Cooper Carry - The Center for Connective Architecture

Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Client: Central Atlanta Progress
Contact: Richard Flierl

Following the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games, Downtown Atlanta found itself poised to attract new investment but much of the anticipated investment migrated to the Buckhead and Midtown districts. Now, nearly ten years later, Atlanta is actively engaged in a planning and visioning process to recapture economic development. With an established convention market and two substantial attractions under construction—the Georgia Aquarium and the new World of Coca Cola—interest in Downtown is on the rise. Central Atlanta Progress, a self-taxing constituency of Downtown business leaders, hired a team of planners, engineers, and market analysts. The team, including The Center for Connective Architecture at Cooper Carry, alongside ZVA and ZHA, began the planning process in mid-2003. Five Downtown study areas were established to sequence the work into a manageable process, and maximize the opportunity for public participation. To date, two study areas are complete, the JSA McGill and Auburn Avenue corridors.

For each study area, the team led a public workshop and visioning session. During these sessions, planning goals and objectives, land use, circulation, open space and identity were determined. Based upon market analyses and citizen input, the plan seeks to increase the residential base of Downtown to encourage a 24-hour mixed-use environment. Within each planning study district, a hierarchy of streets was established and targeted for special attention. In all cases, the master plan solution sought to craft a pedestrian-friendly environment conducive to a lively public realm and supportive of established infrastructure. As of January 2004, a major office development and large-scale residential project are in design for the JSA McGill corridor. A new Eastside Tax Allocation District has been approved and put into place. Infrastructure improvements on Alexander Street are funded and ready to begin. Ultimately, Central Atlanta Progress, along with the City of Atlanta, will serve as advocates for the plan to attract private investment back to Downtown.

Imagine Downtown Atlanta Masterplan