Renaming MARTA Stations (Atlanta, Sandy Springs, Dunwoody: neighbourhood, college, taxes)

[aries4118]

Originally Posted by PKCorey

Conceited!

Re: West Park. Why is that your pick?

No, confident!



Why West Park?

Well, I think the area needs something simple, yet distinct. And I think the area needs a collective name.

"Park" because I feel the word is underused in Atlanta somewhat in neighborhood naming (Park is better than using "Station" or "Square"...especially when there isn't a station or square anywhere near!). Most importantly, it is right next to a well-known park. Plus, if the powers-that-be were smart, they'd make the West Park area (GWCC, CNN, Philips, etc) a more park-like, pedestrian-friendly atmosphere--with better connectivity, greenery, public art, promenades, plazas, fountains, etc.

"West" because the area is immediately to the west of Centennial Olympic Park and just to the west of downtown's core. Plus, I like the emerging trend of "West" being used in many westside Atlanta neighborhoods--old and new:

West End
West Highlands
West Midtown
West Park
etc.

[PKCorey]

Gotcha. Nice defense.

[hungryhippy]

Originally Posted by PKCorey

I don't agree with the name with changing the airport name. It goes to the Airport so the name fits. The new development is nowhere near it.

Same for changing the Dome/GWCC/Philips Arena/Cnn Center stop. I agree, its too long but Centennial Olympic Park is too simple. Then again, with the audio system announcing the surround attractions, I guess, it would work.

I agree with Aries with changing King Memorial to Sweet Auburn. It sounds better.

Nice idea from all of you guys though.

I thought about Sweet Auburn, but isnt that just a street, and isnt it on the other side of the highway? I think Old Fourth Ward/Cabbagetown is a better name.

[hungryhippy]

Originally Posted by aries4118

I do.

Like happyhippy said, they really should be more neighborhood oriented.

It helps with building community and a sense of place.

[hungryhippy]

Originally Posted by SEAandATL

One station I would rename is Five Points. I think that one should just be called Atlanta Station, since it is the central one, and the proposed Multi-Modal Passenger Terminal (MMPT) is supposed to be built there for inter-city trains.

Another station I would rename is the Dome/Phillips Arena/GWCC/CNN or (whatever order its in) to Centennial Park, just because it is shorter and simpler.

Five Points is actually one of the better names, IMO. That area has been known as Five Points for as long as Atlanta has been a city. To change that would be totally disregarding history!

[hungryhippy]

Originally Posted by LovinDecatur

I like it!
I have always thought that the naming of Dunwoody and Sandy Springs stations was clumsy...Perimeter Center would obviously be a better name for the current Dunwoody station, and I would rename the Sandy Springs station the Sandy Springs/Dunwoody station as it is about equidistant from the center of both communities.

This a great idea that I didnt even think of!

[hungryhippy]

Originally Posted by JPD

Not bad suggestions. I agree with most of them, but a few points:

I'm not certain Georgia State Station is named specifically for GSU. It is located inside the state government twin towers, and is directly in between the State Capitol and GSU. Georgia State is dull, but it's good enough all-purpose name. Maybe Georgia-State/Capitol would be better. Georgia State University Station could cause confusion since a significant portion of GSU's campus is much closer to Five Points and Peachtree Center stations.

Avondale Station is not in the city limits of Avondale Estates.

Airport Station should obviously keep it's name, since it's connected to the airport, and there's no Marta bus service, so it goes only to/from the airport. You can't get to Hapeville or the Ford Plant from the Airport Station.

Thanks for the clarifications. I was unaware of this information.

[hungryhippy]

Originally Posted by LovinDecatur

I dunno...Mt Vernon Rd. isn't very well known outside of Sandy Springs and Dunwoody IMO.

I would HAVE to agree! Plus, I dont like MARTA's trend of naming stations after streets.

[Iconographer]

Originally Posted by hungryhippy

I thought about Sweet Auburn, but isnt that just a street, and isnt it on the other side of the highway? I think Old Fourth Ward/Cabbagetown is a better name.

Sweet Auburn is a district, and has been called that for a long time.
It has at least as much historic significance as either O4W or Cabbagetown.

Sweet Auburn Historic District--Atlanta: A National Register of Historic Places Travel Itinerary

[aries4118]

Originally Posted by hungryhippy

I thought about Sweet Auburn, but isnt that just a street, and isnt it on the other side of the highway? I think Old Fourth Ward/Cabbagetown is a better name.

See LovinD's post above about Sweet Auburn. The main street you are referring to is called Auburn Avenue.

A new station should be built east of the Sweet Auburn Station and the new station should be called the Cabbagetown Station.

There will definitely be an opportunity for an Old Fourth Ward Station (and then some) if the Beltline is ever built.