Sprawl to meet its limit in Atlanta (Roswell, Dunwoody: hotel, shopping center)

[LovinDecatur]

Originally Posted by GF72

Where is Dunwoody going to develop such a thing? Around the intersection of Chamblee Dunwoody and Mount Vernon? That's strip mall central, just dressed up in brick... I don't see Dunwoody, East Cobb, or Johns Creek ever developing anything of the sort.

Sandy Springs is possible, they certainly have the capability it will just take a while.

Yes, I think that Dunwoody Village could be converted to a more pedestrian friendly area with relative ease...probably more so than Sandy Springs or Chamblee.

[GF72]

Originally Posted by LovinDecatur

Yes, I think that Dunwoody Village could be converted to a more pedestrian friendly area with relative ease...probably more so than Sandy Springs or Chamblee.

Well, it's just a bunch of strip malls, so I don't think anyone is going to, and secondly, where would these pedestrians come from? Dunwoody is clear that it doesn't want multi-family housing, and everyone lives in houses.... so they'd get in there cars, drive to this new town center area (of course you'll need a big parking lot for them), and... oh wait I'm describing the strip mall that it already is. I'm in the Dunwoody area a lot, during daytime it's just high-traffic car central. It's not the type of community that would support a Smyrna-style town center project in anyway. If they put multi-family housing on the site, and revamp the whole layout of the buildings, THEN I could see it happening.

Sandy Springs at least has ridiculous traffic flowing through the city, especially through the Roswell Rd. Corridor, and all throughout the Roswell Road area there is actually office space and businesses. I honestly do not see the Dunwoody Village becoming a tower center any more than I see the East Cobb Roswell Rd. and Johnson Ferry intersection.

[LovinDecatur]

Originally Posted by GF72

Well, it's just a bunch of strip malls, so I don't think anyone is going to, and secondly, where would these pedestrians come from? Dunwoody is clear that it doesn't want multi-family housing, and everyone lives in houses.... so they'd get in there cars, drive to this new town center area (of course you'll need a big parking lot for them), and... oh wait I'm describing the strip mall that it already is. I'm in the Dunwoody area a lot, during daytime it's just high-traffic car central. It's not the type of community that would support a Smyrna-style town center project in anyway. If they put multi-family housing on the site, and revamp the whole layout of the buildings, THEN I could see it happening.

Sandy Springs at least has ridiculous traffic flowing through the city, especially through the Roswell Rd. Corridor, and all throughout the Roswell Road area there is actually office space and businesses. I honestly do not see the Dunwoody Village becoming a tower center any more than I see the East Cobb Roswell Rd. and Johnson Ferry intersection.

There are actually quite a few neighborhoods that are an easy walk to the Village (when I lived in The Branches I did it all the time), and plenty of existing multi-family development to draw on from Ashford Parkway. And no, I'm not talking about introducing 'tower' development there (that wouldn't fly anyway) but extrapolating on what's already there. I can also see the possibility of some denser residential development in and around the Village. It would just take a little vision and a good master plan. I could envision something akin to the town center of Mountain Brook, AL; that to me is a great balance of pedestrian and car traffic.

[GF72]

Exactly, it would take some denser residential buildings on site (wasn't talking about towers lol) and a master plan and Dunwoody just won't do that.

Ashford Parkway apartments aren't exactly a huge population and from my experience the people that live there would much rather go to Perimeter Mall area which is basically the same distance the other direction. Dunwoody Village is basically a grocery store complex, the area is too suburban for it to go anywhere with medium-density population living right there.

[cmtiger]

Most of the higher end intown neighborhoods (VaHigh, Decatur, Candler Park/Lake Claire, Morningside) have actually had dramatic increases in home values this quarter. I would be very nervous if I lived in the burbs.. particularly the far out burbs.

[spacelord75]

Originally Posted by GF72

Well, it's just a bunch of strip malls, so I don't think anyone is going to, and secondly, where would these pedestrians come from? Dunwoody is clear that it doesn't want multi-family housing, and everyone lives in houses.... so they'd get in there cars, drive to this new town center area (of course you'll need a big parking lot for them), and... oh wait I'm describing the strip mall that it already is. I'm in the Dunwoody area a lot, during daytime it's just high-traffic car central. It's not the type of community that would support a Smyrna-style town center project in anyway. If they put multi-family housing on the site, and revamp the whole layout of the buildings, THEN I could see it happening.

Sandy Springs at least has ridiculous traffic flowing through the city, especially through the Roswell Rd. Corridor, and all throughout the Roswell Road area there is actually office space and businesses. I honestly do not see the Dunwoody Village becoming a tower center any more than I see the East Cobb Roswell Rd. and Johnson Ferry intersection.

