Atlanta Intown - April 2021

April 2021 Vol. 27 No. 4 ■ www.AtlantaIntownPaper.com

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Grassroots Growers P. 7

Container Homes P. 8

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ue The s s is

CHaRM Recycling Center. P. 6

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Fostering Honey Bees P. 12

INSIDE → Affordable Housing P.28 → Damn Fine Coffee P.34 → New: Inside the Arts P.39

Morningside Market Update AVG. SALES PRICE

DAYS ON MARKET

+25%

-27%

AVG. PRICE PER SQUARE FOOT

+18%

Source: FMLS, Q1 YTD from 3/19/21 and same period in previous year, all price points and property types.

Ken Covers

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO

View All Active Morningside Listings

+1 404-664-8280

ken.covers@evatlanta.com

KENCOVERS.EVATLANTA.COM • 404-664-8280

WHAT I MEAN WHEN I SAY

“Your REALTOR®”

kencovers.evatlanta.com

It is always my greatest pleasure helping future Morningside homeowners follow their dream home, especially since this is the community I am grateful to call home, myself. Should you know of anyone wishing to relocate to the neighborhood, I would be more than happy to assist with their transition.

Simultaneously, if you are looking to sell your current home, there is truly no other agent in the city that knows the Morningside market as I do. Please do not hesitate to reach out.

1156 St. Augustine Place N.E.

1801 Woodcliffe Terrace N.E.

1782 Johnson Road N.E.

1748 Wildwood Road N.E.

1316 N. Highland N.E.

1289 N. Highland Avenue N.E.

NEW TO MARKET OFFERED FOR $1,549,000 5 B E D | 3 . 5 B AT H

COMING SOON PRICE COMING SOON 3 B E D | 3 B AT H

COMING SOON OFFERED FOR $799,000 3 B E D | 3 B AT H

PRICE IMPROVEMENT OFFERED FOR $1,249,000 6 B E D | 6 B AT H

ACTIVE LISTING OFFERED FOR $1,070,000 3 B E D | 3 . 5 B AT H

ACTIVE LISTING OFFERED FOR $799,000 3 B E D | 2 B AT H

Fully renovated and updated with all modern necessities. Features a rare coach house and outstanding details throughout. Open floor plan features high ceilings. An oversized eatin kitchen contains top-of-the-line appliances.

Outstanding Morningside ranch home on level lot overlooking the Wildwood Urban Forest.

This home features a large open floor plan, two car attached garage, and a large deck. It is located on super quiet street, and is a great place for a family.

Beautiful, open floorplan with large two car garage. Flat back yard extends to serene outdoor oasis perfect for entertaining as we enter the spring season.

Excellent Morningside home almost 5,000 sqft in size. Three finished levels with 6 bedrooms and 2 separate home offices—one with a separate exterior entrance. The home also features an oversized 2-car garage and abundant storage.

Fully modernized bungalow in vibrant Morningside. Features large rooms and high ceilings, second-floor has loft-like feel, expansive motor court that leads to elevated front porch, eat-in kitchen, rear covered porch, basement makes ideal workshop.

Charming home filled with character in ideal location—walking to Morningside shops, restaurants and farmer’s market. Fireplace, eat-in kitchen with oversized island. Covered front porch, large rear deck, spa-like master bathroom. Fenced backyard, motor court.

1775 Noble Drive N.E.

1240 Beech Valley Road N.E.

1026 Robin Lane N.E.

1658 Noble Drive N.E.

1332 Briarwood Drive N.E.

1159 Zimmer Drjve N.E

UNDER CONTRACT OFFERED FOR $1,095,000 4 B E D | 3 B AT H

UNDER CONTRACT OFFERED FOR $975,000 2 B E D | 3 . 5 B AT H

SOLD OFFERED FOR $1,895,000 5 B E D | 5 . 5 B AT H

SOLD OFFERED FOR $859,000 3 B E D | 3 . 5 B AT H

SOLD OFFERED FOR $1,295,000 5 B E D | 5 . 5 B AT H

SOLD SOLD FOR $930,000 3 B E D | 2 B AT H

Morningside/Johnson Estates home on quiet, low traffic street a block from Noble Park. Rare master on the main. Kitchen with breakfast bar, opens to cozy den and living room with fireplace. Walk-out fenced backyard, 1-car garage, basement ideal for craft or workshop.

Level walk-out backyard, two-car garage, large deck, and super handsome screen porch that overlooks the backyard. Front door opens to reveal handsome hardwood floors, a large living room featuring high ceilings, and the first of three fireplaces.

Pristine move-right-in-condition on 1.9 acres.

Oversized rooms, high ceilings, spacious walk-in closets, three finished levels, oversized master suite plus a main level guest suite.

Terrace level, home gym, media room.

Classic Morningside/Johnson Cape Cod estate Tudor. Very well-maintained and loved by current owners for 30 years. Living room with fireplace and separate dining room. Lush, beautiful backyard and is nestled on a quiet street near Noble Park.

Intown living at its best. Move-in ready, large rooms, high ceilings, open floor plan, 4-car garage. Two master suites with outstanding main level guest suite, oversized terrace level with recreation room, fifth bedroom, exercise room, full bath, kitchenette, access to garage.

Morningside home loaded with charm and style. Fantastic new kitchen with high end appliances. 2-car carport. Walkable to all of Morningside’s best amenities.

Your Life. Your Home. Your REALTOR®.

Outstanding results take planning. Call me so we can put a winning plan in place for your home sale.

Together, we will decide how best to position your home for maximum results, all while adhering to strict and safe COVID-19 practices.

SOUTH BUCKHEAD 1745 Peachtree Street NW Atlanta, Georgia 30309 404-845-7724

www.evatlanta.com

MORNINGSIDE 1411 North Highland Avenue NE Atlanta, Georgia 30306 404-845-7724

©2021 Engel & Völkers. All rights reserved. Each brokerage independently owned and operated. All information provided is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified. If your property is currently represented by a real estate broker, this is not an attempt to solicit your listing.

Engel & Völkers and its independent license partners are Equal Opportunity Employers and fully support the principles of the Fair Housing Act.

2 April 2021 |

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Contents April 2021

Sustainability CHaRM Recycling Grassroots Growers Container Homes Fostering Honeybees Earth Day Events Above the Waterline

6 7 8 12 13 14

The Neighborhood Midtown Connector Park New Resevoir

BeltLine Tax

Short-Term Rentals

TimmyDaddy

16

16 17 18 18 20

Business Courtney Stewart’s LipRevolt Highland Inn Sold

Business Briefs

22 24 24

Home & Real Estate Accessory Dwelling Units Midtown Towers The Environmental Gardener Your Next Home Perspectives in Architecture 22

34

Editorial Collin Kelley Editor collin@AtlantaIntownPaper.com Contributors Saskia Benjamin, Sally Bethea, Wendy Binns, Kathy Dean, Melody Harclerode, Sean Keenan, Greg Levine, Isadora Pennington, Katie Rice, Clare S. Richie, John Ruch, Camille Russell Love, Asep Mawardi, Kelly McCoy, Sarah Pierre, Tim Sullivan, Megan Volpert, Mark Woolsey Submissions Article queries and calendar submissions should be emailed to collin@AtlantaIntownPaper.com.

Published By Springs Publishing Atlanta Intown • Reporter Newspapers Atlanta Senior Life

38

Steve Levene Publisher Emeritus

Amy Arno Director of Sales Development amy@springspublishing.com (404) 917-2200, ext. 1002

Sales Executives Jeff Kremer, Janet Porter, Rob Lee Circulation Each month, 27,000 copies of Atlanta Intown are mailed to homes and distributed to businesses in and around ZIP codes 30306, 30307, 30308, 30309, 30324 and 30329.

For delivery information, delivery@springspublishing.com

Rico Figliolini Creative Director Deborah Davis Office Manager deborah@springspublishing.com (404) 917-2200, ext. 1003

© 2021 All rights reserved. Publisher reserves the right to refuse editorial or advertising for any reason. Publisher assumes no responsibility for information contained in advertising. Any opinions expressed in print or online do not necessarily represent the views of Atlanta Intown or Springs Publishing

Visit AtlantaIntownPaper.com Instagram.com/ AtlantaIntown At l a n t a I n t o w n Pa p e r. c o m

Facebook.com/ AtlantaIntown

28 29 30

31 32

News You Can Eat Advertising For information call (404) 917-2200 ext 1002

Keith Pepper Publisher keith@springspublishing.com

Twitter.com/ ATLINtownPaper

Spotify AtlantaIntown

Damn Fine Coffee Farmers Markets Women + Wine Quick Bites

34 35 36 37

38 38 39 39 40

The Studio Immersive Exhibits In the Mix: Miles Robinson Inside the Arts ART PAPERS Auction

From the Crates

Head for the Hills State Parks Thrive Many Mountains Highlands-Cashiers Big Canoe

44 46 48 50

town 3

April 2021 | IN

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The March 20 #StopAsianHate Rally at the State Capitol.

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Bike the Beltline: Atlanta Bicycle Barn 151 Sampson St., NE Atlanta, GA 30312 www.atlbikebarn.com

The gunman who murdered eight, including six Asian women, at spas on Piedmont Road and in Cherokee County on March 16 brought another day of terror to a city still reeling from the pandemic and last summer’s police shooting of Rayshard Brooks.

While the confessed murderer claims race was not a motivation, his actions shined a spotlight on the fact that violence against Asian people has been on the rise nationwide since the pandemic began. The scapegoating of the Asian community was recklessly seeded by a certain breed of politicians and talking heads who don’t seem to understand – or care – that words have consequences.

