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I've not had a chance to explore the inner-ring neighborhoods of Dallas, but Atlanta's are more urban than they are given credit for, with several having MARTA access. Folks are usually really surprised when they see pictures of them; it's a side of Atlanta most visitors, and even some residents, don't really see.
I did live in inner ring Atlanta for quite some time, and I will say that the main thing holding Atlanta back is the sprawling nature of roads and many residential neighborhoods. You're walking along a compact block one minute then without warning you're back in the suburbs.
The core of Dallas is less polarizing, and what urbanity there is is more evenly distributed on a much larger grid than you'll find in Atlanta. What holds Dallas back is the large areas that are currently underserved or altogether ignored by DART rail. The most important points are all connected by rail, but there's still quite a bit you can't get to, unless you're willing to spend an extra hour on your bike or a connecting bus route.
It's still an outdoor mall. These developments are all over the country and as far as I know they are all pretty much the same. Vibrant on weekends and pretty dead after the stores close. Atlantic Station is in the core of Atlanta yet still cut off from the rest of the core. I know MARTA serves it, but the urban fabric isn't there.
It reminds me of an older looking City Centre in Houston, which is built very similar but pretty dead outside of restaurants when I went. There's office space, condos, hotels, etc as well. And it's farther from Downtown Houston than Atlantic Station is to downtown Atlanta. No real neighborhood feel. We have a similar development in Baton Rouge called Perkins Rowe, it has condos, office space, bars, etc. But it's just an urban mixed use development in a sea of surburbia. River Ranch in Lafayette, LA is the same.
Something like South Market District in downtown New Orleans is a better representation of an urban development like that. Still part of the street grid and people walk there from neighboring hoods.
Would it be correct to say that most people drive to and from Atlantic Station moreso than they walk or primarily use MARTA? That's how City Centre and Perkins Rowe function.
I've been to Atlanta more than a couple times and really like it and the small downtowns that dot the metro area but never Atlantic Station.
Again, Atlantic Station is not just an outdoor mall.
The current Atlantic Station sits on a former Atlantic Steel facility which was an environmental hazard and a huge eyesore. The area was repurposed into a successful close-in mixed-use development containing several large employers with thousand of workers.
Beyond the fact they're both considered mixed-use developments, there's really no true comparisons to Houston's City Centre which was repurposed from a former shopping mall way out in the suburbs.
A good portion of those extra 40 million riders are lower income Black residents of South and West Atlanta, who really don't have much choice but to take the train.
MARTA is faster and carries more people, but I find it to be a less complete system than DART/TRE which covers a larger area. If you owned a bike you would pretty much be set.
A primary purpose of mass transit is to service those most in need giving them access to the busiest corridors in the city.
Your "lower income Black residents" comment is awkward and, quite honestly, it's off-base. How would you know the situation each individual?
It's still an outdoor mall. These developments are all over the country and as far as I know they are all pretty much the same. Vibrant on weekends and pretty dead after the stores close. Atlantic Station is in the core of Atlanta yet still cut off from the rest of the core. I know MARTA serves it, but the urban fabric isn't there.
It reminds me of an older looking City Centre in Houston, which is built very similar but pretty dead outside of restaurants when I went. There's office space, condos, hotels, etc as well. And it's farther from Downtown Houston than Atlantic Station is to downtown Atlanta. No real neighborhood feel. We have a similar development in Baton Rouge called Perkins Rowe, it has condos, office space, bars, etc. But it's just an urban mixed use development in a sea of surburbia. River Ranch in Lafayette, LA is the same.
Something like South Market District in downtown New Orleans is a better representation of an urban development like that. Still part of the street grid and people walk there from neighboring hoods.
Would it be correct to say that most people drive to and from Atlantic Station moreso than they walk or primarily use MARTA? That's how City Centre and Perkins Rowe function.
I've been to Atlanta more than a couple times and really like it and the small downtowns that dot the metro area but never Atlantic Station.
Arts Center Station is the closest rail stop to Atlantic Station, and it's about a 20 minute walk which includes crossing a freeway, so it's definitely accessible but I wouldn't say AS blends into surrounding neighborhoods at all. It really sticks out like a sore thumb.
A primary purpose of mass transit is to service those most in need giving them access to the busiest corridors in the city.
Your "lower income Black residents" comment is awkward and, quite honestly, it's off-base.
Not sure what you mean by off base, but I was merely pointing out the difference I observed between the DART and MARTA. The post I quoted suggested that Atlanta had higher ridership due to it having a better designed system, and I'm saying that I'm sure the bulk of its high ridership comes from serving large areas of poverty. Anyone that's ever been a regular passenger on MARTA can easily tell you that a majority of the people you see riding during off peak hours are anything but white collar commuters.
Arts Center Station is the closest rail stop to Atlantic Station, and it's about a 20 minute walk which includes crossing a freeway, so it's definitely accessible but I wouldn't say AS blends into surrounding neighborhoods at all. It really sticks out like a sore thumb.
It blends in better than an old dilapidated steel mill.
The current Atlantic Station sits on a former Atlantic Steel facility which was an environmental hazard and a huge eyesore. The area was repurposed into a successful close-in mixed-use development containing several large employers with thousand of workers.
Beyond the fact they're both considered mixed-use developments, there's really no true comparisons to Houston's City Centre which was repurposed from a former shopping mall way out in the suburbs.
Quite an improvement I'd say.
They are both the same exact concept; a re-purposed area into a mixed-used development.
Arts Center Station is the closest rail stop to Atlantic Station, and it's about a 20 minute walk which includes crossing a freeway, so it's definitely accessible but I wouldn't say AS blends into surrounding neighborhoods at all. It really sticks out like a sore thumb.
That's what I mean. It shouldn't be a 20 minute walk to the nearest neighborhood. It's separated from the grid and that really kills it for me. It's compact and dense and served by rail, all great things but it'll never be more than a development in my eyes.
Is Atlantic Station a place where you'd suggest someone seeking an urban, walkable environment live? Doesn't seem so. Are their pharmacies, grocery stores, banks, doctors offices, etc?
That's what I mean. It shouldn't be a 20 minute walk to the nearest neighborhood. It's separated from the grid and that really kills it for me. It's compact and dense and served by rail, all great things but it'll never be more than a development in my eyes.
Is Atlantic Station a place where you'd suggest someone seeking an urban, walkable environment live? Doesn't seem so. Are their pharmacies, grocery stores, banks, doctors offices, etc?
I can tell you never been to Atlantic Station.
Theres grocery store with pharmacy inside there's banks restaurants a gym condos a huge target and Ikea right there on sight residence living in that area don't have to go to far for anything. The people living in the adjacent neighborhoods off 14th Street and Northside Dr have easy access to Atlantic station along with Tech Students.
Last edited by Staysean23; 02-27-2016 at 10:48 AM..
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