Why isn't city infrastructure uniform? (Atlanta, Dallas: neighborhoods, construction, income)

[demonta4]

Another think piece thread. Why do you guys think our infrastructure isn't as uniform and clean as cities like Dallas and Houston. Our traffic lights, street signs, sidewalks, etc, just don't ever seem uniform. Our suburbs do a little bit better but still not as good as other metros. It just doesn't make sense to me, do we use different companies every time we do an infrastructure project?

[joey86]

Sidewalks in Atlanta are often the responsibility of homeowners. I know this is the case with the hexagonal pavers in Inman Park. I think it's ridiculous, and it's probably the first thing I'd change about our city if I had my way.

[Gulch]

The CoA’s Public Works Department is notoriously incompetent.

[kgpremed13]

I was in Charlotte not too long ago, I thought the streets and sidewalks in their intown neighborhoods were so pretty and clean. No trees lifting up sidewalks, no dirty sidewalks, no dirty streets that look like they have had a million potholes paved over, it just looked way more classy. I don't know why Atlanta can't get that look, maybe as the city continues to gentrify and higher income people move in, the streets (and some overgrown yards) will clean up a bit. People have to care enough to complain about it to the people in charge.

[samiwas1]

Well, we're in the deep south. The answer is likely "**** you, that's why".

[bu2]

Originally Posted by kgpremed13

I was in Charlotte not too long ago, I thought the streets and sidewalks in their intown neighborhoods were so pretty and clean. No trees lifting up sidewalks, no dirty sidewalks, no dirty streets that look like they have had a million potholes paved over, it just looked way more classy. I don't know why Atlanta can't get that look, maybe as the city continues to gentrify and higher income people move in, the streets (and some overgrown yards) will clean up a bit. People have to care enough to complain about it to the people in charge.

that's just the style. Atlanta has the natural look. Places like Houston and Dallas are manicured. Charlotte, as I recall, tends to be as well.

[demonta4]

Originally Posted by bu2

that's just the style. Atlanta has the natural look. Places like Houston and Dallas are manicured. Charlotte, as I recall, tends to be as well.

Even New York, one of the grittiest cities in the US, has uniform infrastructure. And it isn’t falling apart (excluding MTA).

[toll_booth]

Any city, it depends on where you go. Parts of Atlanta are beautiful and parts of it are ugly. Any other big city will be somewhat like that.

[sedimenjerry]

Some of Houston's infrastructure is rough, but it is better overall than Atlanta's I think. One of the things I like more about Texas cities.

[pumporama]

Originally Posted by sedimenjerry

Some of Houston's infrastructure is rough, but it is better overall than Atlanta's I think. One of the things I like more about Texas cities.

Texans also have pride. Georgia was never proud of Atlanta. I think the DOT sucks here. The way streets are paved - you see straight lines that weave in and out of lanes. You see really dumb planning and construction of the highways and roads. At times roads may not have markings at all while being paved. Other states have more pride and quality of work. Colorado for example erected a major bridge over a 4 lane highway in 4 months. It was nice.

GA could not pull this off.