GSU Announces Central Campus Lawn (Atlanta, Kennesaw: buses, designs, rich)

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by JPD

I like the yellow brick. I'd like to see them save and reuse some of it in some way.

Good point! Surely that is doable.

[gumboula]

BTW, here is the link to the university's master plan update that has the footprint for the linear greenspace that will pass over what is now Kell: http://facilities.gsu.edu/files/2013...n-7-9-2013.pdf

[cqholt]

Seems like GSU Is interested in going north and east of the existing campus, not south into South Downtown.

[Saintmarks]

Originally Posted by cqholt

Seems like GSU Is interested in going north and east of the existing campus, not south into South Downtown.

That is what makes most sense as it is contiguous with the current footprint. Directly south of the campus is the state government complex, they won't be going there....

[Iconographer]

Originally Posted by gumboula

I would fight for most historic buildings, but I will not fight for Kell Hall. It only has two very old elevators and despite all of the ramps, it is not ADA compliant (the ramps are far too steep for wheelchairs). Until the completion of the Petit Science Center, it was full of very bad lab space. The prospects for renovation in any serious way were slim because of how it was constructed. It is going to cost about twice the normal price per square foot just to demolish. Serious renovation would be even more expensive. I guess they built parking garages well back in the day.

And Kell has actually been on the chopping block for a long time (maybe as many as 15 years or so). The question was what would replace it. Initially the talk was for a new classroom building (the Board of Regents actually approved that). But as GSU has acquired more existing downtown buildings and land, the need for a classroom building on that site has become less important. With more students, and especially more students living downtown, the need for open space has become a priority. Especially around the library plaza. Come to that area of campus at noon on a weekday and evaluate the safety of that many people in that enclosed a space for yourself. It isn't just Kell coming down. Library plaza will be dropped to ground level and there will be an open linear greenspace from Kell, past the library, under Courtland, between the Student Center and the Urban Life Building (with the bookstore building and the law school conference center coming down as well), right up to the new science complex. That will provide a much safer egress for students across that side of campus, than the current masses that cross the main streets wherever they want.

So as much as I bemoan Atlanta's disregard for history (I moved here from New Orleans), Kell is not worth saving.

But just for fun, here is a photo of Kell when it was still a parking garage!

I have to agree. No real architectural distinction there, and Lord knows that GSU needs the greenspace.

[MathmanMathman]

Originally Posted by LovinDecatur

I have to agree. No real architectural distinction there, and Lord knows that GSU needs the greenspace.

With that many students in a small footprint like that, any green would be trampled down.

[Gulch]

Originally Posted by MathmanMathman

With that many students in a small footprint like that, any green would be trampled down.

I think the idea is to "open up" the plaza area which will reduce the density of students in that space. IMO it's a good think given the crowding problems the space has had for the past 10-15 years.

[MathmanMathman]

Originally Posted by arjay57

Kell hall is outdated, inefficient and uninviting from the street. It's a frumpy converted parking lot, not an architectural treasure.

Let some architects have at it for restoration.

[MathmanMathman]

Originally Posted by Gulch

I think the idea is to "open up" the plaza area which will reduce the density of students in that space. IMO it's a good think given the crowding problems the space has had for the past 10-15 years.

That'll be reduced when law and business move to their new locations.

[JPD]

Originally Posted by MathmanMathman

Let some architects have at it for restoration.

Let it go. Your idea has been rejected.