Even before the shootings, we knew there were incidents of verbal harassment happening in Atlanta – American citizens being told to “go back where you came from” and worse. It’s another facet of racism and white supremacy that this country must have reckoning with sooner rather than later.

It goes without saying that we here at Intown and Springs Publishing support the vital and important contributions made by the Asian community. It should also go Collin without saying that the Asian community Kelley isn’t responsible for COVID-19. Anyone has been editor of who tells you differently is a liar.

Atlanta Intown for In the wake of tragedy, there is almost two decades. optimism that we are moving toward the He’s also an end of the pandemic. Just as this issue award-winning poet was going to press, Gov. Brian Kemp and novelist. announced that the COVID-19 vaccine would be available to anyone over age collin@AtlantaIntownPaper.com 16. We’re hearing rumblings about full stadiums, cinemas reopening, live music.

Remember concerts? The more people who get the vaccine, the faster we can return to something approaching normal.

And as we move toward the end of social distancing, Atlanta Intown has you covered with our new newsletter, Rough Draft. Appearing in your inbox on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, the newsletter quickly gets you caught up on the news, features upcoming local events in our new community calendar, new restaurants, podcasts worth a listen, who to follow on social, and more. Our new digital editor Chad Radford is at the helm of Rough Draft, so say hello to him and fill your inbox with news you can use instead of spam. Sign up at roughdraftatlanta.com or atlantaintownpaper.com and follow along on Instagram at @roughdraftatl.

In this issue, you’ll also find two new columns we’re really excited about. Camille Russell Love, the longtime executive director of the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs, will be writing a monthly column about the arts in the city, kicking off with a fruitful collaboration between the Atlanta Shakespeare Company and The Atlanta Contemporary museum (Page 39). You’ll also find a new shared gardening column, The Environmentalist, penned by Trees Atlanta’s Greg Levine and Piedmont Park Conservancy’s Erica Glasener (Page 30).

We also welcome a new collaboration with nonprofit civic journalism organization Atlanta Civic Circle (atlantaciviccircle.org) to bring you more in depth coverage of critical issues like affordable housing (Page 28). And if that wasn’t enough, this is our 15th annual “Green” issue highlighting sustainability in the city. Whew!

Sit back, get comfortable, and dive in.

Editor’s Letter

New Listing • Druid Hills • 427 Mill Creek Bend 6 Bedrooms, 5.5 Bathrooms • Offered for $1,275,000 Offering a comprehensive renovation, this John Willis home offers a new high-end kitchen open to the fireside great room and inviting rear deck – all overlooking the expansive backyard. Highlights include a dining room with a butler’s pantry, a guest suite on the main, a spacious upstairs master suite with a king-size closet and a luxurious bathroom as well as a finished terrace level with a full-size kitchen, family room, rec room, guest suite, gym and a walkout screened porch. Enjoy easy access to the neighborhood pool, basketball courts, playground and all the perks of the Druid Hills lifestyle.

PEGGY HIBBERT #1 Agent in Druid Hills cell 404.444.0192 office 404.874.0300 peggy@atlantafinehomes.com

Your Neighborhood Expert with Global Connections Sotheby’s International Realty® is a registered trademark licensed to Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC. Equal Housing Opportunity. Each Office Is Independently Owned And Operated.

4 April 2021 |

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Jim Getzinger 404.307.4020 | 404.668.6621 jim.getzinger@compass.com

Home has never been as meaningful as it is right now. In a year when so many of us sheltered-in-place and self-quarantined, home became our sanctuary. Now, our priorities of where and how we live have evolved. Buyers are now seeking more space inside and out—pools remain a top search term across all of our area neighborhoods—and interest in spaces that work better for every member of the family, from home offices to Zoom school zones, has skyrocketed. My team and I pivoted right alongside these changes, finding safer, smarter ways to continue to serve our clients at the same high level. If there’s one thing we know for sure, it’s that the Intown market we’re focused on continues to be incredibly strong. We’re optimistic about 2021: With continued low interest rates and such high levels of interest, there’s never been a better time to list your home and explore your options.

31 The Prado, Ansley Park Sold Before Market | Offered for $1,830,000

295 The Prado, Ansley Park Coming Soon

153 Barksdale Drive NE, Ansley Park Under Contract | Offered for $1,250,000

34 Peachtree Circle, Ansley Park Active | Offered for $1,899,000

731 Wildwood Place NE, Morningside Active | Offered for $1,895,000

109 17th Street, Ansley Park Under Contract Before Market

Compass is a licensed real estate broker and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdrawal without notice. No statement is made as to the accuracy of any description.

All measurements and square footages are approximate. This is not intended to solicit property already listed. Nothing herein shall be construed as legal, accounting or other professional advice outside the realm of real estate brokerage.

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April 2021 | INTOWN

5

Intown facility keeps hazardous household waste out of air, water and soil

The s

Like A CHaRM

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e The s su is

Recycling � Resources � Lifestyle

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SUSTAINABILITY

CHaRM founder Peggy Whitlow Ratcliffe and volunteers at work.

(Photos by Isadora Pennington)

By Clare S. Richie

I

f spring cleaning has you wondering where to safely purge old electronics, surplus paint, unused fertilizer or more, make an appointment at the Center for Hard to Recycle Materials (CHaRM), located two blocks from Zoo Atlanta. The center is opened Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, with a special Earth Day celebration on Saturday April 24, the 11th eco Depot.

“April 24 is an amnesty day with no fees, supported by Atlanta City Councilmember Carla Smith,” said Peggy Whitlow Ratcliffe, CHaRM founder and executive director. Hours may be extended as well to accommodate more appointments.

CHaRM has already seen an increase in intake during the pandemic, despite being closed for nearly three months. In 2020, the nonprofit center recycled 9.6 tons of Styrofoam, 180 tons of chemicals, 189 tons of glass, 1,215 mattresses and more.

“Everybody has been doing home projects – that’s increased our traffic. Now we average about 400 appointments a day,” Ratcliffe said.

To keep the center safe for attendees and staff, CHaRM devised a one-way drop off loop.

“The idea is to take your car to each stop, unload materials and get back in – so there’s really no contact with anyone” Ratcliffe said. ”People have been very good at following the directions and already having the materials separated so they can drop and go.”

Instructions for how to prepare for your visit are at livethrive.org. For example, Styrofoam must be clean, dry and bagged.

6 April 2021 |

CHaRM also accepts electronics, clean glass sorted by color, plastics with a recycling number 1 through 6, mattresses and more.

Fees are assessed on some items, like paint in excess of 25lbs, and are payable by mobile pay, chip card or Venmo.

“The silver lining is the education that came with people sorting their own materials, like plastics,” Ratcliffe said. “They have learned what is recyclable and what’s not. Why it needs to be cleaned out.”

Learning by doing is what prompted Ratcliff to action 11 years ago.

“When my parents passed away, they had paint and chemicals from the 60s and 70s that I knew should not be thrown away curbside,” Ratcliffe said. Her research showed that other municipalities, primarily to protect their water treatment systems, collected household hazardous waste; what Ratcliffe says is “under you kitchen sink, in your garage or in your basement.”

That research prompted Ratcliffe to partner with Atlanta City Councilmember Carla Smith to expand the city’s Earth Day electronics recycling event to include household hazardous waste. These annual collections were popular, attracting 500-

700 attendees, and showed the need for a permanent drop-off facility.

“The funding to do one four-hour event could closely pay for something that was open a few days a week to allow residents to come in at their convenience,” Ratcliffe said.

“If you are moving you are not going to hold on to the paint and pesticides in your house until the next year – you need to dispose of it then.”

In 2015, current CHaRM Board member and former Atlanta City Councilmember Alex Wan, helped Ratcliffe find a permanent location, which it leases from the city.

“First year attendance at CHaRM was about 5,000 people and in 2020, even with COVID-19, we had close to 36,000 people,” Ratcliffe said. “People do want to do the right thing if you tell them how and the importance of it.”

Ninety-six percent what CHaRM receives is recycled, re-purposed or reengineered – with items like expired medicines incinerated in a controlled environment. Reusable items are distributed to nonprofit partners, like the Furniture Bank of Metro Atlanta.

“CHaRM gives the Furniture Bank access to additional mattresses which can either be given to clients or recycled,” said Megan Anderson, Furniture Bank executive director. “In 2020, the Furniture Bank reused or recycled 21,531 mattresses.” Those in good condition are given to clients who move out of homelessness or flee domestic violence.

Local artists have first access to paint at the center. CHaRM also works with vetted vendors, like Clean Harbors Environmental Services, to properly dispose or repurpose waste.

“Last year, Clean Harbors shipped nearly 400,000 pounds of waste from CHaRM,” said Mark Morwaski, Clean Harbors Environmental Services Technical Services Account Manager. That included 310,000 lbs. paint that was converted from waste to energy and 32,000 lbs. of solvents reused as alternative fuels.

“If it were not for CHaRM, most of the millions of pounds of house waste would either still be sitting in someone’s garage or buried in a local landfill,” Morwaski said.

“Thanks to CHaRM, the City of Atlanta is a cleaner place to live.”

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Hyperlocal Produce

Grassroots Growers Alliance brings fresh produce to food insecure communities

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NEW LISTING

HARVIN GREENE + STEPHANIE MARINAC

1236 Cumberland Road Morningside

6 BEDROOMS | 5 FULL BATHS | 1 HALF BATH | $1,795,000 Sophisticated Morningside home with wonderful entertaining spaces built in 2008.