I actually think you are wrong on this. There are plenty of pedestrians who walk or ride bikes to Dunwoody Village/Shops of Dunwoody and, unlike East Cobb, the area is not burdened by the dangerous 6 lane roads criss-crossing each other every few blocks. Per the Crier, there are already discussions about how to re-shape "the Village" which would include making it more accessible via bike/walking. My wife and I ride bikes to the Starbucks/Fresh Market/etc. from Dunwoody Club Dr. and would do it more often except for the lack of bike lanes on the roads. I would say you are right in saying that no one in Dunwoody wants another Atlantic Station in the middle of town, but I think a better model would be some of the smaller towns in New England (say like an Amhearst) where you have a town square concept with basic shops/restaurants/services that fit into the landscape and do not require high density housing to exist economically. I personally believe that the amount of restaurants in the current set-up are fine in terms of the Shops of Dunwoody, but I feel the shopping strip with the El Azteca/Bruster's needs a major overhaul for aesthetic purposes. You have to remember that that particular strip has been there for over 30 years, and then the much nicer Shops of Dunwoody (where D'woody Tavern is located) was added later, and it shows.

You are never going to eliminate cars completely. What you hope to do is make it as easy as possible for those who would prefer NOT to drive a car to use other means (ie, bike lanes, sidewalks). Take a look at ANY of these so-called live/work/play complexes and you will see tons of cars...that is simply the way it is.

[shania]

Originally Posted by GF72

Where is Dunwoody going to develop such a thing? Around the intersection of Chamblee Dunwoody and Mount Vernon? That's strip mall central, just dressed up in brick... I don't see Dunwoody, East Cobb, or Johns Creek ever developing anything of the sort.

Sandy Springs is possible, they certainly have the capability it will just take a while.

I prefer to walk rather than get in my car and drive, especially when going somewhere within a mile away. In Dunwoody, I tried to walk from Perimeter Place to the shopping center where Talbotts is located (I think on Ashford-Dunwoody) one evening. There seemed to be no street lights so literally could not see where I was stepping on the sidewalk for several long stretches. I wasn't worried about safety, just about slipping and falling as the sidewalk was covered with leaves. Traffic was whizzing by a few feet away and was difficult to cross the side streets and major streets due to traffic lights that weren't working and heavy traffic in general.

From my hotel which was just off Mt. Vernon by the 400, I walked east on Mt. Vernon to Roswell Road one evening for some exercise. There were many stretches were there were no sidewalks and either had to walk in muddy grass or walk in the street and watch for cars coming (the street not having a bike lane or shoulder space) as they whizzed by.

Not complaining about this. Just noting that there would have to be a lot more attention paid to pedestrian friendly walkways if the city were to initiate that concept. I can't even imagine how cyclists ride bikes in these areas because I haven't seen any bike lanes and most roads are relatively narrow with no extra room for bicyclists or pedestrians.

[LovinDecatur]

Originally Posted by GF72

Exactly, it would take some denser residential buildings on site (wasn't talking about towers lol) and a master plan and Dunwoody just won't do that.

Ashford Parkway apartments aren't exactly a huge population and from my experience the people that live there would much rather go to Perimeter Mall area which is basically the same distance the other direction. Dunwoody Village is basically a grocery store complex, the area is too suburban for it to go anywhere with medium-density population living right there.

Never say never, gf

[mezzogirl]

I believe a lot of information in this article is true. However, this kind of change takes years to occur! It will be hard to change the mentality of the average mom who wants two kids, a minivan, and a big yard for her kids to play in. You have to sacrifice alot of these thing when you live in an urban development. I don't think that suburbanites have anything to worry about for a long time. Maybe some people who moved out to the far distant suburbs (like Cartersville or Dawsonville) will choose to move a little closer in, but I seriously doubt that your average family is going to be excited about walking everywhere and having a 20'x20' backyard that looks into the neighbor's kitchen. I think the future of the Atlanta suburbs is more and better public transit. Those who choose "walkability" can pay premium prices to live in a revitalized condo in the middle of the city. It's just not worth it to me.

[RoslynHolcomb]

I see plenty of people walking in the Dunwoody Village area as well. I've often thought that if we simply had more sidewalks in the outlying areas it would be an fairly easy walk. I live on Happy Hollow, and would really like to walk or ride my bike to DV. It would be especially nice during these fall days to just stroll down there when I need milk and bread, maybe check out some of the stores. For me, it's simply not worth it if I have to drive, waste gas and deal with traffic. I enjoy walking and find window-shopping very relaxing. I know there are some interesting shops down there that I'd be interested in checking out.

I used to do this at my old home with my little collapsible shopping cart, but we had sidewalks. I don't dare walk down Happy Hollow with my son without sidewalks.