Dismal Downtowns (Atlanta, Macon, Warner Robins: crime, home, neighborhood)

[FFG3]

Originally Posted by lilmusket

The downtowns of Augusta, macon and Columbus are very similar to me... lots of potential but not a lot happening. More vacant space then occupied storefronts, lack of pedestrians, etc..
Savannah has alot of tourists that help its downtown thrive. Athens has a major univerisity that helps its downtown.
Augusta has the First Friday event that draws a crowd, but for the rest of the month, the downtown area is pretty dead. Not sure what can be done.

Don't forget Savannah not only has the tourist but thousands of residents in its downtown area.

[lilmusket]

Originally Posted by FFG3

Don't forget Savannah not only has the tourist but thousands of residents in its downtown area.

This is true... and that's probably what attracts the tourists... Savannah has a living dowtown with thousands of restored historical buildings.

[hwd]

Originally Posted by LovinDecatur

Most south GA towns that I have driven through have a lack of 'energy' in their downtown areas. I would blame generally depressed economies and the presence of Wal-Mart for it.

Some of the most vibrant downtowns in Georgia are located in Southwest Georgia.
Thomasville has one of the best downtowns in the state, Moultrie's Downtown has won many awards and has seen much growth, Valdosta and Tifton as well.
Moultrie has a downtown amphitheater where they have concerts and even outdoor movies throughout the year.

These downtowns constantly hover at 100% occupancy rate with some even expanding their downtowns to meet the demand for space for new business.

[LovinDecatur]

Originally Posted by hwd

Some of the most vibrant downtowns in Georgia are located in Southwest Georgia.
Thomasville has one of the best downtowns in the state, Moultrie's Downtown has won many awards and has seen much growth, Valdosta and Tifton as well.
Moultrie has a downtown amphitheater where they have concerts and even outdoor movies throughout the year.

These downtowns constantly hover at 100% occupancy rate with some even expanding their downtowns to meet the demand for space for new business.

I would definitely exclude the towns that you cite. I said most, not all.

[lilmusket]

Originally Posted by hwd

Some of the most vibrant downtowns in Georgia are located in Southwest Georgia.
Thomasville has one of the best downtowns in the state, Moultrie's Downtown has won many awards and has seen much growth, Valdosta and Tifton as well.
Moultrie has a downtown amphitheater where they have concerts and even outdoor movies throughout the year.

These downtowns constantly hover at 100% occupancy rate with some even expanding their downtowns to meet the demand for space for new business.

Thomasville has an absolute gem of a downtown.. I am not really familiar with the downtowns of tifton and moultrie so can't really comment. I was recently in Valdosta and their downtown has really made a lot of progress.

[southgeorgia]

Originally Posted by hwd

Some of the most vibrant downtowns in Georgia are located in Southwest Georgia.
Thomasville has one of the best downtowns in the state, Moultrie's Downtown has won many awards and has seen much growth, Valdosta and Tifton as well.
Moultrie has a downtown amphitheater where they have concerts and even outdoor movies throughout the year.

These downtowns constantly hover at 100% occupancy rate with some even expanding their downtowns to meet the demand for space for new business.

add quitman to that list as well.


in fact, there are a lot of other great downtown's in south georgia.

lovindecatur, care to mention exactly which downtowns you thought were dismal?


its mostly just the very small towns that lack any business presence whatsoever; and the same could be said for comparable size north georgia towns.

the towns HWD mentioned as being nice are probably the only one's in the area with a wal-mart, so i'm not sure you should go blaming them.

[southgeorgia]

Originally Posted by lilmusket

Thomasville has an absolute gem of a downtown.. I am not really familiar with the downtowns of tifton and moultrie so can't really comment. I was recently in Valdosta and their downtown has really made a lot of progress.

it is the best in the area.

thomasville's is definitely nice, but it doesn't offer quite as much as downtown valdosta.

[lilmusket]

Originally Posted by southgeorgia

it is the best in the area.

thomasville's is definitely nice, but it doesn't offer quite as much as downtown valdosta.

Well Valdosta is a bigger place, but I like the feel of downtown Thomasville better. It definately has charm and doesn't have a deserted feel at all.. it has stuff going on, lots of local businesses and restaurants, not so chain saturated like the larger cities.

[J2rescue]

Originally Posted by NewtownMacon

Macon is experiencing boom in residential growth downtown......Several blocks of DT are being redeveloped into mixed-use residential units, and several residential projects are breaking ground.

Here are the articles:
Developers say downtown Macon still a good spot for growth - Local & State - Macon
Work on new downtown Macon lofts may start by summer - Local & State - Macon

Those conversions sound like a good start and I'm glad its happening. If the city can keep the momentum going, those residents could be the catalyst for new development and eventually those storefronts being filled.

[southgeorgia]

Originally Posted by lilmusket

Well Valdosta is a bigger place, but I like the feel of downtown Thomasville better. It definately has charm and doesn't have a deserted feel at all.. it has stuff going on, lots of local businesses and restaurants, not so chain saturated like the larger cities.

downtown valdosta is full; they have professional offices, restaurants, boutiques, clothing stores, art galleries, local theatre, etc. . .etc. . .

t-ville is definitely nice, but valdosta has a little more to offer.