Where do you think you’re going?
Look at me when I’m typing to you, Zoo Atlanta. What’s this BS I hear about you picking up and moving out of Grant Park? What do you mean, what do I mean? Someone told me you’re thinking about moving to Lakewood. What do you mean, who? Does it matter?
Why would you want to move out of town after all these years? There’s no such thing as a geographical solution, you know. You can just run away from your problems and think that it’ll all be different with a change of scenery.
You’d be moving from 35 acres to 120, you say? I can see where that would be enticing. And a lake on the property? Sure. 800 parking spaces ready to go, you say? Have you ever even drawn that many people? Do you think you will? Right, right…the baby panda.
Well, if you want to go, I’m not going to stop you. I understand that being in the same spot for over 100 years can get a little old, really, I do. And I know that if I’m going to convince you I care, I should visit more often… but we’ll always have that day in the summer of ’98…
(Footnote: if you have no idea what the hell I’m talking about, read the AJC article)
If they do move, I wonder what will happen with the old space — like maybe they could keep it and do strictly educational programs there or something and have shuttles out to the new zoo.
I understand the draw of larger spaces and the other habitat opportunities the new space provides — but it would be sad to see a part of Atlanta history just fade away.
Said my friend who lives by the zoo, is a member, and takes her son there frequently.
“It’s nice having the zoo there.”
Said my friend after I told her that the zoo would want to build a parking garage in Grant Park if they stay.
“They can leave.”
If Zoo Atlanta has any aspirations of being a world class zoo it has to move. If Zoo Atlanta wants to become a tourist destination like Georgia Aquarium it has to move. The opportunity to get 120 acres in the city probably won’t ever happen again. I realized how lacking Zoo Atlanta is on a trip to the St Louis Zoo where I was able to look a Leopard about 4 feet away in the eye. It’s time for Zoo Atlanta to grow up with the rest of the city. And let’s face it, if we don’t get a new and improved Zoo Atlanta in Lakewood we’re going to get an Atlantic Station part deux.
Let’s be honest, we’re already going to get Atlantic Station part doodie when Ft. McPherson is done shutting down. Course that’s several years away and not exactly in town, but then again, the zoo could wait for some of that property. **shrug**
The big question for me if I lived in GP would be: what are they doing with the land if it moves? Does the city maintain ownership and turn it into another major park/extension of GP itself to make it another Central Park type area/attraction? Is there something in place that will protect the area of an aesthetic assault if the city whores itself out and sells the land to the highest bidding clone home developer?
I’m somewhat new to this board and need a definition of “intown”. Fort McPherson is approximately 3 miles from downtown Atlanta. It is closer then parts of E. Atl. Is “intown” where ever you can find a Starbucks 1/2 mi. away? It just seems to me that “intown” doesn’t have as much to do with proximity to the urban core as I suspected. Maybe this should be a separate thread…
Anyway, I’m sure there will be endless heated debates about what to do with the GP land if Zoo Atlanta moves out.
I’d say “intown” is partially radius and partially culture…but here’s a semi-related maparoo (warning: real estate site) that helps outline what they are.
http://www.realsourcebrokers.com/intown-atlanta-real-estate.php
Here’s a rundown I stole from elesewhere…
Ansley Park | Avondale Estates | Buckhead | Cabbagetown | Candler Park | Decatur | Downtown | Druid Hills | Emory Area | East Atlanta | East Lake | Edgewood | Grant Park | Inman Park | Johnson Estates | Kirkwood | Lake Claire | Lenox Park | Midtown | Morningside | Oakhurst | Poncey-Highland | Reynoldstown | South Atlanta | Virginia-Highland | Woodland Hills
Thanks Maigh. I’m sure the “intown” moniker will expand as Atlanta goes through its growing pains. For instance I noticed Castleberry Hill and Home Park are not on the list. I’m figuring it has to do with being a destination as well. Sorry for hijacking this thread :-) Viva La Atlanta!!! And Zoo Atlanta (wherever you end up)!!!
For those of us who live on the Southside, like I do in East Point, we like the idea of having an Atlantic Station type situation in Ft. Mac. This area needs some economic generators. At one point Ft Mac was mentioned as a home for the Zoo but for whatever reason, now appears to be out of the running. That is fine with me but it also would have been fine if the zoo went there. I think putting it in Lakewood would help the Southside by spurring interest in it. MARTA could run shuttles from the Ft Mac/Lakewood station to the new Zoo which would make it easy to get to and would also mean the Zoo wouldn’t need as much parking. I’m for the idea. As to what happens to the old space, well, some of it should be kept as park land but some of it should be developed. Part of the solution to ATL traffic issue is more density so some development in the old Zoo space might be for the best.
hmmmm…deb i was nodding my head with you and then you suggested we develop parts of grant park. yikes!
with this city so devoid of green space, why oh why, take away our nice sliver of it down here.
I’m not saying develope the whole thing. But perhaps some of it. But I agree that a good chunk, at least 50% of it should stay green space. But again, density is part of the solution to the traffic issue. And while ATL might not have that much green space in terms of parks, I happen to think as a whole ATL is a fairly green city. Being raised outside Philly it always amazes me how homes in the middle of ATL can have front and back yards..you just don’t see that in Philly!
oooh oooh one more neighborhood map link!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Atlanta_neighborhoods