Ideas on how to break up the Buckhead Superblock? (Atlanta: malls, design)

[bryantm3]

For those who don't know what i'm talking about, this is the area I'm referring to, between lenox road, peachtree, and piedmont:



it's tough for both vehicles and pedestrians to navigate inside this "superblock" straddling GA 400. however, lenox road has been turned into the de-facto highway for the GA 400 exit, so pouring a lot of pedestrians and putting extra intersections onto lenox road doesn't appear to be an option at this point, unless lenox road is seriously modified.

the terminus development at piedmont and peachtree appears to be the best designed for both pedestrian and vehicle traffic, is less confusing and offers a lot of different options for people navigating through the neighbourhood. on the other hand, the area between stratford road and lenox road appears to be the worst designed. it isn't much more than an office park, a sea of parking decks with skyscrapers sticking out of them. anyone who's tried to drive through this area, or G-d forbid walk through it, knows it is very difficult to find your way.

if buckhead is to continue to succeed in attracting businesses to this 'superblock', they will undoubtedly have to make it easier for customers, residents and vistors to figure out where they're going. how do you think this should be accomplished?

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by bryantm3

For those who don't know what i'm talking about, this is the area I'm referring to, between lenox road, peachtree, and piedmont:



it's tough for both vehicles and pedestrians to navigate inside this "superblock" straddling GA 400. however, lenox road has been turned into the de-facto highway for the GA 400 exit, so pouring a lot of pedestrians and putting extra intersections onto lenox road doesn't appear to be an option at this point, unless lenox road is seriously modified.

the terminus development at piedmont and peachtree appears to be the best designed for both pedestrian and vehicle traffic, is less confusing and offers a lot of different options for people navigating through the neighbourhood. on the other hand, the area between stratford road and lenox road appears to be the worst designed. it isn't much more than an office park, a sea of parking decks with skyscrapers sticking out of them. anyone who's tried to drive through this area, or G-d forbid walk through it, knows it is very difficult to find your way.

if buckhead is to continue to succeed in attracting businesses to this 'superblock', they will undoubtedly have to make it easier for customers, residents and vistors to figure out where they're going. how do you think this should be accomplished?

Tower place is a private road and is closed to evening rush hour thru traffic. The super blocks are already built and most of the land is built on, so there is no place to build a road.

[tikigod311]

I think the west side of said superblock, the side with tower place, has very good pedestrian connectivity. It seems optimal that they don't allow vehicle traffic to cut through.

Not sure about the other side of 400 though. Maybe with the new ped bridge it will easier to navigate on foot.

[JoeP]

The blocking of the side road is absolutely outrageous. It is asinine how many areas of Atlanta lack side streets and here is one and it's private and what do they do? Block it. Simply amazing.

[tikigod311]

Wouldn't that side road just be overrun with people cutting through?

[jero23]

Let's be a little pragmatic the way modern day Buckhead looks is very similar to how the Tysons (formerly Tyson's Corner) area of NoVa in Metro DC. Also like Buckhead, Tysons is attempting to become a more densely developed, pedestrian-friendly, regional center environment, but they are way behind the curb by now getting the Metro HRT Silver line. However, I think the only thing we can realistically like Tyson is put measures in place to encourage development to make the area more dense rather than force it. Aside from Perimeter, Buckhead is a very well put together pedestrian-friendly, regional center in the metro area.

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by jero23

Let's be a little pragmatic the way modern day Buckhead looks is very similar to how the Tysons (formerly Tyson's Corner) area of NoVa in Metro DC. Also like Buckhead, Tysons is attempting to become a more densely developed, pedestrian-friendly, regional center environment, but they are way behind the curb by now getting the Metro HRT Silver line. However, I think the only thing we can realistically like Tyson is put measures in place to encourage development to make the area more dense rather than force it. Aside from Perimeter, Buckhead is a very well put together pedestrian-friendly, regional center in the metro area.

The perimeter is not very walkable. Yes, there are sidewalks, but they only connect to strip malls surrounded by parking lots. Not very ped friendly.

[JoeP]

Buckhead is a very well put together pedestrian-friendly, regional center in the metro area

It's a horrible mess.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by bryantm3

it's tough for both vehicles and pedestrians to navigate inside this "superblock" straddling GA 400. however, lenox road has been turned into the de-facto highway for the GA 400 exit, so pouring a lot of pedestrians and putting extra intersections onto lenox road doesn't appear to be an option at this point, unless lenox road is seriously modified.

Well, there's this from a couple of years ago:

Buckhead Pedestrian Connectivity Study.

Also, the updated SPI-12 legislation from last year is designed to break up superblocks.

If I'm not mistaken, GDOT specifically designed Lenox Road as a state highway (SR 141) when they rammed GA400 through the middle of Buckhead.

Supposedly, however, things like the PATH 400 trail and the gateway project will mitigate that somewhat. The new MARTA pedestrian bridge is also scheduled to open this spring.




via Flickr

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by arjay57

Well, there's this from a couple of years ago:

Buckhead Pedestrian Connectivity Study.

Also, the updated SPI-12 legislation from last year is designed to break up superblocks.

If I'm not mistaken, GDOT specifically designed Lenox Road as a state highway (SR 141) when they rammed GA400 through the middle of Buckhead.

Supposedly, however, things like the PATH 400 trail and the gateway project will mitigate that somewhat. The new MARTA pedestrian bridge is also scheduled to open this spring.




via Flickr

Love that plan.