City will give away public streets near Underground Atlanta to developer

Move that took community by surprise is needed to close long-delayed deal, mayor says





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The developer that’s lined up to purchase and remake Underground Atlanta into a $350 million mixed-use development will also own — and control — the public streets cutting through the project.

The Atlanta City Council last night voted 10-4 to allow Mayor Kasim Reed to hand over control of some Downtown streets to WRS Real Estate, the South Carolina-based developer that’s spent two years negotiating with the city over the failed shopping mall and nightlife spot. Reed said the “abandonment” of parts of Plaza Way, Lower and Upper Alabama Street, and Upper and Lower Pryor Street was vital to close the deal in the coming weeks.

The move was a slap in the face to some Downtown residents and urbanism advocates who argued that the city rushed the process and chose not to inform the public. They also were concerned that everyday residents risked losing pedestrian and bicycle access through the area, kissing goodbye to an important street grid in the most walkable and transit-connected part of Atlanta.

Another concern: If the streets and sidewalks belong to WRS, the company would have the authority to dictate what — and who — is and is not allowed on sidewalks and streets in the development. In other words, the new owners of Underground Atlanta could ostensibly exercise the same type of control used in Atlantic Station, where private security guards have the authority to tell people not to take photographs, follow a dress code, or even be on the property.

Councilmembers Alex Wan, Mary Norwood, Felicia Moore, and Natalyn Archibong voted against the proposal.

WRS CEO Scott Smith told the Saporta Report before last night’s vote that “we are not going to close the streets to pedestrian or bike traffic. We would like to stop vehicle traffic so that we can join the four corners and make a community feel to the development. At no time would the streets be closed to thru walking traffic or bicycles.””

Though left unsaid in Smith’s published comments, controlling access appears to a big reason for the move. In an interview with the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Reed said “if you were investing $350 million, I think most folks at home would want to control who has the right of entry to their campus.”

But Downtown residents, business owners, and urbanism advocates strongly opposed the move. Kyle Kessler of the South Downtown Initiative noted that the city did not inform the public about the proposal, rushing it through to help close a real-estate deal that is already behind schedule. The public has not been presented with a plan of what WRS proposes other than renderings and marketing materials that are subject to change.

“There’s no crisis,” Kessler told council members before the vote. “Let’s take our time, get this done right.”

Matt Garbett of Thread ATL, an urbanism advocacy group that tried to mobilize residents against the proposal, warned council members during public comment that WRS would have the authority to boot people from the streets and sidewalks, some of which were used by protesters, including civil rights leader Hosea Williams.

“Once you give up this public space that is ours by right and payment we will never get it back,” he said. “And the only reason I can see they want this is that they will have ability to determine privately which individuals are desirable and undesirable on this property. And we all know who that is going to impact the most.”

Councilwoman Cleta Winslow, who supported the measure, praised the developer for its plans to preserve historic buildings and its enthusiasm for Downtown. But she added that “we’ve got to get a lot of vagrants out.” She said she was not necessarily referring to the area’s homeless population but people who “are not doing the right thing.”

“This piece is important first step we need to make to redevelop this area,” said Councilman Michael Julian Bond. “I remember when this part of Downtown was rich vital and active it just isn’t that anymore.”

Councilman Kwanza Hall, who sponsored the original and substitute measure, said the legislation protected “a” street grid and required public input before WRS’ plan is approved. The developer must also come up with a community engagement plan and provide quarterly briefings to residents and the City Council. 

Garbett of Thread ATL wasn’t sold, saying “the changes are meaningless.” The organization last night said it would “continue to challenge the legality of this decision.”