Business and Civic Leaders to Officially Launch Atlanta Aerotropolis Alliance

[cwkimbro]

New airport business alliance similar to successful economic development program in Gwinnett County | SaportaReport

Here this article has a really nice map of the area involved.

[J2rescue]

Originally Posted by cwkimbro

Generally speaking it is an urban planning concept that didn't start here.

The premise behind it is large airports have many things businesses desire: access to travel, hotels for clients and employees, nearby logistics facilities, access to freeways/transportation, well connected to the city. The government, for the airport, also generally has run high usage electrical lines, large water mains, large sewer mains, etc....

The premise is to create an edge city at the airport, because limited further government investment is needed, it is well connected, and has some desirable features. It is good for companies that requires travel.

The drawbacks are only some businesses can benefit and airports aren't exactly in the heart of the city or in the most desirable areas. Other drawbacks are many raw materials for business/manufacturing don't really fly through the airport, which is more of a train/truck thing and you don't want to encourage trucks near the airport entrance.

Nonetheless, target investments in small ways to create a city right next to the airport.

For Atlanta two main groups have formed in the past trying to cash in on the idea: a mixed use development over the old Ford factory in Hapeville, which now includes the North American Porsche headquarters, and the South Fulton Pkwy Corridor to some extent.

The problems Atlanta faces is many of good existing assets are spread out and not clustered.

Very informative post. I thought this idea was just designed to emulate the thriving business districts near other large airports and didn't realize that it was that much of a calculus to it. It seems to be a recurring theme in Atlanta though; that we've only begun to maximize the potential in areas surrounding our transit, stadiums and even the worlds busiest airport.

[Listennow32]

Here is a promotional video that the areotropolis alliance put together showcasing the southside of Atlanta
[vimeo]59775386[/vimeo]
South Metro Outlook V1 on Vimeo

[LynnHarris]

Originally Posted by Listennow32

Here is a promotional video that the areotropolis alliance put together showcasing the southside of Atlanta
[vimeo]59775386[/vimeo]
South Metro Outlook V1 on Vimeo

This is a great video...thanks for posting. It's good to see the South metro area being promoted in a 'positive' light.

[LynnHarris]

Founding members gathered at the airport Friday to announce the alliance, a 501(c)6 organization funded by members, including $65,000 in seed money from the Clayton County Development Authority and Georgia Power, to make the travel hub a destination of its own.

Doug Hooker, executive director of alliance member Atlanta Regional Commission, said “aerotropolis” is a “fancy name for a fairly simple concept – ‘airport city,’” in which development occurs in a “thoughtful,” not haphazard, manner.

Speakers at last week’s announcement said aerotropolis concepts exist in Amsterdam, Paris and Dubai.

They presented a map in which the proposed Atlanta version, of about 130 square miles, includes Union Station and Southlake malls and forts McPherson and Gillem.

In years to come, you won’t recognize it,” he said about improvements within five to 10 years. Longino took a dig at top-end Perimeter traffic, noting Porsche chose south Fulton for its new U.S. headquarters, slated to open in the first quarter of 2015.

“I believe it is traffic-driven. I think 20 years ago, Porsche would have decided to go north. But because of the traffic thing, they have picked to be close [to the airport],” he said...


Full Story: Neighbor Newspapers - Aerotropolis plan takes off at airport