‘Sup Atlantic Station? It’s been a while since we last talked. (Apparently I’m into taking to buildings today. That’s normal, right?)

I believe the last time our paths crossed I questioned why no one seemed to walk down your streets outside the shopping district. Since then you’ve opened an H&M and continued on your quest to build glassy condos, regardless of whether there’s demand.

But that’s not what I’m interested in today. Today, I’m wondering…what the hell is this?

No…not the guy or the mailbox with the hand-written number. I’m referring to that thing behind him. Is that the Arc de Triomphe? Did you steal the Arc de Triomphe from the good people of France and add an observation deck at the top?  Why would you do that?!

Oh…its not the Arc?  It’s a $15 million Arch financed by Atlanta families that was first supposed to be built in D.C.?  And you let them build it amidst two walls of distinctly 21st century-style condos?  Why did you do that?  What about Atlantic Station screams “we need an over-sized Roman arch?  And why did you put it in the residential district?  Any why is it named the Millennium Gate when it was built in 2007/8?

I’m wondering what it symbolizes and says about Atlanta other than “We have no identity!”?  It doesn’t evoke its history or its character.  Heck, you can’t even drive under it!  Instead, its just another $15 million man-made object that says to the world unconvincingly yells “Atlantic Station is the Paris of brownfill development!”

But this is a good lesson for the kids.  If anyone ever offers to build you a $15 million arch because he likes Roman architecture, think first about whether it makes ANY sense at all.

(Photo courtesy of the AJC)