Atlantic Station-Style Development Is Possible In South DeKalb (Atlanta, Decatur: home builders, construction)

[bu2]

Originally Posted by Zanarkand A East

Bingo. Everyone underestimates the income of people in this area. A development like this would be a great success, and people that normally just zip into the city or Stonecrest (or, until recently, North DeKalb Mall) could shop here. As far as access, there's no rail, but it's right beside I-20. As an aside, there should have been a MARTA station right behind this mall decades ago, and even with the church that was build on Lloyd, there's still plenty of room for a rail station there.

Not at Candler and I-20. The relatively higher income group is closer to Stonecrest Mall. The right type of retail can thrive there, but an Atlantic Station style doesn't seem like the right type.

[SAAN]

Many of the comments over the years I have seen about S Dekalb Mall are that many wont go there because they are scared, its ghetto, or they will possibly get mugged or shot. You can replace the mall with this type of development, but the same Candler Rd and Decatur area crowd will still come to it.

S Dekalb isnt West End mall crowd bad, but I think a development like this would be better for the free space available at Stonecrest area.

[joey86]

A Glenwood Park size development, maybe. But that's not the same beast as Atlantic Station, or even Avalon, being as it will have a hotel, office buildings and a conference center.

Something with retail in the mid-range could likely work, but I doubt very many of the shops at Avalon would do well in that area.

[Mutiny77]

So basically a more town center-type version of Edgewood retail district?

[jeoff]

Originally Posted by cqholt

The reason retail like this does not get built is because of race. There are enough people with high enough earnings to support a scaled down version of this lifestyle center. I can see this area supporting a retail area the size of the Forums on Peachtree.

Originally Posted by Zanarkand A East

Bingo. Everyone underestimates the income of people in this area. A development like this would be a great success, and people that normally just zip into the city or Stonecrest (or, until recently, North DeKalb Mall) could shop here. As far as access, there's no rail, but it's right beside I-20. As an aside, there should have been a MARTA station right behind this mall decades ago, and even with the church that was build on Lloyd, there's still plenty of room for a rail station there.

Really?
I wasn't aware that North Dekalb and Stonecrest Malls were doing that well. The area surrounding the much-maligned Gwwinnet Place actually has been attracting successful investments, but it's not like something of this scale would be a slam-dunk there. But, it is "race" that is keeping a place like this from being built in South Dekalb?
The thing that bothers me the most about comments like these, is it prevents folks from looking at reality and discourages them from taking positive actions that can actually change things.

[bu2]

Originally Posted by jeoff

Really?
I wasn't aware that North Dekalb and Stonecrest Malls were doing that well. The area surrounding the much-maligned Gwwinnet Place actually has been attracting successful investments, but it's not like something of this scale would be a slam-dunk there. But, it is "race" that is keeping a place like this from being built in South Dekalb?
The thing that bothers me the most about comments like these, is it prevents folks from looking at reality and discourages them from taking positive actions that can actually change things.

North DeKalb Mall and Northlake Mall, which both sit in more affluent areas, are struggling. The Northlake strip centers seem to be doing pretty well, but not the mall.

[Clayton white guy]

I like Northlake Mall: Four middle-class department stores; numerous boutiques. Certainly is a virtual retail paradise compared to the retail desolation on Gwinnett Place to the north. I also really like the Macy's at North Dekalb (much better than Northlake in my opinion, but that a is probably because it began life as a Rich's, not a Davison's LOL). Much of the rest of North Dekalb Mall seems lackluster, but again compared to Gwinnett Place, South Dekalb Mall is a shopper's fantasy! It least all of these shopping centers still have stores! Seriously, my family makes a trip a couple of times a year to Northlake Mall specifically for its tenant mix (especially with Department Stores) from the south side. Northlake has a nice big J. C. Penny's including a full furniture department, a horrible May's (but then again the nicer Macy's at North Dekalb is just one exit down 285), a full line Sear's including a Lands End department, and one of two Mall based Khoel's in Metro-Atlanta. What is not to like. It is a one stop place. High end? Well do what the rest of us do and head uptown to Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza in Buckhead a few times a year. Most people are not searching for a "Cadillac" experience when they go to a mall; they just simply need basic necessities. Northlake more than provides for the everyday needs of the residents of North central Dekalb.

[chuckshere]

Originally Posted by bu2

North DeKalb Mall and Northlake Mall, which both sit in more affluent areas, are struggling. The Northlake strip centers seem to be doing pretty well, but not the mall.

It seems that malls, in general, are doing just fair business, unless it's a high profile destination like Lenox. People are shopping more for bargains and specialty retail (like the strip centers).

[SElove]

I would appreciate an effort close to this. I live close to this area, which is mostly middle class and I frequent StoneCrest and the many stores in the area at least once a week. I also shop at Atlantic Station, restaurants in Decatur, and 5 points. I have been to South DeKalb mall for the occasional DMV trip, but have never shopped there. From what I have seen, the shops are struggling and the shop owners look desperate for business. They need a change, we need something that is fresh and funky in that part of DeKalb. I would prefer if something was closer to home besides StoneCrest. We need someone to look at our part of town and know that we will support efforts made to make our area desirable again.

[arjay57]

Considering the affluence of South DeKalb it seems like retail would boom if the residents support local business.