By mike b

March 8, 2006 10:07 PM | Link to this

Underground will never be THE nightspot for locals. It’s extremely difficult to force vibe or atmosphere into a place that didn’t have it before. The clubs and bars throughout Buckhead, the Highlands, and Midtown that achieved it organically are far better places to be. Too bad the city is intent on shuttering them to allow the construction of condominiums that nobody is going to buy.

By Michael Davis

March 8, 2006 10:10 PM | Link to this

I believe Underground would be more succesfull if some much needed attention was given to the surrounding area. Much of the area around Underground looks unsafe, the streets are dark, and the building facades are crumbling. This gives the impression that the area is neglected, and therefore creates the perception that the area is unsafe. Frankly, much of the area around Underground needs to be condemned. Use the space on the upper level of Alabama street to house resturants and bars. There are way too many urban Ghetto stores, selling baseball caps and shoes.

By Michael Davis

March 8, 2006 10:12 PM | Link to this

Oh! yes, extend the club times until 6:00 a.m. 4:00 a.m. is not much of an incentive to visit Underground.

By Kenny Ard

March 8, 2006 10:23 PM | Link to this

Alabama street would be better suited to house resturants and bars. If more attention was focused on the upper level, perhaps more people would visit, come to Underground, and then spill over into the clubs. Has anyone ever been to other downtowns, in other cities????

By drewbe

March 8, 2006 10:38 PM | Link to this

very inciteful davis. remove the current business, displace the current residents and pump in more liquer later into the night. thats the solution to most of the city’s problems.

By sue weldon

March 8, 2006 10:50 PM | Link to this

Focus attention on the area, the area around Underground, on upper Alabama Stret could house resturants and bars/pubs. That way there would be more of a reason to visit Underground, have dinner, then spill into the bars. Like Licoln street in Miami or most other cities. For God Sakes, there’s more happening in downtown Savvana.

Has the management or city leaders ever been to another city???

By tlewis

March 8, 2006 11:21 PM | Link to this

If metal detectors were installed at Underground entrances, the place would be empty. It’s overrun with mall thugs with nothing to do. Go there and watch the horrified looks on faces of duped tourists in the food court who read the Atlanta travel guides. They need to move the mall north of Atlanta in a better neighborhood, and focus the Underground on its history, and work on better dining. Let’s face it…the neighborhood is not going to get any better, especially with more liqour flowing.

By Dan

March 8, 2006 11:43 PM | Link to this

I agree w/Michael Davis. The surround areas are shady and are unsafe. They need to go and something better put in its place.

By David

March 8, 2006 11:54 PM | Link to this

Atlanta officials continue to allow developers to shape the city, which is why Atlanta is so disjointed. Economically, it is fine. As a city—a place people should love and take pride in—it is inferior to just about all other American cities. Some people are thrilled that Atlanta’s cost of living is so low. There’s a reason for that.

The latest example is Atlantic Station. What could have been a renewal for Atlanta turned into an outdoor mall complete with bumper-to-bumper traffic, generic looking apartments and condos, chain restaurants, and a “Central Park” about as big as someone’s backyard. The initial blueprint probably was brilliant; after the developers chipped their costs out of it, it wound up a disgrace. Without a change of leadership, Atlanta will always be a third-class city. Nobody with any taste loves Atlanta.

By Henry

March 9, 2006 12:45 AM | Link to this

I used to visit underground bac in the mid 90’s, when Kenny’s alley had it going on. (remember the olympic celebration 92). The upper level and surrounding blocks need to be “TOTATALLY” renovated. Too many “Neighborhood” shops, and who really shops past 5 pts other than the locals. If I want socks, hats, wigs, bagged fruit, incense, cheap scented oils, or sneaks I know where to go. “CLEAN IT UP”!!!!

By mark c

March 9, 2006 01:38 AM | Link to this

Underground does have a great history though! Speaking to the organic reference. If they could just recapture the atmosphere of the old original underground it would really take off. It was great! It sort of reminded me of The Pirates of the Carribean ride. I say bring back the old gas lamps and a casino sure would’nt hurt!

By Suberb N. Flite

March 9, 2006 06:55 AM | Link to this

Implode underground and destroy it…forever. Then I (along with other Braves fans) would no longer have to be forced to shuttle through the dump when taking Marta to a game.

By Shawn

March 9, 2006 07:06 AM | Link to this

Underground needs to focus on security ALL the time, not just while these clubs are open at night. Anyone who’s been into underground during the day knows the place is unsafe. They need to fix the place 100% and not just try to falsify it for a nightclub audience.

