The following comments
are from the meeting with the developer on July 19.
Comments are anonymous
unless the writer left a name.
Could you incorporate more landscape/tree
canopy (re: built up islands) into the parking structure? To help reduce the impact
of excessive impervious surface, have you considered any green roofing techniques?
Red brick and limestone banding would be a much better reference to Normaltown
context (and its historical core - the Navy school).
Amy Andrews:
I
don't have apreference for "white" versus red brick. However, the ornamentation
(or lack thereof) planned for the building is minimal. The limestone trim is a
good idea, but it still has the appearance of a big, post-modern plain box. The
buildings shown as samples of what this building is modeled on are significant
for their ornamentation at the roofline and at street level.
I
still object to the RM Zoning being changed to commercial. Arguing that other
lots will be developed along Prince is irrelevant to this development. The SunTrust
building, while deeper into the neighborhood is low-scale, surrounded by green
space, has minimal parking and does not generate traffic!
While
there may be other developments for which no input is necessary, this project
does rely on input and a "difficult sell" process. I feel it is incumbent
on us, if we are going to lose residential space, to only "approve"
a development that is compatible with the area.
I don't
object to a tall building and didn't object to the original 4 stories. My objection
is an architecturally significant building which sets the tone for the inevitable
development of adjacent commercial space. I don't think this development/building
has attained that distinction as it's currently designed.
Bike racks out
front. Keep green space in the back green. I'd like to see a park with benches
and a playscape for the Community/neighborhood/medical complex. The fence should
mimic the building material - perhaps with some iron as well. Bakery, arts cinema,
café for retail.
Mary Porter
I have concerns about: rezoning
residential and the precedent it would set and traffic generated; especially in
the Boulevard neighborhood but also on Prince and King.
Jennifer Lewis
I would suggest moving the line of trees (indicates west side of building) to
the outside of the side entrance sidewalk rather than putting the trees next to
the building as shown. Shade and separation from cars.
Concern of building
materials. Real brick and limestone or foam and dryvit? Need real trees on prince,
not Crepe Myrtles. Break-up Prince frontage so it looks formal. Make a community
pool in R-15 area. Develop building with LEEDS (?) standards. A brick wall around
the parking lot. Planting trees on top of parking lot. Athens has a 52% vacancy
with regard to medical facilities.
Please get a strong set up fence for
the back-up to Hiawassee. This will help greatly with the project.
Red brick
would tie building in to the Navy school, Normal hardware & other brick buildings
along Prince.
Scale and massing are still too big for Prince. Nothing on
Prince other than the hospital even comes close. Thanks for taking neighborhood
concerns into account. How about a community pool in the RS 15 lot?
Would
like to see a neighborhood bar (Allen's) in the retail space.
How is stormwater
being handled?
Much better than the previous plan - defines street much
better than the terraced pyramid look and smaller retail bays will be more attractive
to local small business clients. You seem to have a much more clear sense of a
healty way to channel the inevitable growth on Prince; if other buildings follow
this example we may have many worries in terms of traffic but there would be good
odds of a bustling corridor supporting a pedstrian lifestyle. My only wish is
that it were residential space, not office space, but I guess that's not really
up for debate.
Good improvements from previous plan. Pleased to see all
three stories flush with street and continued use of ground floor retail. Would
like to see larger caliper street trees planted on Prince for shade. Red brick
exterior (Navy School). It would be ideal if offices in building could be accessed
from sidewalk on Prince.
The plan should allow for ADA copliant traffic
from Prince sidewalk into Offoce building lobby.
The developers' communication
and response to the community is much appreciated. Thanks. Seems to me to be a
good project with the latest changes. Also seems to be an adaptable structure
for the unknown future but would be better in my view to have a street level (Prince)
entrance as most any urban building does.
Read
a summary of the July 19th meeting.
View
images and information about the project.
