Free-For-All Friday 2/12/16

Feel free to use this post to make comments and ask questions about local topics that haven’t been discussed over the past week.

81 thoughts on “Free-For-All Friday 2/12/16”


  2. From the Just Sayin’ file: If you substitute trade schools for community college, we’re basically 11 for 11. Not too shabby, D-Town.

    http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2016/03/eleven-signs-a-city-will-succeed/426885/

    1. Scott – Thanks for the link to this article, but I have quibbles with your rating and would give us an 8 1/2.
      2. We can name former iconic mayors Elizabeth Wilson and Bill Floyd as past local patriots, but most of the movers and shakers in Decatur seem to work quietly behind the scenes. (Peggy Merriss is perhaps the most powerful long-term person in the city but, by the nature of her job as city manager, keeps as low of profile as possible.) I think if you asked ten Decaturites to name a local patriot you would get ten different answers.
      7. Do we really have a trade school that people care about???
      11. Yes we have a brew pub with Twains, a brewery with 3 Taverns and several excellent pubs. But after spending the weekend in Asheville with its exploding and vibrant beer culture I realize the extent to which the state legislature is holding Decatur back in this metric. Which is pretty, pretty, pretty shameful.

      1. I tend to be a generous soul. My thoughts:

        2. I didn’t get from the article that everyone had to say the same person or persons. I took that it was just important that such people came to mind (and not exclusively electeds or city employees). And if that’s the case, we’ve got ’em in spades.

        7. From my experience, the people who attend and benefit from the Art Institute or Devry certainly care, and that’s no small audience.

        11. The article calls for one or more brewery. We’ve got three (don’t be dissin’ Blue Tarp), plus a distillery. That surely qualifies.

        So, given your take, I’d still give 10 our of 11, deducting a half point each for 2 (if your reading is what was intended) and 7.

  4. I guess the strict parking enforcement at Bank of America lot is working. Every time I drove past the Church St side this week there were no more than 3 cars parked. I’m sure BAC needs all that space for their throngs of customers. Does anybody actually park and go into a bank branch any more with ATMs, drive in windows, mobile apps and online transfers?

    1. I don’t quibble with BoA’s right to control its lot during banking hours. But it’s just plain meanness to boot vehicles during hours when the bank isn’t even open. Given BoA’s reputation for indifference to even its own customers (unless they are mega-rich), I guess it’s not surprising. But it certainly is tacky.

      1. BTW, check their current stock price. it’s in the toilet.
        Attitudes of Big Banks are one reason I stopped doing business with them years ago. As you note, I don’t know why an ordinary consumer would do business with them when there are alternatives. I am a credit union member and get excellent technology and totally free ATM access.

        1. Credit unions rock. Between all of us, our family belongs to 3 and they all give fantastic service at great prices. Agree that I don’t know why individuals would use big banks anymore. I just assume that big banks are for big business that I don’t understand.

      2. It may seem mean, but it’s just good business, because if they let people park there, they will inevitably be held liable for some accident (or even intentional crime) that occurs in the parking lot.

        1. It would seem that, if they were to lease out the space to a parking company, the contract could be written such that the parking company is liable.

          1. Anyone who brings suit for an injury in the lot is going to sue BofA. BofA might have a contract that requires the parking company to indemnify it, but it would likely take a lawsuit to enforce that. And even then BofA might not prevail. Who needs it? Far easier to simply say no parking at all, and enforce via booting.

            I don’t like booting any more than you do. I’m just explaining the likely reason why a bank would not think the tiny marginal revenue from paid parking is probably not worth the hassle and potential liability. It’s a legit business decision.

            1. Plus, even if BoA does have an indemnity from a parking company, BoA will still carry liability insurance. I am not an insurance agent, but I would bet the rates are higher if they allow parking outside of business hours. You multiply that difference by a few thousand BoA locations, and that might be real money.

    2. I walked through there on Saturday morning. In the Church St side of the lot there were two cars. One had a boot, the other was idling with the booting guy sitting inside of it. Such a waste to enforce that the lot be kept empty…

    3. Why not charge a small fee to park during non-banking hours? There would be more good-will in the community.

      1. Sounds like more than a few parallels with the CVS lot. CVS is not booting anyone’s car, nor it seems is BOA. Whatever frustration people have (warranted or not) should be directed at the property owner, not the tenant.

