Month: December 2011

Parking Lot Fantasies

I know that parking can be a touchy subject around here, especially when it comes to surface parking lots.  Some folks under-estimate the need for space, others over-estimate.  And round and round we go.  I’ll leave solving that conundrum to the Zoning Task Force.

Be that as it may, this lot along Church Street in the heart of downtown, which serves as parking for many of the stores/restaurants along the Square, always gets my imaginary juices following when I think about the non-asphalt possibilities.  My latest random idea?  An urban park stretching from the back steps of City Hall all the way down to Church at the southern portion end of the lot!  Benches, statues, hedges.  Sorta like this. Then build up the northern end of the parking lot with street-front retail and with a small parking deck tucked in at the rear.

Now let me just say, I know this is privately-owned land (except for the parking behind City Hall) and thus not likely to ever happen – even if the increased property values around the park would help offset its cost – but it’s always fun to dream!

P.S.  In case my crappy picture doesn’t give you a good sense of where I’m talking about – here’s the Google Streetview of the lot.

Free-For-All Friday 12/30/11

Sorry for the delay this morning…

Feel free to use this post to make comments and ask questions about local issues not discussed here over the past week.

Comments close Monday.

Found Puppy Looking for a Home

Jeff writes in…

Early in December, My fiance and I found a stray puppy on Second Avenue. No one has come forward to claim him. Because there were some signs of abuse – e.g., his hind dewclaws have been removed – I believe he was abandoned.

I’ve been calling him “Ghost”. He is a German Shepherd/black lab mix currently weighing in at 30 lbs and estimated to end up around 40. He is 8 months old and has an extremely friendly disposition. He is also the most intelligent dog I’ve come across in a long time. I’ve gotten him house-broken and taught him “sit” and “stay”. He is neutered, has all his shots, and six months of heartworm medicine.

Because we already have three dogs, taking care of a fourth has been a challenge and we just aren’t able to keep Ghost long-terms. He is such a good and friendly dog, though, that I know he’d make a wonderful pet for anyone who is looking to adopt.

If you’re interested, let me know and I can get you in contact with Jeff.

Morning Metro: RainShine Honored, an Amazing Student, and the Culinary South Rises

  • Decatur Rain/Shine House wins 2011 Curbed Award [Curbed]
  • Decatur High grad named “Amazing Student” by UGA [UGA]
  • Paula Deen’s cookbook lands on “Unhealthiest” list [Savannah Morning News]
  • Walton County 205 acre solar farm will power 7,000 homes annually [Walton Tribune]
  • Is the South this century’s California of local food? [NYT]