In the News
Trails
Beltline
A trail loop within Atlanta's city limits. Connecting several neighborhoods with transit connects.
Path 400
Is a trail of interest, is being built along a highway and appears to be connecting some Atlanta suburbs and metro area cities
Silver Comet (Atlanta)
Another Atlanta area trail of interest. Covering stretches leading to...
Flooding
Greenroofs, New York and the Big U
The quest for and interest in green roofs is an outcropping of an interest in community gardening and the search for city lots and underutilized and multipurpose space that morphed into a closer awareness of city infrastructure. Pipes were being overwhelmed by water. Drains being clogged by floating debris.
The Big U is the same interest from another angle and ostensibly but questionably (given the number of possible rooftops in New York) on a larger scale--the southern tip of Manhattan. An exciting project and proposal from the BJK architectural firm and with the blessings of the mayor and input from community stakeholders.
Whither NYC Subways and Atlanta Highways?
Flooding, an issue that makes the news and for further inquiry. The known so far: Cities have dual systems. One for funneling water from sinks and drains. Another for capturing rain water. City drains can be compromised by natural or manmade debris and water can pool. It is important all drains are clear.
Sometimes the sheer volume of water may overwhelm the system. Therefore, it's important to capture it before it reaches the pipes. This is where rain gardens, green roofs and parks come in and questions of whether these are considered preventative measures. Whether they are built specifically for these purposes? Who studies this and what is their relationship to the city?
Flooding in New York, Evacuation Maps and Could it Happen Here?
Hurricanes and flooding were a big and unexpected concern in New York. Now in Athens still aware, watching, concerned and wondering if it could happen here. After so much news of rain in Louisiana and New York, tried to pull up our town's flood maps. A quick search found--news of flood map updates.
The Economy
Jobs and Student Housing--Whither Economic Development?
In previous iterations Athens has thrived on room shares as well as low rents for students and those that leave the university but stay in town. Over the years the scene has evolved with people getting into the "business" of student housing. Through the accompanying rising rents and the onset of passive incomes most employment in Athens has remained the same--low to modest rate service work--some taking on two restaurant or grocery clerk jobs to make ends meet. As we enter mid 2021, some changes are emerging. For one, the city has made the move to a $15 minimum wage mostly outpacing "free market" offerings--the one exception being warehouse jobs just out of town that pay $17-$18 per hour. With the ongoing need to build a middle class job base in Athens, we offer some prospects:
-Construction: ongoing housing needs for families, students and professionals offer the opportunity for more construction.
-Schools: a growing population will require more schools--a source of middle income jobs
-Renewable energy: the city's commitments to renewable energy, and a federal so called Green New Deal, offers employment options in an emerging field.
-The Classic City Arena: offering some vendor opportunities, some management jobs and some prospects for sustainable building and solar arrays, the arena project speaks to a number of income levels, stages, and types of career.
-Office and Commercial Spaces: A growing middle and professional class requires space to work. Follow our Athens group as we explore existing and future office and commercial space in and around Athens.
River Ring, Brooklyn
Is Brooklyn's answer to the Big U? Built with its shoreline location in mind and ecological adaptations (an accompanying park) to flooding, is a ring of apartments along the Willliamsburg Waterfront slated to include a number of affordable units.