Here Comes the Neighborhood: Residents Look To Create Downtown Neighborhood Association
Decatur Metro | September 26, 2014 | 9:42 am
With a number of new residences being built downtown, it seemed only a matter of time before a neighborhood association popped up. And here it is! George writes in…
I am working to create a downtown decatur neighborhood association and would appreciate your support in publicizing the organizational meeting scheduled for November 12 at 7:00 at the Decatur Recreation Center. I have been working with the planning department and Commissioner Scott Drake, as well as other residents.The Facebook page is Decatur Downtown Neighbors. I am happy to discuss with you if you need additional information.
On the site’s Facebook page you begin to a get a sense already of some of the groups’ initial concerns. Here’s a post accompanied with pictures of the city’s vacant parking lots…
Despite all the development underway, there are many sites whose future has not been decided. The new residents will need new amenities (like a park), and the City should look at these sites to ensure a good quality of life for the growing number of downtown residents.
Photo of future development site – Callaway Building – courtesy of Downtown Neighborhood Assoc. Facebook page
What does your neighborhood association group consider the boarders of down town, can you give street boarders North, east , south and west.
You live in downtown Decatur and you want a park? Good luck.
There’s a park behind the library and Glenlake is a short walk from downtown.
How about Decatur Cemetery? It’s the largest greenspace in the City, it’s peaceful and good for getting exercise. Just follow a few simple rules.
But don’t bring alcohol or Mr. B will object…
B.S. One of my favorite things when I go back to my parent’s hometown is heading out with a number of my cousins to go drinking in the cemetery so we can spend some quality time with some of our dearly departed relatives.
But late at night, right? And quietly so you don’t attract the attention of the authorities, right? And there’s probably a lot of hanky panky going on too. Although I think the teen horror movies discourage that.
I don’t know about you, but I’m from the North so when I’m out with my cousins there isn’t any hanky panky going on. 😉
And yes, always at night: http://forrester.smugmug.com/Family/Uncle-Tom/i-xtRDfsC/0/XL/CIMG0208-XL.jpg
I think people often forget or don’t know what a great greenspace the cemetery is, and it connects to a more conventional park, Glenlake.
Agree that it’s a great greenspace and I’ve always loved walking around old cemeteries. But it’s definitely not the equivalent of a park.
From the Friends of the Cemetery brochure:
-Be respectful. These grounds are sacred to the memories of the people buried here.
-Be aware of your surroundings. Old walkways can be uneven and loose underfoot.
-Stay off monuments, particularly in the Old Section; they can be fragile.
-Refrain from gravestone rubbings; they can be destructive to old monuments.
-Leave no trash. Receptacles are available throughout the grounds.
From the City website: We ask all visitors to keep their dogs on leashes and stay on the roadway.
So great for walking, running, bicycling as long as you stay on the roadway and walkways, or for sitting in the gazebo and relaxing or reading, or for walking your dog as long as you stay on the roadway and clean up after it. But not so good for social gatherings, kids playing loudly or running around the graves, definitely not for sports, and Mr. B. doesn’t like alcohol there.
There’s the Toy Park. And the Adair dog park is almost Downtown. And the lawn of the First Christian Church is practically a park. Ditto for First Baptist. And there’s that weird area where the Saturday Farmer’s Market occurs. And the Rec Center and Library lawns. And the pocket park in front of 315 West Ponce….oh, never mind.
As a downtown homeowner, I don’t object to another park downtown, but I suspect some of the motivation behind calls for more greenspace is the desire of some homeowners to limit the number of new apartments.
Downtown Decatur = Condo Canyon.
If only downtown Decatur was more like a Decatur neighborhood. Or a park. Or a Retail Power Center. Oh, wait. It’s none of those things. It’s a downtown. What to do?!
There are plenty of places more than happy to celebrate generic placelessness oozing across the landscape like lava, where everything is just some bland variation of the same thing. But then there are places with a little variety. Loose neighborhoods. Dense neighborhoods. Different degrees of mixed use. And a downtown with a life all its own. I’ll take that, canyon and all.
Seems like a great spot for a true downtown park would be behind the old courthouse. It could tie in with the square & plaza and could be enjoyed by residents and visitors alike. It might offer some enjoyable & accessible respite from the hustle and bustle of our burgening city center.
The downtown neighborhood boundaries are loosely defined at this point – between Commerce and Howard Avenue, with a slight extension to the west along Ponce and southward. Basically the area where all the condos are going.
It is about more than a park, but a park is something to consider. Visit the Facebook page or come to the November 12 meeting to learn more.
Ebster, Adair, The Courthouse/Square, Glenlake, Cemetery, Parkwood, etc etc etc
Decatur is doing pretty good when it comes to greenspace