About Flagpole. (Athens, Ga.) 1987-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 28, 2011)
WHAT'S UP IN NEW DEVELOPMENT Problematic Development I: Regardless of its location in downtown Athens, the whole Selig project revolves around the same old model that rules in the 'burbs: big store, big parking. It's these fundamental priorities that appear to guide the design of the project. They cer tainly drive the financing of the project, since without the mega-anchor tenant, the whole deal doesn't work. Everything else is a Band- Aid, selected only if it furthers the primary goal of the big store with a big parking deck bv appeasing the public. Until the premise on which the project is based changes, the community should be wary. Talk of compromise may move in sev eral different directions, but the way they're phrased is key. If the size of the Walmart anchor is up for discussion, will Selig try to build a store that's the right size and fit for downtown, or will they simply propose the biggest that they think the community will stomach? Likewise, will any gestures towards historic preservation represent a recognition of the value of local history on Selig's part, or an appeasement of the community by creating a Disney ver sion of the original, where only a facade is preserved? In the meantime, Athens is in a wait ing game, hoping that Selig will let them have a look at traffic studies and final plans before they go to submit their proposal officially. Of course, that's far from assured, and it's rather strange for our decision makers to bet so heavily on the timely release of the traffic study covering an as-yet theoretical development. Will we be caught off-guard again? Is there other work to be done in the meantime? The com munity could certainly take the time to firm up what it has to offer, such as tax allocation district (TAD)-funded infrastructure improve ments, and what it might want to see as alter natives to the objectionable aspects of Selig's proposal. One angle that could be more fully explored is whether or not other city-owned land on the opposite side of East Broad from the currently proposed site could be swapped for the acreage that lies underneath the three National Register-listed historic structures. Those buildings could then be turned over to locals to renovate, since Selig finds the idea onerous and Athenians are ultimately much better at creating iconic spaces out of old buildings. Jittery Joe's could even consider buying its building outright in such a sce nario. Meanwhile, the land across the street could be put back on the tax rolls, and the whole district would have a strong sense of place, with an intersection that had all four corners utilized. Problematic Development II: Just across the river from the Selig tract, another project, the Granite outcrops like this one in southeastern Clarke County are home to unique ecosystems which are found almost exclusively in the Piedmont of Georgia. The outcrop adjacent to the North Oconee Greenway and the site of Easley's Mill, where Athens was founded, could soon be blasted away for five stories of student housing and associated parking and stormwater retention structures. Flats at Easley Mill, has been rolling along quietly in the background the last few years. That project, which calls for five stories of apartments on the former Boys and Girls Club property on Oconee Street, has con tinued to proceed despite several changes in ownership, and it looks like the latest party, to eye the property is interested in moving forward soon. As designed, the project would involve a significant amount of blasting of the granite rock outcrop there. The granite rock outcrops in the Georgia Piedmont host a unique ecosystem, and this one in particular is the one upon which Athens was founded, and from which the name "the Cedar Shoals" is derived. The student housing complex would front its stormwater ponds and service drives directly on the Greenway, which would be a huge missed opportunity for the community. The project is another example of how a more serious push towards TADs could bring developers to the table to tie their projects into the community in a better designed manner. What's needed more than anything is a design overlay for greenway and rail- to-trail corridors that defines what's appro priate next to these community resources. Problematic Development III: Lastly, the Sigma Chi fraternity's lease is likely to be bought out by the University of Georgia sometime soon, and an alumnus has acquired property in Cobbham: the site of the former Saint Mary's Hospital on Milledge. That site, between Hancock and Meigs, is drawing objections from neigh bors, still stinging from the Kappa Alpha frater nity's relocation to the area a few years back. These fraternities are moving off campus- even though there are several spaces in the fraternity row on River Road—in part because in their eyes, the university, which decided to push them off Lumpkin Street in the first place, isn't exactly a trustworthy landlord. Perhaps, though, a new model of what a fraternity or sorority house could be might alleviate some of the pressure. So long as the only acceptable way to build a fraternity is to have a mansion on Milledge, these fights will continue. Perhaps we should be explor ing other designs and locations. Commercial stretches of Baxter and Lumpkin near campus come to mind as locations that could use the infill, and are already dominated by rentals, apartment complexes, and other student- oriented uses. Perhaps a more urban design for a residential community could take the pressure off Milledge and surrounding neigh borhoods. Is a mixed-use frat house, with storefronts below and dorms above, too crazy of a notion? Kevan Williams athensrising@llagpole.com Lowest prices on new & used textbooks buy books Used textbooks are cheaper than new ones, and they work just the same. You open them up (or don’t) and you read them (or not) and you take the test (or forget to set your alarm.) rent books Rent your textbooks and save BIG. It’s simple & easy. Graduate and get a good career. Life can be good with OCBS, we promise. sell books We’ve been around for more than 25 years. Yes, that long. Turns out, we know what you guys need, like and want—we also know that these things can change every other week. But cash for books is always in style! Come see us at the end of each semester. OFF bookstore More than 20 years of helping students save money on textbooks, school supplies and Bulldog wear. Top of Baxter Hill • 548-9376 ocbs.com • dawgwear.net DECEMBER 28, 2011 & JANUARY 4,2012- FLAGPOLE.COM 5
