Sponsored
by:
Marietta
Street Artery Association
Home Park Community Improvement Association
Georgia Institute of Technology
King Plow Arts Center
Puritan Mill
Winter Properties
Midtown West
Atlanta Contemporary Art Center
What
are the challenges for the area?
Physical blight
- many uses turn away from the corridor
- becomes an “alley,” instead of a premier public
space
Social issues
- perception of disinvestment and crime
- uses that impede redevelopment - nightclubs
- increasing, but still relatively low housing
base
- economically distressed communities near the
corridor
Identity
§
corridor lacks
an identity and sense of place
§
suffers the neglected
fate of many railroad/industrial areas - “ no man’s land”
§
the area can
be disorientating; lacks wayfinding in form of signs or recognizable
destination sites
§
artery is used
mostly as a traffic cut-through; a route to elsewhere instead
of a destination
Land Use
§
much of the land
is zoned industrial, but is transitioning to mixed use
§
industrial use
of property create large “super blocks” that inhibit movement
and smaller-scale uses
§
get disparate
uses to mesh
§
lacks green space
Connectivity
§
the artery forms
an edge for many points of interest in Atlanta; it must be treated
as a seam that joins parts of the city, not as a division
§
the corridor
lacks physical connections
§
unfriendly to
pedestrians
§
numerous transportation
plans/studies may affect the corridor and its function: Northwest
Connectivity Study; Atlanta BeltLine Transit Project; GT plans
Stakeholders
§
likelihood of
significant change among major institutions in or near the area:
Georgia Tech, aquarium, Atlantic Station
§
need to promote
collaborative planning among diverse institutions, neighborhoods
and community stakeholders
§
need to maintain
diversity of both people and uses along the corridor
What
are the assets of the area?
Character
§
unique, eclectic
character
History
§
architectural
diversity and historic buildings; Howell Station Historic District
, Howell Interlocking District and Means Street District
§
link to Atlanta’s
rail, industrial and commerce history and rich African-American
heritage; early area referred to as “Bellwood”
§
create public
space along the corridor and reinforce its historic role as a
place of commerce
§
Civil War sites
and historical markers; Surrender of Atlanta sign
Identity
§
identity rooted
in creative industries, interior design and emerging grass-roots
arts; King Plow Arts Center; Atlanta Contemporary Art Center,
and numerous galleries
§
create a major
northern gateway for artery at 14th and Northside Drive
Transportation
§
BeltLine concept
for re-use of rail lines and a showcase for cultural sites
§
opportunities
to re-create historic transportation routes; trolley, pedestrian
paths
Development Opportunities
§
adaptive re-use
and rehabilitation of structures; historic warehouse spaces
§
large tracts
of land under single control facilitates development
§
opportunities
for infill development and denser, alternative housing choices
§
opportunities
for workforce housing
Regional Role
§
physically connects
many key parts of the city
§
links to other
LCI study areas: Bolton, City Center and JSA
§
presence of major
institutions near the artery: GT, Coke, Mead, CNN, Georgia World
Congress Center
Who
are the stakeholders in the area?
- City of Atlanta
- City of Atlanta school district
- GT
- Coke
- Mead Corp.
- CNN
- Georgia World Congress Center
- Home Park Community Improvement Association
- CSX
- MARTA
- Midtown West
- Atlanta Contemporary Art Center
- Salvation Army
- Atlanta Union Mission
- five Neighborhood Planning Units (M, L, K, D,
F)
- English Avenue neighborhood
- Blandtown
- Atlantic Station
- Huff Road Business Association
- Condominium Associations
What
are emerging trends in growth/re-development in the area?
- increase in residential base: Alta West, LeCraw Development; new mixed-income community at West
Highlands
- adaptive re-use and mixed use: King Plow Arts
Center, Puritan Mill, West Side Market, Midtown West, Northyards
- emerging home for creative professionals
- growth/expansion of existing and new institutions:
GT, aquarium
- grass-roots arts movement
- emerging retail and entertainment uses
What
are goals for the area?
Organization
§
create a structure
and full-time support for planning in the area; like Midtown Alliance
§
promote collaborative
planning among institutions and neighborhoods
Identity
§
enhance and create
sense of place
§
support the grass-roots
arts community and build a creative identity
§
build an identity
rooted in history
Housing
§
promote workforce
housing, including denser, affordable housing in the corridor
and single-family housing in other areas
§
target the arts
community to create affordable live-work space
Transportation/Connectivity
§
create more connectivity
among the many pieces of the corridor and to other areas of the
city
§
promote alternative
transportation choices: biking, walking, rail
§
create a vision
for transportation that maintains connectivity and cohesiveness
throughout the corridor
Land Use
§
re-define land
use in the area and find the means to shape it; recognize and
promote new mixed use character; find opportunities to implement
City of Atlanta quality of life zoning ordinances
§
promote sustainable
development, building, and land use practices
§
find usable,
large scale, quality open spaces
§
promote diversity
of function along the corridor
Community
§
promote strong
schools for families
§
fully integrate
GT and its students
§
promote diversity
of people, including mixed income living opportunities; make an
inclusive community
§
create broader
community support for a vision
Next
Steps
Arrange
for letters of support from community stakeholders and partner
with the City of Atlanta
Next
workshop to discuss specifics of the application is tentatively
set for Saturday, October 25 from 9AM to 1PM
