315 West Ponce Shows Signs of Life
Decatur Metro | June 15, 2010
Since taking this pic nearly a week ago, I’ve been trying to get details on what in fact this leasing sign out front of 315 West Ponce means. Everything I had heard ’til now pointed to the Trinity Triangle property being developed before 315 West Ponce, so it’s sort of surprising to see this on the site.
Is this sign up just to gauge interest in some unapproved retail strip of this development or has a construction date been set?
I don’t know, because the gentleman on the sign has not responded to my multiple attempts to contact him.
Easlan Capital’s website doesn’t provide any leads either, though it does show that they’re involved in development all over the metro.
The depicted elevation of storefronts suggests to me that they are seeking to lock down occupants for the to-be-developed property, rather than the building as it exists.
I’d say you’re right, Lump. I can’t imagine anyone getting retail development financing right now without firm tenants lined up.
I don’t understand. The ten story building is going to become a wider two-story building?
No. Detached 1-story retail along Ponce Place.
And then there’s all the condos and townhouses that will eventually be built on the existing parking lot.
Search 315 West Ponce in the search bar above. You’ll get about a year’s worth of discussion on it.
Are you sure it’s Ponce Place, DM? I thought the long-term lease on the drive-thru screwed that up. I was assuming it was the parcel fronting W Ponce.
Hmm…you may be right that it’s not Ponce Place retail. But if it’s the parcel fronting West Ponce, it wasn’t approved the last time around. In fact, looking back at the documents, there’s no retail in the approved plan.
In fact, as you must recall – since you were so ragingly pissed about it – the developer took that entire building out of the plan to satisfy the residents concerns about density and parking.
So what the heck is going on?
BTW…what ever happened to “newbie”?
I dont post…I just read now.
anyhoo…Probably fronting west ponce….and since the old plan nixed the development of that area whoever owns it is selling it to someone else to develop.
as its already zoned for the density/use and I’m sure this new development corp is just trying to line up business to buy in so they can purchase the property (as a contengency of purchace). and if they do…they can develop “as of right” and there is not much residences can do about. Its zoned for the use and meets the land use plan.
looks like single use though…wish it was mixed use 3 or so stories…
newbie…out
newbie! Well, it’s just good to know you’re still out there. Be well!
I wouldn’t read too much into that image on the sign. I’m guessing it’s generic. When they do a real elevation, they usually pretty it up with trees, people, etc.
I’m certainly happy to see so much activity shaking out in downtown Decatur suddenly. Makes one a bit optimistic.
Yeah, I didn’t think that was the actual elevation that we’ll eventually see on that site, but obviously it’s a depiction of street-level shops, which is completely different from what’s there now. And I think that’s what they’re trying to imply.
[...] Metro is seeing signs of life at 315 W. Ponce near Watershed and Dancing [...]
Are you sure it’s new construction? Maybe they are leasing an existing space in the existing building?
In the plan that was submitted before the board of appeals last year they had retail that was to be placed in the green space in front of the existing building, but I believe it was 10 stories. Regardless, I hope the City will consider the value of the small green space in front 315 Ponce and the 5 dawn redwoods adjacent to it, those are assetts to be valued not thrown out to retail, which we seem to have too much of anyway. Of course, green space and trees do not directly pay the bills, so the developer nor their bank will most likely not be interested in preserveing the green space, unless the City requires it and/or citizens advocate for it. The trees and small green space are assets that need to be accounted for before permission is given to remove them.
There was a one or two story retail building originally slated for that spot, but as I mentioned to Scott in the earlier thread, it was removed to appease the neighborhood.
The plan the city commission approved did not have any retail.
TreesRock…
Could you please tell me how you consider the “small green space” valuable? As well, your reasoning on how retail is “thrown out”?
Research has demonstrated throughout time people have noted that nearby nature is an important part of places that are livable and have a high quality of life. Having gardens, parks, and trees in cities leads to life satisfaction and a positive outlook. The owners of 315 W. Ponce should also be concerned, a recent study found 7% higher rental rates for commercial offices having quality landscape. (Laverne, R.J., and K. Winson-Geideman. 2003. The Influence of Trees and Landscaping on Rental Rates at Office Buildings. Journal of Arboriculture 29, 5: 281-290.). The City has done an excellent job of creating retail in downtown Decatur, but retail is not the only thing of value, and my point is for the City to pay more attention to other aspects of value like parks and trees which complement the retail economically and aesthetically. .
Your general idea is correct, TR, about the positive effects of nature in the city , but we need to be careful not to confuse what we think that spot is with what it actually is. We think it’s a park, but it’s actually a front yard — privately owned and laden with whatever fertilizers and pesticides its owner wishes — and front yards are not a proper use of a downtown main street.
Nature in the city needs to play by city rules, just as development in the country needs to play by country rules. Just as it would be silly to put retail or office on a farm, it’s equally silly to put a suburban or rural fantasy yard in front of a downtown (as opposed to office park) building.
That’s not to say no nature. Rather, if we value the idea of pocket parks or small squares we should require them as a condition of downtown development whereby property is ceded to the city, the space is truly public, and residents have a say in how it’s designed and maintained. We still benefit from the nature but not in such a way that one of our goals (continuous retail/pedestrian engagement, for example) becomes disenfranchised by another (green). They can work together.
… recent study found 7% higher rental rates for commercial offices having quality landscape.
And that’s why rents are so high in Manhattan and Tokyo – the landscaping.
Some of the most expensive real estate is around Central Park. Even a “view” is valuable. And NYC has great parks and playgrounds.
That’s right. And all of those are proper examples of urban green. None are suburban front yards masquerading as public space.
Have to admit that I don’t find that patch of “suburban lawn” very appealing, in fact, it’s a barrier to walking to the building. However, the three trees to the right of the building if one is facing it on Ponce–the tall beautiful perfectly cone-shaped reddish-brown trees–I would hate to lose. Can’t picture in my mind if they are on the 315 property on on a nearby lot.
Yep, those trees are part of 315 W. Ponce. Totally consur with your statement Scott. In addittion to green space, I also value good landscaping, particularly when it allows canopy to exist in front or along the building to soften its impact on pedestrians. Retail and good canopy can exist if one uses a step approach allowing the canopy to expand opposed to being pushed up against a building like most of the trees on Ponce now. A pocket park in front also achieves the same effect.
Certainly just like those that over look the grass at 345 Ponce.
I heard a recent presentation by a New Yorker magazine writer, who claimed convincingly to me, that NYC is the greenest city in the USA. You can hear his presentation at the WABE site.
So those are Dawn Redwoods? Wow, was just reading about them and they are cool–living fossils from dinosaur era, originally from western China, not known in U.S. until 1940s when discovered in Japan, look like evergreens but have deciduous leaves, and can grow into huge perfectly conical (“Christmas tree”) shape trees. There’s some nice specimens at the Botanical Gardens too.
The city has confirmed that retail was NOT part of the original plan approved by the city commission.
I just wonder when they’re going to realize that Decatur isn’t Alpharetta. Maybe never.
All they build are those wonderful faux stucco junk piles.
Tell me about it! UGLY.
@Left Wing–I really like the green space on the corner. Something about that thick grass and the lovely benches and winding path with trees. Makes me want to sit there/walk the path. Kids do it all the time–ask them–they know the value of that tiny green space. And those redwoods are cool and gigantic! I thought they had been spared. . . .
I enjoy that little spot of green, as well. I stop and admire it whenever I walk by. I’d miss it if it went.
Children know so much more than most adults.