Debate rages over height limits and demolition on Marietta Square (Decatur: condominium, new construction)

[koko339]

The Marietta Daily Journal - News, Sports, Classifieds, Businesses in Marietta, GA

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Marietta considers 2-story limit in central district *| ajc.com

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Personally I think a limit 2 stories is a bit ridiculous. Three story buildings have existed on the Square before, and even four story buildings wouldn't "destroy" the Square. I think it's more unfortunate that they weren't able to at least incorporate the facade of the historic building into a new structure (which I doubt will get built any time soon). One side of Marietta's Square has already been lost to crappy buildings (government center), it's paramount to preserve the remaining historic fabric. But to be fair, the renderings for the proposed building aren't terrible. I just think it'll be a hole for a long time, a la SOB.
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[reet4587]

Originally Posted by koko339

Personally I think a limit 2 stories is a bit ridiculous. Three story buildings have existed on the Square before, and even four story buildings wouldn't "destroy" the Square. I think it's more unfortunate that they weren't able to at least incorporate the facade of the historic building into a new structure (which I doubt will get built any time soon). One side of Marietta's Square has already been lost to crappy buildings (government center), it's paramount to preserve the remaining historic fabric. But to be fair, the renderings for the proposed building aren't terrible. I just think it'll be a hole for a long time, a la SOB.

I agree. Limiting the height to two stories is pretty ridiculous considering the government buildings and the adjacent parking garage already exceed that. I can understand them having a problem with a new five-story building, but it seems they could compromise and just knock it down to a three or four story structure and still have it not be out of place.

It could be that Marietta still feels the sting from those inappropriately out-of-place government buildings on the east side. I remember when those were built (I grew up there) and it was sad to see how badly they mixed in with the existing historic facades. The city might be overly sensitive about the appropriateness of new construction because of that.

[koko339]

Was the old courthouse just torn down or did it burn first?

[JonSavage]

Can someone explain the appeal of building height limits? I've never understood why the majority of metro residents are against tall buildings

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by JonSavage

Can someone explain the appeal of building height limits? I've never understood why the majority of metro residents are against tall buildings

Are they? I like skyscrapers.

[mike7586]

There's a huge difference between a skyscraper and a 5 story building...

[Plokivos]

I agree. Good stuff. They should go higher. Marietta Square has a lot of promise for growth. If tax breaks and more support was given, Marietta Square could grow bigger than 5 Point and I could really see that.

[testa50]

God forbid Marietta gets some larger buildings and starts to look a little more like--gasp--Decatur or Athens!

I mean, I guess I can see banning 5+ story buildings, but 2 stories is a ridiculous limit. Better yet, just have a careful zoning ordinace for the area that prevents parking structures abutting the street and requires certain sidings. The presence of an 8-story brick building would probably just enhance the area.

As usual, the government's miserable failures of buildings did far more damage than anything the private sector wants to do. Same old story. That's one thing small town Georgia has going for it--most cities didn't get a big revenue influx when people moved into the city, so they had no resources to replace their downtown with a Municipal Administration Fortress as so many suburbs have done.

[cabasse]

i don't get it - marietta has a lot of potential to improve, but people are actually saying that 5 stories is too tall?! there are already 4 or 5 5 story buildings, another 5 story parking deck and even a 10 story residential block (though not right on the square itself)

royal oak, a similarly sized suburb of detroit, managed to put up an 18 story tower without much fanfare, even considering it has a super-ugly 5 story parking podium integrated into it.

THE FIFTH Royal Oak :: Exciting Condominium Residences in Downtown Royal Oak, Michigan

5 stories is nothing. people are just crazy...

[Akhenaton06]

Originally Posted by JonSavage

Can someone explain the appeal of building height limits? I've never understood why the majority of metro residents are against tall buildings

Typically it's to preserve the character of a particular area. It works for some areas (e.g., downtown Charleston) and for others, it can seem somewhat arbitrary.