ATLarts

By Buckhead Native

February 12, 2008 12:24 PM | Link to this

They may as well, as all of the charm and everything else unique about Buckhead is being torn down everyday. And if a developer decides he wants to put something there, then it’s as good as gone anyway. I’m not against progress, but it sickens me to see the hell-hole that Buckhead has become.

By Stewie

February 12, 2008 12:56 PM | Link to this

Let’s face it, if the Buckhead Boys want it gone, and apparently they do, it’ll probably be gone.

The libraary brings in a broad range of people, including what the BB might consider “undesirables.” That just won’t wash in the Rodeo Drive of the South.

The most laughable thing about the original article, though, was Charlie Loudermilk decrying the library building as ugly, while his Aaron Rents building is one of the ugliest in the neighborhood.

By Frank Schultz

February 12, 2008 1:26 PM | Link to this

Yes! Save the Library. It was paid for by our tax dollars. It is our Library and a beautiful and inspiring one at that.

By ktauches

February 12, 2008 1:46 PM | Link to this

carter, the developer, will spend millions on acquired public artworks for his manufactured “streets of buckhead,” but there’s already a large scale, useable artwork in his neighborhood, for free. the buckhead public library is art, and should be protected…at the very least built around, or over.

this would be a symbolic save, y’all.

By Suzanne Struble

February 12, 2008 1:53 PM | Link to this

Maybe they won’t sell it? If they hear from you…

By An art historian

February 12, 2008 2:30 PM | Link to this

It is disgraceful that Atlanta continues to demolish its architectural patrimony. Does everything in this city have a price tag attached?

And any government official who uses “ain’t” as part of his public language probably has not looked at a book in years and should go back to elementary grammar class.

By RealtorATL

February 12, 2008 2:36 PM | Link to this

When I first saw the layout for the new streets of buckhead development I wondered why the library was not demolished. it breaks up the development. If you go to other cities high end shopping destinations there is not a tacky library in the middle next to a high end boutique. It cheapens the luxury experience. This library can be relocated in a new place with a brand new facility and serve the same purpose and allow the development to thrive. We are trying to create a more pedestrian friendly environment in Atlanta to reduce traffic we need more urban designs and less single story buildings to allow a more walkable community.

By muffin

February 12, 2008 3:23 PM | Link to this

the libarary is not “ugly”. its a beautiful piece of modern architecture. They need to keep it. When we start tearing down libraries, alarms should be sounding with the community. who tears down libraries???

By Sloane Robinson

February 12, 2008 3:37 PM | Link to this

RealtorAtl, do you walk in the city? Because if you do, you know it’s a complete pleasure stumbling upon a artful, cool, surprising piece of architecture like the Buckhead Library. When I’m walking in the city, I love when a building, a public art project or garden in a park surprises me and causes pause, and I am immediately pulled out of myself and I feel my stress level recede if even for just a moment. This is the type of building, a landmark, that brings tourists to a city. As for other cities’ shopping districts, why is Atlanta always trying to be like other cities? Are you that insecure? Do not love Atlanta? Maybe you should move to those places of real chain retail luxury,where mom & pops no longer exist. As far as cheapening the ‘luxury experience’- this is spoken like a true nouveau riche, do you not understand that luxury is living with meaningful art and architecture around you? “You’re so stupid you don’t even know you’re alive,” F.Scott Fitzgerald SAVE THE LIBRARY!

By Adam

February 12, 2008 3:41 PM | Link to this

Good riddance!! That hideous monstrosity would be out of place anywhere. It was totally out of character when it was built and will remain out of place as redevelopment takes place around it. The previous Library building fit its surroundings but was much too small. When rebuilt, we were stuck with this grotesque scar. Start demolition tomorrow on what has to be the single ugliest building in town.

By Jason

February 12, 2008 3:47 PM | Link to this

“If you go to other cities high end shopping destinations there is not a tacky library in the middle next to a high end boutique. It cheapens the luxury experience.”

Having to mix with lowly realtors who have no business in a high-end boutique cheapens the luxury experience.

