Quote:
Originally Posted by Kh9142
I've lived on the backside of Spire for three years and walked through the area at all hours of the night-- I've never seen them either.
The new development will definitely increase the foot traffic in the area, which is a great thing. I wonder how quickly the block with Ecco and the Daiquiri Factory will be redeveloped? It needs it!
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I've lived 1 block away from you for about 4 years, and unfortunately they are there. The northeastern corner of Cypress and 8th (cell tower lot) is ground zero for this. Like another poster has said, they are generally there at night and in the warmer months. With that said, they have become less and less of an occurrence over the past couple years.
A couple years ago, it would be more common to see them wander as far south as 6th street opposite of Cypress St. Pint 'n Plate. I never see that anymore though. They used to be out in larger numbers too, and when they had numbers, they did not always keep to themselves. I've often walked with women down this path and they would get catcalled even when I was walking with them (almost led to an altercation one time).
I think the biggest reason for the improvement has been the development of Alta Midtown. Previously, the corner that I am calling ground zero, was a complete dead zone. With a cell tower on the northeast corner, parking garage wall for Peachtree Lofts on the northwest corner, a blank wall for the FDA building on the southwest corner, and finally the previously surface lot on the southeast corner (now Alta Midtown), it was easy for this type of activity to continue, despite several stings/arrests by APD/Midtown Blue.
This just goes to show the importance of active use in urban design. As they say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
"Ground Zero" on street view:
https://www.google.com/maps/@33.7795379,...7H9xAQKY0um-GPtt6o4PQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656