FOR SALE

In 2019, Tania Herbert founded the Grassroots Growers Alliance (GGA) as an extension of her successful urban farming program with The Paideia School.

Since then, this non-profit has expanded into community partnerships that includes Purpose Built Schools Atlanta and the Women’s Transitional Center, which are producing more than 5,000 pounds of food each year.

The organization’s mission is to distribute that “hyperlocal produce” into food insecure communities across the city, Herbert said.

Tania Herbert This unlikely alliance between a small private school, a title one elementary school and a women’s transitional center has forged powerful bonds between the communities and is nurturing a more equitable and localized food system, according to Herbert.

A decade ago, Herbert’s kids were students at Paideia and she offered to help expand the school’s recycling program. which earned high praise from the Georgia Recycling Coalition and the Green Schools Alliance.

The program’s success led to a schoolwide composting program and Herbert’s appointment as the school’s full-time Farmer Educator. Composting was the launch pad and with the school community’s support, Herbert created a series of small urban farms in the neighborhood. As the Paideia farms began producing more than the program needed, the school saw an opportunity to collaborate with other communities to replicate the model and connect more families to fresh food.

When COVID-19 hit, Herbert said the “fragility and unfairness of our industrial and global food system” became apparent.

“When the food disappeared from the grocery stores during COVID, our local farmers were able to close that gap and feed our families nutritious food,” she said. “We need to take these lessons we are learning and invest in a more equitable and localized food system that serves everyone.”

Grassroots Grower’s also partnered with Marrdy’s Shared Kitchen on the Paideia students at work.

Westside last summer to get fresh produce to families in the Thomasville Heights neighborhood. Students from the neighborhood and from Paideia harvested vegetables form local Black-owned urban farms, which went into food boxes distributed by Marrdy’s.

Herbert said she’s also proud of the work being done at the Women’s Transitional Center, where inmates are learning agricultural skills to prepare them for jobs upon release by growing for food insecure families.

At Paideia, where it all began, the school is now leasing land in East Atlanta to grow more food and a sliding scale Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program is being created. “People with more money will pay more for food to help those who don’t have as much money,” Herbert said. “It’s sustainable and good for all. It’s a big deal for us.”

Grassroots has also become the first pro-bono client of digital marketing agency Juniperus, whose owners, Amber Schreiner and Alicia Harper, who are passionate about addressing unequal access to healthy food. “Amber and Alicia are truly interested in the work GGA is doing and want to support it,” Herbert said. “They bring skills that our team does not have and we are extremely thankful they have been supporting our efforts.”

To learn more about GGA’s mission, visit ggaatlanta.com.

OUR CURRENT LISTINGS

4571 Columns Drive Marietta

7 BEDROOMS | 8 FULL BATHS | 2 HALF BATHS | $6,500,000 Stunning 8-acre equestrian estate on the Chattahoochee.

UNDER CONTRACT

By Collin Kelley

821 Oakdale Road Druid Hills

5 BEDROOMS | 4 FULL BATHS | 1 HALF BATH | OFF MARKET Gorgeous, renovated Mediterranean home on Druid Hills estate.

Harvin Greene

M 404.314.4212 O 404.352.2010 harvingreene@dorseyalston.com

Stephanie Marinac

M 404.863.4213 O 404.352.2010 stephaniemarinac@dorseyalston.com

100 West Paces Ferry Road | Atlanta, Georgia 30305 | dorseyalston.com Information believed accurate but not warranted. Equal Housing Opportunity.

April 2021 | INTOWN

7

Thinking Inside the Box

A community of shipping container homes is being built on the Westside

By Collin Kelley Husband and wife developer duo Joshua and Courtney Booth are building Atlanta’s first shipping container subdivision on the Westside. Five homes are planned to create an intimate – and sustainable – community called Stacks at Wilson.

The Booths knew they had a hit on their hands when 70 perspective buyers showed up at a weekend open house and they received four over-ask offers the first day. The home sold for $349,000, which was $21,000 over the asking price.

Joshua said it was proof that homebuyers were ready to challenge the norm and consider something outside the box – by moving into, well, boxes.

These aren’t your average boxes, though. The two 40-foot conjoined shipping containers have a funky fusion of mid-century modern meets trailer park chic on the exterior, while the interior finishes rival anything to be found in upscale homes or condos in Midtown or Buckhead.

“We had been wanting to build a tiny home community, so we started researching and looking at how we could utilize unconventional materials,”

8 April 2021 |

Joshua and Courtney Booth inside the first container home on Wilson Street.

Joshua said. “That led us to shipping containers.”

Finding affordable, available land to realize their dream led the couple to the Dixie Hills neighborhood on the Westside, not far from historic Westview Cemetery. The Booths are working with Team Trilogy of reality firm Compass to market the homes at Stacks at Wilson.

What makes the home green? The

steel construction of the containers makes the home extremely durable, while a special double insulation makes them cheaper to heat and cool. The home uses all LED lighting and is fully electric.

Since metal attracts heat, one might expect the electric bill would be astronomical in summer, but Courtney said it was just the opposite.

“Because of the double insulation

in the wall system, the utility bills are only about $125 to $150 a month,” she said. “The house stayed cool even in the Georgia heat. We didn’t turn on the air conditioning until August last year.”

The builders are also talking to vendors about using solar energy and rain water retention methods to make the next four homes even more

At l a n t a I n t o w n Pa p e r. c o m

sustainable. Permitting is already underway for the next home at the development, which will utilize eight shipping containers.

The Booth’s development company, Concrete Roots Group (CRG), is also supporting and working with charitable organizations that focus on youth development, job creation, community restoration, and sustainability.

Courtney said the CRG Foundation’s Active Youth Academy is working with K-12 students by introducing them to philanthropy and entrepreneurship to help expand their future goals. Another program helps the homeless and those returning from incarceration to learn a building trade and become self-sufficient again.

For more information, visit concreterootsgroup.com.

During these uncertain times, HammerSmith is here for you and your family. We provide safe, essential services, architectural designs and home renovations. Start planning today for how to live better in a changed world.

8

Keep

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April 2021 | INTOWN

9

2744 Mabry Road NE $2,400,000 5 Bed 3 Bath 1 Half Bath

Trish Byce 404.202.8649 trish.byce@compass.com

781 Myrtle Street NE $1,850,000 5 Bed 5 Bath

Scott Riley 404.217.6310 scott.riley@compass.com

161 Allmond Lane $1,690,000 5 Bed 5 Bath 3 Half Bath

The Cady Team 678.926.9982 cadyteam@compass.com

2233 Grady Ridge Trail $4,975,000 7 Bed 8 Bath 5 Half Bath

Mary Floyd 404.312.3837 mary.floyd@compass.com

1609 S Ponce De Leon Ave, Unit B $1,899,000 4 Bed 4 Bath 1 Half Bath

Jim Getzinger 404.307.4020 jim.getzinger@compass.com

Cole Team 770.316.3110 coleteam@coleteamrealestate.com

Doyle | Goodrowe 561.707.6139 doylegoodrowe@compass.com

Guiding you home, Intown and beyond.

10 April 2021 |

compass.com

|

1437 Woodland Hills Drive NE $1,498,000 5 Bed 4 Bath 1 Half Bath

404.668.6621

|

compassatlanta

|

compassgreateratlanta

1835 Ashway Drive $1,799,999 5 Bed 5 Bath 1 Half Bath

Woodland Hills

Alpharetta

Cumming

Midtown

Historic Brookhaven

Druid Hills

Nicholas Brown 770.630.5430 nicholas.brown@compass.com

Compass is a licensed real estate broker and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdrawal without notice.

No statement is made as to the accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footages are approximate. This is not intended to solicit property already listed. Nothing herein shall be construed as legal, accounting or other professional advice outside the realm of real estate brokerage.

Duluth

Buckhead 1130 W Conway Drive NW $7,500,000 6 Bed 6 Bath 2 Half Bath

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Team 360°ATL Your Intown Experts!

Dylan Corbett, Laura Percarpio, Kevin Steward, Andre de Winter, Troy Perry, David Jones, Alison Sternfels, Lloyd O’Neill, Hal Freeman, Niki Paris, Todd Brunsvold, and Amy Hooper (not pictured)

M: 404.946.7000 O: 404.668.6621 team360atl@compass.com team360atl.com

Compass Greater Atlanta’s #1 large team with $96M+ sold in 2020!

Team 360˚ ATL understands how important our communities are, and how vital it is to give back to our neighborhoods. We support several local organizations including Mary Lin Elementary School, the Inman Park Tour of Gardens (April 23-25, 2021) Olmsted Park, and First Presbyterian Preschool. We look forward to giving back even more in 2021.

SOLD | 140 Waverly Way | Inman Park Listed for $1,850,000 | Niki Paris & Kevin Steward

SOLD | 956 Waverly Way | Inman Park Listed for $2,195,000 | David Jones

UNDER CONTRACT | 185 Elizabeth Street | Inman Park Andre de Winter

UNDER CONTRACT | 811 E Morningside Dr | Morningside Hal Freeman

COMING SOON | 178 Hurt Street | Inman Park $2,150,000 | Andre de Winter

COMING SOON | 952 Euclid Avenue | Inman Park $1,650,000 | Andre de Winter

Compass is a licensed real estate broker and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdrawal without notice.

