WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO (those Atlanta ideas that never happen...) (condos, crime)
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This is most definitely NOT true. Homeland Security has been the hold-up, for sure. But Watershed Management, the City Council, and Mayor Reed all have the power to make this happen. I urge everyone reading this thread to go here and "like" this page, which contains pics and tons of info on the Waterworks Park efforts: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Atlan...77646932282622
And while I have folks' attention, would anyone here be willing to email your councilmember and/or Mayor Reed to request that the fences around the waterworks be moved to open up the surrounding park space? You can contact Mayor Reed at mayorreed AT atlantaga.gov or at his campaign page (Contact Us | Kasim Reed for Mayor)
This is the time to do it, as 2013 is an election year. And elected officials are surprisingly much more receptive when they remember that we, you know, vote.
A short message will do just fine. Some folks in the know have told me that the more the public speaks up on this particular issue, the more quickly it will happen. In fact, I'd argue that this is THE easiest project to do on the entire list in the OP of this thread, since the park space already exists. The problem is that there's a darn fence all around it!
Some talking points (if you need them):
Historically, the Waterworks was *intended* to have publicly accessible greenspace all around it. We're talking about a 100 years ago. (Atlanta Water Works) It was open until the 1996 Olympics, when federal security concerns over the water supply forced the city to put up (ugly) fences all around the reservoirs. As far as I know, the east reservoir isn't even treated or intended to be used as a water supply. There's no reason that the fences couldn't be moved in closer, as other cities have done (e.g. NYC central park, which is probably a much bigger security hazard than Atlanta).
With all the talk of budget tightening, why on earth aren't we jumping on the chance to restore an already existing park? It's probably the most cost-efficient parks project the city has in front of it at the moment.
So please, just to reinterate to all of us fine City-Data folks: please send a short message to Reed and your council members on this one. It's a project we can actually make happen if we show there's citizen demand for it.
This is most definitely NOT true. Homeland Security has been the hold-up, for sure. But Watershed Management, the City Council, and Mayor Reed all have the power to make this happen.
Thanks, K-Saw, I'm glad to hear that. I remember you and I talking about this a couple of years ago and you mentioned that Homeland Security was going to be involved. I later asked a guy I know at DWM about it and he said, yeah, the fences would have to stay put because of security concerns.
However, he wasn't personally involved in the details and I think he was probably just giving an off the cuff opinion.
So I am pleased to know that the park is still alive and well.
What ever happened to the Atlanta Casino at Underground? Thank God this neverhappened.
What ever happened to the Mandarin Oriental? Bought the Mansion on Peachtree
What ever happened to the Cultural Museum at Centennial Park? Civil Rights Museum?
Thanks for the updates.
As for the Casino idea, I kind of liked the IDEA of a Casino in Atlanta, BUT only if it were a REAL Casino. Not that no gaming, lotto only crap they were talking about.
As for the Mandarin. Did not know they purchased the Mansion instead. I feel like that's tragic that they gave up on the proposed skyscraper that was going to go up in Midtown. Sure it's nice having a Mandarin, but I would have much rather had BOTH.
As for the Cultural Museum, NO I do not mean the Civil Rights Museum. I'm going to look for an article, but I remember there was a proposed museum to be dedicated to CULTURE. Not Civil Rights. It was proposed to be next to where the NASCAR museum was proposed to be (nex to the Tabernacle).
Quote:
Originally Posted by arjay57
The GLG Grand and the Mayfair Towers have been open for years.
Thanks for your answers.
As for the GLG Park and Mayfair... I think you've misunderstood the "Whatever happened" part.
THIS was the proposed design for GLG Park and Mayfair Towers... (Notice Bank of America Plaza to the right).
THIS most definitely has NOT been completed.
Quote:
Originally Posted by aries4118
Disney Theme Park?
College Sports and SEC Museum?
Cultural Museum? (Though I do vaguely remember something about Southern History/Cultural Museum, I think. African-American as well.)
Observation Deck Tower near AtStat?
Thanks for your input.