By Dano

March 9, 2006 07:37 AM | Link to this

been to underground a few times, and checked out the club Alley Cat. They have good local bands and the atmosphere is good. Never have been worried about safety. The main problem is downtown’s negative image. It isn’t that bad. and the AVCB and Mayor’s office needs to campaign to let the suburbs know that Underground is not that bad.

By Mark

March 9, 2006 08:18 AM | Link to this

Underground is cool to take some out of town guests for the evening since there is a little something for everybody pretty much. Charlie Brown’s Cabaret is still a hoot to watch!! If the city would just put in a casino or some type of gambling it would be packed! Just think of all the people who like to go to casino’s and drive to NC and all the way to MS.

By Shannon

March 9, 2006 08:20 AM | Link to this

Hey David, I have taste and I love Atlanta. I’ve traveled all over the world and, while Atlanta may not have the romance or appeal of Paris, New York, or London, this city has much to recommend it. I would agree that Underground is nothing more than a third-rate mall, but I think the promise of Atlantic Station won’t be revealed until several years down the road. The word has been out for some time now that Atlanta has serious issues with traffic and sprawl, yet people keep coming here by the hundreds of thousands every year. I would think if this place were so God-awful that the inflow on new residents would cease, but it has barely even slowed down. Atlanta has gorgeous, tree-lined neighborhoods, outstanding restaurants, pleasant weather, friendly people, and a fascinating history. And yes, the cost of living is low, but it’s low in lots of other Sunbelt cities as well.

By Swangirl

March 9, 2006 08:40 AM | Link to this

Mark C. is right. Underground was the place to be once upon a time. I have a photo from 1972, taken when I was four when we first moved down here. We’re standing in front of the trolley they had. I can even remember the candle store and pizza joint they had. My parents used to go there a lot.

The sad thing is that the other posters have hit it on the head. Underground needs to have an image makeover that goes beyond Kenny’s Alley. Like the others said, it doesn’t even feel very safe during the day. Regardless of the panhandling bill, I still get asked (agressively) for money when I come up from the MARTA station to walk over to the Healey building. That gets old quick. And the tourists who venture down get tired of it as well.

Since people taking the Braves shuttle are trapped into going through Underground to get to the buses, could they not hold Braves parties/rallies before the games to make it a pre-game destination of sorts? Have activities for the kids, stuff for the family? Just a thought.

By DJ

March 9, 2006 08:52 AM | Link to this

I do agree with David about Atlantic Station. It’s basically an outdoor mall with chain restaurants. It could have been great with local restaurants, another bar or club and a bigger green space in the middle.

Another comment about developers running Atlanta was great as well. I hope the city council begins to realize this and slow down the building.

But this blog is about Underground. For Underground to truly succeed you have to renovate Alabama Street and make an easier path from Centennial Park/Phillips to the mall. I hate to displace stores, but for any area to do well, it has to look good. Plus, it wouldn’t be a complete displacement and they don’t have to be bars that take their place. It would great if you could put a large entertainment spot, like a Dave & Buster, ESPNZone, or a locally owned establishment such as those down there.

By Rich

March 9, 2006 08:54 AM | Link to this

THE PLACE IS A DUMP AND SHOULD BE BULLDOZED.

By Hide on the Southside

March 9, 2006 08:58 AM | Link to this

Give me a bar where the guy who used to book the acoustic bands for CJ’s runs the show.

By Mike

March 9, 2006 09:26 AM | Link to this

You can do whatever you want to to try to improve Undergroung but you’ll just be putting lipstick on a pig, it will still be a pig. Rememember the word association game where you mention a word and then say what you associate that word with. Like snow and cold. Say Underground and everyine I know thinks crime, thugs, victims. Who even goes to Underground now?

By Terry Booth

March 9, 2006 09:26 AM | Link to this

It seems most eveyone posting comments agrees that the area directly impacts Underground. Too Many thugs during the day, that’s for sure. I was at Underground a couple of days ago, for the first time, in a long time, and as I was going down the escalator, a thug wearing a bandana, gangsta style was told by one of the female security guards that bandanas were no-longer permitted, he responded by saying the f-word, I expected her to pursue him and make him leave Underground, or at best remove the bandana, to my surprise she stood there and he continued on his way, cursing as he was walking in front of me.
needless to say, after seeing that, I just left. Management exterminate the place.

By ATL NATIVE

March 9, 2006 09:38 AM | Link to this

I think the article from the AJC is great. It shows a positive side of Underground in the last year that is rarely heard. Underground has a lot to offer. Security is better around Underground than many places in Metro Atlanta, including Midtown and Buckhead. The only thing I see holding Underground back is the area around MARTA Five Points station on Peachtree St. That area needs to cleaned up immediately…it looks like a Third World country down there.

