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Business BOOMS for L5P
The Little Five Points (L5P) business
community serves Little Five Points and
surrounding communities, and also attracts
people from the entire metro area.
It wasn't always that way; ten years ago
there was a 50% occupancy rate, large scale
graffitti, and a crime and safety problem. In
the mid-70's Kelly Jordan, first president of
Watch your step. Security is tight in L5P.
the L5P Business Association, restored the
Point Center Building, which houses Charis
Books, Abbadabba's and other thriving
businesses. Findley Park rose where Euclid
Avenue was cut off, providing residents and
visitors a place to rest, people-watch and eat
Dancer's Collective, (today The
Collective/Seven Stages Theatre) arrived in
1982, and within a year fifteen new businesses
opened along Euclid Avenue.
Today, potential renters stand in line
for retail space. L5P is a balanced mix
of retail, entertainment, restaurants,
services, organizations, and arts. The
community has its own library, Post
Office, radio station, newspaper, credit
union, Georgia Power Office, and an
active business association.
Current L5P Business Association
president, Bill Carmichael, credits the
Association's efforts for many of the
improvements. Fifty-five businesses
joined the Associauon in 1987, up from
30 in 1986.
In 1986 the community, along with the
Atlanta Guardian Angels, spent a weekend
painting over all the graffitti. They theorized
that removing graffitu would quickly
eliminate its usefulness as a form of
communicadon. The problem with graffitu
soon evaporated, with a few exceptions, and
the success brought in the support of many
businesses.
A "Holiday Security Project", in which
Atlanta Public Safety Zone 6 Officers Terry
McFarland and Bo Vinsant patrolled the
streets, aggressively confronted under-
1 age drinkers. The program worked so
well that it has been continued with
coverage Friday night, all day and
evening Saturday, and Sunday night.
With the help of the officers, the
business owners, and the security
committee of the L5P Business
Assocauon have developed a
successful and-crime program.
The message is out - don't come to
L5P to engage in criminal activities, to
be disruptive, or get drunk. While
Officers McFarland and Vinsant are
sensitive to differing lifestyles, they
are quick to confront anti-social behaviors.
They have gained tremendous respect from
business owners and residents of the area.
With the help of the City of Atlanta, the
L5P Business Association produces three
festivals a year, including die Spring Festival
in conjuction with Inman Park, "Summer in
the Village" in July and "Get Ready for
Pylons line Goldsboro Park awaiting the decision on the Presidential Parkway
Next Issue:
The State of the Ex-Pres-Way
and Its Impact on L5P
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Residents of L5P are not shy in expressing their
feelings about the "Ex-Pres-Way".
The Carter Presidential Center and the much-argued still-
to-be-settled Presidential Parkway are bringing changes to
the face and heart of L5P.
Halloween in L5P".
Holly Mull, Special Events Manager for
the Bureau of Cultural Affairs - City of
Atlanta says, "Neighborhood
festivals are very important for the
continuing vitality of our city
neighborhoods."
This year the Association is
working on a festival for the
residents of the surrounding
communities. Of primary
importance to the Association is
' i enhancing a sense of community,
and keeping L5P a fun and safe
place to be. - Elena Rutter
Photos by Pam Cole
m mm m m m m mm
pV Little ■ ■
Five Points
PHARMACY
SODA
"FOUNTAIN
■ Ice Cream
■ Yogurt
1 Breakfast & Lunch
■ Open 7 Days
484 Moreland Ave., Atlanta, GA
(404) 524-4466
THE BEST DEAL.
THE BEST MEAL.
THE LITTLE FIVE POINTS APPEAL.
ALL YOU CAN EAT CHINESE LUNCHEON BUFFET
ONLY $3.95
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM Monday - Saturday
ALSO SERVING BREAKFAST • LUNCH • DINNER
Open 7:00 AM-9:30 PM 7 Days A Week
401 Moreland Ave., Atlanta, Ga.
523-2560
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