DOT Releases MMPT Designs (Atlanta: tenants, construction, buses)

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by tikigod311

Wondering, when this is built, are the platforms and tracks going to be in a tunnel or will this essentially be at ground level? Guessing ground level due to the conflict with the existing E-W MARTA tunnel. Anyone know how the tracks will come into the MMPT? Seems like those are some awfully busy rail lines they would not have excess capacity for these trains.

My guess is that there will be shared track for the southside line to Lovejoy since there is more space south of the MMPT. Once they expand north, it seems like the will have to do at least a short tunnel to Ivan Allen north of the GWCC.

The commuter tracks would most likely be below the existing E-W MARTA line, that runs at ground level. The pedestrian entrance would be a street level, viaducts.

[Nanosolar]

Originally Posted by cwkimbro

So rather than look down on the concept pictures from the POV of how they are drawn....

Lets think about how it looks on ground level.

Does it integrate into the city and seem lively or will it be a behemoth building people just enter and exit through?

Is it better to have a covered open air ceiling 4 or 5 stories high in the central walkway to MARTA/potential for future greenline plan?

or is it better than it be open air, but a street that is characterized by the MMPT on both sides?

Exactly, I don't like the second one because of the tubes connecting the two sides. That reminds me to much of parts of downtown that are dead to street traffic.

This facility should encourage pedestrian traffic (hopefully there will be hotels, apartments, and condos around it - and not as much office space).

Worst case scenario is that this thing is just some HUGE building like the GA World Congress Center and adds nothing to the surrounding area.

[cqholt]

Plan B is the only one that does not have a super block design, eg: GWCC. The grand blvd opens the building up and allows pedestrian movement from Five Points to Philips Arena. Ground level retail could encourage pedestrian use, the tubes provide quick access between the sides without waiting to cross the street.

[BroadStJudge]

Originally Posted by cqholt

Plan B is the only one that does not have a super block design, eg: GWCC. The grand blvd opens the building up and allows pedestrian movement from Five Points to Philips Arena. Ground level retail could encourage pedestrian use, the tubes provide quick access between the sides without waiting to cross the street.

According to the architects last night at the meeting, the tubes are to allow the buses to travel easily from building to building, not pedestrians. There will be 80 (yes, 80) bus bays, all above street level, in addition to multi-level parking decks.

[StAubin]

Originally Posted by cqholt

Plan B is the only one that does not have a super block design, eg: GWCC. The grand blvd opens the building up and allows pedestrian movement from Five Points to Philips Arena. Ground level retail could encourage pedestrian use, the tubes provide quick access between the sides without waiting to cross the street.

Plan A and C both allow pedestrain movement from Philips to Five points, it's just interior rather than exterior. However the planned Alabama and Wall street extension would be pedestrian freindly and lined with retail.

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by StAubin

Plan A and C both allow pedestrain movement from Philips to Five points, it's just interior rather than exterior. However the planned Alabama and Wall street extension would be pedestrian freindly and lined with retail.

Feel like putting more people on the street will keep the area safer and encourage small ground level retail.

[tikigod311]

IMO, concept b is the best design to transform the area. A long pedestrian / streetcar only corridor, Alabama St, lined with shops and restaurants would do wonders for the area. There should be a ton of business already there with all those government buildings in the immediate area.

This will make for a nearly direct connection b/t underground, CNN center/GWCC/ Dome/ Phillips, and indirectly centennial park and the tourist zone. This will create a tourist/pedestrian friendly zone, a semi linear path that would connect everything a visitor to downtown atlanta would want to see. It is freaking BRILLIANT! This will fix the unnecessary blight that is the 5 points area.


CQ, I may have misunderstood you, but MARTA is in a tunnel west of 5 points less a small open cut section.

[StAubin]

All of the designs are pedestrian friendly and have street leval retail.

[waronxmas]

Originally Posted by StAubin

I was dissapionted with the parking taking up prime space in the station, at least they did a good job hiding it.

This bugs me too for one very big reason: Who's actually going to use it?

Residents of the surrounding area can just either walk or take MARTA to the Station. Residents from the rest of the City can take the train, or park at their local station if they are further out. Commuters and out of town users would not have their car with them. Sooooo employees perhaps? If, why so much parking?

[onemanarmy]

Originally Posted by waronxmas

This bugs me too for one very big reason: Who's actually going to use it?

Residents of the surrounding area can just either walk or take MARTA to the Station. Residents from the rest of the City can take the train, or park at their local station if they are further out. Commuters and out of town users would not have their car with them. Sooooo employees perhaps? If, why so much parking?

I'm assuming this space would be critical for events at Philips Arena and the Dome, also I think if they made it closer to Castleberry Hills it could be huge boom for that neighborhood, since parking there is musical chairs.