MARTA and the City should make a true effort to revitalize the area…get rid of the numerous “vendors” in front of the MARTA station and the numerous, redundant seedy businesses. The City needs to attract mainstream retailers back to the area (Gap, Express, Ann Taylor, Bloomingdales, etc.) Until some efforts are put in the Five Points area above Underground, Underground will be a diamond in the rough.

Also, a casino is a great idea for Underground! At least the Legislature should approve one for just Underground as a start. It could replace the Food Court area, which really serves no purpose but for hanging out. Full service restuarants should be Undergrounds main focus when it comes to food service. Place more attractive stores on Upper Alabama to lure shoppers and patrons to clubs after hours.

Lastly, officials should take examples from other cities that have very similiar entertainment concepts as Underground (Denver’s LoDo is an excellent example) Underground is really the granddaddy of these type of complexes and deserves every consideration from citizens, state and city officials.

By Tiffany

March 9, 2006 10:09 AM | Link to this

Anything with a ghetto urban feeling fails, no matter how much a few people want it to succeed. Atlanta’s appeal of nice neighborhoods full of trees is what will help Atlanta get on the map of overall desirable places to live, for Americans. For now, with places like the underground, it tends to dirty our city up and only appeal to the ones that don’t contribute to a better community. Sit back and watch the ones coming and going into the underground….real contributors and winners. Atlanta is becoming the nasty and cheap city of our country.

By atlantanative

March 9, 2006 10:13 AM | Link to this

Get rid of the underground. It is full of thugs and meaninglessness. Then, focus more on quality development instead of padding pockets of city officials signing off on developments that truly don’t make our city better. It is beginning to look like every other exit off an interstate, you can’t even tell it is a special southern city with all the charm and grace that other cities in the country don’t have. Atlanta is losing the charm and status of a quality place to bring business and raise families.

By Ricky

March 9, 2006 10:20 AM | Link to this

The Underground could be our Harlem extend marta hours to 3:00 a.m. more people will attend gatherings if they knew they didn’t have to drive in Underground there’s no where to park. If could be a cleaner place but every city has it’s dirt New Year City is no exception. I would like to see a casino a few more really nice hotels and a couple of more sky scapers in the area. I love Atlanta and it would be easy to make it a miniature New York and we’ve got to have the attractions. And to all the people that bad mouth the Underground STAY HOME!!!

By Tommy

March 9, 2006 10:26 AM | Link to this

Underground needs to be an ADULT entertainment attraction, much like it was in the 70s. It needs to be a gambling distict, with strip clubs, gay clubs, after hours clubs,edgier entertainment- As long as there are shops that sell souveniers, coffee mugs, t-shirts, and mainly crap like this, NO ONE who lives in Atlanta will want to go there. … The first time Underground was renovated and reopened, WE ALL knew that it would fail- now it’s probably heading that wasy again- It’s a shame- it COULD be a cool place to play….

By doug gochman

March 9, 2006 10:37 AM | Link to this

Too bad General Sherman couldn’t give orders from the grave. Bet if he could he’d give orders to burn it to the ground.

And, Oh! the person staing for those taht don’t like it stay home…Hey isn’t that the problem?

By Swangirl

March 9, 2006 11:06 AM | Link to this

ATL NATIVE, you’re absolutely right about Denver’s LoDo area. I was there a few years ago and it was fantastic. We were able to go to a late movie, shop a little and we never felt unsafe. Families were out and about, security was around. I wish Atlanta would take a lesson from what they’ve done.

By LEO

March 9, 2006 11:12 AM | Link to this

Underground needs a direct road way or a wide street to the GWCC and Centennial Park.

By Tiff

March 9, 2006 11:16 AM | Link to this

Maggots and buzzards are attracted to roadkill garbage, you don’t see Eagles hanging around that mess. The Underground is that garbage, that’s the problem. This is what we are allowing Atlanta to attract. New leadership focus will improve the quality of all life, daylife, nightlife, worklife. For now, we are focusing on developing garbage that is available at any roadside. The city needs to focus on attracting Eagles, but it appears they are more consumed with attracting feasters of road garbage.

By Butch

March 9, 2006 11:18 AM | Link to this

I have picture of my sister, and friends inside the Mine Shaft back in 1976. It was the jewel of Atlanta. But now, it’s a diamond that should be excavated. It’s never too late to rebuild. Like so many have said, one Casino, like New Orleans would make a difference. In addition, a Gap Store, Blue Club named after Ray Charles, Bloomingdales, World Market, CVS, Pizza joint, Blue Note Jazz Club, Calhoun’s BBQ, Best of the Southern Restaurants, NYC Deli etc… We need people to give ideas, people who care about our Downtown. It still can be great.

