For how to develop downtowns, look westward

John Thompson's picture

For the last few months, when Coweta County has been mentioned, Fayette residents in person and on our website react like they have a bad case of heartburn.

The county has been bashed for allowing the McIntosh Village plan to be built, just across Peachtree City’s border near Sharpsburg. Apocalyptic predictions have occurred about traffic problems, and you would think that a plague of locusts is getting ready to descend on the county.

Since there hasn’t been any dirt moved yet on the project, I’ll reserve my judgment for a few more years. Instead I’d like to focus on development that’s already in Coweta County and an ambitious plan that will see fruition in about six months. These two examples could provide a blueprint for how Fayette’s cities should look to develop.

Last Wednesday, I journeyed over to Newnan. It was a rare night where I didn’t have to attend a meeting, and I thought I would check out the health of Newnan’s downtown. Having lived in Newnan from 1985-1989, I remember the moribund reputation of the area surrounding the square and how any sense of urban life left the streets around 6 p.m.

But visiting the area nearly 18 years later, I was pleasantly surprised to see how the area had been developed. I arrived around 8:30 p.m. and nearly all the parking spots around the square were full. I stopped by for a slice of pizza at Fabiano’s and was surrounded by a group of young professionals all enjoying a nice dinner.

Next door, 20-somethings milled around a coffee store, and around the corner, couples were enjoying dancing at an Irish pub.

My next stop was the adjoining Alamo Jacks, where a group of 30-somethings was enjoying a night of karaoke. When I got in my car around 11 p.m., the restaurants and pub were still busy, and I contrasted that with the situation around Fayetteville’s town square.

If you drive through that square at 8:30 p.m., you’ll have no problem finding a parking space, because there is nothing open and nothing to do.

Fayetteville and Tyrone leaders constantly talk about downtown development, but their focus remains somewhat askew.

Fayette County is a great place to raise a family, but what about the students who finish college and want to move back here? There is simply very little to attract college-educated students who want to move back here, but have no social outlets.

Just down the road in Senoia, the owners of RiverWood Studios have embarked on an ambitious plan to remake the town’s aging business district. A three-story building is under construction that will open in December and feature the Redneck Gourmet restaurant, along with a McGuire’s Irish pub.

After that building is completed, another building will rise across the street and feature more opportunities for restaurants.

The developers also have two current spaces on Main Street that they are actively marketing as restaurant spaces.

By Christmas, residents and visitors will be able to sample the food fare on Main Street in Senoia, and also wander through some of the boutique gift stores that are also planned for the area.

Eventually, the area will feature lofts with retail on the bottom floors and Senoia will be on its way to having a bona fide downtown.

Meanwhile, city leaders in Fayette wring their hands over the lack of business in their downtown area. Perhaps Horace Greely had it right when he urged, “Go west, young man.”

It sure seems like Coweta’s towns have a clue to creating an urban environment in its cities.

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Fyt35's picture
Submitted by Fyt35 on Wed, 10/24/2007 - 11:30am.

Muddle, you have brought up an interesting point on how such a conservative city as Fayetteville has fallen behind on keeping the old town feeling. Your point could be correct, I believe Fayettevillians for the most part are resistant to change, mostly because they don’t know what the outcome of the re-development would be. On the other hand, if we had city leaders with some vision, these things could be happening right now!

What ever happened to the alleged ‘outer perimeter” that was being considered around Fayetteville?


Submitted by wheeljc on Tue, 10/23/2007 - 4:22pm.

Why are attractive businesses not coming to Fayetteville square?
What is the perceived or real detriment?
Is there an individual, or group of individuals who like to see a refurbished hardware store -- that would make a super restaurant -- vacant for years?

What kind of a message does that send to entrepreneurs about Fayetteville in general??

gratefuldoc's picture
Submitted by gratefuldoc on Tue, 10/23/2007 - 8:07pm.

When I moved to this area and saw the area where all the county offices are I thoght, "what a great little area of shops and restaurants". Only to realize what was actually there. Why not move all of those offices over to where the courthouse and police station are and open up all that beautiful space AND tons of parking to private businesses.......restaurants,pubs,shops etc. What an awesome little jumpstart to downtown not to mention the taxes it would generate.


