Why Midtown Atlanta is much better off then Downtown Atlanta (Marietta: 2014, condo)

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by cwkimbro

Well sort of, but it depends alot on what you do with the setback and is the setback is consistent

A nice tree lined area or a 5-10 wide lawn does alot to add character in many cities.

I had a friend that lived Lincoln Park in Chicago for awhile. It was a charming little street, but the buildings all had a small set back, small lawns, and tree cover over the sidewalk and front entrances.

Many other places also have outdoor cafe eating areas.

I often prefer places with small setbacks, compared to being a wall right on the sidewalk, but the key is it needs to be organized and cohesive to its purpose and function.

I quite agree. It's not necessary to create a stark wall of building fronts in order to have a walkable environment. Look at 6th Ave, for instance.

Plazas and setbacks can be very nice additions to an urban environment if they are well done. I do agree that it's important to create a relatively uniform and well-defined edge to the pedestrian space. But it isn't mandatory to do that with a wall of buildings.

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by cqholt

Why are so many people ready to give up on Downtown? Its the historical center of the region, its where everything started. No downtown, no Terminus, no Atlanta, no suburbs.

Marietta (1834) predates Atlanta (1845). Even Marthasville (1843) and Terminus (1837).

Atlanta should be the suburb.

[cwkimbro]

Originally Posted by rcsteiner

Marietta (1834) predates Atlanta (1845). Even Marthasville (1843) and Terminus (1837).

Atlanta should be the suburb.

Decatur was first as settlers grew from the coast/savannah.

They actually were the existing town before the rail junction and had the opportunity to get in their town and become what Atlanta would become.

They turned it down fearing the growth and traffic it would lead to.

Of course back then everything is small. We are talking about a few hundred people.

And Atlanta is the surburb! It is a good thing we got that east line to connect Atlanta to Decatur

[JoeTarheel]

Originally Posted by cqholt

Why are so many people ready to give up on Downtown? Its the historical center of the region, its where everything started. No downtown, no Terminus, no Atlanta, no suburbs.

I totally agree...I love downtown Atlanta. It could be better of course, but in it's current state it is the most urban/walkable/transit-friendly area of the city and (IMO) the most interesting and historic. Most people that bad-mouth downtown have no idea what is or isn't there.

[Ant131531]

Originally Posted by JoeTarheel

I totally agree...I love downtown Atlanta. It could be better of course, but in it's current state it is the most urban/walkable/transit-friendly area of the city and (IMO) the most interesting and historic. Most people that bad-mouth downtown have no idea what is or isn't there.

A bunch of hoodrats soliciting for no reason whatsoever, especially surrounding the Five points and Woodruff Park area.

Get rid of at least decrease this element, add some mixed used in those areas, refine the area between Alabama St. and MLK drive on Peachtree, open a grocery store in that area, and bam....Downtown will be on fire.

But i disagree, atm, Midtown is the most walkable area in the city simply because it is more livable, more dense, has more mixed used, 1st story retail and continues to be built up. Midtown is what downtown should have been, except more dense and more historical in character.

[smb90]

To me, there is no reason to give up on downtown, and yes, I'm familiar that NYC, DC, and Chicago have areas that aren't lively after hours as well. But there are some parts of downtown that aren't even lively during the day! We'll unless you want to include the bums that are down in that area walking around, then I guess it could be lively in another sense. Not to mention 5 points has got to be the most ratchet, hood place I've seen, and this is saying something from someone who's spent time in DC. That McDonalds in front of the train station on Marietta St was terrible, that place with the Burger King and Popeyes had me in shock on how nasty and just overall how hood it just felt in there, not to mention the stores over there just make you ask really?? Except for the sneaker stores..need those lol. But really, a payless, rainbow, shops people can get grills(didn't even know people still wore those), and that other "mall" where u can get fake jordan, and the real funny one, New York Fashions lol, really, no one is NY is wearing that sh**..its just a TOTAL waste!!! Average people don't even want to go there lol. Seems like Marietta St is the dividing line too. But, I mean there are some buildings there that are just stunning and its a shame to see them in that state. I'd venture to say about 70% or more of this city has got to be suburban, and one of the few areas that can support TRUE urban living, isn't being utilized in that fashion. So really, the rest of the city ARE our dead areas. Honestly, I think a great downtown would be awesome in accompanying midtown. Especially since they're easily accessible to each other by MARTA. But I really think one day, if we can get the right leadership, downtown all the way down to even where the greyhound station, can be filled with cafes, trendy bars, and restaurants, trendy boutiques and sneaker shops, clubs in the underground that are actually worth going to, maybe a Wet Willies and a Fat Tuesday around, more businesses that cater to college students, and further into the future, imagine a flagship apple store either just above the underground on that strip, or replacing one of those ratchet clothing stores on peachtree between the train station and MLK, a flagship H&M, Urban Outfitters, replace Metro PCS with Verizon, Boost with AT&T, well yall get the drift. It can easily be one of the trendiest neighborhoods in the SE, all with midtown to go with it, and all the nice, leafy, suburban neighborhoods throughout the city. If we can get this going, Atlanta could truly, compete with the other Big dogs in the country IMO. And before anyone brings up race, I'm black myself, and 99.99% of my black associates and friends would completely agree with me, and would all frequent the area as I would. And before anyone says its not possible, look at 125th in Harlem, U Street in DC, and even Times Square. 125th used to be a warzone worse than anything Atlanta could dream of less than 20 years ago, and today, its still improving, but now, you have cafes near it, starbucks, H&M, Magic Johnson Theaters, a gym, and brownstones in the area soar well into the millions.

[Ant131531]

So I got around 6 rep points just for my comment regarding whites being in political power again to improve the city core....That' the most rep points I ever got for a comment. I even said it in a terrible way, yet it seems many people agree with me on it.

Guess that just shows you're truly in the south.

[smb90]

I for one, am proud that Atlanta has had it's leadership, especially that many people hold so many negative stereotypes against us. I think anyone can get this done, but I believe that we almost need a Guliani type of thing going..not as extreme though, but honestly, the homeless situation and the crime is what is really holding the city back. But I feel that type of leadership will really help improve many things about the place. I'm not really an advocate for moving the poor out of the city or giving the homeless a one way bus ticket out but, people really have a genuine fear of that area, and tourists and conventioneers do go to the underground and 5 points, and to any leader, THEY SHOULD BE EMBARRASSED that that is considered the center of a major city!!! Many out of towners who come here think that Atlanta is just a rundown, dirty, crime infested city when in reality it isn't. I just had family come in town and they wanted to go down there and I told them don't, you'd be truly disappointed. The jail needs to stop being a revolving door for many people, and maybe they need to start more programs to help the homeless and maybe build more shelters and start actually PUNISHING the panhandlers. Yes every city will have panhandlers, I realize that, but Atlanta seems to be worse than other cities. Leaders here also need to realize that there needs to be a major crackdown on the crime in the area and other areas too and need to try and beef security up, and offer incentives business owners, investors, and developers to come into the area once they've done that and in the long run, they will definitely benefit from the tax revenue. We just need the right type of leader regardless of race.

[AnsleyPark]

Originally Posted by Ant131531

So I got around 6 rep points just for my comment regarding whites being in political power again to improve the city core....That' the most rep points I ever got for a comment. I even said it in a terrible way, yet it seems many people agree with me on it.

Guess that just shows you're truly in the south.

Seriously? And you're proud of this?

[Onthemove2014]

Originally Posted by AnsleyPark

Seriously? And you're proud of this?

I think he agrees with your context. Try re-reading his post as I doubt he was bragging.