Comments on: 315 W. Ponce Development May Be Big…

By: Steve

Steve — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 22:42:47 +0000

David, I think you would find most large transit systems DO have their own police force, Washington, New York, Boston, Chicago, Amtrak.

By: David

David — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 20:50:22 +0000

Steve made my point precisely. Its not just about the Marta plaza, it’s about the mindset that allows it to happen. 315 isn’t going to come out any better because the powers that be are going to be on the side of the devs. I don’t think they can help it. Growth, any growth is the reason they exist.

Decatur didn’t need a new Marta station. Not in the least. But what did we get? A new Marta station. Why? Just because the money was there and had to be spent?
Marta is a joke as trans system. It’s really more of a works program/power center than a viable trans system. Why should we let them decide what our downtown should look like? Lets buy the air rights from them then we can do what we want there. They don’t have enough money to say no. Or just do it anyway. What will they do come and arrest us with their Marta police. Why do they need their own police force? In most cities the cops are the cops.

I need a drink. Heading to the brick.

By: SteveR

SteveR — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 20:28:28 +0000

As a business owner in Decatur I can tell ya that the Marta redo was a catastrophe from the get go. They imported all of the granite from China when North Georgia is the granite capital of the world. Besides, if a public works project is buying granite from China who is supposed to buy georgia granite? The plaza screams “welcome to Six Flags” with its turquoise columns and horrible design. They should have gone with a neo-classical design to match the Old Courthouse. The stupid plaza already looks outdated.
The other issue was the disruption of business in Downtown for about two years. Many of the businesses that have gone under this year attribute their demise to the construction period. People have pride and will hold on as long as possible, but that construction slowed the commercial progress of Decatur like the Dark Ages did to science. The delay from the Chinese granite costs us merchant millions of dollars collectively. Those lost dollars would have generated tons of sales tax revenue. Bottom line–The city and its merchants and its citizens were screwed so that Archer Western (the builder) could save $100,000 on its Chinese granite, whilst our city officials protected the builder from our critique. Now we have a great place for the poorest segment of City. They can sit on some really expensive five million dollar benches, and ask my customers for spare change daily. I’m glad at least that the homeless population in Decatur likes the Marta plaza.

By: decaturite

decaturite — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 19:20:47 +0000

I think the whole grassing over of East and West Courthouse Square is an interesting idea, but I’m not sure logistically what would need to be done to get approval to completely remove those streets. (I’m pretty sure they’re still designated as “streets” and not parking lots)

Assuming it can be done, I predict that it would then turn into an all out battle with business owners…because, as one noted on this site recently, they already feel they’re losing business due to lack of viable parking.

That said…its an interesting idea.

By: Rick

Rick — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 19:08:42 +0000

Hi, yes I saw the comment about air rignts. (also sorry to get off the original post) I’m not so much lamenting the MARTA plaza as I am pointing out that the vast majority of the community square is cemented over by concrete and asphalt. Alot of us have been living in Decatur for a while and have gotten accustomed to the way things are. The next time you are in the Square just stop for a moment…just for a moment… and really take a good look all around you. Bring your full awareness to the surroundings and what is taking place there.
I think we all recognize that the MARTA plaza design is not going to change and we are all stuck with the concrete Beer Garden above the station. The one area that can be changed is the parking lot.