Submitted by susieq on Tue, 10/23/2007 - 8:46pm.

Guess What!! It was only 25 years ago that the complex where the county offices are now located was built as just what you suggest. The complex went bankrupt and the county took it over.

gratefuldoc's picture
Submitted by gratefuldoc on Wed, 10/24/2007 - 9:42am.

So...it was in '82.....let's see Reagan was living on Penn. Ave., Michael Jackson and Wham! were huge, Jerry G. was in his prime, it was ~ 5 yrs. after the last gas crisis and 8 yrs. before GT won their last NCAA football title and that was 17 yrs. ago! Maybe it's time to re-think things again; we may be ready to support something like that in '07......there are a bit more people living in the area now i believe. Just a thought.


Submitted by susieq on Wed, 10/24/2007 - 10:04am.

And the property where the Villages Amphitheater is located was a cow pasture!!!

As Muddle suggested, re-route the courthouse square traffic. Now, how do you plan to get the county offices out of there?

Submitted by Saywhat on Tue, 10/23/2007 - 11:32am.

We moved to Peachtree City a few years ago from the north side of Atlanta, Gwinnett county. At that time, we were not impressed with Newnan, rarely went there for anything. Now, we shop in Newnan and have been looking at the community in another light. We are thinking of selling our home and moving to Newnan.

Fyt35's picture
Submitted by Fyt35 on Tue, 10/23/2007 - 9:00am.

In my recent visits to downtown Newnan, I have been impressed with the re-vitalization projects as well and I can’t wait until the Senoia project is completed. It appears that the city planners certainly had a clear vision not clouded by developers looking to build big boxes and hanging the “tax base’ carrot in front of them.

It’s a shame that the Main Street project in Fayetteville has failed, other than the sidewalk being built from Main St to the Lakemont subdivision and The Villages, what exactly has this group done? Who are they? The area around the city square has so much potential, certainly, having Hwy 85 run through the middle of town, a main thoroughfare now clogged up with traffic day and night along with the conglomeration of big churches does not help either. Several buildings are currently vacant in the Fayette square, are they overpriced?

Or do they see no real good use for these parcels?


Tug13's picture
Submitted by Tug13 on Tue, 10/23/2007 - 10:47am.

Go to the Fayetteville web site. Al Hovey-King is Chairman of Downtown Development Authority.

Vote for Mickey Edwards City Council Post 2 on Nov. 6!


Submitted by lawaboveall on Wed, 10/24/2007 - 2:55pm.

I know I am often accused of injecting politics into everything here, but this one is ripe for it.

The reason that downtown Fayetteville does not improve is very simple.
There is no desire by the inner circle of favored developers to do anything downtown. Unless and until Rolader, Scarbourough and Lane Brown get involved nothing will happen. They are the only ones that Steele and company allow to do business in the "Main Street District".
As Tug said, you need look no further than the chairman of the Downtown Fayette Development authority chairman Al (I love development) Hovey-King. Al and the boys have no interest in re-developing downtown until they have annexed and built out as much of Fayetteville as they can. When they have squeezed all they can from new development they MAY consider doing something with the square.

Hovey-King, Nancy Price and that bunch love to be in control of the "beautification" projects, but brick sidewalks running along traffic choked roads is no beautification. It is petrification of any new development.

The development that has occurred south of the downtown square has been subsidized by tax incentives from the county, Fayetteville, etc.
Of course, that developer, Bob Barnard is Eric Maxwell's buddy so that explains that.

The one attempt at a new business (the restaurant by Faulkner) died because the DA's daddy would not allow them to use the back of his building to access the parking that was necessary to make the restaurant work. Ballard sued Falkner, won and the restaurant idea evaporated. The other businesses along there are nice, but they do nothing to enhance the community down there.

The failure of the redevelopment of the square area is simply a case of the boys in City Hall not getting involved until they have covered every thing else with asphalt.

On the same note....
I just found out today that the Hollingsworth House is now in private hands. Anybody know anything about that? I thought that it was owned and operated by the Downtown authority. Did they sell it, and if so, what did they get for it, and what did they do with the money?