        Seems like the commercial equivalent of standing outside in a bathrobe making sure people get off your lawn.

        1. The glaring difference is that the CVS lot is often at capacity even now with enforcement. The Church St side of the BoA lot is now empty other than the booter’s car . It would be nice if the owner would not work to keep it EMPTY but to allow people to park there, even if for a fee — a fee less than the booting charge.

    5. Hiring a booting company is the easy way out, because it cost the lot owner very little time or effort.

      Does BoA actually own that lot, or do they lease? (recall not too many years ago there was a proposal for a mixed use development on that site — wasn’t there?)

      If *I* owned that lot, I would hire a parking company on weeknights and charge a flat $3 to park, undercutting the the price of most of the other parking areas in town when people come to town for dinner.

      Prior to the booting starting, that lot was packed on a Friday night – lots of people knew it was the closest free place to park.

      Edit: Just saw the post that the lot was sold. What I thought — don’t blame BoA. They are likely just the tenant.

    6. Just so everybody is clear, it is not BoA that is doing the booting. It is the property owner — I think it is the same group that owns the big building up the hill — and they are almost killing BoA.

      I was in there standing in line a few weeks ago and there was a guy yelling at three bankers about his car being booted after he had come into the bank then walked up into town. The bankers were saying there was nothing they could do about it. After the guy left the bankers told me that people were closing their accounts and they were trying to warn their customers.

      1. Theory for debate: When there was a proposal on the table to redevelop that parcel, word on the street was that it ultimately tanked due to opposition from management of that BOA branch. Could it be that this is actually an intentional strategy by the new owners to make the location less desirable to the tenant, thus spurring their departure or willingness to accommodate redevelopment?

        Sounds a bit Machiavellian but, hey, crazier things have happened in the real estate world.

        1. I wondered the same thing myself- though it does sound like there is a new property owner (with same goal of big redevelopment?).

  8. Is it just me, or does the new Oakhurst square look almost the same as what it was previously – just with more concrete?

          1. There was supposed to be some humor in my last statement, especially since Valentines Day is approaching.

  10. IS THIS TRUE OR FALSE?

    Is it illegal based on the Georgia Drivers Manual to back into a parking spot? Think about it.

    1. I don’t see how it could be illegal for street parking, as that’s how parallel parking is done. If you’re talking about parking lots, I wouldn’t think those are covered by state ordinances. But it is definitely annoying when people back into spaces in parking lots.

      1. 1. My son just took his driving test the other day, and one of the tasks was to back into a spot, so I assume it is legal.

        2. Why is it annoying to back into a spot? The laws of physics guarantee that you will need to back up either coming or going (unless there is an open spot in front of yours). I’ve been doing it for decades.

        1. My experience from what I see in the Artisan — the lower 3 levels of our deck are monthly parking for Emory Clinic employees next door.

          During the morning rush, every person backing in holds up everyone else waiting to get to the next space. It can create a parking deck traffic jam. People’s departure times in the PM appear more spread out than in the morning, and this is less of an issue.

        2. It’s annoying because if I’m behind you and you’re backing into a spot (which takes longer) I have to wait for you instead of you having to wait for me to pass to back out of a space (assuming you don’t back out of a space when cars are coming).

        4. In a nutshell, backing into a spot takes longer and in a busy parking lot/deck is generally considered anal retentive and disrespectful to your fellow drivers who just want to get to a space of their own. If you’re in a lot where there isn’t a lot of traffic, go right ahead. But if there’s a line of cars behind you or coming from the other direction that will be forced to wait on you to delicately back into a space, don’t be surprised to get some dirty looks or even a finger or two.

          1. Now that we have resolved that, let’s all agree that anyone doing less than 75 MPH in the left lane of a highway ought to have their license suspended.

          2. I back into a parking spot when I can. It’s much safer. When backing into a parking spot, other drivers can see what I’m doing and I can see them. I have two stationary cars to pull in between. When it’s time to leave, my eyes are facing forward and i have full view of what’s happening in front of my car. When backing out of a spot, I’m pulling out into active traffic.. cars and/or pedestrians that I might not see or might not see me. I have my head turned and I’m relying on my mirrors, both of which restrict how much I can see.

            Here’s the real reason some of you don’t like drivers who back up into a parking space: there’s no payoff for you. You feel the 10 or 15 seconds you have to wait is a waste of your time. But when you wait that same 10 or 15 seconds for a driver to back out of the parking space, you’re happy because now you have a parking spot!

