Eye on the Street
Decatur Metro | September 26, 2014 | 11:15 am
West Ponce de Leon Ave, Decatur GA
West Ponce de Leon Ave, Decatur GA
Scott
G Buck
poster
G Buck
Decatur Mom
Decatur Mom
King Tommen
Eric
Robert Butera
Mayo and Waffles
Cornelius
Church
Cannot wait to get those sidewalks back…………
+ One billion zillion gillion. Having to cross the street two extra times just travel a block gets darn old. And those aren’t the greatest or safest crossings in town. No question that it’s hurting business on that side of the street. Whereas I’d often walk up from Dancing Goats to CVS and back, passing by several businesses on that side of the street, now I’ll jump in my car and drive up–it’s faster, safer, and less frustrating.
Sure wish that a sidewalk lane, covered by a construction deck or awning could have been maintained. That’s what’s used further up Ponce by Viet Nails and what big pedestrian cites like NYC use.
I’m with you! I was hoping they could do something (anything) to make those pedestrian crossings safer. I would love to see a zebra crossing (with lights) but realize that is probably too expensive. I use those crossings several times a day on the way to MARTA or running errands in town and have had a couple of fairly terrifying experiences, one of which occurred with my two year old in tow. I love that Decatur is so walkable, but it would be even better if it was safely walkable.
The construction looks very modern, cool. Does anyone know if they are going to be apartments or condos? I found a reference on the Atlanta Business Chronicle that suggested they will be apartments. And I agree.. the sidewalk is sorely missed.
They are apartments. And I couldn’t agree more about the sidewalk situation. The light at Ponce Place is especially unfriendly to pedestrian and vehicular traffic attempting to cross or turn onto Ponce. Hopefully there will be some adjustments to the sensors/timing, or else most of those cars coming out of the 315 deck will be finding other routes I’m sure.
This building is looking great. It plugs a big hole on this part of Ponce.
They posted interior photos on Facebook not too long ago. Those units on the front are SWEET. I can only imagine that the rents will not be.
Speaking of sidewalks, what is with the placement of the Stop Sign at the intersection of Ponce and Fairview Ave (next to the office building and across the street from Taqueria del Sol)? It takes up half the sidewalk…
And it’s low enough for a distracted pedestrian to walk into.
So what kind of fees do developers pay to close the sidewalk? Is there any incentive for the developer to get the sidewalk reopened as soon as possible? Pedestrian time and convenience has a cost — to the pedestrians themselves, to retailers, and to city tax receipts.
For this particular project I’d like to see scaffolding like what is in front of the Rennaissance as early as possible so that life on the street can resume.
Not sure about a closing penalty but the primary fee is that they’re footing the bill for new streetscape that meets city standards for width, trees, light poles and benches. Setting up a protected walkway typically occurs in instances where appropriate sidewalk is already in place (like in NYC, as AHID mentions) and the developer is only building up to their property line.
Walking into the building has been a nightmare for months as well. No pedestrian access at all.
How do the cars get in?
(Sorry, just had this silly image of a bouncer letting the cars into the building, but not the pedestrians.)
Getting a handicapped person into this building during this has been a nightmare. I choke every time I hear how pedestrian friendly or ‘walkable’ Decatur is when blocks of streets and sidewalks are simply shut down for the convenience of construction.
I am amazed at how *not* handicapped friendly this city is … From the sidewalks at the bus turnaround at the MARTA station to the railroad crossings. Something to strongly consider and improve upon, for sure.