No statement is made as to the accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footages are approximate. This is not intended to solicit property already listed. Nothing herein shall be construed as legal, accounting or other professional advice outside the realm of real estate brokerage.

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April 2021 | INTOWN

11

Creating a Buzz

Intown residents can become foster families to help re-populate honey bees

By Clare S. Richie One hive at a time, Bell Beaker is on a mission to re-populate bees and engage Atlanta residents in the sustainable practice of bee keeping through its Hive for Honey Program.

Since bees cover about three miles of land to forage, the program seeks to spread out its participants to nurture a healthy honey bee population.

“I learned that in major urban cities, bees struggle to exist,” said Bell Beaker founder Andrew Lantz. “I had this thought– would people allow me to keep bees on their property so we could bring them back. It turns out – yes – people are very interested.”

For $79.99 a month for three hives or $35 a month for one, Bell Beaker will install and manage established beehives for customers with space on their property that points southeast and receives direct sunlight.

“Bees are kind of like older people – they work really early and go to sleep really early,” Lantz explained. “We like to accommodate to their schedule.” Italian honey bees are “deceptively docile” and exist peacefully alongside people and pets.

After installation, the beekeeping team makes bi-weekly visits to tend the hives. In late November, customers receive all of the honey harvested on their property; between 7-10 gallons after two seasons from three hives.

Lantz’s passion for bees started at a young age.

“I was 14 years old when I started with playing with bees. I fell in love with them as the little alien insects they are. I convinced my parents to let me get bees a couple of years later and I’ve been keeping bees ever since,” Lantz said.

He even named the business after a late Neolithic people, who drank beer and mead (honey

Andrew Lantz, left, and Chad Davis work to repopulate honey bees.

(Photos courtesy John Paul Van Wert)

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12 April 2021 |

wine) from inverted bell beakers, as an homage to his mead-making days.

The fee-based model follows a successful year-long beta program, funded via Kickstarter, in which participants paid no fees but only retained 20 percent of harvested honey. For Lantz, the beta program was an opportunity to gauge interest and nail down logistics.

“We ended up funding 25 locations,” Lantz said. ”I put up 50 posters around Piedmont Park and from that more than 1,100 signed up. It told me there is a huge interest.”

Some beta participants participated for the hyperlocal harvested honey and for their backyards to be part of this ecosystem revival.

“We love honey and eat it almost every single day” said Edegewood residents Casey and Bill from Edgewood. “We also love to just learn about them and watch the process from week to week.”

Some found it an easy way to explore a hobby that requires a lot of attention and practice.

“I have wanted bees for a long time, but the amount of knowledge and equipment required have always been a barrier for me,” said Gregory, also from Edgewood. ”Andrew helped me hurdle that barrier and has encouraged me to be as hands on as I want to be.”

Lantz also introduced beekeeping to Chad Davis, a recent University of Georgia graduate, who now works for Bell Beaker.

“Andrew tended bees without any type of mask, suit or anything. And told me – you’ll be fine. Seeing his fearlessness and how he engaged with the bees inspired me,” Davis said. “The first experience I had was when we picked up about a quarter million bees. I just dove right in.”

Davis and Lantz are scaling up the program, which now has more than 50 locations, including 27 residents under the monthly fee model.

“We’re literally all over Atlanta, from Buckhead to Kirkwood, It’s only going to keep growing.”

Lantz said. They are looking to expand into more areas like North Druid Hills, Decatur, East Point and College Park.

“They are the best roommates I’ve ever had!” said Kirkwood residents Kate and Alex. “And it’s great to help the pollinators do their thing. I love to think we are helping the bee population.”

As the number of pollinators increases, we should also see a more plant life that will enable diverse species in our urban ecosystem and ultimately, repeated in other major cities across the U.S. “The most fulfilling part of all of this is having a true purpose. The more you can teach people sustainable practices the more hope we have for the future. The honey is great too,” Davis said.

Learn more at bellbeaker.org.

At l a n t a I n t o w n Pa p e r. c o m

Make Every Day Earth Day

Plant sales, cleanups & virtual events from EarthShare Georgia member organizations

By Wendy Binns EarthShare Georgia and our member organizations are working for the day when our air, land and water are clean, abundant and healthy. Join us this Earth Day and every day for a greener future. Visit earthsharega.org or find us on social media @earthsharega.

April 2-3 Spring Native Plant Sale Chattahoochee Nature Center Over 100 species of plants are available, and Horticulturists and knowledgeable volunteers will be on site to help you plant the garden of your dreams. Herbs and veggies for the edible garden will also be available. Reservations are required to secure your shopping date and time to ensure social distancing.

Info: chattnaturecenter.org.

Now through end of June Great American Cleanup Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation Communities across the state are engaging in cleanup efforts, recycling drives, educational workshops, and beautification events. We strive to actively engage volunteers, local businesses, and civic leaders in improving Georgia’s environment, and this year, due to the pandemic, we will focus on individual/family cleanups and small groups. Info: kgbf.org/the-greatamerican-cleanup.

April 10 Volunteer at the Hartnett Community Garden West Atlanta Watershed Alliance The West Atlanta Watershed Alliance is looking for volunteers to help us maintain the Urban Garden & Resiliency Oasis and the Hartnett Community garden. All who are interested and ready to work should sign up! Search for and signup for the event on eventbrite.com.

April 17 Family Fun: Spring Showers and Rain Sticks Trees Atlanta Join Trees Atlanta from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. for this in-person program to explore the Morningside Nature Preserve with Tyke Hike. We will go on a mini-hike, read a spring story book, make a rainstick to celebrate spring showers and have fun outdoors! Ideal for ages 2-6. Registration required. Limited capacity.

Info: tykehike.com.

April 17 and May 16 6th Annual Georgia Bird Fest Georgia Audubon As Georgia’s largest bird and nature festival, At l a n t a I n t o w n Pa p e r. c o m

Georgia Bird Fest features a full month of activities, including guided field trips to Georgia’s best birding hotspots, naturebased workshops, and guest speakers.

Events are tailored to all levels of bird, nature, and outdoor enthusiasts.

Info: georgiaaudubon.org.

April 19 Earth Day Leadership Event EarthShare Georgia Take a “breather” at this virtual Earth Day event while we explore this year’s theme: AIR. You can’t see it, but it has a direct effect on your health and the environment. Keynote Speaker Chandra Farley, Just Energy Director for Partnership for Southern Equity, will address the importance of clean air, its relation to disease and our health while providing steps we can take to reduce air pollution and ensure cleaner air. This event also includes annual awards presentation and breakout sessions with Atlanta Bicycle Coalition, Georgia Audubon and Southface to dive deeper into the topic. Registration: earthsharega.org/earth-day April 20 City Cycling - The REI Partnership Edition Atlanta Bicycle Coalition Sign-ups are limited to the first 50 and you can learn about other classes to join at the link below. Whether you are riding our city streets to get to work, the pharmacy, the grocery store, or an appointment, or you are wanting to get out, move your body, and enjoy the outdoors, the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition is here for you. Info: atlantabike.org.

May 4 Parks & Greenspace Conference: The New Cases for Parks Park Pride During The New Case for Parks, the theme of Park Pride’s 20th annual conference, we will dive deep into this altered landscape and how the issues of racial justice, public health, civil unrest, and extreme weather events have renewed public interest in greenspace and ignited an urgent need to invest in our park systems for the benefit of all communities. Info: parkpride.org.

May 7 Sustainability in Action Roundtable Southface The Sustainability in Action Roundtable (SART) is a policy and discussion forum open to the public, that focuses on environmental and social issues facing metro Atlanta, the region and beyond.

Topic for May is Financing the Regenerative Economy: Resources to Power the Transition. Info: southface.org.

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Take the Trail Challenge in Our National River Park Above the Water Line Sally Bethea Sally Bethea is the retired executive director of Chattahoochee Riverkeeper and an environmental and sustainability advocate.

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Four years ago, an energized group of park lovers and volunteers gathered in a room with flip charts, sticky dots and a facilitator to develop a plan to help one of the most-visited national parks in America – our Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (CRNRA).

The volunteers were board members and supporters of the park’s nonprofit friends group, now known as Chattahoochee National Park Conservancy (CNPC).

With its staffing reduced from previous years and deferred maintenance projects totaling more than $15 million, the CRNRA was – and still is – in dire need of help. Among other issues, the park’s hiking and multi-use trails were being loved to death and many park structures were well past their prime; in some cases, they were unsafe.

Based on input provided by then-Park Superintendent Bill Cox and his staff, CNPC determined to help the national recreation area become “an iconic park”– in addition to engaging the community more actively and strengthening its own effectiveness. The first priority: find the resources to restore and connect the sixty-six miles of official land trails in the park and upgrade priority facilities.

Encompassing a 48-mile section of the Chattahoochee and fifteen parcels of land along the river, the CRNRA offers outstanding outdoor activities for those living in the metro Atlanta region and beyond. About three million people visit the national park in a typical year; many more are crowding the popular areas now, as the pandemic-weary seek restorative doses of nature.

Most of the existing trail system in the park consists of legacy social trails, relic roadbeds, and utility corridors predating the CRNRA’s establishment

more than forty years ago. These legacy trails were never intentionally designed for a positive trail experience. They lack connectivity to neighboring trail systems and, in some cases, are degrading water quality through erosion runoff. Many of these trails are also difficult and costly to maintain.

