High Rises in East Point? (Sandy Springs, Union City: hotels, college, camp)

[mattee01]

Just curious on when or if you think we'll see them. Being relatively close to the airport, and having easy access to 285 and 85, as well as several bus routes seems like it would have caused more of an upward boom, yet the development has been the typical sprawl. I've considered the air traffic to be a reason, but at the same time air planes appear smaller than half an inch until you're getting into college park city limits. Me personally, I think it'd be pretty cool if MARTA planned a line that branched off at East Point station and went to Camp Creek Market Place, Union City, and Fairburn and then maybe with some TOD planning, the soutside could have its own version of what we see along the East Cobb and Sandy Springs areas of 285.

[Atlwarrior]

You are right I suspect the airport may be the reason. Sometimes when airplanes do a go around when missing a landing approach, they sometimes might a sharp turn toward East point to land again.

[Ant131531]

Why would someone want to build urban developments in East Point? That's far away from the urban core...Developers would much rather develop in already established urban areas such as Midtown, West Midtown, or Buckhead.

[emcee squared]

I don't think we'll ever see them. As Ant said, there are many better locations that are more connected.

[mattee01]

Originally Posted by Ant131531

Why would someone want to build urban developments in East Point? That's far away from the urban core...Developers would much rather develop in already established urban areas such as Midtown, West Midtown, or Buckhead.

If you were following that logic then there should be high rises in mechanicville, towards and past langford pkwy, surrounding fort mcpherson and college park, and then going outside the perimeter in riverdale.

[mattee01]

Originally Posted by emcee squared

I don't think we'll ever see them. As Ant said, there are many better locations that are more connected.

But consider that it is cheaper to develop here and you are closest to the airport and you have a lot more options for where. And how to develop as well as many different transportation options (camp creek, 285, 85, langford pkwy, marta or marta rail)

[JoeTarheel]

Originally Posted by Ant131531

Why would someone want to build urban developments in East Point? That's far away from the urban core...Developers would much rather develop in already established urban areas such as Midtown, West Midtown, or Buckhead.

Downtown East Point is 5-10 minutes from the urban core...2nd exit south of I-20 off of I-85. Buckhead is further. And I think the point is that investing in an area like E.P. is what will establish it as an urban area. Midtown and Buckhead weren't urban when the investment began there either. I think the problem with E.P. is that it's on the Southside and it's too black for some people...and we all know that both characteristics scare investors.

Actually there are a handful of buildings with around 10 or so floors in East Point - some hotels and a couple of public housing buildings. They aren't really tall highrises but considered highrises nonetheless.

[bryantm3]

Originally Posted by Ant131531

Why would someone want to build urban developments in East Point? That's far away from the urban core...Developers would much rather develop in already established urban areas such as Midtown, West Midtown, or Buckhead.

the thing is, 30 years ago places like buckhead and dunwoody were far from 'established'. it will only be a matter of time until places like east point and college park get the same attention— but i suspect it will be quite a long time.

[mattee01]

Originally Posted by JoeTarheel

Downtown East Point is 5-10 minutes from the urban core...2nd exit south of I-20 off of I-85. Buckhead is further. And I think the point is that investing in an area like E.P. is what will establish it as an urban area. Midtown and Buckhead weren't urban when the investment began there either. I think the problem with E.P. is that it's on the Southside and it's too black for some people...and we all know that both characteristics scare investors.

Actually there are a handful of buildings with around 10 or so floors in East Point - some hotels and a couple of public housing buildings. They aren't really tall highrises but considered highrises nonetheless.

There's that and also it can be easier and quicker to get around too given the right resources. But yeah, I think the biggest issue has been that whole trash about everything south of I-20 is ghetto. Yea in a couple of spots true, but not all, and at least its not upity and overpriced like everything north of the GA dome. It'd be nice for someone to invest and give it a chance. It would be very interesting to see a south atl like buckhead with a vastly different demographic.

Originally Posted by bryantm3

the thing is, 30 years ago places like buckhead and dunwoody were far from 'established'. it will only be a matter of time until places like east point and college park get the same attention— but i suspect it will be quite a long time.

That's what people don't understand! Back before the train stations came around they looked like suburbia just like east point does now!

[Ant131531]

It just doesn't make sense. Why go back to the same silly ideas such as developing in spread out areas of the metro? Why not focus attention in areas that still have massive parking lots everywhere, especially in Midtown? Wouldn't make sense. This is where the criticism comes in about southern cities just being spread out. I'd rather all development be concentrated in areas in or immediately around the core so that a healthy core can be established....who cares about another office park in East Point. I want Midtown to become the next River North or Streeterville.