Tug13's picture
Submitted by Tug13 on Wed, 10/24/2007 - 4:49pm.

You are exactly right!! You said it all, much better than I ever could!!
I don't know anything about the restaurant issue. I do know that the Hollingsworth House has been sold. I know the name of the buyer but can't think of it right now.

BTW Some of that money came from the state.


the_assassin's picture
Submitted by the_assassin on Wed, 10/24/2007 - 8:25pm.

I was wondering why the city would erect an obnoxiously sized "rent this place" banner on the property. Don't know if it's still up.

Guess they made the sale and blinked their eyes each time they drive by. Ugh!

It's not just the downtown dev auth folks. It's the property owners.

Someone with some money and real vision could kick some butt downtown in the antique/PR vacated space south of the courthouse. Anyone up for a challenge?


Submitted by susieq on Thu, 10/25/2007 - 5:06pm.

the_assassin,
The Hollingsworth House is not for rent as residential. "Rent this space" means rent it for special occasions such as wedding receptions, birthday and anniversary parties, etc. That has always been the purpose since it was moved to that location.

Tug13's picture
Submitted by Tug13 on Thu, 10/25/2007 - 3:09pm.

Assassin,
I disagree. It's not the property owners. Everything has to be approved by Mayor Steele and Council.

Has anybody found out who bought the Hollingsworth House?

Vote on Nov. 6 for Mickey Edwards City Council Post 2.


Submitted by MWF on Thu, 10/25/2007 - 7:12pm.

Hollingsworth House was purchased by Craig & Belinda Fitch. Go to www.hollingsworthhouse.com. The Fitches also own a catering company in Decatur, Metro Catering. There were articles in the newspaper when it was sold a few months ago; I believe the purchase price was about $720,000 or $750,000. Don't remember if it was in The Citizen or the "other paper".

Tug13's picture
Submitted by Tug13 on Fri, 10/26/2007 - 1:22pm.

Thanks for the information. Smiling
It might be interesting to know what Fayetteville Downtown Development Authority did with the money.


TonyF's picture
Submitted by TonyF on Tue, 10/23/2007 - 10:01am.

Living a short walk's distance from Fayetteville's square, I would like to see some adult attractions added to my town(now don't think dirty, you pervs). A nice pub (or bar and grill if needs be) would be a very popular place(read these as revenue generators), upscale restaurants, shops and like businesses, I think, would do very well. I'm not sure, but I think the philosophy is: "if they come, we will build it" when it should be: "if we build it, they WILL come". If any F'ville movers and shakers are listening, let's get this done. Here's an idea: why not swap Ga85 and Jeff Davis and make F'ville cart friendly? Radical idea as it is. Parking would then not be a problem, and it just might allay the DUI concerns. We have a wonderful opportunity in F'ville and are wasting it.

O wad some Power the giftie gie us,To see oursels as ithers see us!
(R. Burns)
If we could see ourselves as others see us, we would vanish on the spot.
(E. M. Cioran)


muddle's picture
Submitted by muddle on Wed, 10/24/2007 - 5:09am.

Rerouting Hwy 85 to Jeff Davis to spare the square would be just the sort of bold and brilliant move from which the Fayetteville people would shrink. But imagine how much pedestrian-friendly space this would create, and how many possibilities for attractive businesses, etc. would open up. I've never heard or considered this suggestion, and I'm sure a lot of people would shout it down, but I like it.

Then imagine a pub--family-friendly with pub grub but also great beers on draft and NO TELEVISIONS--on the order of, say, Decatur's Brick Store Pub, situated on the square.

Next project: the demolition of the Pavillion and reforestation of the entire area.

"Spare the Square." Huh. That would make a great slogan for a grassroots movement.


Submitted by lawaboveall on Wed, 10/24/2007 - 4:14pm.

I have lived in several places where the downtown area has be converted to a pedestrian mall concept. The fallout has been a great place for hanging around during the day, and not much else.

Re-routing traffic to Jeff Davis would solve nothing. It is already at capacity during rush hour and would require complete renovation of the entire road from 54 to 314/85 to accommodate your proposal. It would also spoil a very nice road.

