Old Fourth Ward Water Tower gets makeover (live, shop)

[Iconographer]

Originally Posted by roadtrip75

It's funny watching hipsters try to pretend this neighborhood is historic and appealing. It's actually bland (at best) and meaningless in the shaping of Atlanta. And these people have no connection at all to the land and the buildings. Ponce City Market is probably the best example of this. This is a national trend - rootless people trying to develop fake community and authenticity. At the same time they denigrate their actual roots and the vibrant suburban communities that nurtured them.

Says the man from south Florida, the very definition of authenticity.

[ATLTJL]

Thanks arjay, I love it!

[bryantm3]

Originally Posted by roadtrip75

It's funny watching hipsters try to pretend this neighborhood is historic and appealing. It's actually bland (at best) and meaningless in the shaping of Atlanta. And these people have no connection at all to the land and the buildings. Ponce City Market is probably the best example of this. This is a national trend - rootless people trying to develop fake community and authenticity. At the same time they denigrate their actual roots and the vibrant suburban communities that nurtured them.

this is true, and now the people who actually had roots in this community and called it home can't afford to shop there, let alone live there.

[ATLTJL]

I don't think you necessarily have to have connection to the land and buildings to appreciate the history associated with them. I mean, a lot of those buildings couldn't possibly have any personal connection to people that are still alive.

But I do agree about the problem of developing fake authenticity.

[fourthwarden]

Originally Posted by LovinDecatur

This is good news; it's a unique and intriguing structure that deserves preservation. Such landmarks are what give texture to a cityscape.

I agree! This will likely look very nice once all done up inside.

[Iconographer]

Originally Posted by bryantm3

this is true, and now the people who actually had roots in this community and called it home can't afford to shop there, let alone live there.

How many neighborhoods in New York City, Los Angeles, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington, DC, Miami, Houston, Dallas, New Orleans, Chicago, Minneapolis, Denver, Seattle, Portland and San Francisco can you say the very same thing about? Countless. So why single this neighborhood out?

[Burquebinder]

^Agreed, some odd that comments about an older in-town, popular neighborhood that is similar to many others across the country. The Old Fourth Ward has nice older homes, interesting modern housing mixed in, great bars/restaurants, all in a great location. Who are you to question why that is popular? Also, it's the birthplace of MLK, so yeah, it has some history.

[JPD]

Originally Posted by bryantm3

this is true, and now the people who actually had roots in this community and called it home can't afford to shop there, let alone live there.

They couldn't shop or eat there before either, but that was because there was nowhere to shop or eat. Should we have left this neighborhood alone and let it decay even further?

[bryantm3]

Originally Posted by LovinDecatur

How many neighborhoods in New York City, Los Angeles, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington, DC, Miami, Houston, Dallas, New Orleans, Chicago, Minneapolis, Denver, Seattle, Portland and San Francisco can you say the very same thing about? Countless. So why single this neighborhood out?

Because I live in Atlanta and not New York City, Los Angeles, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington, DC, Miami, Houston, Dallas, New Orleans, Chicago, Minneapolis, Denver, Seattle, Portland, or San Francisco. You make a good point; this is a nationwide problem. But just because it is nationwide does not mean we should throw our hands up and pretend it isn't a problem.

[glovenyc]

Originally Posted by JPD

They couldn't shop or eat there before either, but that was because there was nowhere to shop or eat. Should we have left this neighborhood alone and let it decay even further?

Agreed.