Ponce’s potential redevelopment sends Atlanta into a frenzy

Rumors and hypothesis of wrecking balls and mixed-use developments doubtlessly changing the golf equipment, tattoo parlors and bars that fill chapters of Atlanta’s nightlife historical past have sparked a brand new spherical of debate over the way forward for the town.

Why it issues: The block of Ponce de Leon Avenue stretching from the Beltline to Freedom Parkway has been the scene of numerous memorable (and forgotten) evenings at MJQ, Bookhouse Pub, The Native and different joints.

What we all know: In latest months, builders’ curiosity within the north facet of Ponce stretching from Chipotle east to Vesta Motion and The Native has vastly elevated.

• Opposite to social media rumors, Matt Rohrig of Cartel Properties, which owns Paris on Ponce and not too long ago bought the sliver of land that features 8Arm, tells Axios Atlanta his agency isn’t concerned. Portman Residential, one other developer mentioned to be concerned, mentioned it “doesn’t touch upon hypothesis.”

The intrigue: In an Instagram put up, the homeowners of Vesta mentioned “[n]ews simply broke of our whole block — from our constructing all the way in which to Paris on Ponce — being bought,” and the kickboxing health club was in search of a brand new location.

• And crews not too long ago carried out what seem like environmental research on the properties, MJQ and Drunken Unicorn co-owner Ryan Purcell tells Axios Atlanta.

Sure, however: No properties have modified arms but, in response to our reporting and Fulton County property data. And the president of the Virginia-Highland Civic Affiliation advised Urbanize that there was “‘nothing to touch upon past ‘conjecture at this level.’”

• Including one other wrinkle: Purcell mentioned that his landlord on Monday proposed re-upping the underground music venue and dance membership’s lease when it ends this yr.

The large image: The mere prospect of redeveloping the well-known stretch of Ponce prompted Atlantans already mourning the closure or relocation of beloved haunts to query the pace at which new improvement was altering outdated Atlanta.

• Most not too long ago, 8Arm opted to shut in October after its constructing was bought, the restaurant mentioned.

In slightly below a decade, Ponce has swapped out a few of its gritty hallmarks — just like the problematically nick-named Homicide Kroger — for extra polished and pricier developments, generally with traces of their former selves.

The Clermont Lodge went from an notorious flophouse with a divey strip membership within the basement to the Lodge Clermont, an Instagram-friendly boutique resort with an acclaimed restaurant (and a divey strip membership within the basement).

One other view: Some local urbanists and transportation advocates argued that, whereas the loss of the businesses was depressing, dropping the auto-oriented strip malls and standalone buildings might spur density, bike lanes and safer streets.

What they’re saying: “Even when issues do undergo,” Purcell mentioned, “we’re undoubtedly not by means of. The occasion and dancing at MJQ will go on and proceed to dwell on after Ponce. That is our second location, we’ll transfer once more, and open our third.”

• “Will probably be robust, we may be dropping our whole Ponce household in a single swift blow, however Atlanta’s artwork and tradition has been pushed out and painted over earlier than,” he mentioned. “If want be, we’ll discover our new residence to rebuild and a brand new neighborhood to work with to help the ATL dance scene.”