Why hasn't the apartment boom hit downtown? (Atlanta, Auburn: insurance, houses)

[ATLTJL]

You could provide a $100,000 check to every single resident of metro Atlanta and some people would find a reason to claim it is racist.

That, more than anything else, is what is inhibiting progress in this city.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by cwkimbro

That is a strong accusation. Especially given that our freeways were built similar to many other cities across the U.S. Were you and your family even from here at the time?

I agree with your post, cw, and have said much the same thing myself.

However, it is well documented in contemporaneous materials that the freeways were (in part) utilized as racial barriers.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by ATLTJL

You could provide a $100,000 check to every single resident of metro Atlanta and some people would find a reason to claim it is racist.

Of course it would have racial implications. Do all those rich people up in Forsyth and Milton need a $100,000 check as much as less fortunate residents in other parts of the city? And if they got one, are they going to put it to work in the community or just throw it into their already gigantic hoppers?

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by arjay57

Of course it would have racial implications. Do all those rich people up in Forsyth and Milton need a $100,000 check as much as less fortunate residents in other parts of the city? And if they got one, are they going to put it to work in the community or just throw it into their already gigantic hoppers?

That sounds classist to me, not racist. The two terms are not the same, and equating the two is part of the problem.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by rcsteiner

That sounds classist to me, not racist. The two terms are not the same, and equating the two is part of the problem.

Well, there is truth in that, rc, but there have been persistent correlates between race and economic status. That's not the case everywhere but it is some parts of Atlanta.

[ATLTJL]

See, you can't even treat every single person exactly the same without someone piping in feeling discriminated against for not getting preferential treatment.

I hope that is sarcasm because if it isn't, that's a truly messed up view of the world.

[CollegeStudentinAtl]

I been trying to find an apartment in the downtown area but no luck. They don't necessarily advertise the apartments/lofts over there. You either have to know the owner of the buildings or be on a waiting list. Or either trying to be a condo buyer & I am not. I would like to be in the heart of downtown. West Midtown is getting a little pricey now days for a decent modern floor plan apartment. My rent was going to be an astronomical amount if I had renewed. Midtown is getting even higher.

I don't know why people treat Downtown as such. Its a quick train ride/walk/bicycle to Midtown. You can get all the offerings of Midtown without the Midtown Price. So i Never understood that notation that it lacks amenities and such. You literally 5 minutes from everything. And Midtown Traffic is bad everyday during rush hour. West Peachtree, Peachtree, Spring, North Avenue are literally parking lots during rush hour commute.

I do have to agree with the homeless being a problem but they never bother me so.......

[aries4118]

Originally Posted by arjay57

....

However, it is well documented in contemporaneous materials that the freeways were (in part) utilized as racial barriers.

Exactly. Though they were not always placed due to racial barriers, some actually were.


Well stated, arjay. And cqholt was right to a certain point.


I-20 on the southwest, in particular, was placed in its location to appease the whites of Southwest Atlanta/Westview/West End and prevent blacks from moving in.

It didn't work, ultimately (for a variety of reasons).

[ATLTJL]

I'd like to see some sort of proof about that.

And I don't mean some editorial written by a 23 year old in Creative Loafing.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by ATLTJL

I'd like to see some sort of proof about that.

And I don't mean some editorial written by a 23 year old in Creative Loafing.

Oh, TJL, you know me well enough to know I don't pop off with nonsense that isn't backed up with the facts.

The use of highways to separate black and white residential communities was common all over the country, in cities from Boston to Los Angeles. It happened here, too, though it was certainly not just a southern phenomenon.

There are many primary sources but you can get a good overview from The Separate City: Black Communities in the Urban South, 1940-1968 by Professors Chris Silver and John Moeser. See pp. 136-44, for instance.