By jason

March 9, 2006 11:28 AM | Link to this

I think we should just all forget about downtime Atlanta and start preparing for the extreme makeover that is happening in northwest Atlanta up through Vinings. This is an exciting time. Atlanta will have to go through a miracle to revive downtime and Underground would never be the venue to do this. You cannot ask for someone to enjoy the seed of such an ugly/tasteless fruit. That’s the problem here, you cannot make Undergroud a successful venue until downtown is cleaned up. ….

By David

March 9, 2006 11:28 AM | Link to this

Put in a casino, replace the tennis shoe stores with some nice restaurants or quaint shops, and clean up the tent city vendors. Play up the southern charm vibe. Sounds a little touristy, but we need to honor our history and quit trying to be a NYC wannabe. No where else in Atlanta can you find that. Everything is trying to be too progressive or trendy or urban-sophisticated. Just make it a nice place to hang out.

By Anthony

March 9, 2006 12:03 PM | Link to this

Forget about trying to market to the tired old natives with their backwards thinking and racial profiling. (Stay in the exburbs!!!) Dan O’leary should try marketing to young families. I am a native of Atlanta and proud of It. I’m not afraid to visit Underground, day or night. A parntership with local hotels for week-end packages may work. Start with a large hotel such as the Marriott Marquis, provide a shuttle bus every 30 minutes. The family can spend the day at Underground and surrounding attractions, the parents can come back for dinner and dancing. Atlanta is a great city. Good Luck Dan.

By Matt

March 9, 2006 12:10 PM | Link to this

I’ve lived here for 28 years and have seen all the transitions of Underground. I’ve been down there a handful of times since the “rebirth” and here’s why I think it’s failing: (1) You have an “Irish Pub” run by HORRIBLE bartenders who play hip-hop… it’s crap. Unless it’s “House of Pain”, Irish pubs are supposed to be gathering places for chilling and socializing, not Club 112’s step-brother. (2) Most posters here have described the panhandling… well, money doesn’t go where people beg for it. Tourists don’t want the “tourist bars”, thay want to go where the locals go, not where the beggars are. Virginia Highlands and Midtown have culture, ambiance, and few, if any, panhandlers. Most importantly, they have people… locals who know where to “see and be seen”. (3) Distance! Who lives Downtown? I mean, sure there are some people, but are they the ones going to these bars? Is the city REALLY banking on all these convention-goers and tourists??? C’mon, you’ve got college grads from all over the country moving here and living in Vinings, Buckhead, and Midtown. These are all walking distance or cheap cab rides from and to home, something Downtown is not. And don’t give me that crap about MARTA… it’s the worst public transit on the planet and needs to be overhauled and people aren’t going to ride a train when they have to get a cab from the MARTA station to their house anyway.

The yuppies in this town are the ones who want to go out, spend money, and lots of it because they’re young, single, and looking for locals… not tourists. Guys want to go where the girls are… the girls want to go where they feel safe… and everyone wants to go where is easiest to get to.

By Spinciot

March 9, 2006 12:26 PM | Link to this

Underground Atlanta was a great place in the 1970’s. Now it’s a shopping mall with a few clubs. Bring back the gas lamps, the wax museum and the organ grinder with his monkey.

Everyone says it needs more or better restaurants but how do you convince owners to move there? It truly does need new clubs, new restaurants and different, more unique stores to draw a crowd. Let’s face it though, if I was the store/club/restaurant owner scouting new locations, I wouldn’t look towards Underground.
I miss the old Underground. It was really cool.

By littlemoma

March 9, 2006 12:51 PM | Link to this

I think underground would be better if it didn’t have so many people that do drugs and fight all of the time. Their needs to be more cops that will do something about the people that want to make it unsafe for people that want to go down their and have fun.

By Michael

March 9, 2006 12:55 PM | Link to this

Underground and the surrounding areas are disgusting. Anyone suggesting that families attend this area of Atlanta is obviously not a parent. The idea of adding a casino to this disgraceful area is the most proposterous thing I have ever read on the AJC. A casino would only add fire to a blazing inferno of human waste. Please bulldoze the dump and put a homeless shelter and Footlocker in its place.

By Tommy

March 9, 2006 01:00 PM | Link to this

I, too, miss the old Underground….It’s the strip clubs, tattoo parlors, ok hookers too, a bit of seediness, that made Underground exciting. Right now it’s a tastless shopping mall that “attempts” to attract tourists- locals know better than to go down there…What a shame- whoever’s in charge of the whole current concept should be gone.. It’s failing…again.