If you re-routed it to Tiger Trail you would disturb fewer residence, but it would be a zoo during school hours without extensive rework.

Re-routing traffic is not the answer because the fundamental problem
(aside from a complete lack of vision by the city government) is parking, or more precisely, the lack thereof. There is no place to park. There is no place to walk, and there is no place to go.

Unfortunately, the Fayetteville bypass project is several years away from completion. It will be the middle of the next decade before it will provide any relief to the present situation.

In the meantime, we can just put up a traffic light at every intersection, alley and proposed development entrance between Peachtree City and McDonough Road. That should control the traffic.

I do like the demolish the Pavilion idea.

Submitted by d.smith700 on Wed, 10/24/2007 - 6:39pm.

It doesn't work well now for business for the same reason shopping centers fail: no anchor or real reason to go to a place that is hard to park within without crossing heavily travelled roads.
It is a sentimental place for a few. Not needed. Put a large Hilton and an excellent restaurant, and a parking building and watch it grow!

Submitted by susieq on Wed, 10/24/2007 - 4:22pm.

I wanted to give you a cute little reply, but I couldn't think of a word to rhyme with Pavilion. LOL

Since I'm not busy today (as you can probably tell from all my posts), I will try to line up the wrecking ball for the Pavilion.

Submitted by VanGogh on Wed, 10/24/2007 - 4:34pm.

gozillion, million, billion, civilian, just to name a few - rhyme on! Check out www.rhymezone.com.

Submitted by susieq on Wed, 10/24/2007 - 4:40pm.

Demolish the Pavilion
The reasons are a billion

Thanks.

Submitted by VanGogh on Wed, 10/24/2007 - 4:42pm.

ROCK ON!!

Submitted by lawaboveall on Wed, 10/24/2007 - 4:31pm.

Susie,

Cotillion, bazillion, etc.

We could have a fund raiser and auction off the first couple of hundred swings of the wrecking ball. It would have to be controlled in some way otherwise the rush to do it might get someone hurt

cruiserman's picture
Submitted by cruiserman on Tue, 10/23/2007 - 10:08am.

You can (and should) get DUIs on golf carts. Rules of the road apply.


TonyF's picture
Submitted by TonyF on Tue, 10/23/2007 - 12:32pm.

Yes, Mr. Hawking, I understand this, but a golf cart is not a 3 ton W M D.

O wad some Power the giftie gie us,To see oursels as ithers see us!
(R. Burns)
If we could see ourselves as others see us, we would vanish on the spot.
(E. M. Cioran)


cruiserman's picture
Submitted by cruiserman on Wed, 10/24/2007 - 7:39am.

need to get snarky. Relax. Most people who don't live in PTC (you say you want to walk to the square, so I assume) regard golf carts as toy transportation. Apparently, folks who live here also have a problem with the concept. Check out the story this week about the Senoia teen getting hurt with the 12 YEAR OLD driving. We had a lady DIE on the trails only last year.

My point is drinking and driving is not any smarter (or legal) on a golf cart than an SUV. I do grasp the concept that a car weighs more.


diablo_ogre's picture
Submitted by diablo_ogre on Tue, 10/23/2007 - 10:44pm.

I agree if they could put some good pubs and maybe just a few sidewalks down south jeff davis to walk home would be great. Growing up in the virgina highlands its sad to see no places of atmosphere and really no way to walk any where around this town there are a few side walks but they are few and far and do not connect up properly making it hard to walk down some of the busy roads. But then again fayetteville is a town at war. It is a war of the old against the young. The old people don't want to see change and the young that are starting to buy want to see change and to see a more apealing neighborhood. The old people just don't understand that if the young don't buy and continue to help the city grow then fayetteville is doomed for trouble in future years.


Submitted by Nitpickers on Thu, 10/25/2007 - 3:39pm.

Alkie hangout? Norm of "Cheers" maybe?
A place just to soak up alcohol, huh? Sounds like Ireland!

muddle's picture
Submitted by muddle on Thu, 10/25/2007 - 5:42pm.

