(08-22-2016 06:18 PM)Native Georgian Wrote:  

(08-22-2016 11:16 AM)itsmeagain Wrote:  

(08-21-2016 10:42 PM)panama Wrote:  I am really happy that it's Carter and not Fuqua doing this. Otherwise I would be horrifiEd

"Let's put a Walmart right outside of it, and then put another INSIDE OF IT!!!!"

I live very close to the "Decatur Crossing" development where Fuqua has recently installed a truly huge Wal-Mart (and some other Starbucksy kind of places) over massive local opposition. And I'll be the first to admit, what was there before was a hideous eyesore that generated a tiny fraction of the tax-revenue. But the way Fuqua/Wal-Mart went about it seemed deliberately calculated to maximize hostility among local residents and business-owners. They will be deeply hated in this area for a long, long time.

I know exactly where you're talking about. It's not as imposing in those suburban areas, but if you've been to, say, Glenwood Park, it's one of the nicest, most classy, walkable neighborhoods in Atlanta, and was being flanked on the west by the Beltline. Fuqua buys up the land and does what he always does, which is suggest building a Walmart there. He knows everyone will be up in arms about it, and eventually talks them down by saying "alright, we'll just do a Kroger." Everyone agrees, thinking "at least it's only a Kroger," but he knew the whole time that the only way he would get a big-box grocery store in there was if he threatened at first with a Walmart. He did the same thing at Lindbergh.