Is this a real issue?

[Need4Camaro]

I personally believe high density is truly the only way to go for much of the metro. If they designed for the high acreage homes we're accustomed to seeing in Georgia reigning up to the early 2000's combined with the heavy real estate demand we would quickly make inefficient use of our land, on top of which - investors have simply put found a way to make more bang for their buck and the price of development land isn't as cheap as it used to be.

[wasel]

Originally Posted by architect77

There is ground floo retail space in almost every residential project in the last 10 years.

50% of this retail space goes unleased for years.

Atlanta's developed is clustered around nodes that enable some walkability to buy the basics.

Everywhere can't another node for vibrancy. There is a limit to the number that can thrive with a given population.

Some projects in the suburbs probably don't include spaces for mixed use, but it's unfeasible for many areas.

I have to agree with the bolded statement. Not sure if the 50% number is correct, but I am (disappointingly) struck by the startling amount of empty storefront space in the newer developments in Chamblee and Brookhaven. The shopping center with the Whole Foods seems to be full of occupancy -- but ironically that one is built in the more traditional shopping plaza format with big surface parking lot and no residential. Otherwise the new buildings are like a ghost town on the ground level. Olmstead for instance. And this is steps away from Marta rail, mind you, where you would think would be a retailer's dream.

It seems retailers have a fear that if they can't offer assured parking, they just don't want to take a chance.

[demonta4]

Originally Posted by wasel

I have to agree with the bolded statement. Not sure if the 50% number is correct, but I am (disappointingly) struck by the startling amount of empty storefront space in the newer developments in Chamblee and Brookhaven. The shopping center with the Whole Foods seems to be full of occupancy -- but ironically that one is built in the more traditional shopping plaza format with big surface parking lot and no residential. Otherwise the new buildings are like a ghost town on the ground level. Olmstead for instance. And this is steps away from Marta rail, mind you, where you would think would be a retailer's dream.

It seems retailers have a fear that if they can't offer assured parking, they just don't want to take a chance.

Every single complex doesn't need retail on site, but at least within walking distance (This works better with townhouse or condo developments rather than apartments though.)

Chamblee and Brookhaven are still largely suburban and doesn't have the density to support retail under every development, but the space being there already is good for the future.

[demonta4]

Another Example I really want to highlight
https://www.google.com/maps/@32.0662...=en&authuser=0

This is a Kroger in Savannah. It's big, it has a parking lot, but it is still walkable. This isn't hard to do yet we still haven't figured it out outside of a few pockets in Midtown and the O4W. Developments like Fuqua's Glenwood Kroger shouldn't be legal inside the Beltline.

https://www.google.com/maps/@33.7420...2!8i6656?hl=en

We really need to integrate development like this into the neighborhood instead of building separated fortresses.

[arjay57]

I know it is popular to decry surface parking lots and I am no big friend of them myself.

However, there's no denying that people use them like crazy and that includes intown areas. Think of PCM or that huge shopping center right across the street from it.