Should Atlanta consider a "redo" of downtown rather than other projects? (Nashville: living in, restaurants)

[MathmanMathman]

Originally Posted by aries4118

My proposal is that Morris Brown become a public state university. A good public state university is needed in the AUC. It would attract way more students--and a wide variety of quality students. Would be great for the AUC, the students, the surrounding area, Morris Brown, the State of Georgia, the City of Atlanta, and Metro Atlanta.



Morris Brown State University

I doubt the State of Georgia wants yet another school to support. It was reluctant to start Georgia Gwinnett and the state's finances are really tight as they cut and cut the USG's budget each year. Besides, both Georgia Perimeter and Atlanta Metropolitan have been cleared to offer some 4-year degrees. I really don't see what niche Morris Brown would fill as a state university.

However...I just heard that the federal government is willing to forgive Morris Brown $10 million if they pay $500,000. That's 5 cents on the dollar. That's a great deal for MB but the taxpayer's take it on the chin for about $9.5 million. I'm worried as the federal government tries to suck up all the nation's debt.

[AnsleyPark]

Originally Posted by MathmanMathman

I doubt the State of Georgia wants yet another school to support. It was reluctant to start Georgia Gwinnett and the state's finances are really tight as they cut and cut the USG's budget each year. Besides, both Georgia Perimeter and Atlanta Metropolitan have been cleared to offer some 4-year degrees. I really don't see what niche Morris Brown would fill as a state university.

However...I just heard that the federal government is willing to forgive Morris Brown $10 million if they pay $500,000. That's 5 cents on the dollar. That's a great deal for MB but the taxpayer's take it on the chin for about $9.5 million. I'm worried as the federal government tries to suck up all the nation's debt.

Oh, heck, MM. What's a measly little ol' $9.5 million on top of $14 trillion?

[MathmanMathman]

Originally Posted by AnsleyPark

Oh, heck, MM. What's a measly little ol' $9.5 million on top of $14 trillion?

Unfortunately, that's probably how it all started. It's only a measly million here and a million there and...

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by aries4118

My proposal is that Morris Brown become a public state university. A good public state university is needed in the AUC. It would attract way more students--and a wide variety of quality students. Would be great for the AUC, the students, the surrounding area, Morris Brown, the State of Georgia, the City of Atlanta, and Metro Atlanta.

The last I heard they were down to 50 students or so, and up to their eyeballs in debt. If there's insufficient demand, what's the point in trying to maintain Morris Brown as a separate 4 year university?

Why not just fold Morris Brown into AUC as "the Morris Brown School of Public Administration" or something like that? They'd hardly be the first struggling college to merge into a larger institution and you'd still preserve the Morris Brown name.

It's not as if metro Atlanta is hurting for college opportunities. We've got something for everyone. In an era when state supported universities are already under intense pressure to cut costs, it's difficult to see the wisdom in adding another unit that has historically been a financial negative.

[mike7586]

I actually like the Green Line Plan. It's modern and clean looking and it does have a big focus on GSU. It also calls for renovating Five Points into a plaza and renovating Underground. To me, Five Points and Underground are the key to turning Downtown completely around. The rest of it is fine, but that area does not look good and is wasted potential.

Also, they are re-doing the streetscape along Marietta Street from Park Ave to Peachtree Street. It should look a lot better when it's all done. My biggest streetscape issue is the Peachtree Street bridge over the Connector - it needs to be done like the 5th Street bridge... Peachtree is our signature street... it should look like it.

[K-SawDude]

Originally Posted by mike7586

I actually like the Green Line Plan. It's modern and clean looking and it does have a big focus on GSU. It also calls for renovating Five Points into a plaza and renovating Underground. To me, Five Points and Underground are the key to turning Downtown completely around. The rest of it is fine, but that area does not look good and is wasted potential.

Also, they are re-doing the streetscape along Marietta Street from Park Ave to Peachtree Street. It should look a lot better when it's all done. My biggest streetscape issue is the Peachtree Street bridge over the Connector - it needs to be done like the 5th Street bridge... Peachtree is our signature street... it should look like it.

Why not have . . . actual peach trees!!!

Seriously, though, I do think Atlanta would do well to integrate more of the peach branding into some of the streetscapes. Didn't Peachtree back in the day actually have real peach trees? When did they all disappear (and why?)

[aries4118]

Originally Posted by arjay57

The last I heard they were down to 50 students or so, and up to their eyeballs in debt. If there's insufficient demand, what's the point in trying to maintain Morris Brown as a separate 4 year university?

Why not just fold Morris Brown into AUC as "the Morris Brown School of Public Administration" or something like that? They'd hardly be the first struggling college to merge into a larger institution and you'd still preserve the Morris Brown name.

It's not as if metro Atlanta is hurting for college opportunities. We've got something for everyone. In an era when state supported universities are already under intense pressure to cut costs, it's difficult to see the wisdom in adding another unit that has historically been a financial negative.

Think outside the box, Brother Arjay.

[aries4118]

Originally Posted by MathmanMathman

I doubt the State of Georgia wants yet another school to support. It was reluctant to start Georgia Gwinnett and the state's finances are really tight as they cut and cut the USG's budget each year. Besides, both Georgia Perimeter and Atlanta Metropolitan have been cleared to offer some 4-year degrees. I really don't see what niche Morris Brown would fill as a state university.

However...I just heard that the federal government is willing to forgive Morris Brown $10 million if they pay $500,000. That's 5 cents on the dollar. That's a great deal for MB but the taxpayer's take it on the chin for about $9.5 million. I'm worried as the federal government tries to suck up all the nation's debt.

True about state finances, but...

down the road, it could be a possibility and possible scenario.


Dare to dream/think outside the box...

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by aries4118

Think outside the box, Brother Arjay.

That's what I'm doing. To me the "box" is trying to keep doing what Morris Brown has been unsuccessfully trying to do for the last 30 years. When you do something that long and it doesn't work, it's usually time to move in a different direction.

And if you cast off the blinders, that new direction is often quite positive. We're loaded up on four year state universities, and the Board of Regents has been pouring a fortune into two of them just a few blocks away.

I see Morris Brown's future moving in a different direction. Keep what's best about the traditions of the past, but build for the new century.

[afonega1]

Originally Posted by MathmanMathman

I think the AUC, like GSU, should be pursuing their own self-interest. The hope being that it will positively affect the surroundings. The only weakness in the AUC is Morris Brown. They seem to be adding to the problem as they are unaccredited and can't even keep up their own campus. They should either merge with CAU or close down and sell off.

The AUC

To be eligible for membership in the AUC Consortium, an college or university must be regionally accredited, maintain tax-exempt status, and pay a membership assessment.

Morris Brown has not been a member since 2002