As for the Disney Park. Back in the early 2000s, Disney purchased a chunk of land somewhere near Atlanta. I want to say either Douglas County or Henry County. Something like 3K acres. No idea what they did with it or what happened to the idea, but the idea was to build some sort of park. NOT a Mickey Mouse style Disney theme park. I think it was supposed to be something Southern/Br'er Rabbit style.
As for the College Sports museum, that was proposed back when Atlanta was bidding for the NASCAR museum. I THINK it may still be in the works. I also heard that the same idea was to be an SEC Sports specific museum (although Atlanta is home to no SEC team, only the SEC Championship. GA Tech hasn't been SEC in decades).
That's what I remember hearing also. NOT that it was supposed to be an African-American cultural museum, but a SOUTHERN Cultural Museum. THEN I remember hearing that it was supposed to be dedicated to exploring world cultures.
The Observation deck tower was proposed back before the Olympics actually. I remember some developer wanted to construct a Seattle style Observation tower somewhere in Atlanta by the time the Olympics arrived. It wasn't til they broke ground for Atlantic Station that I heard the idea mentioned again, but it sure did pop up again. Someone wanted to build a tower in Atlantic Station with an observation deck.
Quote:
Originally Posted by aries4118
And there are several other things.
Off the top of my head...
GeoNova
Gone With The Wind Theme Park
Giant Spiritual Hands Reaching Towards the Sky
Making Former Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium into a true park with field intact
More complete One Atlantic Center and Promenande (other towers)
Soapstone Ridge into a major conservation area
Thanks for your input. I'm glad you brought those up.
I vaguely remember the GeoNova idea. Well, MAYBE. I'm remembering an idea that I saw in either the newspaper or Creative Loafing talking about a proposed (SOMETHING) that was supposed to be shaped like a LARGE globe that glowed at night and stood in the middle of a man-made water feature. Was that the GeoNova project?
I DO remember the Gone With The Wind Park idea. Any idea what happened to that?
Never heard of the Giant Spiritual Hands, but I DO think something like that would have been awesome
I've always said they should have turned AFCS into a large park instead of a dumb parking lot. Way to perserve history... Just park your car right on top of it where it'll be forgotten.
Quote:
Originally Posted by SEAandATL
Atlanta Center Tower and CNN Turner Tower? I've never heard of those ideas. Are they supposed to be observation towers like Tokyo Sky Tree or CN Tower (Toronto)? I also haven't heard of the observation tower in Atlantic Station idea, but that would be cool.
Atlanta Center was supposed to be a SUPER TALL tower. Was proposed to be something crazy high, like 2,000 ft tall. And I think it was supposed to be near where SunTrust Plaza stands.
CNN Turner Tower was supposed to be at 55 Marietta Street. But the project was cancelled. No idea why. I have to assume money.
Thanks, K-Saw, I'm glad to hear that. I remember you and I talking about this a couple of years ago and you mentioned that Homeland Security was going to be involved. I later asked a guy I know at DWM about it and he said, yeah, the fences would have to stay put because of security concerns.
However, he wasn't personally involved in the details and I think he was probably just giving an off the cuff opinion.
So I am pleased to know that the park is still alive and well.
Ya know, as nice as a park at the Water Works would be, I personally feel a bit safer with the fence and without nut jobs getting too close to the water supply. Perhaps I'm a bit paranoid in my advanced age...
This is most definitely NOT true. Homeland Security has been the hold-up, for sure. But Watershed Management, the City Council, and Mayor Reed all have the power to make this happen. I urge everyone reading this thread to go here and "like" this page, which contains pics and tons of info on the Waterworks Park efforts: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Atlan...77646932282622
And while I have folks' attention, would anyone here be willing to email your councilmember and/or Mayor Reed to request that the fences around the waterworks be moved to open up the surrounding park space? You can contact Mayor Reed at mayorreed AT atlantaga.gov or at his campaign page (Contact Us | Kasim Reed for Mayor)
This is the time to do it, as 2013 is an election year. And elected officials are surprisingly much more receptive when they remember that we, you know, vote.