With funds raised from private sources, CNPC matched those provided by the National Park Service (NPS) to hire a professional trail planning firm to develop the first-ever trail assessment and management plan for the park. The plan was completed in 2018 by Applied Trails Research with input from the public and government agencies. Its goals: improve visitor experience and sustainability of the trail system, and connect park trails to other local systems, such as the visionary Chattahoochee RiverLands Greenway.

The NPS recently announced a public comment period – open until April 15 – for its draft comprehensive trails plan: a document that includes preliminary management strategies and actions that could apply parkwide to make it easier to implement the specific trails designs. Walkers, runners, hikers and bikers are invited to help make the plan and the CRNRA the very best it can be by reviewing and commenting on the draft plan at the link provided below.

The most heavily-used and damaged paths in the park were identified as the nearly seven miles of multi-use trails in the Cochran Shoals unit (Sope CreekColumns). With funds raised by CNPC from outdoor retailer REI, the nonprofit MTB Atlanta, and others, plans were developed to make the trails safer for all users and more environmentally-friendly through rock-armoring, machine work, and new directional signage. Completed a few months ago with assistance from professionals, volunteers and student interns, this successful project demonstrates the value of collaborative partnerships; it serves as a model for future trail rehabilitation work to be conducted in the coming years, as funds At l a n t a I n t o w n Pa p e r. c o m

are secured.

Mountain bikers on the multi-use trails will appreciate the new Text to Ride System. To avoid trail damage, most bikers know not to ride on wet trails, but they may not be aware if it’s rained on the paths the previous day.

This new system – developed by CNPC and managed by the NPS – allows riders to text for the status of the trail before they go to the park. To access the system, text “Ride” to 770-727-5061 and learn whether the trail is “Dry” or “Wet,” or if there is “Freeze Thaw.”

For those who relish a challenge – or simply want to explore all of the trails in the fifteen park units – CNPC has developed HikeCRNRA, modeled after a similar program in other national parks. Everyone who hikes all sixty-six miles of official trails within the CRNRA (completed after December 1, 2020) will be recognized and receive a free CNPC membership.

There is no deadline – you have a lifetime to finish! Trail maps and forms are available at the link provided below.

As you are out and about in the park, you may notice several facility upgrades: the impressive staircase in the Vickery Creek unit, a new fishing dock for kids at the pond in the Island Ford unit, and new observation decks at Jones Bridge Shoals and at

At l a n t a I n t o w n Pa p e r. c o m

Cochran Shoals (in process). New and improved dog waste stations are visible at nearly forty sites throughout the park with the catchy message – Bag It and Bin It! Generous park supporters, working with CNPC and the National Park Service, have helped make these projects possible.

Put on your walking shoes – it’s time to get back outside!

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Find the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area: nps.gov/chat Read the Proposed Trail Plan and Comment: parkplanning.nps.gov/ projectHome.cfm?projectId=76722 Take the HikeCRNRA Challenge: chatts.org/hikecrnraahoocheepark Get Multi-Use Trail Condition Report: Text “Ride” to (770) 727-5061 Volunteer and/or Donate: chattahoocheeparks.org and nps. gov/chat/getinvolved/volunteer.htm

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April 2021 | INTOWN

15

THE NEIGHBORHOOD

News � Features

Tunnel Vision A proposed 25-acre park would cap a portion of the Downtown Connector

By Collin Kelley

T

he nonprofit MCP Foundation has launched a new website, ABetterConnector.com, where it’s hosting a series of virtual community conversations about the ambitious plan to cap the Downtown Connector from 10th Street to North Avenue with a 25-acre park.

The park would also reconnect a number of surface streets broken in the early1950s when I-75/85 was built and divided the city. Ponce de Leon Avenue, 4th Street and 6th street would bisect the park at grade. A raised walkway would mean pedestrians and bicyclists could traverse the length of the park uninterrupted by vehicle traffic. State-ofthe-art exhaust and safety features would be installed in the tunnel, and planners say reconfigured exits to North Avenue, 10th and 14th Streets would greatly improve traffic flow.

The cost of the project is estimated between $800 million to more than $1 billion. Also still being determined is how the Georgia Tech campus would be affected, since the project will require the removal of buildings to allow for structural requirements to support the platform and extend Techwood Drive north of 6th Street to connect with the existing portion that is north of 10th Street.

With the MCP Foundation team, which is led by former Atlanta BeltLine CEO Paul Morris, now two-thirds of the way through a three-year feasibility study for the project, a series of virtual

information sessions discussing facets of the Midtown Connector Transportation Improvement Project kicked off last month. The public is invited to watch videos about the project and leave comments.

Georgia Tech, Midtown Alliance, and the Georgia Department of Transportation are providing technical support and guidance on the project.

The idea to cap Atlanta’s divisive interstates isn’t a new concept. There’s the on-hold “Stitch” project that would cap part of the interstate in Downtown, the proposed park over Georgia 400 in Buckhead, and there’s been discussion on capping I-20 and reconnect Grant Park.

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At l a n t a I n t o w n Pa p e r. c o m

Work complete on new reservoir at Westside Park

By Collin Kelley After more than five years of drilling and construction, work is complete on the city’s new reservoir and pump station building at Westside Park.

PC Construction and its joint venture partner, H.J. Russell, announced completion of the $321-million project in a press release.

The project, which first broke ground in August of 2015, began with the conversion of the former 400-foot-deep Bellwood Rock Quarry to a 2.4-billion-gallon raw water storage system. From there, the team used a tunnel boring machine, nicknamed “Driller Mike” after the Atlanta musician, to dig, bore and install a 5-mile, 10-foot-diameter tunnel.

That tunnel connected the quarry to two new pumping stations and 11 deep shafts, all which will work together to ensure residents and businesses have access to drinking, water especially during drought conditions and emergencies.

The new reservoir is expected to supply water for the next 100 years, increasing the city’s emergency raw water reserve from three days to more than 30 days.

The reservoir is the centerpiece of Westside Park, which will become the city’s largest greenspace upon completion, and connects directly to the Atlanta BeltLine’s Westside Trail.

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April 2021 | INTOWN

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News RoundUp The mass COVID-19 vaccination site at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Downtown has appointments available daily at fultoncountyga.gov/ covidvaccine. Anyone 16+ can now get the vaccine in Georgia.

MARTA says it will resume service on all 110 of its bus routes April 24, more than a year after suspending most of them due to the pandemic.

The Westside Park Housing Affordability Overlay approved by the Atlanta City Council in March will apply to neighborhoods around the new park, including Grove Park, Center Hill and Carey Park. The affordability requirement applies to both rental and for-sale housing – a first for Atlanta.

The Atlanta City Council adopted legislation last month to increase the impact fees on new developments, which will be used for new roads, sidewalks, recreation centers, and building new fire or police stations.

Tax increase coming to complete BeltLine trail

By Collin Kelley Commercial property owners and apartment complexes along the Atlanta BeltLine will see a higher tax bill this fall after a vote last month by the city council.

The Atlanta City Council approved legislation March 15 creating a Special Service District (SSD) that will provide approximately $100 million towards completing the BeltLine’s 22-

mile multi-use trail. A 2-mill increase on property taxes will stretch a half-mile on either side of the BeltLine.

Approval of the tax district came despite opposition from business organizations, apartment landlords, and transit advocates.

BeltLine officials pushed for the SSD claiming the trail could not be completed before a tax allocation district

(TAD) created to fund it expires in 2030.

The SSD will be used to complete the paved trail, with the transit portion of the project left up to MARTA and an existing sales tax.

In a press release, the city touted passage of the legislation, which will enable $45 million in additional affordable housing funds, $12 million in additional small business support, and up to $150 million in construction funds targeted towards minority-owned contractors.

Completion of the trail corridor is expected to deliver a total economic impact of $10 billion and nearly 50,000 permanent jobs for the city, according to the press release.

“The Atlanta BeltLine has offered tremendous benefits for businesses and property owners along its completed trails,” Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms said in a statement. “The SSD will help give communities throughout the city the opportunity to enjoy the benefits associated the closing of the loop.”

The legislation passed by the city council also calls for a stakeholder advisory board, including commercial property owners, small business operators, multifamily property owners, and multifamily rental property residents. The city auditor will conduct a review of the SSD’s financials every two years.

City council approves regulations for short-term rentals

By John Ruch and Collin Kelley The Atlanta City Council has approved legislation in attempt to regulate the proliferation of homes and apartments being used for Airbnb and other short-term rentals.

The legislation sets up a framework that will allow the city to tax and require licensing and registration for those operating short-term rental properties.

The newly approved system would allow an owner or long-term tenant of a home to license short-term rentals to an “agent,” who could be themselves or another person or organization. The owner or long-term tenant could get a license for the property that is their “primary address” and one other property. The license would be renewed annually and would come with a $150 fee.

The Atlanta Police Department would record any code violations at short-term rental properties, which could be subject to a $500 fine. If an agent had three violations for any one property, the city would bar short-term licensing for that property for 12 months. The ordinance defines “short-term” as a rental for up to 30 consecutive days.

No external signage on the short-term rental is allowed under the ordinance, but information about the license and rules of operation must be posted inside. Operators would have to pay the hotel/motel tax.

Owners of neighboring properties would have to receive notice of a short-term rental license application. Public complaint lines by email and phone would be established for people to report any issues with a short-term rental property. Licenses would not be transferable, and the agent would have to notify the city within 10 days of any change in the agent on a license.

The passage of the ordinance was praised in a written statement from Airbnb.

