Midtown No longer the gay area (Atlanta, Martin: leases, crime, neighborhoods)

[Staysean23]

So a friend of mine just went to a meeting today where they were discussing black gay entrepreneurship well the lack there of. During that meeting they learned several party spots will be closing there doors. Bulldogs and Jungle were the 2 that was named thus far. Soon they say blakes 10th and Piedmont will all disappear. They are trying to un-gay midtown. He also stated that the city was saying that if there is another gay area to be created it would have to be outside the perimeter.

I've seen this happen here in NY. The village is no longer the gay area. It moved to Chelsea now it's left Chelsea and moved to Hells Kitchen. All due to gentrification. Has anyone else heard this?

[Ant131531]

Wouldn't be surprised. It seems like a lot of people want the Bulldogs to be closed though. They wanted the new development that's going in the lot next to it to build on it as well.

[magnetar]

Not sure who "they" are but there's a reason there's a stereotype about gay people gentrifying neighborhoods. Historically gay bars clustered in parts of town where people would leave them alone. Midtown remained the gayborhood for this long because of the number of college students nearby. It's not that surprising that they're getting priced out of their leases.

There's nothing the city could legally do to prevent a gay bar from opening anywhere inside the perimeter; for one thing the city doesn't control all of the land inside the perimeter. Sounds more like a rumor spread by a game of telephone than reality to me.

I can certainly believe that gentrification plays a factor. But I also think the mainstreaming of gay culture plays a role. A lot of people my age, and especially younger, don't care much about going to gay bars in the city because gay people are all over the place, and we no longer have to fear for our safety in normal circumstances.

[Staysean23]

This friend also told me that he was trying to buy a piece a property from a seller in midtown and the guy told him that social space for LGBT is not allowed.

[fieldm]

Bulldogs sure but 10th and Piedmont....nall i dont believe that at all (unless if they dont own the land that they are on).

Thing is I dont believe that because of the reputation that Atlanta has for that community. Second, there is no reason to get rid of those type of businesses because those businesses are what help save Midtown. Third, its not like developers in Midtown have no more space to build on in Midtown. There are plenty of open parking lots waiting for development. Fourth, there is no reason to push them out. Generally speaking the property values in that area is high by Atlanta standards and it's not like that community is bringing crime to that area so there is no reason for the city to force them out. I smell BS....sniff sniff (I smell it)

[DJDeadParrot]

Jungle [formerly known as The Chamber] is closing?!?

Also, is Cheshire Bridge even considered "Midtown"?

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by DJDeadParrot

Jungle [formerly known as The Chamber] is closing?!?

Also, is Cheshire Bridge even considered "Midtown"?

Cheshire Bridge is the dividing line between Lindridge-Martin Manor and Morningside.

[Gulch]

The key word here is "leasing." If these bars all owned their property, they'd likely stay put.

[Iconographer]

Originally Posted by Gulch

The key word here is "leasing." If these bars all owned their property, they'd likely stay put.

And there you have it. It really seems to be a function of escalating rents. It was pretty clear that Bulldogs' demise would be a matter of time (although I've yet to see any of these assertions corroborated). As far as Cheshire Bridge goes, it seems everything is in play. I don't think we'll recognize it in 10 years.

[Iconographer]

Originally Posted by Staysean23

This friend also told me that he was trying to buy a piece a property from a seller in midtown and the guy told him that social space for LGBT is not allowed.

Whoever said that out loud is a complete fool.