next hot spot for dense urban development (high rises, apartments, parks)

[ericsonga]

Originally Posted by bryantm3

historic art deco building to be replaced with a post-modern space tube:

Google Maps

historic row of buildings to be replaced with a "mixed-use development":

Google Maps

these are the only two examples i can find— it looks like they are keeping a lot more stuff than what i thought.

but what i think needs to be done, should be in the character of historic structures in atlanta— not postmodern sci-fi movie style architecture, and not "phony historic".

Well, I did know about the old Atlanta Constitution building. As much as I would love to have the building restored, I'm afraid that it is just too far gone. From my understand it's been abandoned for something near 30 years. As far as the row of buildings you linked, I could be wrong, but I don't think those are getting the wrecking ball. I do, however, believe that Alabama street will be opened up to traffic again.

[bryantm3]

Originally Posted by ericsonga

Well, I did know about the old Atlanta Constitution building. As much as I would love to have the building restored, I'm afraid that it is just too far gone. From my understand it's been abandoned for something near 30 years. As far as the row of buildings you linked, I could be wrong, but I don't think those are getting the wrecking ball. I do, however, believe that Alabama street will be opened up to traffic again.

nothing is too far gone— architecture before the late 60s and 70s, going all the way back to the 1700s is solid, not this plywood and fiberglass stuff that's going up now. the core of the building is still there and nothing's going to change that. it won't be easy; it will need to be completely gutted but there's still hope for it.

as for alabama street being opened back up again, that's a good thing. they kind of shut down the area rather than making people want to walk around it, since there's no parking nearby besides that awful deck.

like i said before, i like the idea. it's still better than what's there now. but it needs to reflect the history of downtown atlanta, not buckhead.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by bryantm3

nothing is too far gone— architecture before the late 60s and 70s...

As much as I love old buildings, I don't think the Atlanta Constitution building is that big a deal. It's not like it was the historic home of the newspaper -- as I recall they were only located there for a few years.

[ericsonga]

Originally Posted by arjay57

As much as I love old buildings, I don't think the Atlanta Constitution building is that big a deal. It's not like it was the historic home of the newspaper -- as I recall they were only located there for a few years.

It is significant that it is one of a handful of art moderne buildings built in Atlanta. It could possibly be the only one left, however don't quote me on that.

[K-SawDude]

Originally Posted by bryantm3

k-saw— it belongs to the city. they are planning to build an amtrak station there to replace the one at brookwood.

High-speed rail funding would build new $39 million Amtrak station near Atlantic Station | Atlanta News & Opinion Blog | Fresh Loaf | Creative Loafing Atlanta

i couldn't tell you off the bat who owns the other half of the lot.

I think, if I'm reading the maps correctly, that the city owns the purple part of the lot. I'm pretty sure the western side of the plot is private, as there's a sign up with a phone number that I pass by most days. Perhaps that's one of the drawbacks of that plot? That is, not knowing what the city may do with the other half?

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by ericsonga

It is significant that it is one of a handful of art moderne buildings built in Atlanta. It could possibly be the only one left, however don't quote me on that.

Well, I should clarify. I like the building and if there's a way to redevelop it that would be nice. However, it was only in use a short time and has been abandoned far longer than it was ever occupied. So to me it has never seemed like a part of the city's history, except as an empty hulk.

[bryantm3]

Originally Posted by arjay57

Well, I should clarify. I like the building and if there's a way to redevelop it that would be nice. However, it was only in use a short time and has been abandoned far longer than it was ever occupied. So to me it has never seemed like a part of the city's history, except as an empty hulk.

yes, this is true. it's almost like it was built as an abandoned building.

I think, if I'm reading the maps correctly, that the city owns the purple part of the lot. I'm pretty sure the western side of the plot is private, as there's a sign up with a phone number that I pass by most days. Perhaps that's one of the drawbacks of that plot? That is, not knowing what the city may do with the other half?

i would think so, but one of the major drawbacks is that the lot is divided in two— the plan the blog presented to build some kind of a campus there wouldn't be possible unless the city sold that half of the lot.