18 April 2021 |

“By passing clear and equitable short-term rental rules, the city of Atlanta is allowing responsible hosts to continue earning crucial income,” said Chloe Myshel Burke, Airbnb’s public policy manager, in the statement. “We are committed to being a long-term partner to the city of Atlanta and look forward to working with local leaders as they implement the law and promoting tourism recovery.”

Passage of the legislation by the Atlanta City Council at its March 15 meeting came after Councilmember Howard Shook introduced a dozen amendments, some of which were judged unconstitutional by city city’s law department.

“I’m sticking up for my constituents,” an angry Shook said after the vote, commenting that the legislation passed would do little to stem the tide of so-called “party houses” and neighborhoods being inundated by short-term rentals.

“We are fating our constituents to live next to these party houses. There might be one on both sides and across the street.

These short-term rentals are creating holes in the fabric of our neighborhoods.”

Councilman Matt Westmoreland defended the legislation, noting that the city’s Neighborhood Planning Units (NPUs) had reviewed the ordinance and strengthened it with their suggestions.

“I don’t think rentals – short or long-term – create holes in our communities,” Westmoreland said. “Residents are using short-term rentals to make a living and to be able to continue to live in the city. I think we heard loud and clear that there wasn’t any desire to ban them completely, but to regulate them instead. That’s what passed.”

At press time, Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms had not signed off on the new ordinance.

At l a n t a I n t o w n Pa p e r. c o m

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April 2021 | INTOWN

19

It’s time to put virtual learning in the compost bin Kristen and Margo took a stab at going green with an herb garden last year. Margo painted a pretty floral scene on the front of our new planter and they tended to it dutifully. It was a worthy quarantine hobby and we enjoyed clipping our own basil,

Timmy Daddy Tim Sullivan

Tim Sullivan grew up in a large family in the Northeast and now lives with his small family in Oakhurst.

He can be reached at tim@sullivanfinerugs. com.

rosemary, thyme and mint for cooking. But the sun and rain gradually wore the planter down. It buckled and ultimately collapsed under the weight of the soil. We salvaged the painted panel but our foray into sustainability proved unsustainable.

Sometimes I feel like that planter was a metaphor for our school situation. The year of virtual learning has left us a bit wobbly. The kids are questioning everything, particularly when the nearest adult moderator is woefully unqualified.

Margo: Why do we even have to learn this? Do adults ever stand around talking about mitochondria?

Me: Oh sure. We talk about it all the time.

Margo: Do you even know what mitochondria is?

Me: Of course. It’s like, teeny-tiny chondria, right…?

Margo: (eyeroll) A degree of skepticism is always expected but this prolonged arrangement has tested all sorts of boundaries. I’m reminded of my freshman year in college where every class presented a test of newfound free will. The early morning history of architecture lecture seemed particularly optional when my roommate kept me up playing Steely Dan CD’s until 4 a.m. Intro to philosophy or afternoon wiffle ball on the quad? That hardly seems a fair decision to present to an 18-yearold. So, I understand the burden of perceived choice when in fact, there should be no choosing. I just wish my kids had to wait at least until college to develop these bad habits.

Elliott finally resumed some in-person learning this month. It’s a welcome change after a year of waking at 8:58 for a 9 a.m. start to a day of staring at his laptop and couch surfing through breaks. It is only half day, two days a week and three of his four “in-person” teachers are still virtual, but just the walk to school and seeing some old friends seems worth it. Yesterday we got an unprecedented

email from his ELA teacher praising his participation in class. We mentioned it and he shrugged: “It’s so boring – I can’t look at my phone or anything so there is nothing else to do but my work!” Uh huh.

He has grown roughly three feet this past

everything was cancelled, a lot has happened.

Margo resumed in-person school in late January – just the mornings, then home for lunch and back online for afternoon classes.

Complaining about the protocols of the new arrangement seems to be her favorite pastime. We relented and offered her St. Patrick’s Day off to bake Irish Soda Bread and relax but once her bluff was called, she decided to go anyway. I’m really proud of both of them. This hasn’t been easy for anyone.

Kristen and I see value in getting back in the classroom versus the slow spiral of virtual school but a measure of mental anguish accompanies EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. Talk about unsustainable. This final Margo Sullivan paints the compost bin. stretch is still daunting but hopefully, we can hit the reset button this summer. year and his hair has gotten curlier. His voice We did buy a new cedar planter though. changed and he has braces now. He kicks my Margo is painting a mountain scene on the butt in driveway basketball while wearing my front panel and we’ll seal the wood this time t-shirts. I figured Elliott’s classmates would for more durability. Our compost bin is ready be surprised when they saw him, but he says to deliver what Margo calls “special soil” and a lot of kids shot up while stuck at home worms. It feels like a new beginning – maybe this past year. At least subconsciously, eighth even some tomatoes! But I don’t want to jinx graders must be realizing that for a year where anything.

A N SL E Y R E A L E STAT E C ONG R AT U L AT E S

Kim Knutzen North East Georgia's #1 Agent, 2020 NORTHEAST BOARD OF REALTORS

Kim Knutzen REALTOR®

c: 770.402.1908 o: 706.613.HOME KIM@ANSLEYRE.COM GUIDETOBLUERIDGE.COM 706.613.HOME | ANSLEYMOUNTAINS.COM | 116 WEST MAIN ST. UNIT 1C, BLUE RIDGE, GA 30513

20 April 2021 |

At l a n t a I n t o w n Pa p e r. c o m

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Midtown

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1380 Elva Drive SW 8 Bed | 9 Full Bath | 1 Half Bath Offered at $2,450,000

40 West 12th ST NW Residence #1206 4 Bed | 3 Bath | 1 Half Bath Offered at $2,011,020

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Listing Agent: Leah Christian 313-995-6990

Listing Agent: Susie Profitt 404-915-9367

Listing Agent: Hanne Marie Schibilsky 404-246-6226

Listing Agent: Michael McLeod 404-606-0962

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Listing Agent: David Hollingshead 212-851-6393

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Listing Agent: Jonathan Cassady 478-319-7259

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At l a n t a I n t o w n Pa p e r. c o m

April 2021 | INTOWN

21

BUSINESS

Retail � Projects � Profiles

Truth to Power

Courtney Stewart’s life challenges led her to launch cosmetics brand LipRevolt

By Kathy Dean

C

ourtney Stewart has a life mission to help others speak their truth. She’s done it in her own life, throughout her career, and with LipRevolt, the cosmetics company she recently launched in Atlanta.

Stewart graduated from Spelman College in 2013 with a degree in political science.

Three years later, she received her master’s degree in terrorism and homeland security from American University. She worked in Washington, D.C. before moving to Atlanta in 2018.

Her early life journey was filled with challenges. Stewart’s biological mother suffered with substance abuse issues, so she was adopted at an early age, but it wasn’t a safe place. At age 11, she spoke up to stop the physical and sexual abuse she was suffering at the hands of her adoptive mother and her boyfriend.

Speaking her truth led to their conviction.

Karyn strives to take the stress out of her clients’ real estate experience to make buying or selling a home an enjoyable process.

Q. How were you able to finance your business?

In 2005, at the age of 13, Stewart was placed in a home with a good family that continues to love and nurtures her. She says that it was during this time that she began to experiment with makeup and discovered how it made her more confident.

She returned to that love of makeup last year with the launch of LipRevolt, a line of bold lipsticks she calls “war paint.” The Resistance Collection includes colors with names like “Heroine,” “Change Agent,” “Liberate” and “Trailblaze.” Despite the pandemic, LipRevolt has made a splash in the beauty world with its mission to donate profits back to nonprofits that empower women, the LGBTQ+ community and more. We spoke with her to find out what drives and inspires her – and to find out what’s on her Spotify playlist.

Q. You’ve been able to overcome and achieve despite many challenges you faced early in life. Is there some experience or relationship that helped you stay strong?

Our Intown Office Proudly Welcomes

Karyn Hammond KARYN HAMMOND c. 678.517.2398 o. 404.874.0300 karynhammond@atlantafinehomes.com karynhammond.atlantafinehomes.com Atlanta Fine Homes, LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each franchise is independently owned and operated.

22 April 2021 |

college and get a master’s degree. As I see it, everyone in my life right now, especially my fiancé and his family, has helped me get where I am.

A. It was not one relationship; it was many relationships. I believe “it takes a village” and a strong support system. My fathers, both adoptive and foster, were positive influences.

My adoptive father was not involved in the abuse. I share a lot of traits with him, like his love of music. And my family assisted a lot with my healing. My foster family, as a whole has been so supportive, and they’ve always been there for me…they still are! I’d also like to call out my alma mater – Spelman College. It played a huge role in allowing me to grow and become the woman I wanted to be. At Spelman, I was surrounded by so many intelligent, hard-working black women, and it showed me possibilities I didn’t know I had. I was the first in my immediate families – biological, adoptive and foster – to attend

A. SoFi has been a huge help in getting my finances together. Before I could get the capital together to start my business, I needed to refinance my student loan. I had a variable rate loan through Sally Mae that had ballooned; I was tripling my payments and still not touching the principal. After being able to refinance the loan through SoFi, I paid it off early, which enabled me to put more money toward my business.

Q. What message would you like to share with young people who are looking to make their voices heard?

A. Be patient with yourself. Learn who you are and what you stand for. Find your voice. Often, we think our voices are not important or do not need to be heard. But what you have to say is valuable, and it’s important to say what you need to say. And if you keep moving, you can reach your dreams. Your situation and your past isn’t a reflection of your future. You can be what you want to be – what you need to be.