    2. GDOT has a design standard for reverse angle parking for on-street parking. I believe it exists on a street in Macon. Several other cities said “No thanks”, but I think they just didn’t want to be first. Can be okay on a lightly traveled, low speed street.

  12. PROTIP: if you don’t have a fixed rate deal with your natural gas provider, now is a perfect time to lock in a very low rate due to depressed gas prices. I just locked in a two year deal with Gas South that is a 50% savings over my previous rate.

    1. Follow-up tip: Some providers, e.g., GNG, will probably match any new, lower quotes you get from other providers. But you have to call and ask; it’s not an option on their web site.

      1. followup followup tip: among the three companies i contacted, only Gas South offered a two-year deal, which, due to my tendency to not punctually renew these kinds of contracts, dummy proofs the discount for me.

    2. Don’t ever be late with your payment or your discount will disappear. And if you use online bill pay, you better leave lots of time for Gas South to process your “scheduled” payment. It takes longer for them to electronically receive my payment than it would if I put a stamp on it – I believe it was 9 days last month. Somehow GA Power and AT&T get the money out of my account in 24 hours.

      1. If you use their auto-pay, that’s not a problem. Your month bill shows you the exact day they debit your account.

  14. Anybody know what’s going on with the supposed Highland Bakery location in The Place on Ponce? There has been exactly zero work done on it since it was announced (I think it’s literally still a dirt floor inside), despite its neighbors (announced at the same time) Tsatziki’s and Orange Fitness being up and running now. I was really excited about this announcement and the Decatur Diner-esque pace of progress has me concerned.

    1. …and it has a big sign up at the driveway that leads one to believe it’s open. I actually drove through the driveway/cut-through from Ponce to Commerce looking for a bakery.

  16. Does anyone know when the construction work on Superior will be finished? How could whatever they’re doing take, literally, months with seemingly no end in sight?

    1. Sorry I don’t have an answer for you. But I did want to echo what I see as a complete mystery. I concede plumbing ignorance, but it just seems to be interminable. Maybe weather? maybe the conditions were worse than expected? But given the county’s record on such things, I’d suggest simple, innocent incompetence.

      Further, why in the name of all that’s wet and sloppy didn’t they condemn the house(s) that sit in the flood plain at Superior and N Decatur? It’s hard to see the one on Superior because the road is closed – but the one fronting N Decatur is virtually an island in a swamp. It’s wet enough the federal government will likely claim it as a “navigable waterway.”

      1. I almost bought that sad, wet house. I put in an offer and contacted a flood insurance company. They told me it was the most flood-prone house in Decatur. If I’m remembering correctly, the flood insurance was more than 2.5 times the tax bill. Also, I found this article: http://www.cbs46.com/story/22175327/50000-gallons-of-raw-sewage-spills-into-dekalb-county-creek (yup, that’s the basement).

        After I removed my offer, the owners swore up and down that it wasn’t a problem, and they didn’t know where I was getting the information from. I bought a condo instead, and every day when I had to drive past that house, I feel thankful for it.

        1. Wow, that’s a heck of a near miss! I knew nothing when I bought my first home but I remembered my father always explaining why chose a house on top of a hill, a nice level property on top of a hill. I saw a lot of properties with creeks or culverts around and avoided them. But earth basements I could not avoid, sigh.

    2. They were supposed to start repaving 2 wks ago, but apparently the contractor doing the water/sewer work got behind and still has a final final things to complete (this was as of Weds).

      He also told me that it has to be over 45 degrees to pave — hopefully it will finally wrap up next week…

  18. Does anyone have any information about McClendon Rd re-opening? It’s been closed almost two weeks. The closing is adding several minutes to my evening commute.

    1. The county says it should be open by Wednesday. http://www.decaturish.com/2016/02/dekalb-anticipates-mclendon-drive-will-reopen-by-feb-17/

  20. So is Costco really coming to the now empty Macy’s space in NorthDekalb Mall?
    Thinking about buying a membership (deal going on right now), but I’m too lazy to drive to the Brookhaven one…

    1. “So is Costco really coming to the now empty Macy’s space in NorthDekalb Mall?”

      Certainly not within the 12 months your membership would cover.

    2. Not coming anytime soon. They seem a little anti-itp and a little suburban to me, which is probably my biggest quibble about them…

      1. How is Costco anti-ITP with the big Brookhaven store and prior (and we’ve heard maybe current) discussions on locating at N DeKalb Mall?