Well, it's been no secret, but this post really blows your new cover. Smiling

Yes, it is possible to enjoy a "pub atmosphere" without being an alcoholic. For example, I've enjoyed visits to pubs in Oxford (UK) that serve people from the various colleges. I think of the White Horse Inn, which has been there since the 1600s. They serve good pub grub, there is a good variety of beers and ales on draught, and people come there to talk or read--not to get drunk. A pub is an entirely different kind of atmosphere from a bar--particularly a sports bar.


Tug13's picture
Submitted by Tug13 on Wed, 10/24/2007 - 10:51am.

I know a lot of older people who live in Fayetteville. They would like downtown Fayetteville to be like Newnan. The only "old people" as you call them, are the city government people who don't care what the people want.

The older residents that I know would welcome many changes downtown.
(Even a nice pub Tony) Smiling

Try to be more respectful and say older people or senior citizens, not "old people." You might say that to the wrong person, like the lady who attacked Comcast with a hammer. Smiling


Submitted by susieq on Tue, 10/23/2007 - 10:53pm.

I don't know how you can say, "The old people don't want to see change." I remember when Hwy. 314 was a dirt road. If it had not been paved, I don't know how I would get to work today.

I also remember when Virginia Highlands was a rough-neck area of Atlanta, and no one in his right mind would go there after dark, unless he had an emergency run to the 24-hour pharmacy -- the only 24-hour pharmacy in Metro Atlanta.

diablo_ogre's picture
Submitted by diablo_ogre on Tue, 10/23/2007 - 11:03pm.

You sound like a scarred suburbanite. I grew up in the highlands went to grady high school the whole nine yards and it was a great place to grow up in the city. I knew my neighbors and I knew where the bums where and there was crime on occasion but it was not a dangerous place. It at least had a history to it. And I know the old people don't want change because I sit in on homeowners meetings and its always an argument between the 30 somethings that want to more positive things and the retired element who keep thinking that "the bad element " is creeping into fayette and its out to over take everything they own. The changes that have happened here are forced changes because there was no way around them. If they wanted change then how come this is one of the few cities with the asinine rule you can't have alcohol in a restaurant on sundays?


Submitted by susieq on Wed, 10/24/2007 - 8:25am.

What attracted you to Fayetteville?

If "sidewalks and Sunday alcohol" are what you are looking for, you should consider moving back to Virginia-Highlands.

Submitted by susieq on Wed, 10/24/2007 - 10:17am.

The old folks here are not against change. They are against people like you who move in here with your F-K-I-A attitudes. You should take lessons from gratefuldoc on how to handle old folks and get what you want.

diablo_ogre's picture
Submitted by diablo_ogre on Wed, 10/24/2007 - 10:41am.

What attracted me is that my family comes from this side of town and moved here to be closer to help them out as they get older. I also enjoy working down here and not having to be in the atlanta traffic. What I don't like is lack of side walks and most important is the intolerant attitudes that seem to run rampant in this area. I might not be an internet blogger who spends all my time on here but was is f-k-i-a ? I know how to handle old people and what I say is of no disrespect I am just saying in this community they are scared of change but with out change there would be no continued growth. Growth is needed to maintain the services that the community needs because in a few years you will need the fire dept. and medical EMS services even more. Is a few sidewalks and a couple of nice places to hang out to much to ask? I really like what marietta and newnan has done with their downtown areas . Fayetteville should follow suit.


muddle's picture
Submitted by muddle on Wed, 10/24/2007 - 10:55am.

What you describe and desire are the kinds of features that give a community a sense of community: a thriving downtown, parks and other public and green spaces, places to stroll, linger, meet others, talk, etc.

The irony is that a town that is traditionally conservative and endorses family values, etc., so far has not seemed to value such things.

Is it that people are resistant to change here? I'm not sure. There has been radical change to the area just in the 10+ years that I have lived here. The kinds of things that have come in--the pavillion and big boxes, impersonal neighborhoods w/o sidewalks or central parks, etc--have been a big part of that change.

I suspect that what is really going on is that the conservative mindset often is accompanied by a consumerist (and perhaps even utilitarian) mindset. It's important to have a WalMart with its "falling prices" even if this puts downtown businesses out of business.

