Possible New Metro Atlanta Cities? (Sandy Springs, Marietta: real estate, house, subdivisions)

[GF72]

Originally Posted by DeaconJ

The current population of Atlanta is 519,000.

Census Bureau says 442,887 here, which is the fact sheet from 2006.

The 2007 estimate, shown here, is 519,145.

Then over here, on the full 2007 sheet, they show Atlanta at 432,511.

This leads me to believe that... none of these values are probably correct.

[JPD]

Originally Posted by BringBackCobain

Also, does anyone know the status on Tucker incorporation? I have not heard anything or a while.

The status is that it's been a topic of discussion and study for several years, mainly by the Tucker Civic Association. There was a preliminary feasability study which basically said "the boundaries of a City of Tucker must include Northlake Mall and the surrounding businesses/hotels, or it will probably not generate enough tax revenue to operate as a city".

To my knowledge, there is no formal effort in Tucker with the stated goal of becoming an incorporated city.

I get the feeling that, if it were an option, more Tucker residents would favor becoming a township than a city. Unfortunately, townships do not exist in Georgia (yet).

[aries4118]

Originally Posted by BringBackCobain

Although I totally agree that Sandy Springs, Druid Hills, Briarcliff, Brookhaven should be in Atlanta, the suburbanites living in those areas would not pass a referendum to join the city of Atlanta. The city still has a bad reputation with suburbanites as being ghetto, poor, and incompetent, even worse now due to the financial crisis. They also would probably not want to be in the APSchool system. Things have not changed too much since the 70's - in 1972 Atlanta tried to annex Sandy Springs and 95% voted "no". IF Atlanta gets its financials in order and continues to diversify, it could improve its reputation and perhaps those residents would allow annexation.

On Buckhead, it wont happen. But what those people need to realize is that if Buckhead adds a few more condo towers, it will control a huge weight in terms of mayoral elections. If they don't like the way things are going in Atlanta, they need to vote a mayor they approve of! Someone needs to start a "Vote, Buckhead!" campaign.

Also, does anyone know the status on Tucker incorporation? I have not heard anything or a while.

I know...and that's so unfortunate!

[DeaconJ]

Originally Posted by GF72

Census Bureau says 442,887 here, which is the fact sheet from 2006.

The 2007 estimate, shown here, is 519,145.

Then over here, on the full 2007 sheet, they show Atlanta at 432,511.

This leads me to believe that... none of these values are probably correct.

I don't think that an estimate is usually published if there isn't something to support it. The 519,000 figure is widely accepted as LAST YEAR'S Atlanta population, and living in Atlanta it's easy to believe that the city has grown at least that much. Whatever though...Buckhead isn't going to become its own city - that idea is in the past.

[GF72]

Originally Posted by DeaconJ

I don't think that an estimate is usually published if there isn't something to support it. The 519,000 figure is widely accepted as LAST YEAR'S Atlanta population, and living in Atlanta it's easy to believe that the city has grown at least that much. Whatever though...Buckhead isn't going to become its own city - that idea is in the past.

Well, the estimates can be challenged, because they are estimates, there's a public link on that Census Page. The fact sheets are actually based on people collecting data. But either way, whatever. Surely by official 2010 Census Atlanta will be far beyond 500k.

[DeaconJ]

Who would challenge a HIGHER number? Like I said, whatever...the population of Atlanta as far as I'm concerned and most everyone you might ask is 519,000.

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by GF72

Personally, I think the whole metro should be within Atlanta city limits, which would be spread across a couple of counties. Central Fulton and Dekalb would be the central county, the northern suburbs would be another, the western suburbs another, the eastern suburbs another, and the southern suburbs another, and beyond that they can keep it the way it is. And the city itself could just be split into districts that correspond with the current locations (Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, Perimeter, Alpharetta, Marietta, Cumberland, etc.).

Obviously, that's not going to happen, but that's what a normal metro is like...

That what some normal metros are like.

I agree that there can be some advantages to having the suburbs all be incorporated cities so they have a certain amount of local autonomy (that works very well in the Twin Cities, a metro area of 3.5 million, and the taxes up there are not that dissimilar to taxes here).

However, putting everything in one basket makes me pause, especially given the City of Atlanta's recent history of having a government which can't seem to do a number of things correctly.

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by GF72

Smyrna, Power Springs, Mableton (which would become a city) would be expanded and fill up all of South Cobb.

Don't forget Austell. As far as I'm concerned they can keep their current boundaries.

[GF72]

Originally Posted by rcsteiner

Don't forget Austell. As far as I'm concerned they can keep their current boundaries.

Yeah, I did forget Austell. I even a had a lingering feeling I was forgetting something when I typed that post....

[neil0311]

Originally Posted by rcsteiner

However, putting everything in one basket makes me pause, especially given the City of Atlanta's recent history of having a government which can't seem to do a number of things correctly.

Agreed and runs counter to the concept of home rule. Frankly, if I wanted to live inside the city limits of Atlanta, I would have moved there. Why do people insist on pushing this feel good concept of a mega-urban area? There are many reasons that I would not want to join the City of Atlanta, with the quality of schools and higher taxes being just a couple.

The suburbs are not evil, and people choose to move there for a reason. No one forces you to move to the suburbs. Cities like Sandy Springs and Dunwoody are created because people want more local control, not less.