ATLANTA | Development Thread V

[cabasse]

that is pretty gorgeous. all of these contemporary-modern styled projects are really going to help bring midtown's mostly po-mo skyline into the current century. bring it on!

[Zanarkand A East]

Not a skyscraper, but the Citgo on 14th and Atlantic seems to be under redevelopment. That used to be the best free parking near Moe's BBQ and Better Half, but there's probably a market for another gas station closer to Atlantic Station like this.

Also, I think the Greystar project will be a great way to obscure the hideous Center for Puppetry Arts, especially knowing the amazing design they voted against:

[boomtown]

Originally Posted by testarossa50

That's a truly splendid project that would unlock a whole new underdeveloped part of Midtown. Really hope it moves forward.

The scale of this seems really nice for that part of midtown. All these midrises are adding up to a nice urban fabric. Can't wait to see all this come together.
When all the cranes are up, Atlanta growth is going to really start getting attention. Great time to be in this town....um, I mean CITY!

[jpk1292000]

Originally Posted by Zanarkand A East

Not a skyscraper, but the Citgo on 14th and Atlantic seems to be under redevelopment. That used to be the best free parking near Moe's BBQ and Better Half, but there's probably a market for another gas station closer to Atlantic Station like this.

Also, I think the Greystar project will be a great way to obscure the hideous Center for Puppetry Arts, especially knowing the amazing design they voted against:

Awful that they voted against that amazing design.

[daharris80]

Originally Posted by jpk1292000

Awful that they voted against that amazing design.

This is completely conjecture but comparing the scope of that design v. what is being built it may be the costs were a factor in the decision.

[bigstick]

Amazing how fast the new Falcons complex has risen.

[RocketSurgeon]

Originally Posted by daharris80

This is completely conjecture but comparing the scope of that design v. what is being built it may be the costs were a factor in the decision.

Yes... I'm always amazed when people make such scathing comments about projects without considering that. They make it sound like anything that isn't earth-shattering is utter shit and amazing designs don't cost any more than average ones. If only the real world worked like that

[bryantm3]

Originally Posted by RocketSurgeon

Yes... I'm always amazed when people make such scathing comments about projects without considering that. They make it sound like anything that isn't earth-shattering is utter shit and amazing designs don't cost any more than average ones. If only the real world worked like that

i understand the current project was cheaper, but that blank wall shouldn't have made it by the DRC.

[shivtim]

Originally Posted by daharris80

This is completely conjecture but comparing the scope of that design v. what is being built it may be the costs were a factor in the decision.

It was more than three times the cost of the final design. Also, it's still under construction - let's wait to see the final project. I'm really excited for this huge cultural addition to the city.

[arctk2014]

Originally Posted by shivtim

It was more than three times the cost of the final design. Also, it's still under construction - let's wait to see the final project. I'm really excited for this huge cultural addition to the city.

The cost could have been offset by a greater attraction to the center's mission/presence in the city (not to mention the Recession through a wrench with those original ambtions).....but it's worth noting the architect who ended up donig the current job is a major contributor (they were listed as a donor/supporter before "winning" the addition's design) to the Center for Puppetry Arts rather than Freelon's compelling proposal for the Center's long-term presence on 17th/Spring Streets. It's a little too convenient to point out cost....

[TarHeelJ]

Originally Posted by bryantm3

i understand the current project was cheaper, but that blank wall shouldn't have made it by the DRC.

Aren't those windows along that front wall? They look small compared to size of the building, but it doesn't look like a blank wall to me.

[RocketSurgeon]

Originally Posted by arctk2014

The cost could have been offset by a greater attraction to the center's mission/presence in the city

What's your source for that?

[arctk2014]

Originally Posted by RocketSurgeon

What's your source for that?

Source for what? Was mostly commenting on how the current addition was a missed opportunity for the center to really make a statement about expanding it's mission as a community asset. But it doesn't even address the street/public realm.

http://www.puppet.org/about/who.shtml


http://www.puppet.org/architecture.shtml

The 3 finalist teams (not in any specific order)
1- Collins Cooper Carusi/Freelon/thinkwell
2 - Smallwood Reynolds Stewart Stewart/Rockwell Group/Goode Van Slyke
3- 3. tvsdesign


Freelon was solicited to compete in this design competition (ca 2009) but the "winning" entry for the design wasn't even publicized....it was sorta "cancelled" (Perhaps due to the Recession or as some have posted before by speculation due to the high costs) But those sources were never really revealed in any earlier posts either.

At least with the Center for Civil and Human Rights they retained the winning/ original design team to redesign for a scaled-back venue (with potential for respective additions as funds permit).

[Newnan_Eric]

Originally Posted by arctk2014

Source for what? Was mostly commenting on how the current addition was a missed opportunity for the center to really make a statement about expanding it's mission as a community asset. But it doesn't even address the street/public realm.

http://www.puppet.org/about/who.shtml


http://www.puppet.org/architecture.shtml

The 3 finalist teams (not in any specific order)
1- Collins Cooper Carusi/Freelon/thinkwell
2 - Smallwood Reynolds Stewart Stewart/Rockwell Group/Goode Van Slyke
3- 3. tvsdesign


Freelon was solicited to compete in this design competition (ca 2009) but the "winning" entry for the design wasn't even publicized....it was sorta "cancelled" (Perhaps due to the Recession or as some have posted before by speculation due to the high costs) But those sources were never really revealed in any earlier posts either.