Odd it is that the intown neighborhoods that have the most to offer families are largely inhabited by people who do not subscribe to the "family values" agenda.


gratefuldoc's picture
Submitted by gratefuldoc on Wed, 10/24/2007 - 11:28am.

Muddle.....I agree with pretty much all you have said until the very end. I personally know many families who live in intown neighborhoods. They are all wonderful people with great family lives, children and values. They may not hold themselves out to be "christian, conservatives" as so many seem to value in these parts, but I can assure you that they are exemplary Americans, educated,constuctive members of the community with an undying faith in what is right and wrong, good and fair. Susie....my last post didn't post so I'll post it again. If it is possible/feasible to move the county offices over to where the courthouse and police station are now located (Jimmie Mayfield?) and re-route as was suggested 85/54, the current site of the county offices could be sold to be developed as pubs and restaurants, nice specialty shops/boutiques etc. The money made by the county could be used to relocate/build in the new location and all the county ofcs., courthouse, and police sta. would be in one general "complex. Even the town hall wouldn't be too far away. Diablo....your comments are pretty spot on and I also get that old v. new tone at times and, I feel at times, deservedly so. Maybe b/c I'm a transplanted "Nawthnuh". ;>}


muddle's picture
Submitted by muddle on Wed, 10/24/2007 - 2:26pm.

We don't disagree.

When I say that many people who live in town don't subscribe to the "family values" agenda, I don't mean to say that they don't really care about family values. I mean that many do not fall in line behind the conservatives who claim that their party has cornered the market on such values.


gratefuldoc's picture
Submitted by gratefuldoc on Wed, 10/24/2007 - 3:41pm.

Now that that's all cleared up I'm beginning to like you even more! btw, tell me about the profile pic.


muddle's picture
Submitted by muddle on Wed, 10/24/2007 - 3:52pm.

Head by muddle.

Body by Picasso.

I play guitar and feel old. The title is "The Old Guitarist." My family used to live near Chicago where this original painting is displayed, and we would visit the Chicago Museum regularly. So....


gratefuldoc's picture
Submitted by gratefuldoc on Wed, 10/24/2007 - 3:58pm.

Nice....it looked vaguely familiar to me but wasn't sure. The head/face looked a little like Trey Anastasio....a guitarist also.

Thanks!


muddle's picture
Submitted by muddle on Wed, 10/24/2007 - 4:00pm.

Ah, Jam Bands. Phish....Grateful Dead....Grateful Doc....


gratefuldoc's picture
Submitted by gratefuldoc on Wed, 10/24/2007 - 4:15pm.

ya got me.....there's nothin' like a good ol' jamband!


gratefuldoc's picture
Submitted by gratefuldoc on Wed, 10/24/2007 - 11:44am.

Thank you, M'am


Submitted by susieq on Wed, 10/24/2007 - 11:39am.

I'll have to admit that when "Nawthnuhs" like you move in, displaying manners and not bashing Southerners and the way we talk, we do seem to be more forgiving of the Northern Aggression. LOL

Submitted by susieq on Wed, 10/24/2007 - 10:50am.

I'm on your side about the changes that need to be made, but your first post was bashing old folks.

And diablo_ogre is not the best name to use when posting. LOL

muddle's picture
Submitted by muddle on Tue, 10/23/2007 - 7:28am.

John, you're right. Good things are happening to Newnan's downtown. Good enough that I am this close (holds up thumb and forefinger in pinching position) to buying a house in the historic district downtown.

Think it's good now? Just wait. There are big plans in the works. They have a master plan that includes eliminating some of the crummy areas in the vicinity of the downtown, and putting in a central park. The biggest news is that they are trying to lure a four-year liberal arts college (1200-2000 students?)to town. If this happens, the college campus would likely be situated directly adjacent to the downtown. I read a study on the rejuvenation of Savannah that concluded that SCAD was a key factor in bringing people downtown. Seen Broughton Street in the last five years or so?

Newnan is putting in lofts, drawing in shops and restaurants, and thinking in terms of green spaces and public places.

If Fayetteville planners have squandered (they have) their would-be attractiveness for the sake of big boxes and cheaply built subdivisions with no sidewalks, Newnan planners know the value of what they have downtown and realize its potential.

