Downtown Atlanta is scary! So many homeless and mentally ill (Roswell: credit card, unemployed)

[At1WithNature]

Originally Posted by plessthanpointohfive

There's a struggling effort to make downtown into "Downtown", but it's never really gotten off the ground despite lots of progress in cleaning things up. I think it will just take a while.

Atlanta sounds like L.A. in that regard. The downtown stinks.

[plessthanpointohfive]

The problem is that despite there apparently being a "lot" to do in downtown, it's not very apparent to a lot of other people. Take me, I've lived here for 3 years and I am a pro-intown/pro-Atlanta person. But I've never been attracted to downtown very often. Many of the things pointed out to me so "kindly" by Deacon and also by RZakiir I never knew existed. And I'm not exactly a homebody. Not only that, but as a medium-distance runner, I spend a LOT of time on these city streets. I ran from Candler Park to Grant Park, passing through a slice of downtown, just this Saturday.

Now, when I say that these things aren't very apparent I mean I think it's due to what someone else mentioned...downtown's infrastructure isn't very conducive to the type of self-attracting events and venues...or it is only in pockets.

I mean, downtown Windhoek, Namibia has got more apparent entertainment than downtown Atlanta.

It seems to me we need some serious urban planning. And don't tell me it's too late...it's never too late to put into place an urban plan.

As for this discussion about the homeless....honestly, Atlanta has no more problem with homeless than any other large city. And I've been to large cities all over the world (Johannesburg, Cape Town, Windhoek, Bangkok, Dakar, and Seoul so far). It seems to me that most of the time when I hear people complain about the homeless it's because they have little experience with it. Unless you're as dumb as a rock you should be able to handle yourself in any encouter with a homeless person. Just stay calm.

[BringBackCobain]

Originally Posted by DeaconJ

It's not an issue at GSU.

You refuse to acknowledge or entertain other's viewpoints this whole thread, and on this whole forum, if they contradict with what you think is true. Theres a word for that - ignorance.

I have heard from multiple people that panhandlers are a problem at GSU. Its almost like saying the sky is blue. Contrary to your opinion, most people dont like being harassed by people looking for change. Fine if you enjoy that sort of thing, but don't expect normal people to.

In addition, panhandlers are criminals, and criminals need to be dealt with properly. Excusing criminal behavior just because they are human beings is not only idiotic, but dangerous.

Not everyone shares the same opinion as you, and they should not be attacked or lamblasted for stating thier view. You do not know everything, so respect other people's experiences and opinions. Atlanta is not perfect - no city is - and it is okay for people to point out its shortcomings. Someone already said this, but your responses make me suspicious that you are employed by the city or some other promotional organization.

[atlantaATL]

Well here is something that my help with retail and restaurants in the Old macys buidling in downtown Atlanta.

Macy's ready for makeover - Atlanta Business Chronicle:

[FromCLTtoATL]

Originally Posted by Weekend Traveler

I stand by my comments and observations about downtown Atlanta. We stayed at the Holiday Inn because we wanted to be near the World of Coke and CNN.

Has anyone seen the downtown Atlanta Library? What a sad example of what downtown Atlanta has become.

Well, Dumb-Dumb, you went to the very worst part of downtown, which is worst part of core Atlanta. What did you expect?

[RZaakir]

First off, there is a distinction between panhandling, being homeless, and being unemployed. If you are a GSU student then there are a number of people that serve your food, clean your bathrooms, and sweep up your classrooms that are homeless but just as hard working (maybe even more so) as you or anyone you know. Many of those same people have probably asked you for change on the street for a ride home or a little food and you've self-righteously assumed that they were worthless and lazy.

Transitioning out of homelessness is hard. For the majority of people it requires much more than will. These people lack lot of those things that you take for granted like your socialization, your support network, your primary education, your literacy, and your mental health. Please get over yourselves.

The homeless are concentrated downtown because the amenities for the homeless are concentrated almost exclusively downtown. Contrary to what was expressed before there actually are a lot of job opportunities for homeless people downtown because of the large number of hotels and event facilities that require cleaning or cooking which is the line of work that they tend to participate in.

Instead of looking down your nose at the homeless you should get to know them. Do some volunteering and listen to their stories and I guarantee you that you'll lose those ignorant attitudes. I suggest Samaritan House but there are plenty of other places you can go.

[Alexus]

Originally Posted by Weekend Traveler

I just got back from my first trip ever to Atlanta. At one time I had thought of relocating to GA and maybe somewhere in the Atlanta area. Not anymore.

We stayed at the Downtown Holiday Inn Hotel and spent quite a bit of time walking the streets and trying to get a pulse of the city. The first thing I noticed was the lack of traffic even at rush hour. Sure there was some traffic but not so much. The number of people walking up and down the street even during 70 degree weekday lunch hours seemed limited.

I saw few stores and the restaurants seemed empty. I suspect that vital downtowns like Minnapolis, Dever, Portland and Seattle have nothing to worry about.

Downtown was full of skyscrapers but I saw limited commerce and a general lack of energy.

Finally it seemed like Atlanta had a very large number of homeless and mentally ill walking up and down the street. We were constantly approached by all kinds of crazies. The tourist area around Atlanta underground was terrible.

Do you agree with my observations?

Interesting observations. Thanks for being so candid and honest about what you observed.

[FromCLTtoATL]

Originally Posted by LovinDecatur

I think you summed it up quite well, Akhenathon.

Is there potential Downtown? Oodles.
Has it been totally realized? Not by a long shot.
Is it a desirable place to stroll and shop? Not IMO.
Does it have the momentum of Midtown and Buckhead? Not IMO.
Is the city government complicit in the lack of progress there? IMO yes.

In total agreement, as usual, with Lovin' Decatur.

And I'll add one additional problem hurting downtown: the Byzantine street structure/system. It's a confusing, multilayered mess. I navigated the Alfama district of Lisbon with greater ease.

[FromCLTtoATL]

Originally Posted by Weekend Traveler

I liked the nice drive to Callaway Gardens and the nice homes in Madison GA. I liked the rural and small town side of GA and would not return to Atlanta.

How nice. One less person to put up with on my daily commute!

[plessthanpointohfive]

Originally Posted by rzaakir

first off, there is a distinction between panhandling, being homeless, and being unemployed. If you are a gsu student then there are a number of people that serve your food, clean your bathrooms, and sweep up your classrooms that are homeless but just as hard working (maybe even more so) as you or anyone you know. Many of those same people have probably asked you for change on the street for a ride home or a little food and you've self-righteously assumed that they were worthless and lazy.

Transitioning out of homelessness is hard. For the majority of people it requires much more than will. These people lack lot of those things that you take for granted like your socialization, your support network, your primary education, your literacy, and your mental health. Please get over yourselves.

The homeless are concentrated downtown because the amenities for the homeless are concentrated almost exclusively downtown. Contrary to what was expressed before there actually are a lot of job opportunities for homeless people downtown because of the large number of hotels and event facilities that require cleaning or cooking which is the line of work that they tend to participate in.

Instead of looking down your nose at the homeless you should get to know them. Do some volunteering and listen to their stories and i guarantee you that you'll lose those ignorant attitudes. I suggest samaritan house but there are plenty of other places you can go.

+1