Comments on: Suburban Plaza Design Concepts Released

By: Steve

Steve — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 15:44:59 +0000

I actually made a point of noting vacant places on Memorial near WM the other day when I went to Aldi (built since WM) and noted very few.

By: Jane F. Garvey

Jane F. Garvey — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 15:12:20 +0000

This can only be an improvement–WalMart and all. By the way, a lot of those empty retail spaces on memorial Drive were empty before WM ever was built. I don’t think this will have any affect on Decatur businesses, but it will bring jobs and dollars into the local economy, and give those of us who live here more choices. None of the grocery stores that had been there survived–they were terrible. Would I have preferred something like an EarthFare? You bet. With a Trader Joe’s at 8th & Monroe, having one here was very unlikely. I get a kick out of people who don’t want WM because of traffic but would have been happy with a Hobby Lobby or a Target. HUH? How would that ameliorate traffic concerns? One woman at a meeting hollered that WM buys everything in China. Ever see anything made in the USA in Hobby Lobby? If you do, let me know–promise not to hold my breath. Not much in Target either. Every item I looked at in the Georgia Aquarium gift shop was made in China, and so was everything I looked at in the gift shop at the State Botanical Garden near Athens. So Wal-Mart bashing bcz it buys goods in China is silly. (Besides, you better hope somebody’s buying goods in China, bcz it’s China that’s buying our debt!)). And I think the design is a heckuvan improvement over the current state of affairs.

By: Steve

Steve — Sun, 15 Jul 2012 12:44:56 +0000

And GGD is focusing on the WM thing, which they have no chance of winning, while ignoring the issues of YDFM expansion and the Race-Trac station, both of which require rezoning and therefore, both of which they actually could influence.

By: poplar

poplar — Sun, 15 Jul 2012 03:00:01 +0000

That is not at all surprising. GGD: they’re consistent if nothing else.

By: At Home in Decatur

At Home in Decatur — Sat, 14 Jul 2012 12:29:54 +0000

An ice skating rink would be awesome. You don’t have to be any good at ice skating to have tons of fun. But it is a drag to have to drive all the way up to Alpharetta to skate.

However, there’s some reason that no big ice skating or roller rinks or bowling alleys are in town. It’s either insufficient demand and/or cost of space. Ditto for lack of childrens shoe stores like Coggins.

By: DecaturResident

DecaturResident — Sat, 14 Jul 2012 02:01:58 +0000

You know… i love to ice skate and play hockey… it would be fantasic if a ice rink were built out in this complex… Why should the northern subs have all the fun!

By: Deanne

Deanne — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 17:30:41 +0000

BTW, Theresa and I were also at yesterday’s meeting between Selig and Good Growth Dekalb. We had all hoped that the GGD reps would come in and focus on giving their ideas for the project and having any concerns other than Walmart addressed. (Since Walmart is a signed tenant, GGD knew when Selig agreed to the meeting that Walmart was off the table.) Unfortunately, GGD opted to stick to NO Walmart, and passed on their one opportunity to share their ideas.

By: Deanne

Deanne — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 17:23:48 +0000

Theresa – You’re just so darned good you could be a professional writer! :0)

smalltowngal- That’s how Roberto listed the styles before starting his presentation. Yeah, I can see it’d be kinda “uh…okay” just to read it and try to visualize it. We also had the benefit of seeing photos he’d taken of businesses around Decatur (mostly) to accompany his description of how the design might be influenced– think more along the lines of drawing from interesting aspects rather than full blown architectural styles. “Decatur Funky” served its purpose in giving Selig a feel for what the community wants (not cookie cutter), and ASD will definitely deliver. You’ll see! :0)