At first glance, it’s easy to think the two-story white building set in little gardens on Spring Street is a house. But it’s still what it’s been for about 90 years: a funeral home. And a city panel says it’s worth protecting, even as skyscrapers rise around it.
Tag: preservation
Posted inLatest News
Building at 881 Ponce will be saved thanks to historic designation
A century-old building on Ponce de Leon Avenue has a new lease on life.
The property owners of 881 Ponce de Leon had applied to the City of Atlanta for a demolition permit for the building at the corner of Ponce and Barnett streets so a JP Morgan-Chase bank branch could be built on that site.
Posted inLatest News
Sketches of Atlanta Central Library new windows, tenants, draw criticism
If there’s something everyone can agree on, it’s that Downtown’s Atlanta’s main library is in sad shape. The news that bathroom renovations are coming drew some cheers from folks at the library Wednesday night, though they had little positive to say of new windows and new tenants sketched out for the landmark building.
Posted inUncategorized
Georgia Could Become a Conservation Leader for the Rest of the Country
By Whit Fosburgh, CEO, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership Georgia is one of the most biologically diverse states in the nation, making it one of the best places in the country to hunt and fish. Hunters across Georgia – and the country – flock to the state because of its outstanding whitetail deer and quail hunting, […]
Posted inGuest Column
A Civic Center for the 21st century
By Guest Columnist KLAUS VAN DEN BERG, a consultant with CITYperformance
The Atlanta Civic Center, a mega-venue that sports a 4,600-seat auditorium and a separate exhibition hall on a 19-acre site in the Old Fourth Ward, was sold to the Atlanta Housing Authority in late 2017. Former Mayor Kasim Reed, who had already sold significant land parcels to developers, closed the Civic Center deal without requiring the development of a new vision for the site that does justice to its historic significance. The sale itself proceeded mostly outside of public view after the collapse of a deal with a private developer.
Posted inColumns
Sale of city-owned Civic Center land to AHA raises serious questions
When the City of Atlanta sold the 19-acre Civic Center site to the Atlanta Housing Authority for $31 million, the deal occurred with virtually no public involvement.
It was a deal struck by two public officials – Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and Catherine Buell, president and CEO of the Atlanta Housing Authority.
Posted inColumns
Mayor Reed’s legacies to include fate of Confederate icons in Atlanta
One legacy Mayor Kasim Reed is to leave for his successor is the potentially thorny issue of Confederate monuments and street names. If the experience of New Orleans replays in Atlanta, the issue could roil for years to come.
Posted inLatest News
Swamped by lawsuits, Mississippi gets reprieve in defense of state flag
The U.S. Supreme Court has given the governor of Mississippi extra time to defend the Confederate battle on his state’s flag. The response had been due Thursday, but the state sought an extension because its law department is busy defending the pending state take-over of the Jackson public school district and a challenge of the state’s parole board by a murderer/arsonist.
Posted inColumns
Protecting Atlanta’s icons: Two sites placed on Georgia Register of Historic Places
Two Atlanta architects whose imprints have shaped the city’s landscape – John Portman and Henri Jova – have been honored through the listing of signature developments on the Georgia Register of Historic Places. The placement makes the properties eligible for state tax incentives and grants.
Posted inColumns
Auburn Avenue’s long-awaited history, cultural project moving forward
A walk along Auburn Avenue can be described as inspirational, even spiritual. Soon the words educational and attractive may be added. A highlight of a pending beautification project is a huge mural and 10 big light boxes that are to tell the corridor’s history.
Posted inLatest News
Deadline extended for $500,000 grant program to restore historic theaters
The Fox Theatre Institute has extended the application deadline for a grant program that is offering up to $500,000 in grants to restore historic theaters across Georgia.
Posted inSubmitted Photos
Photo Pick: Atlanta Civic Center by Chad Carlson
According to reports this week, the Civic Center could avoid demolition. The previous status was grim, but the city is back in talks about preserving this building. The following excerpt is from Maria’s column this week: “Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed is exploring “reactivating” the 18-acre Civic Center site and possibly putting it back on the […]
Posted inLatest News
City panel pauses Pullman Yard landmark designation process
Amid general support for landmarking Kirkwood’s Pullman Yard, a city panel hearing the idea delayed a vote while they await historic details on at least one building.
Posted inLatest News
Pending sale of Pullman Yard scrutinized by Kirkwood Neighborhood Association
The state’s plan to sell Pullman Yard without any requirements to preserve any of the 11 buildings or land has prompted the Kirkwood Neighborhood Association to begin an effort to have historic conditions applied to the property before it is sold.
Posted inUncategorized
Photo Pick: Pratt-Pullman Yard protest by members of the Atlanta Preservation Alliance
This week neighbors from Kirkwood and preservation professionals gathered to protest the sale and possible destruction of the historic buildings. Special thanks to members of the Atlanta Preservation Alliance for these stunning images: Chad Carlson, Charles Lawrence & Derek Anderson.
Posted inColumns
Georgia to Atlanta: Drop historic preservation effort at Pullman Yard, or else
A lawyer for the state issued a tersely worded letter to Atlanta regarding the city’s efforts to protect the historic buildings and site at the state-owned Pullman Yard. Atlanta was advised to drop its preservation effort, or expect to square off with the state and its backing from Georgia’s attorney general.
Posted inColumns
Let’s do a better job preserving Atlanta’s past in 2017
The coming of a new year heightens our sensitivity to the changes in our life and our city.
This year marked the last Peach Drop as we know it. Sadly, the rain and the cold dampened the final event held at Underground Atlanta before it is sold to WRS Realty in the near future.
The good news is that the historic structures in and around Underground will be preserved as new buildings are constructed as part of the new development.
But there are so many other landmarks in danger of being demolished during 2017 with Atlanta having a spotty record of preserving its most precious landmarks.
Posted inLatest News
Emory University gets green light to redevelop Briarcliff Mansion, once home to Coke heir
Editor’s note: This story has been updated with new photos by Kelly Jordan.
Emory University’s plans to partner with a developer to reopen the Briarcliff Mansion, once home to a Coca-Cola heir, as a hotel and event facility were approved Dec. 15 by Georgia’s State Properties Commission, according to a report by emory.edu
Posted inLatest News
Return of 101 Marietta: Rebranding, renovating an iconic Downtown skyscraper
As Downtown Atlanta continues its gradual expansion westward, beyond the new Falcons stadium, an iconic skyscraper near the CNN Center is being renamed and is to undergo its first renovation in 18 years.
Posted inColumns
Atlanta may designate Pullman Yard an historic site to regulate any redevelopment
Atlanta is taking steps to protect the historic integrity of a property best known as Pullman Yard. It’s a collection of 11 commercial buildings located on the largest single tract of land in the rapidly redeveloping Kirkwood neighborhood, east of Little Five Points.
