The Oliver House Beginning Construction on Commerce Drive
Decatur Metro | August 17, 2011 | 10:34 amIf you’ve driven/biked/walked anywhere around the southern end of West Commerce lately, you’ll certainly have noticed the ongoing construction at Allen Wilson that’s forced traffic down to one lane along that strip.
Well, Commissioner Kecia Cunningham noted at Monday’s City Commission Meeting that the Decatur Housing Authority had secured financing and started construction on “The Oliver House” over at Allen Wilson. That name “Oliver House” rang a few dusty bells in the deep recesses of my head, so I headed onto the information superhighway for a quick refresher in ongoing DHA construction projects.
Thankfully I quickly came upon this picture taken by InDecatur back in March 2010. I had personally forgotten how different these senior living apartments would look compared to the already completed phase of Allen Wilson towards the southern end to the site, so I thought I’d post a refresher for all!
Ick on the second rendering, but the third one isn’t bad. Why is it so hard for architects to design decent buildings? It’s not like simple, good design costs more. It just requires skill.
It came from the 90′s. How disappointing.
No ‘what’s your redevelopment fantasy for these blocks,’ DM?
So the inDecatur logo is to be engraved on the roof of Oliver House? Good work, Dave!
+1
Between this and the post from March 2010, I am almost shocked at how few remarks have been made about car orientation, inward focus, or single use. Little on density, community engagement, complete streets, safe routes to school.
Not sure I follow. The redeveloped buildings are oriented on the sidewalk, parking is relegated to midblock, they’re one or two blocks from downtown business, the site density has been amped up over what was there previously, the residents were engaged in the design process (which is why there is a building specifically geared towards the needs of seniors), streets are among the skinniest in Decatur, they’ve got an expansive neighborhood park, and it’s a block from both the high school and middle school.
What’s not to like? You’d be hard pressed to find another Housing Authority property anywhere with that level of urban amenity.
Sure. I meant no offense. Job well done!
But… I am open to the possibility that there might be some interesting thoughts that haven’t been shared.
None taken, of course. But I think what you’re noticing reflects two things. First, boards and politics and grants and financing and logistics being what they are, DHA seems to be doing a pretty decent job on this one; and, second (and I’m only inferring here), I don’t think a lot of commenters here on DM live there, so they’re not as passionate in their responses as they would be if it were happening in their own neighborhood.
My two cents, anyways. Assessment, over and out.
Many here were passionate about the initial redevelopment plans and concerns about displacement of low income families who live in public housing. At that time DHA and the City Commission assured the community that there would be no displacement. (right?)
I remember that well!
That’s correct. Unlike a lot of housing authority projects throughout the Atlanta metro that have undergone redevelopment, this project is not reducing the number of affordable units.