Just picked up my copy of Creative Loafing … the Cover Story “Auburn Avenue Redrawn” grabbed my attention. The 1st time I visited Atlanta we headed straight to the King Center – my folks wanted to make Dr. King REAL to us, what better place than Auburn Ave? Imagine my surprise, as we were driving down Auburn from Peachtree, when I saw how rundown the street was … reminded me of Hudson Avenue or Genesee Street at home …places you did NOT want to hang out after dark (and some days too).
My dad made a comment about “how it had changed, they seem to have let it go ..damn shame I remember when…” (insert various long gone memories here) …. I was incredibly disappointed and honestly, didn’t want to get out of the car…. but I did. We walked the King Center, went into Ebenezer and did the little tour of King’s birthplace…all the while avoiding eye contact with the “vagrants” as someone called them … it was rather depressing …
Eventually, I moved to Atlanta and attended Clark Atlanta University! Because of that very fact, I had occasion to visit the King Center several different times …same thing …only I was way more compassionate towards the homeless people …
I’ve always thought that surely Dr. King is rolling over in his grave somewhere ( I still refuse to believe he is at the King Center – digressing) at the plight that is Auburn…
But alas, there is hope on the horizon…according to this article … There are plans to rebuild … try to bring the glory back to Auburn … I am excited about the concept but I do NOT welcome another East Atlanta, in which, property values are soaring, and long time residents can’t afford the taxes associated with the increased value and were/are being forced out of their homes. Auburn needs to be revitalized by people who respect its’ history ….and wish to make the project a win-win for the existing community and Atlanta as a whole …. Going to keep my eye on this … I love living intown and count the possibility of having an Auburn Avenue address an honor!

SIDE NOTE There’s a guy I know who is mentioned in the article …Willis Walker … he and his partner, Morgan, are opening a coffee shop – Javaology- on Edgewood …I plan to patronize the spot as much as humanly possible … join me why don’t you?