Ten Point Plan for Atlantic Station
Mark Toro, partner at North American Properties, shares his vision for Atlantic Station.
Dear Midtown Resident,
I am writing to you today, as a resident of Midtown, to apprise you of changes underway at Atlantic Station. As you may know, we recently acquired the retail component of the master-planned community with the expressed intent of providing world-class shopping, dining and entertainment opportunities to the residents of Midtown and surrounding communities.
Following is our Ten Point Plan:
1. Listen – we are seeking the input of the Midtown community to identify retailer and restaurant preferences, in addition to preferred event programming and other experiential aspects.
2. Improve public safety - working in collaboration with the leadership of Midtown Blue, we will emulate the public safety program that makes Midtown residents feel comfortable and safe in our community.
3. Fix the parking – we have begun installation of a completely redesigned wayfinding and lighting system to make our parking deck more user-friendly.
4. Get the word out – our Digital Outreach platform has been designed to provide Midtown residents with up-to-the-minute information about events and specials.
5. Close the nightclubs – late night partying and associated behaviors are not a part of our vision and we have taken steps to assure a comfortable and friendly atmosphere, closing the nightclubs.
6. Meet the market – we recognize that the current retail and restaurant lineup does not resonate with the community and we are in the process of retooling the offering to respond to what we hear.
7. Go local – the feedback we’ve received to date indicates a strong preference for local operators, so we are reaching out to chef-driven restaurants and owner operated boutiques.
8. Reach out – we have established relationships with our Midtown neighbors, seeking to explore synergies with SCAD, Georgia Tech, Piedmont Park and Woodruff Arts Center.
9. Reprogram public spaces – Food Truck Fridays, 1/2 Street Market, Movies in the Park and other programs are the beginning of our reimagined uses of our public space.
10.Introduce non-traditional uses – whether it is classroom space, TV studios or film production, we are exploring options to expand our reach to the community and attract positive energy to the property.
Whereas we have owned Atlantic Station less than six months, much progress has been made in each of the areas listed above. As we continue to bring about change, we greatly appreciate any and all input you might offer to our Plan.
Please feel free to post your comments to one of the following forums:
Or email us at: NAPAtlanticStation@naproperties.com.
Thank you,
Mark C. Toro
Partner, North American Properties
Urbanist
8:54 am on Tuesday, May 10, 2011
This is great. As this makes it sound, it seems like Atlantic Station is actually going to explore ways in which it can be more attractive to city residents, and not a destination space for temporary suburban migrants. The biggest thing AS lacks is connectivity to the rest of the city, but that's not really something that the owners have reasonable control of.
I don't know if it's entirely necessary to "close the nightclubs". Perhaps right now that's a reasonable strategy, as the area needs to be re-tooled. However, I hope they don't admonish the notion that nightlife and drinking could ever be a part of Atlantic Station. Many people choose to live in more urban areas because of the entertainment amenities those areas offer...which is precisely the reason very few people want to live in AS right now. Either way, this sounds like a great trajectory.
Gabriel
1:30 pm on Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Urbanist,
You have a very valid point. The "nightclubs" area is more than a mile from Atlantic Station and has not impact except people may go to dinner or a movie before going out. More people are uncomfortable walking the area between the movie theater and Strip on a Friday night at 11pm than walking Crescent Avenue.
I enjoy Atlantic Station and attending events like the movies in the park. I appreciate efforts being taken to make improvements but you are part of Midtown and not the conscience. People live and visit the area for a variety of reasons and a variety entertainment options brings people to the area. The "Nightclubs" are one of the reasons the area became popular to begin with. There isn't a lot of problems or crime in the area except for ParkAtlanta robbing visitors and residents on a daily basis.
Except for number 5, I am pleased to see the improvements to Atlantic Station. The parking situation needs to be addressed. There are several spots that sit empty because the were deemed prime and cost extra. Most of the design seems to have been done after the fact. The improved lighting and security is welcomed. My car was broken into on a sunny Saturday afternoon while I was at LA Fitness for an hour.
Hey, 9 out of 10 isn't bad.
Dustin
1:18 pm on Friday, August 19, 2011
What "nightclubs"? The lack of real nightlife is the reason I didn't even consider moving to Atlantic Station.