If You Want Input on the new Underground Development - Attend Tonight's Downtown Meeting (Atlanta: 2015, apartment)

[LynnHarris]

When a South Carolina developer announced it was buying Underground Atlanta, the city's albatross and ode to the city's original streets, its plans for a grocery store were applauded. But that store is just one part of 12-acre development that, once complete, will define the heart of Downtown for at least a generation.

On Thursday night, a group of civic activists, wonks, and residents will gather to discuss the importance of the site..."

Full Story: Want the revamped Underground Atlanta to make the city proud? Come to South Downtown on Thursday night | Atlanta News & Opinion Blog | Fresh Loaf | Creative Loafing Atlanta

[afdinatl]

You think they should get rid of Kenny Alley?

I think it could be a good bar district once the rest of the development is complete

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by afdinatl

You think they should get rid of Kenny Alley?

I think it could be a good bar district once the rest of the development is complete

Name will have to change and it will need massive updates.

[JPD]

Originally Posted by cqholt

Name will have to change.

Why?

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by JPD

Why?

Stigma against it. Perception about being a dangerous place and crime.

[atlguy19]

I think they should not even give it a name just re-do the whole thing and make it part of the downtown fabric.

[Ha-Mez]

I went to the meeting. The two gentlemen who led the meeting were both very nice and very passionate about Atlanta and South Downtown.

A few key notes-

South Downtown has just 500 residents and the occupancy rate is actually very high. There's just not a lot of residential in the area, which is dominated by government buildings, boutiques that close in the early evening, and parking lots.

WRS, the South Carolina-based builders of the property, were not able to send a representative to the meeting. Apparently, WRS were the only building company to submit a bid to buy Underground. WRS' other projects are mostly suburban-style strip malls with everybody's favorite retailer, Wal-Mart. It's puzzling to me and others as to why this particular firm is so interested in Underground.

Check out the org's website, southdowntown.org, and fill out their survey. This could go a long way to helping redefine the historic neighborhood.

P.S. The lonely 1-block walk up Peachtree Street from MLK to Five Points Station after the meeting tonight was terrifying. It's completely empty.

[afdinatl]

Sounds like a waste of a meeting. Yeah the area between UA and Garnett doesn't have many residents. You are right it has a built up demand because I was looking at this apartment in that area and the lady at the complex said they have always been at capacity. Thing is it is plenty of parking lots here that can be transformed into highriises. I work in that area and I have a window at my desk so it have to look at this area daily. All this area needs is about 15 new apartment high-rises. Hopefully by the time UA is redeveloped Midtown will be built out and the next cool area will be this area
.

[Gulch]

Originally Posted by afdinatl

Sounds like a waste of a meeting. Yeah the area between UA and Garnett doesn't have many residents. You are right it has a built up demand because I was looking at this apartment in that area and the lady at the complex said they have always been at capacity. Thing is it is plenty of parking lots here that can be transformed into highriises. I work in that area and I have a window at my desk so it have to look at this area daily. All this area needs is about 15 new apartment high-rises. Hopefully by the time UA is redeveloped Midtown will be built out and the next cool area will be this area
.

Part of the problem is that a lot of the parking lot owners in the area are waiting for a enormous payday for their properties, particularly around the Garnett MARTA station.

[JPD]

Originally Posted by cqholt

Stigma against it. Perception about being a dangerous place and crime.

Are you referring to just Kenny's Alley, or Underground as a whole? It's hard to tell in the context of your original comment and the quote you were responding to. I don't see any reason why they'd need to change the name of Kenny's Alley, but I agree this new complex should not be called Underground Atlanta.