By Jim

March 9, 2006 01:05 PM | Link to this

Downtown Atlanta sucks. The area all around Underground is an unsafe dump. The only people coming to Underground these days are the thugs and gang bangers that live around it. Close it down and fill it in with concrete so you can’t re-open it again!!!

By Todd Semrau

March 9, 2006 01:09 PM | Link to this

UNDERGROUND NEEDS MOJO BACK!

Underground lost it’s MOJO when Piano Red left some twenty five years ago. Since then underground has endured one white wash after another by developers with Disney- like, utopian ideals.

Let Underground and its diverse city population find its own way back. Let them stroke their own masterpiece. Look to East Atlanta, Cabbagetown, Dekalb Farmer’s Market or the nearby Peachtree Street retail market for lassiz-faire inspiriation.

I happen to like the mix of street preachers,peddlers, GSU students, white collars and tourists. It’s what a city is supposed to be. This ain’t the Mall of Georgia people!

By LC

March 9, 2006 01:12 PM | Link to this

Go to underground at night? No way. I value my life. Its a failure again, and again.

By John Recio

March 9, 2006 01:18 PM | Link to this

Why don’t the city use the money they were willing to put on the table for NASCAR to clean up the streets around Underground? I have lived downtown for 3-years, and in that time, I have heard street scapes are planned for the area around 5-points, leading to Marrieta street. Signs were even placed on the GSU building, claiming the streetscpaes are coming soon. The signs have been there over a year. At present, the city is still waiting for money from the DOT. Could be waiting a long time, yet… Improving the area is the spark needed to allow investors to see the potential downtown has to offer.
I’m sure the area around Underground is the area that the NASCAR official was referring to when he ask if anyone has walked just a few blocks from the planned shrine.

Please someone frorward these postings to our dearly beloved sity leaders.

By john

March 9, 2006 02:05 PM | Link to this

Fill it in with water and make it an aquarium extension wing.

By CA

March 9, 2006 02:13 PM | Link to this

My last time (I do mean LAST time) I went to Underground, I ate at the Irish restaurant after the Garbage concert. When the waitress brought my dinner to me, she had a cigarette in the hand carrying my food! Needless to say a call to the Health Dept. was placed the next day. I will never go back.

By dAVID

March 9, 2006 02:13 PM | Link to this

The Underground is nothing but a reflection of the city leadership. This is why 4 million people live OTP. Nothing will ever change at Underground until the city leadership is replaced.

By BPJ

March 9, 2006 02:45 PM | Link to this

The posts yakking about the decline of the city are mistaken. The best evidence of the city of Atlanta’s continued improvement was in Saturday’s AJC, in an article titled, “Newcomers willing to pay for city living.” Here are the points to remember: in 1990, per-person income in the city was 10 percent below the rest of the metro area; in 2004, per-person income in the city was 28 percent HIGHER than that of those who live outside the city……..and, “no other city in the nation posted such a dramatic shift in the relative income of residents in the central city compared with its suburbs.” People who have the resources to live anywhere they choose are increasingly choosing to live in the city. That’s a big change. It has its disruptive effects, such as the “McMansion” issue. But on balance it’s a positive sign, and it will have a positive effect on everything from the school system to arts funding to, yes, Underground.

By Ralph

March 9, 2006 02:45 PM | Link to this

It’s sad to see all these comments about underground being “thuggish, unsavory, and a dump” why don’t you all with the negative attitude just come out and say what you mean to say: that is downtown, 5 points and underground have alot of black folks which is scary to suburbanites. As a white male who grew up in the city of Atlanta, currently working downtown (14 years), and a visitor to underground numerous times, I say downtown is great. Sure parts of it are scuzzy, but go to any major city in the USA and you will see areas the same.

By Dale

March 9, 2006 02:47 PM | Link to this

The last time I was in Underground, around 5 years ago, there was a shoot out and the whole crowd started running. We were seperated from part of our family and it was the most frightening ordeal I have ever experienced. There is not enough promises or money to make me ever go back there again, I don’t care what they say they have changed. I am not willing to take that chance.

By Markus

March 9, 2006 02:49 PM | Link to this

If Underground is so unsafe, then why in the world would you put a casino there?

come one ppl. lets think about this one.

In order for Underground to come back, you need to add a NEW residential tower to the mix. *Many of the condo towers are older and don’t offer parking. If you want ppl to visit the clubs, then you need to give ppl a reason to stay downtown after work and school. * Then more ppl will come to the clubs.**

Why would I leave work at 5, drive 38 miles one way to go home and then another 38 miles back into the city, just to go to a club with only 3 ppl in it?