I think the tactics of a few pro-big box people saying things like "you don't want them putting up an ugly plant with smoke stacks" is just another sad part of the big box store debate. Lying and sneaking seems to be the rule of the day.

To begin with, all the "smoke stack" industries are being exported to other counties that don't care and do it cheaper. Cooper Lighting, Cooper Wiring Devices, Spruce Aircraft retail and small warehouses are the kind of things we get now. Most are nice enough looking.

There is a lot of deceit in the ranks of the real estate developers. They will say just about anything to get what they want.

Unfortunately, it will not stay trees. If I lived on that end of town I'd rather rezone and have a big box that is built with community input than to leave it industrial and have a chemical plant, a smokestack, warehouses or worse.

The current city mind set is to bring in as much retail as possible to add to the tax rolls.

Whilshire is just in the "current" gun sight. They'll be coming your way soon enough.

Think of it like the "Borg". Once there done with Wilshaire, they'll move on to the next property that "used" to be zoned General Industrial.

The PTC Development Authority has been totally unsuccessful in attracting tenants for either the existing industrial space or for the over 2,000,000 sq ft of un-leased office space.

Existing property taxes, home owners, only cover just over half of current city expenses.

Just for F.Y.I. guess which law firm is representing Columbia Properties. That's right, you guessed it, our good friend Mr. Rick Lindsy.

If there is anybody more capable of getting a zoning change past the Planning Commission and City Council, I don't know who that could be.

The real problem isn't just with this development. What you must realize is that once Mr. Lindsy gets that door cracked open he'll drive a truck through it.

Once the city sets precedence with this property, there will be nothing to stop all of Hwy. 74 south from becoming several large, unneeded, unused and unwanted strip shopping centers. There will be no revitalization of the Braelinn shopping center because new shopping centers will fill the void.

Now add this and future rezoning to the already dismal realization of TDK and the mega shopping center that Coweta is planning and you can get a glimpse of what our once "Best Place To Live" city is going to look like in 5 years.

Harold knows full well he's viewed as a one-time-wonder for the developers so they plan on taking full advantage of the situation for as long as he's around.

Harold has a tennis center to pay for along with his salary increase for a part time job.

Why are we still subsidizing the "tourist authority?" Nothing has come to PTC except retail to replace GOB retail in years. The tourists' nearly run one off the road!
As to Mr. Lindziy, the bureaucratic mouthpeace, he has more(tax) money than Allah. (Along with his mentors).

in usage. Industrial to Commercial is usually viewed as a step down.

Still, I'm in favor of leaving the big box retail component out of this area.

PTC could do a lot worse than a home improvement store. That land is currently zoned industrial. Thats industrial--read: manufacturing, smoke stacks, 18 wheelers, etc.

"manufacturing, smoke stacks, 18 wheelers"

It's 50 acres of parking-lot. That's bigger than the Kroger & Target shopping center on Peachtree Pky. It also happens to backup to a watershed area and Line Creek.

Since the property is directly in the approach for Falcon Field there won't be any smoke stakes.

Since it's proposed to be the new Lowe's for our area there will be 18 wheelers anyway.

According to the developers own propaganda:

"Why can't the land be developed as it is currently zoned (Industrial)?
The GDOT plan to realign Rockaway Road splits the land into two parcels, thereby greatly decreasing the feasibility of any type of industrial development."

The "deal" also requires a land swap with the city.

From now on please educate yourself BEFORE you show us all just how ignorant you really are.

We apparently don't want any industry, or more likely can't get any due to the work force available.

I've heard nothing, but I do know the building sold.

They are going to put a Walgreen's in a $3,000,000 log cabin?
Get real. Much more likely that Ted's will relocate there. Better to own than to rent, don't you know.
meow

I heard they were going to tear the building down to make way. What a shame!

next door to the Buckhead told me more then a month ago, that Walgreens was interested in the site. Their plan is to knock down the building to build a new one.

I got my info. We really need another drug store.

Another Drug store. Sheesh, maybe they can attach a nail salon. Or at least sell chicken wings.

We could use another Mexican and Chinese restaurant in the mix. And here's a unique idea....How about another Dry Cleaners?

I really do think we need more nail salons, beauty shops, massage joints, and by all means a couple of hundred more BANKS!
What on earth do all those multimillion dollar bank buildings do?
Not enough bars and liquor stores either.

I wish we had a non smoking bar without kids myself.

Alkies do enjoy "no kids" places. Why don't you build your own and not allow kids in? Including restaurants, we now have approximately 63 bars and 73 liquor places.

NO way there are 63 bars here. Nothing wrong with a good drink every now and then.

I'm counting anywhere one can have or buy a drink or a bottle of liquor, wine, or beer. There is no such thing as a "good drink."

IF we both agreed on everything, one of us it not needed.

BTW, where do you get your definition of "bar"? If we're shooting from the hip, I need to know that too.

I'm counting anywhere one can have or buy a drink or a bottle of liquor, wine, or beer. There is no such thing as a "good drink."

Dang, Guy. I git you sometime but you do git out thar sometime. There are several good drinks. A cold beer (from a micro brew or Sam Adams). Either a 12 yr Scotch Whisky (Chivas) or any single malt ON the rocs. & in the summer a G & T. Like a Bombay, Tang, or (my fav) a oddles of Boddles.
$ U gotta git more consitant w/ ur comments.

We were having such a good day together.....

A bar by definition is one that only serves drinks....no food, or at least any real food. We used to have only 3 until the cops harrassed people so bad coming out of Martinis ..it closed down.......see ....now you ...like the cops....don't you???

Unless they've close very recently, the Red Room is now where Martini's used to be. Last time I was in there, they had a pretty good live band on the weekend.

I haven't been in since it changed hands. Any of our finest follow you home?? That's why I stopped going last time. Too dangerous, didn' want to be in DUI class with our low-life city manager.

They won't patrol the cartpaths but.......

Wife and I get out sometimes. We usually take the Golf Cart, and neither of us usually has more than a drink or two. Certainly, not the driver.

Nice ride from Spyglass Subdivision around the lake.

Thanks dawg

Something without smoke or kids would be a dream here. Since the council fools will approve the big box thing on 74, maybe we can get one in there.

It's just a matter of time....... they will figure out a way to pull a scam, just like they did with the tennis center fiasco.

Oh, yeah, um can we get an "adult book" store in there too. It's the least lindsey could do for us.

Is Hooters going into the 74 industrial/comercial zoning switcheroo....or are they going into the empty shack that was Macaroni?? So many empty buildings to choose from......must be tough to be a councilfool.

If my memory is right, the Church property going commercial also involved some retail or mixed use office space that would have been involved. That would have created more income, and made the offer for the land higher.

All that being said, if you know something, fill us in. Speculation not needed.