Engineer's Bookstore to be demolished for Gas Station (Decatur: consignment, buy)

[Iconographer]

Originally Posted by JoeTarheel

The problem I have is that the building is 86 years old and there are several vacant lots along that street to choose from that wouldn't require demolition of a historic structure. Atlanta has preserved a ton of historic buildings and has plenty of charm that can still be saved, but not if we're complacent about letting people do whatever they want with them. This building is worth saving.

Yes, I recall plenty of vacant property in the immediate vicinity of the store.
The brickwork and capitals on this building are interesting; there's certainly a case to be made for its' preservation.

[arjay57]

Why didn't the city put some kind of zoning in place to protect this corridor from the conversion of old street front buildings into gas stations?

Seems like that should have been done years ago.

[fourthwarden]

Originally Posted by arjay57

Why didn't the city put some kind of zoning in place to protect this corridor from the conversion of old street front buildings into gas stations?

Seems like that should have been done years ago.

Because the city is still transitioning into that mentality. Here is where the NPU needs to come in and fix this.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by fourthwarden

Because the city is still transitioning into that mentality.

Sounds like the city needs to get with the program.

The NPUs and preservation groups can make recommendations but it's up to the city to make the zoning rules and decisions.

[jsvh]

Yeah, the zoning code rewrite that Tim Keane has started should fix this. However, that is a longer process that will take lots of public meetings and the like. So for now we are stuck with our 1970s era zoning with minor fixes.

[fourthwarden]

Originally Posted by jsvh

Yeah, the zoning code rewrite that Tim Keane has started should fix this. However, that is a longer process that will take lots of public meetings and the like. So for now we are stuck with our 1970s era zoning with minor fixes.

Exactly. When I say transitioning, I do mean actively. We're in the process of rewriting our zoning and reforming our planning department. In the mean time, it's up to Civic Associations, NPUs, and the City Council to fill in the gaps.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by fourthwarden

Exactly. When I say transitioning, I do mean actively. We're in the process of rewriting our zoning and reforming our planning department. In the mean time, it's up to Civic Associations, NPUs, and the City Council to fill in the gaps.

Other than hollering, though, what can civic associations, NPU's and DRC's do?

[fourthwarden]

Originally Posted by arjay57

Other than hollering, though, what can civic associations, NPU's and DRC's do?

Not approve the liquor license.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by fourthwarden

Not approve the liquor license.

Well, the city does that, too, cq, not the NPUs.

Be that as it may, do you think it's constitutional for a city to deny a liquor license because the community doesn't like the way the property is being developed?

[krogerDisco]

Originally Posted by aries4118

Me too. I liked it better than West Campus.

That closed a long time ago.

Georgia State had two bookstores in addition to the campus bookstore. I guess one went out of business and maybe the other will be taken over by GSU? i.e. the building property. I guess university bookstores are on their way out too. I prefer to buy online.