be a pleasant, successful surprise.
- There doesn't seem to be any progress on the streetcar. And poor Auburn is really in need of a does of adrenaline too. The area has nothing in terms of retail or dining.
- Otherwise all of the intown neighborhoods I drove through looked to be fully leased up except for a spot or two. The one boarded up hell hole of an exception is Viewpoint which resembles a post riot corpse. Can't they at least co-ordinate the window coverings? How is it that this one building has never been able to attract any lasting retail and restaurants in an otherwise bustling area?
- The Midtown Alliance has done a superb job over the years. Each time I return the streetscapes are more extensive and more beautiful. Most cities never change. The streetscapes are basically done and finished and usually reflect the dehumanizing all steel and concrete look 60s and 70s.
- Downtown looked good too though the profusion of fast food joints is pretty depressing. It didn't seem like there was any retail to speak of.
- Inman Park, particularly around Highland, is starting to coalesce into a nice, dense walkable area. I don't understand what the objection is to the new Elizabeth St infill development. The proposal looks great - more residents and more street life which is exactly what Atlanta should be encouraging.

Can't wait till my next trip. Maybe then Cafe Intermezzo will be open and I can actually sit outside and watch the city go by! Atlanta's getting more urban and urbane though we still need more and better infill developments and better transit connections. Still, compared to most cities the energy and pace of change is pretty darn good.

[bigstick]

Originally Posted by Kenn

Hi All:

I'm a native Atlantan currently residing in LA. I visit Atlanta at least once a year and was just in town over the Thanksgiving Holiday. Random observations:

- Atlantic Station was bustling. The new line up of local stores and restaurants - albeit a still too small percentage of the total tenant base - is starting to give the area a bit of flavor. Dilliard's was packed. The salesperson who helped me said sales are up four years in a row. He also said they own the building outright and are pleased with the stores progress.
- If you look at an arial of Peachtree Circle/I-85/Brookwood and Atlantic Station there is very little distance over 85 and then 75 for MARTA to connect first Brookwood at the Amtrak station and then AS. The spur could sprout off right from the existing bridge over 85. Or, I believe MARTA has already built a spur from the current tunnel pointing right toward Brookwood which was put in place when the system was originally under construction and there was still hope of running a line up 75 to Cobb. These two stations would first re-connect Peachtree where it was sliced off from Midtown and Downtown and then, more important, connect the increasingly important islands of AS and the Westside. MARTA needs to build more tiny spurs to spots where people want to go - and increasingly already are - and stop with the "outward and onward" nonsense which does nothing but stretch the already thin trunk lines. The belt line is brilliant in this regard and I think the streetcar will be a pleasant, successful surprise.
- There doesn't seem to be any progress on the streetcar. And poor Auburn is really in need of a does of adrenaline too. The area has nothing in terms of retail or dining.
- Otherwise all of the intown neighborhoods I drove through looked to be fully leased up except for a spot or two. The one boarded up hell hole of an exception is Viewpoint which resembles a post riot corpse. Can't they at least co-ordinate the window coverings? How is it that this one building has never been able to attract any lasting retail and restaurants in an otherwise bustling area?
- The Midtown Alliance has done a superb job over the years. Each time I return the streetscapes are more extensive and more beautiful. Most cities never change. The streetscapes are basically done and finished and usually reflect the dehumanizing all steel and concrete look 60s and 70s.
- Downtown looked good too though the profusion of fast food joints is pretty depressing. It didn't seem like there was any retail to speak of.
- Inman Park, particularly around Highland, is starting to coalesce into a nice, dense walkable area. I don't understand what the objection is to the new Elizabeth St infill development. The proposal looks great - more residents and more street life which is exactly what Atlanta should be encouraging.

Can't wait till my next trip. Maybe then Cafe Intermezzo will be open and I can actually sit outside and watch the city go by! Atlanta's getting more urban and urbane though we still need more and better infill developments and better transit connections. Still, compared to most cities the energy and pace of change is pretty darn good.

Great to hear that from an outsiders point of view. I absolutely agree with everything you said, well written.