Q. How does LipRevolt help others express themselves?

A. There is so much creativity in makeup, with so many choices and colors, that you can become anyone or anything you want to be. While styles, fashions and makeup trends change, everyone can find their own style. Even if it’s not with makeup, I encourage everyone to find what speaks to their soul. Find what you love and who you are – and, of course, support LipRevolt! I also encourage everyone, even if they’re not into makeup, to look at our website, liprevolt.com. LipRevolt is about supporting local organizations and doing good in the community. We support different non-profits that support civil rights, women’s rights and LGBTQ rights every month by donating 10% of our sales to them. Please consider supporting them through us or directly.

At l a n t a I n t o w n Pa p e r. c o m

No. 1 Intown Brokerage

TOTAL HOME SALES & TOTAL SALES VOLUME

BROADVIEW PL ACE 504 Broadview Lane Offered for $599,900 Chase Mizell 770.289.2780

BROOKHAVEN 1140 Standard Drive Offered for $1,900,000 Lisa Bennett 678.531.2996

BUCKHE AD 1580 W Wesley Road Offered for $1,995,000 Neal Heery 404.974.4388 George Heery 404.974.4378

BUCKHE AD 3235 Roswell Road, No. 717 Offered for $519,900 Robert Bairstow 404.376.4790 Fraser Bairstow 404.219.4442

BUCKHE AD 3324 Peachtree Road, No. 1311 Offered for $275,000 Caleb Edwards 770.318.4361

BUCKHE AD 3324 Peachtree Road, No. 1501 Offered for $399,900 Robert Bairstow 404.376.4790 Fraser Bairstow 404.219.4442

BUCKHE AD 3334 Peachtree Road, No. 1707 Offered for $489,000 Rea Kelly 404.428.9929

CASCADE 0a Niskey Lake Road Offered for $340,000 DeShawn Snow 678.805.2686

CASCADE 1116 Elysian Park Offered for $78,000 DeShawn Snow 678.805.2686

CASCADE 1123 Elysian Park Offered for $78,000 DeShawn Snow 678.805.2686

CASCADE 1127 Elysian Park Offered for $78,000 DeShawn Snow 678.805.2686

CHOSEWOOD PARK 1406 Gault Street Offered for $269,000 Chrissie Kallio 404.295.2068

DECATUR 1464 Addison Place Offered for $467,500 Lisa Collins 678.522.2304 Chelsea Yearous 678.793.0163

DECATUR 1717 N Decatur Road, No. 101 Offered for $949,000 Betsy Akers 404.372.8144

DECATUR 2602 Pineview Drive Offered for $775,000 Frank Wynne 404.310.5742

DECATUR 661 N Parkwood Road, Unit B Offered for $369,000 Amy Richards 404.664.2474

HISTORIC BROOKHAVEN 4187 Club Drive Offered for $2,195,000 Kevin Grieco 404.822.4156

LENOX HEIGHTS 2218 Pine Heights Drive, No. 2218 Offered for $219,900 Jason Hatcher 404.550.3090

MIDTOWN 855 Peachtree Street, No. 2614 Offered for $430,000 Ally May 404.788.7943

MIDTOWN 860 Peachtree Street, No. 1107 Offered for $290,000 Fran Hughes 404.409.4133

MIDTOWN 905 Juniper Street, No. 601 Offered for $357,900 Jared Sapp 404.668.7233

MORNINGSIDE 1988 Wellbourne Drive, No. 7 Offered for $159,900 Bradford Smith 404.210.4141

MORNINGSIDE 1021 Reeder Circle Offered for $1,875,000 Jared Sapp 404.668.7233

MORNINGSIDE 1381 Pasadena Avenue Offered for $1,050,000 Dianne Harnell Cohen 404.313.7300

MORNINGSIDE 1790 N Rock Springs Road Offered for $742,000 Allison Jackson 404.376.6914

MORNINGSIDE 1833 N Rock Springs Road Offered for $825,000 Chase Horner 404.754.4133

OLD FOURTH WARD 456 Parkway Drive, No. 3 Offered for $520,000 Allen Snow 404.931.1176

OLD FOURTH WARD 560 Morgan Street Offered for $1,399,000 Michaela Walters 305.923.1337

WEST VIEW 1640 S Gordon Street Offered for $450,000 Lisa Bennett 678.531.2996

HILTON HE AD, S.C. 4 S Calibogue Cay Road Offered for $6,000,000 Celia Dunn Sotheby’s International Realty

BUCKHEAD 404.237.5000 COBB 770.604.1000

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Source: TrendGraphix, Top 5 Firms, January 1, 2020 - December 31, 2020. Zip codes 30306, 30307, 30308, 30309, 30324. All Property Types; All Price Points.

At l a n t a I n t o w n Pa p e r. c o m

April 2021 | INTOWN

23

New owners plan to revive historic Highland Inn

By Collin Kelley The century-old Highland Inn and its adjoining restaurant and row of shops in Poncey-Highland are under new ownership.

Michael Garber and Ben McLoughlin, partners in Canvas Companies, bought the properties last month with an eye toward preservation. The future of the property had been in flux after previous owner Thomas Carmichael applied for a demolition permit last summer as he weighed his options on keeping or selling the hotel.

“Ben and I had our eye on the Highland Inn,” Garber said. “We had kept the property on our radar and it

fell into our laps.”

To calm the fears of the Poncey-Highland neighborhood and the city at large, Garber wanted to make one thing clear about the Highland Inn: “We have no intentions to tear it down.”

Garber said he and McLoughlin are both Intown residents and have a passion for historic buildings and preserving the history of Atlanta.

So, what are the duo’s plans? Garber said they are exploring a “flexible model” that

223 15TH STREET

1064 PEACHTREE BATTLE AVE

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U N D E R CON T RACT

J U ST L I ST ED

F O R SAL E

would mix short-term and long-term tenants. “We’re thinking of people who might be in town working on a movie, or perhaps in the city on a consulting job, and even those who might have had water damage at their home and need a place to stay while repairs are being done.”

He said whatever rental model is decided for the 112-room hotel, the restaurant space would also remain and a “high level of service and amenities” would be introduced. An interior courtyard between the hotel’s two wings will also be activated with regular events.

The Highland Ballroom space in the basement, known for hosting everything from indie bands to poetry readings, will also remain as a “key component” to the property’s future.

The adjoining shops, which currently include Highland Row Antiques and The Shave barbershop, will be updated as well and Garber said they hope to keep the slate of tenants in place.

Garber said he’s also interested in potentially bringing back the hotel’s original façade from the 1920s when it was known as Wynnes Apartment Hotel. “The historic façade is still behind there, but we need to examine the condition,” he said.

Canvas Companies recently completed work on restoring 112 Ormond St. in Summerhill, which is now home to Noble Clay Fitness and Talat Market, and is finishing up work on restoring The Oasis on Cascade, an apartment complex on Cascade Avenue.

Short-term and vacation home rental giant Airbnb will open an East Coast technology hub in Atlanta. The company said it chose Atlanta for the hub at the end of 2019 but delayed making an announcement due to the arrival of COVID-19. The company laid off 25 percent of its employees last May as vacation travel stopped due to the pandemic.

However, as travel began to rebound, Airbnb “restarted conversations in Atlanta” for the technology hub, which will house the company’s product development teams. Airbnb said in its statement that it anticipates “our Atlanta office will become the regional base for hundreds of technical and non-technical roles over time.” A location for the offices had not been announced at press time.

BUSINESS BRIEFS

Ground has been broken for 2021 Peachtree Medical, a 75,000-square-foot medical office development across from Piedmont Atlanta Hospital and The Shepherd Center in Buckhead.

The five-story medical office building from Transwestern Real Estate Services (TRS) is also next to The Lofts @ Twenty25, the former Darlington Apartments’ much-anticipated $70 million redevelopment. With 15,000-square-foot floorplates, covered drop-off and parking, and building signage for an anchor tenant, the medical office building is ideally suited for cardiology, orthopedics, plastic surgery, primary care, and other specialties that complement the services offered at Piedmont and The Shepherd Center.

Accessory and apparel retailer Charming Charlie will open its second Georgia location at Atlantic Station this spring. For more information, check out visitatlanticstation.com.

1201 KINGLSEY CIRCLE

ASTORIA, #1204

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offered for $739,000

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#1 INDIVIDUAL AGENT INTOWN OFFICE, 2020, 2019 #1 INDIVIDUAL ANSLEY PARK AGENT, 2020 HIGHEST PRICED SALE IN MORNINGSIDE 2020

c: 404.431.1384 o: 404.480.HOME JASON@ANSLEYRE.COM 952 PEACHTREE STREET, SUITE 100, ATLANTA, GA 30309 | 404.480.HOME | ANSLEYRE.COM Christopher Burell, Principal Broker. Information believed accurate but not warranted. Equal Housing Opportunity. If you have an existing relationship with a Broker, this is not intended as a solicitation.

24 April 2021 |

Shorenstein Properties has kicked off construction for a new greenspace at Bank of America Plaza in Midtown. Totaling approximately 1.2 acres tucked in between North Avenue and Peachtree Street, the contemporary urban park will incorporate a variety of trees, shrubs and other plant life.

Atlanta-based Lord Aeck Sargent is overseeing design for the project while Humphries & Co. is serving as general contractor. In addition to new landscape improvements, the new outdoor park will also include new hardscape zones that include a visually stimulating mix of concrete and granite pavers for variety, wood decking in several locations and site furnishings that will incorporate a diverse mix of tables, chairs and benches. The new park is scheduled to open this summer.

