Good for Atlanta

I do enjoy Atlanta quite a bit, even though there are times when I wish it were more cosmopolitan. Over all though I do think there are many nice things here and the potential for much more. I think this has been a very good year for Atlanta due to several significant projects:

The opening of Atlantic Station. This is the kind of development intown/midtown has needed for a long time. I hope its effect reaches in to Midtown's growth over the past several years. It would be great to have more shops/restaurants stretching between Ponce and Tenth streets.

The expansion of the High Museum. Since Atlanta in general is lacking in museums, the recent opening of the expansion at the High is much appreciated. The original building, designed by Richard Meier, has been restored to original designs in places (like the atrium). The large addition by architect Renzo Piano will open to the public in a few days. Nice.

The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra's new Symphony Center is another welcomed piece to the city's arts (and architecture) scene. The structure and accompanying skyscraper, Symphony Tower, were designed by famed architect Santiago Calatrava. Although there are many nice structures in the city, few have the style and panache of the Symphony Center and Tower.

The Georgia Aquarium will open this month, and ground has broken next door for a new World of Coke. These will be great additions/attractions for downtown Atlanta. Additionally in this area Ivan Allen Plaza is currently under construction and will feature office buildings, condo towers and a hotel. And, Ivan Allen Boulevard (which used to be a hodge-podge of one way streets) was opened which connect the west side and east side of downtown very nicely.

On a smaller yet still substantial scale, Glenwood Park in East Atlanta opened this year. The development is a great mix of housing (single family, townhomes and condos), retail and office spaces.

Additionally, the Beltline just passed its first big hurdle when the City Council voted to create a tax allocation district to help fund the project. The project really promised to change the way Atlanta residents interact with the city.

If you're familiar with Atlanta, you might agree with me that a monorail stretching from the Georgia World Congress Center to Georgia Tech to Atlantic Station then into Midtown would be a fun transportation idea. I know those things rarely amount to much more than a government funded tourist attraction though... Maybe one of these years...