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Below
are minutes for the April 11, 2006, meeting of the Atlanta
Downtown Neighborhood Association, which was held at the Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA). Notes were written by Whitney Russert, ADNA Secretary.
ADNA Board member Mary-Elizabeth Harmon welcomed 45 ADNA members and guests to the Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA) in the Marquis II Tower. Collonade Properties (thank you Clara Sanchez!) provided meeting space. Visitor/member introductions followed, with announcements by a Jefferson Park resident (promoting their upcoming Festival) and a GaTech grad student (studying the business impact of panhandling legislation.) ADNA President Jay Tribby advised of the next meeting’s topic, a grocery store for downtown, and encouraged turnout for the May meeting.
ADNA Festival Chairmen (Jen Henderson, Beth Haynes, Chris Raffield) explained Festival progress and handed out fliers and posters, encouraging attendees to spread the word and to volunteer during the event. Tickets are available at several venues (Tix.com, Theatrical Outfit, The Container Store and at ADNA meetings) up to May 20/21. The loft tour will have 13 homes, and includes several new buildings on the tour.
Chris Ciovacco introduced Warren Snipes and Brett Oliver from Portman Holdings who presented the AmericasMart addition being constructed at Williams and International and the need for a zoning variance to allow for overhead walking bridges connecting this new building. Issues that were raised by residents were addressed:
- Variance is needed to cross public (street air) space (the city receives “air rights” rental income)
- Traffic implications of the new building include increased bus transit for convention/show transport from hotels
- Plans included a public plaza at Williams & Harris and retail on Williams & International to ameliorate the pedestrian eyesore of existing buildings
- Buyers need the convenience of bridges to make best use of time, AmericasMart needs competitive advantage it gives over other cities
After viewing plans that showed an extensive, publicly accessible retail presence on the ground floor, a motion was made, seconded and passed to endorse the ordinance variance to allow Portman Holdings to build pedestrian bridges. (NPU-M had already endorsed, pending ADNA’s vote).
Laura Moody from MODA explained the museum’s history. The only design museum in the Southeast, MODA is affiliated with The Smithsonian Institute through the Cooper-Hewitt in NYC. It’s current exhibit, “Shaping the Atlanta Scene” was displayed in 3 spaces on two floors and included six landmark projects that are either completed, under construction or in the planning stages.
- 1180 Peachtree Street
- The Beltline Project
- Georgia Aquarium
- Atlanta Symphony Hall
- Atlantic Station
- High Museum expansion
Models, plans and renderings illustrated the unique properties of these additions to Atlanta’s signature architectural scene.
Moody also explained MODA’s program for children, “A City of Neighborhoods,” which encouraged school age participants to research Beltline neighborhoods and envision trolley stop environments. The project would involve historical research, design and presentation skills and foster a sense of ownership for Atlanta’s changing neighborhoods.
The MODA museum store also stayed open late to offer ADNA guests 20% discounted sales on all items.
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