By Trainwreck of Buckhead

February 12, 2008 4:05 PM | Link to this

Save it!! I am pro-development but The Streets of Buckhead has no architectural appeal. The Prospect Park development in Alpharetta is far better planned, better architectural design, and better prospective tenant mix. They are doing everything they can to run the under 55 set out of Buckhead after working hours. Atlanta was once one of the best places to settle after college but now Dallas, Phoenix, Denver, and D.C. all offer a far better night scene than Atlanta. Loudermilk and Massell, the self-annoited ‘Mayor of Buckhead’, single-handedly changed this. Yes, there was a major ‘cultural’ problem in Buckhead but they threw the baby out with the bathwater. South Beach was able to solve the same issue without killing off the bar scene. Atlanta is no longer regarded as a great town to go visit by the post-college set. The post-college crowd travels alot and spends readily and Atlanta at the encouragement of Loudermilk and Massell ruined it. They claim they support some pubs but Fado will probably be the only one in the entire development (and that’s because Fado is backed by the Bass corporate balance sheet). They will eventually kill-off the Locos/Peachtree Tavern/Moondogs and the West Buckhead Village scene with more of the same redevelopment. In an era where we are seeing great live/work/play redevelopments, this is a travesty of a missed opportunity.

By Joeventures

February 12, 2008 4:13 PM | Link to this

Is it okay for me to not like either the library, or the sort of development that would likely replace it?

I mean, the library looks like the sort of structure James Howard Kunstler would highlight as an eyesore of the month.

What sort of structure is likely to replace the glass and steel monster that’s there now? Probably a bigger glass and steel monster.

Someone, please stand up to save Atlanta from its lovers of starchitecture.

By Jeff

February 12, 2008 4:19 PM | Link to this

My wife & I patronize the Buckhead library frequently. When we first saw it, we were amazed that such a building existed in Atlanta - the city of dull architecture. We are still amazed. So it is with great alarm that we receive news of its possible demise.

But I guess the architects of the “Streets of Buckhead” must feel threatened by such an interesting building in the midst of their “creations”. And I imagine retailers may be worried that potential customers may be drawn to the library’s architecture instead of their own mundane buildings. And we can’t have that.

By ILL-logical

February 12, 2008 5:50 PM | Link to this

This is an interesting discussion that has uncovered some strong and closely held feelings about not only the structure in question but the future growth and development of Atlanta.Good.

However a larger question is why can’t such an internationally renowned firm like Scoggins/Elam get more commissions in Atlanta , a city starved for international attention/affection?

By Joseph D Martinez

February 12, 2008 7:22 PM | Link to this

Voice your concern!

Library Board of Trustees meeting- 3pm, Feb 27th, 6th floor, main library (downtown).

I’ll see you guys there!

By time-2-go

February 12, 2008 8:33 PM | Link to this

The fact that we are even having this discussion about the library points to the core problem of Atlanta’s cultural ecosystem- we have the most egregious and pathetic arts leadership in over 30 years. The petition should not be just to save the library but to throw out the directors and chairs of the Fulton County Arts Council, Office of Cultural Affairs and Metro Arts Fund. They have failed to establish culture as a significant component to the growth of a modern city and they should be released from the gravy train that they have been riding on.

By Lex

February 12, 2008 10:30 PM | Link to this

Carter should get credit for taking a stand to make something good out of an area that has fallen to ruin. No one else was willing to take the risk to improve the area, but all those complaining now, were probably the same ones who stopped going to the bars when it became a haven for crime. The library will be relocated, the funny thing is that no one ever mentioned it as a “piece of art” when it was stuffed behind a dozen crumbling bars. Thank God for Ben Carter, he is making the area a destination for people from all the southeast and will eventially bring millions to the area.

By JohnBrown

February 13, 2008 10:43 AM | Link to this

I have three words:

Emporer’s New Clothes

By swak

February 13, 2008 1:40 PM | Link to this

yes, u got to save it. this is great for students like us too learn.

By mabs

February 13, 2008 3:53 PM | Link to this

Save the library. Save Atlanta’s cultural landmarks.