  22. Hi neighbors.

    I’d be most grateful for a upholstery cleaning recommendation; specifically microfiber.

    Thanks

  24. Decatur to name members to comprehensive plan steering committee –
    http://www.ajc.com/news/news/local/decatur-to-name-members-to-comprehensive-plan-stee/nqPSf/
    “Planning Director Angela Threadgill said the most “pressing topic” is affordable housing”

    Proceed with caution –
    How affordable housing mandates make housing more expensive –
    http://www.latimes.com/opinion/op-ed/la-oe-0104-galles-affordable-housing-court-case-20160104-story.html

  26. Rest In Peace Antonine Scalia. Hearing the news reminded me that in 06 or 07, the DHS Close Up students and I got up early to stand in line for hours hoping to sit in on a Supreme Court hearing. We were lucky and after numerous security checks, sat down for maybe twenty minutes to hear arguments concerning a Mississippi death penalty case. What I remember was that a lawyer was questioned by Scalia and Justice Kennedy. It was back and forth between the two over some legal point. One of the students was DeDe Powers who is on the cover of this month’s issue of Atlanta magazine. Another student (I can’t remember his name) sketched the entire time. He drew a pretty good likeness of Justice Thomas as I recall. One of my all time favorite Close Up students was a recent refugee from Afghanistan. I remember how proud her entire family was when told that she “spent the day at the Supreme Court” and later met Georgia Senator Johnny Isackson. I wonder if any of them remember listening to one of the great legal scholars of our time.
    God Speed Justice Scalia. I bet the opera is awesome on the other side.

    1. I’ll bet they remember. Students loved your Close Up trips and got a ton out of them.

  28. Hi there-
    I am relocating to Decatur /Atlanta next month for a new job. My job is in Decatur, and I would love to live in Decatur but what I have found online may not be a comprehensive list. There isn’t a huge selection. There are always rentals through word of mouth too. I was wondering if I could get tips from locals on rentals in the area, preferably 2bedroom +, and will accept a small well behaved schnauzer.

    I would also consider living somewhere else and driving in, but I have no idea how the commutes flow there. Are there areas within a decent commute that are affordable and safe?

    Schools are a big factor- 5th grade and up. I know that Decatur has great schools. I think that is why I focused on it initially.

    Thanks in advance!

    1. I don’t have any specific search advice, but do be aware that any rentals you look at have to be in the Decatur city limits to be in the Decatur school district. There are many neighbohoods with Decatur postal addresses that are not in the city limits and therefore are in the DeKalb County school district, which is wildly variable in quality. Of course, rentals in the city limits will be considerably more expensive (and scarcer), all else equal.

        1. Over the past week – that is what I have discovered! Well, that and I emailed the school registrar. 🙂

        2. p.s. The only reason I discovered this was because there are ton of places that say they are in Decatur, GA and they are inside and outside the perimeter. It didn’t seem right.

          1. To be fair to them, the Decatur postal address is quite broad and goes way beyond the limits of the City of Decatur. I have a friend who lives almost 5 miles away in 30032 south of Glennwood and her official postal address is Decatur, GA. She considers herself to live in Decatur and she does, just not CITY of Decatur.

        3. Even 30030 isn’t an absolute guarantee, I believe. I think there’s a few properties with a 30030 zip but not in the COD limits–but they may all be condos or apts.

          2. If there were any question, I would check the address against the Decatur property tax site. Actually, I would do that for any rental from an individual owner, regardless of location.

            1. Definitely check. There are several houses in the Midway Woods and Forrest Hills neighborhoods, for example, that are 30030 and not in the City of Decatur. If you are definitely interested in the schools, definitely check the property tax site and/or the CSD website for the school zones.

            2. There’s some addresses in the NW corner too that are 30030 even though they are not in the City of Decatur.

      2. I did notice the disparity in pricing inside vs outside Decatur city limits. I think I might just be hoping somebody has a friend who is about to put their fantastic rental on the market, and I could save them the effort. 🙂

        Thanks for the tips!

        1. From a commuting standpoint, if you were coming in from east Atlanta you’d be going mostly against traffic. Also, the commute from north Decatur (not city limits) isn’t too bad. There are some good schools in both of these areas and more rental availability than in the City of Decatur.

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