A short message will do just fine. Some folks in the know have told me that the more the public speaks up on this particular issue, the more quickly it will happen. In fact, I'd argue that this is THE easiest project to do on the entire list in the OP of this thread, since the park space already exists. The problem is that there's a darn fence all around it!
Some talking points (if you need them):
Historically, the Waterworks was *intended* to have publicly accessible greenspace all around it. We're talking about a 100 years ago. (Atlanta Water Works) It was open until the 1996 Olympics, when federal security concerns over the water supply forced the city to put up (ugly) fences all around the reservoirs. As far as I know, the east reservoir isn't even treated or intended to be used as a water supply. There's no reason that the fences couldn't be moved in closer, as other cities have done (e.g. NYC central park, which is probably a much bigger security hazard than Atlanta).
With all the talk of budget tightening, why on earth aren't we jumping on the chance to restore an already existing park? It's probably the most cost-efficient parks project the city has in front of it at the moment.
So please, just to reinterate to all of us fine City-Data folks: please send a short message to Reed and your council members on this one. It's a project we can actually make happen if we show there's citizen demand for it.
GREAT INPUT.
So, it WAS supposed to be a park. And YEAH!!! How come they don't just move the fences further in so we can use the greenspace? Great post
As for the GLG Park and Mayfair... I think you've misunderstood the "Whatever happened" part.
THIS was the proposed design for GLG Park and Mayfair Towers... (Notice Bank of America Plaza to the right).
THIS most definitely has NOT been completed.
Oh, I did misunderstand you. I don't believe any of the stuff in that rendering was ever built.
Gullstedt did build the Grand but I think that was as far as he got in Atlanta.
Ya know, as nice as a park at the Water Works would be, I personally feel a bit safer with the fence and without nut jobs getting too close to the water supply. Perhaps I'm a bit paranoid in my advanced age...
I don't disagree necessarily with having a fence. But a couple of thoughts:
(1) There's really no reason to have the fence so far out and away from the reservoirs. If it's truly about protecting the water supply, that could be done with fences much closer in. And why not have *nicer* fencing, like iron wrought gate? Again, Central Park and other city parks in the country manage to do this. So I don't see why we can't.
(2) I need to get confirmation on this, but I've seen it reported before that the east reservoir isn't even used for drinking water anymore. If so, then no fence is necessary for that one. It would be awesome to have a small lake/pond feature there with a skyline view. It would really spur development and density in the area as well, especially around Northside.
Thanks, K-Saw, I'm glad to hear that. I remember you and I talking about this a couple of years ago and you mentioned that Homeland Security was going to be involved. I later asked a guy I know at DWM about it and he said, yeah, the fences would have to stay put because of security concerns.
However, he wasn't personally involved in the details and I think he was probably just giving an off the cuff opinion.
So I am pleased to know that the park is still alive and well.
You probably heard correctly, Arjay. Some of the Beltline folks told me that Watershed is definitely the hold up here, but only because of recent tradition of upholding a Homeland Security policy that isn't necessarily a mandate. (Or, there may be a way to uphold that security concern while still opening up the park space, as outlined in my last post in this thread.) My understanding is that if the City Council and Mayor Reed want this to happen, they can work with Watershed management to make it happen.
Does anyone here have Yolanda Adrean as their councilperson? She's been the most vocal about supporting this project, and it would help immensely if you all could write her and Mayor Reed a short note to support the Waterworks Park: Yolanda Adrean - City Council - District 8
So, it WAS supposed to be a park. And YEAH!!! How come they don't just move the fences further in so we can use the greenspace? Great post
Show me the petition! I'm ready to sign!!!
A petition is a good idea. I'll probably create one later next month. In the meantime, please do send the mayor and/or your councilperson a short note saying you want to see the waterworks park. The Beltline folks said letters and calls would be our strongest approach right now.
A petition is a good idea. I'll probably create one later next month. In the meantime, please do send the mayor and/or your councilperson a short note saying you want to see the waterworks park. The Beltline folks said letters and calls would be our strongest approach right now.
Do you have a specific e-mail address? Or a specific link pointing me in the right direction?
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