Since I am anonymous here for all but one person (Hi, Git), I can tell you why I'm so keenly interested in all of this. It is MY college that has been in discuission with the Newnanians for some time, and I, for one, envision a great relationship.


Submitted by bladderq on Tue, 10/23/2007 - 11:46pm.

It's been sorta announced that it is Atlanta Christian College that is looking for a new home to grow.

SCAD certainly did wonders for Savannah but given the crime rate in downtown, I don't think I'd hold it up as the beacon on the hill. Savannah has had its problems for years and years. Stories of students having to all leave night classes & labs together for protection are not uncommon.

Newnan is doing some good thinking.

muddle's picture
Submitted by muddle on Wed, 10/24/2007 - 5:02am.

That is sadly true about crime in Savannah.

A few years ago my wife and I accompanied my mother as she had a realtor show her several homes in the historic district. She fell in love with one of them (as did I) in the heart of that area, with a carriage house and garden apartment to boot. We stood inside for a few minutes as she discussed a reasonable offer. When we went out to the street we discovered that in those few minutes someone had smashed out the back window of her car and grabbed her purse (which she had foolishly left in the back seat). That pretty much pulled the plug out of the tub on the Savannah idea for her.

Still, every time I visit I want to live there. And, generally, things have improved. I mentioned Broughton Street. People are moving back, as they are putting lofts in all up and down the street and adjacent areas. The result is that normal people have begun to hang out there--even at night. (Wait. Are SCAD students "normal"? Eye-wink)

I thought you said earlier that Clayton State was thinking about skipping PTC (or something like that) and settling in Newnan.


Cyclist's picture
Submitted by Cyclist on Wed, 10/24/2007 - 5:40am.

How is Mrs. muddel doing?
-------------------------------------------
Caution - The Surgeon General has determined that constant blogging is an addiction that can cause a sedentary life style.


muddle's picture
Submitted by muddle on Wed, 10/24/2007 - 8:40am.

Thanks for asking. Her recovery is coming along well, thanks to brilliant Emory doctors (and no thanks to the time she spent in a local hospital before transporting to Emory. Her care was badly mismanaged at a hospital that will here go unnamed. It is likely that her illness became as critical as it did because it took them three days to get a doctor to her room).

Knowing what I know now, I am tempted to wear a dogtag or bracelet that reads, "If I am unconscious and in need of an ER, take me to Emory."


Cyclist's picture
Submitted by Cyclist on Thu, 10/25/2007 - 9:31pm.

Like Tug, I'm so happy that she is doing well!!!
-------------------------------------------
Caution - The Surgeon General has determined that constant blogging is an addiction that can cause a sedentary life style.


Tug13's picture
Submitted by Tug13 on Wed, 10/24/2007 - 10:58am.

Good to know Mrs. Muddle is doing good. Smiling


Tug13's picture
Submitted by Tug13 on Tue, 10/23/2007 - 11:00am.

I agree, Newnan is really doing good things.

Muddle, was that really you that Git met at the City Cafe? Smiling

BTW I hope "your" college moves to Newnan!


muddle's picture
Submitted by muddle on Wed, 10/24/2007 - 5:17am.

"My" college as in "the one to which I belong," not "the one that belongs to me." Smiling

No, Git and I met over at the Fayette Speaks site months ago and exchanged a few emails.


Submitted by Charity Rider on Tue, 10/23/2007 - 8:54pm.

A Bar and Grill in Fayetteville? Nah, never. Any attempt to open a business aimed at adults would be beaten into submission. Same response if someone wanted to open a (gasp!) liquor/package store.

PTC Has it's "Worlds Largest HOA" mentality, Fayetteville has it's "Conservative Georgia Values". At least PTC is open minded enough to have places like Big Daddy's and the Y-Not, not to mention a few package stores.

Closest thing to a "bar" in Fayetteville is the pool hall. You can't count the bar Section of a chain restaurant, those are only holding pens while waiting for a table. It would be nice to have places where grown-ups can go and not be subjected to children (who are seen in the bar areas of most any restaurant).

Empty storefronts must be more appealing. . . . .

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