At least with the Center for Civil and Human Rights they retained the winning/ original design team to redesign for a scaled-back venue (with potential for respective additions as funds permit).

I get that you are dissappointed, but I think you underestimate the situation.

The Center for Puppetry Arts operates on a shoe-string budget. You can wish they upheald their "duty" to create a more significant contribution to the city, but they just don't have that kind of scratch. Nor do they have the ability to raise those kind of funds.

As it is, it will still be a phenomenal addition to the city to have the Jim Henson collection on display. There are good people working to a lot with very little at CfPA and they should be commended for their efforts.

[ChasAl]

I see the point and kind of agree that it was a missed opportunity. The new building could have been a pretty cool event space. The Center could have opened up this different stream of revenue to offset some of the additional costs. The other plan looks like it had a cool rooftop space and windows with some nice views of the city. Look at so may other attractions, the Aquarium, COF, The High, The Botanical Gardens, etc., they host parties, weddings, corporate events that are an additional source of revenue on top of their core attraction. Maybe the design being built will have some of these things, but I can say that I would rather attend an event at the place in the design that wasn't chosen

[GeorgiaPeanuts]

The former Sprint Store at viewpoint is now covered up with advertisements, wonder if they starting build out of something internally. There is a permit filed for it 08/13 refers to it as Sprint Store - Suite A

Also a land development permit was filed for the Phase A of Tyler Perry's new studio at Fort Madea.

[arctk2014]

Originally Posted by Newnan_Eric

I get that you are dissappointed, but I think you underestimate the situation.

The Center for Puppetry Arts operates on a shoe-string budget. You can wish they upheald their "duty" to create a more significant contribution to the city, but they just don't have that kind of scratch. Nor do they have the ability to raise those kind of funds.

As it is, it will still be a phenomenal addition to the city to have the Jim Henson collection on display. There are good people working to a lot with very little at CfPA and they should be commended for their efforts.

Don't let my disappointment downplay the excitement for the expansion of Jim Henson's collection finally getting the space it needs. This is GREAT for Atlanta to host it but given the presence of a strong business community/donor community in Atlanta there is an ability to raise those kinds of funds as well. If Peachtree-Pine can have an "anonymous donor" pay off their $600,000 water bill there are means and methods to raise the capital funds for this attraction. There wasn't even a billboard up (that I can recall since living here) on their site trying to solicit money with the image of an expansion for the future. Sometimes it's all about how you can market yourself as a community asset.

Second of all...why have a design competition if they couldn't afford it? They sought it out in 2009 because they had grand visions for a great place to expand .... and part of that mission is on their own website. There are plenty of ways to increase revenue - (here's to looking at that "free" parking lot they refused to build on). To assume that they were banking on free parking to get people there is already a lost cause in the grand scheme of things considering Midtown's only going to get more dense and parking is going to have to be paid everywhere.

Someone else pointed out exactly what a cultural institution could supply as additional revenue sources - citing other places like the aquarium, Center for Civil and Human Rights, etc. The current expansion just blocked what little windows their current event space had.

[Verge]

Originally Posted by RocketSurgeon

Yes... I'm always amazed when people make such scathing comments about projects without considering that. They make it sound like anything that isn't earth-shattering is utter shit and amazing designs don't cost any more than average ones. If only the real world worked like that

Good design does not have to cost more-- and can be done on any budget (Though larger budgets are generally less challenging)-- So there are NO excuses. The city and those that live in it will have to live with the buildings being built today for at least the next 30-50 years, maybe much longer--
Architecture is a public art--

[Verge]

Originally Posted by Newnan_Eric

I get that you are dissappointed, but I think you underestimate the situation.

The Center for Puppetry Arts operates on a shoe-string budget. You can wish they upheald their "duty" to create a more significant contribution to the city, but they just don't have that kind of scratch. Nor do they have the ability to raise those kind of funds.

As it is, it will still be a phenomenal addition to the city to have the Jim Henson collection on display. There are good people working to a lot with very little at CfPA and they should be commended for their efforts.

The current addition was paid for by the Henson Family--

[TarHeelJ]

Originally Posted by arctk2014

Don't let my disappointment downplay the excitement for the expansion of Jim Henson's collection finally getting the space it needs. This is GREAT for Atlanta to host it but given the presence of a strong business community/donor community in Atlanta there is an ability to raise those kinds of funds as well. If Peachtree-Pine can have an "anonymous donor" pay off their $600,000 water bill there are means and methods to raise the capital funds for this attraction. There wasn't even a billboard up (that I can recall since living here) on their site trying to solicit money with the image of an expansion for the future. Sometimes it's all about how you can market yourself as a community asset.

Second of all...why have a design competition if they couldn't afford it? They sought it out in 2009 because they had grand visions for a great place to expand .... and part of that mission is on their own website. There are plenty of ways to increase revenue - (here's to looking at that "free" parking lot they refused to build on). To assume that they were banking on free parking to get people there is already a lost cause in the grand scheme of things considering Midtown's only going to get more dense and parking is going to have to be paid everywhere.

Someone else pointed out exactly what a cultural institution could supply as additional revenue sources - citing other places like the aquarium, Center for Civil and Human Rights, etc. The current expansion just blocked what little windows their current event space had.

I don't have any idea how much they advertised it, but the CfPA raised $14 million for expansion and renovation with the "Believe in Make Believe" campaign. http://www.puppet.org/believeinmakebelieve/index.shtml

I probably need to see it finished before I would complain about it. Is it definite that this expansion is poor design? Some people are acting like it is.