Chase and the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE), the largest nonprofit center for Black entrepreneurs and small business owners in the nation, have opened the Chase Lounge at the Russell Center. Located at 504 Fair St., the lounge is designed serve as a connector for Black and Latinx entrepreneurs/small business owners to equip them with the support they need to start and grow their businesses. Visit rcie.org for more information.

At l a n t a I n t o w n Pa p e r. c o m

Graydon Buckhead

New Designer Model by Musso Design Group

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At l a n t a I n t o w n Pa p e r. c o m

April 2021 | INTOWN

25

Under Contract

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8957 OLD SOUTHWICK PASS OFFERED FOR $ $3,500,000 Atlanta Fine Homes,LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair HousingAct and the Equal OpportunityAct. Each franchise is independently owned and operated. *Represented buyer. **Unlisted. Source: TrendGraphix, Source: TrendGraphix, Top Producer, January 1, 2019 – December 31, 2020, Zip Codes 30306, 30308 and 30324. All Property Types; All Price Points.

At l a n t a I n t o w n Pa p e r. c o m

April 2021 | INTOWN

27

HOME & REAL ESTATE

Trends � Development � City Living

Accessory Dwelling Units Boosting density, experts say, could boost housing affordability, too ADU’s, like the carriage house shown above, would be allowed under new city zoning.

By Sean Keenan Editor’s Note: Atlanta Intown has partnered with Atlanta Civic Circle (atlantaciviccircle.org), the nonprofit civic journalism organization created

by Maria Saporta, to bring our readers more in depth content about the critical issue of affordable housing in the city.

A

tlanta has all the tools it needs to be a dense, world-class metropolis, but the city’s leaders aren’t properly utilizing them in a way that could one day accommodate the ongoing population boom and boost housing affordability. As housing experts and city officials will tell you, Atlanta today has plenty of construction-ready land, dilapidated and abandoned houses desperately in need of rehabilitation and homes that, some might say, are far too large for their inhabitants.

So where do we go from here? In short, the city begs for density, and efforts to create such compactness abound. But we won’t get there without considerable changes to municipal regulations and a drastic shift in the way developers operate.

The City of Atlanta’s planning department, as part of an ongoing overhaul of its zoning code, is working to make accessory dwelling units (ADUs) — think a tiny home in the backyard or an apartment over the garage — more welcome within city limits. Officials say that kind of change could free up some 60 percent of intown property for true density, meaning more

28 April 2021 |

stuff on less land. Planning department czar Tim Keane, in an interview with Atlanta Civic Circle, said that expanding ADU potential is “a central part of what we are doing.”

Today, there are about 2,500 ADUs in Atlanta’s single-family communities.

In Keane’s ideal world, though, every single-family parcel in the city could accommodate an ADU. “If we only got to something like 15 to 20 percent of the single-family homes with ADUs, that would add 11,000 to 13,000 new housing units in the city,” Keane said. And that wouldn’t even require government subsidy like so many other affordable housing developments do.

Dan Immergluck, a Georgia State University urban studies professor, told ACC, “I applaud the city’s effort to reduce zoning barriers, including permitting ADUs more broadly.” He said that, especially in affluent areas like Buckhead and Ansley Park, “there is a need for more options in housing development,” later adding, “ideally, the city will create programs to combine efforts to expand ADUs with measures to combine them with housing vouchers and other subsidies so that some of the new rental units might serve those with the greatest housing needs.”

“Hopefully, this effort can be effective, in spite of already significant pushback from more affluent communities,” Immergluck said.

No doubt, not everyone is convinced that ADUs are the best way to tackle the

city’s housing affordability crisis, or even an approach that could work in what many consider NIMBY — “not in my backyard” — communities. The Buckhead Council of Neighborhoods, for instance, has voiced criticism of ADUs. Even Atlanta City Council President Felicia Moore is skeptical of the idea, saying she thinks ADUs sharing properties with expensive homes could cost a “pretty penny” and potentially allow for an influx of “a bunch of short-term rentals.”

Keane, however, said that, when the Atlanta City Council crafts legislation to further the planning department’s density goals, “We will propose that you cannot use an accessory dwelling unit for shortterm rentals, so take that off the table.” He added, “These units, just by their sheer size and the fact that they’re an accessory, they’ll be more affordable than any other unit in the neighborhood.”

Cecil Phillips, CEO of developer Place Properties also believes ADUs are crucial to producing much-needed affordable housing in the city. Phillips’ operation practices what’s called “volumetric modular construction.” Imagine a gingerbread house built on an assembly line, with wiring, utility lines and storage space, and then delivered to a site on the back of a flatbed truck and dropped into place via crane.

“It’s not a mobile home,” Phillips said in an interview with ACC. “You can’t move it once it’s placed, and there’s not a dime’s worth of difference in cost. In fact, it’s cheaper, considering construction costs are so much lower.”

So why hasn’t modular construction met the mainstream? Phillips said there’s a stigma attached to homes that aren’t built conventionally, but the development model should be normalized. “If the markets could build affordable housing, they would, but they can’t, and so they don’t,” Phillips said. “This process can make housing more affordable and more plentiful.”

Enter Jessica Lewis, the self-proclaimed “Shipping Container Lady” and head of Mobu Enterprises, a company that retrofits shipping crates as housing that, she said, can “solve most housing challenges” in Atlanta and beyond.

Mobu’s homes sell for under $80,000 — and, sometimes, even under $40,000 — and can span around 300 square feet to upwards of 2,000 square feet, depending upon how many crates crews put together.

“I want people to see this as a valuable

option for ending homelessness and producing affordable housing,” Lewis said in an interview.

Like Phillips’, Lewis’ project cuts down on construction costs and endeavors to create for-sale homes affordable to lowerincome families. Keane said Atlanta has been permitting shipping containers as residential structures for a while. “Often, they’re done beautifully and interestingly,” he said. “The more we can use them, the better.” However, that approach is “not widespread in its use, as there isn’t the demand or interest.”

Of course, new construction isn’t the only way to provide housing for new Atlantans and longtime residents in need. The city, however, should beef up repercussions for property owners who sit on land as the usually uninhabitable homes atop it fall into further disrepair, Phillips said. “The city should hire inspectors and send them out to affected neighborhoods,” he said. “We know where they are. There are enough dilapidated houses in this city that, if the city not just showed its teeth, but actually bit, the slumlords would get the message. ‘We either walk away from these slums or bring them up to code.’”

Phillips suggests local lawmakers create a program that fines such property owners as much as $1,000 a day until they bring these homes up to code. If they don’t, and they rack up a tab of, say, $60,000, the city should foreclose upon those homes and then turn them into permanent affordable housing.

Atticus LeBlanc, founder and CEO of PadSplit, a start-up that provides tenant management services to homeowners who opt to chunk up their houses as rental units, said, “Zoning and regulation are the easiest barrier to overcome. You know there is space available. The cheapest housing you can possibly build is that which is already built. We should use the rooms that are in that housing to house people.”

Atlanta’s potential for affordability and accommodation is endless, it seems. We just need to fundamentally restructure the way we think about planning, building and using what we’ve got.

Sean Keenan is the affordable housing reporter for Atlanta Civic Circle. Find him @ThatSeanKeenan.

At l a n t a I n t o w n Pa p e r. c o m

Mixed-use residential towers planned for Einstein’s, Joe’s on Juniper block

By Collin Kelley The Midtown block home to Einstein’s and Joe’s on Juniper restaurants is slated to become a mixed-use development featuring 38 and 32 story towers.

The Midtown Development Review Committee (DRC) got its first look at plans for the towers from Middle Street Partners at its March meeting. The Juniper Street project would span the entire block between 10th and 11th Streets.

Brock Hudgins Architects led the presentation to the DRC ,which showed 38 and 32 story towers with 470 units (studio to three bedroom units), 9,500 square feet of street level retail and a shared parking deck.

The developers said they would work with Einstein’s and Joe’s on Juniper’s parent company, Metrotainment, to provide space for both of the LGBTQ+ favorites if they want to return.

Both establishments have been on the block in converted bungalows for around 30 years. Metrotainment said it would close both of the eateries in June.

The DRC had questions about a planned curb cut at Juniper, screening for the parking deck, expansion of the retail

storefronts, and the feasibility of burying existing power lines.

The committee requested the applicant address their concerns and return to provide updated plans at its April 13 meeting.

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252 Rio Circle | Decatur, GA 30030 | 770.932.3585 | ConstructionResourcesUSA.com At l a n t a I n t o w n Pa p e r. c o m

April 2021 | INTOWN

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Using native plants means eco-gardens for everyone The Environmental Gardener Greg Levine

co-executive director of Trees Atlanta, describes himself as happiest when his hands are in the dirt.

Like many gardeners, I have been addicted to gardening since I was a kid.

At the early age of 6, while in the baseball outfield, I was more engaged with the ants in the dirt than in the game my father expected me to play. I remember discovering how easy some plants (from peanuts to English Ivy) were to grow. I loved it all. In the 70’s, native plants were not mainstream and gardening focused more on food and the aesthetics of certain plants.

Gardening may be the biggest hobby in America, but it isn’t a static one.

Always evolving, it is moving from a focus on aesthetics to one of function,

30 April 2021 |

including community and environmental benefits.

Over the last century American gardens have celebrated plants from other countries, often ignoring the beautiful flowers, shrubs and trees that grow locally in the surrounding woods and meadows.

Native plants celebrate a sense of place and support the local creatures who share our land. I have never planted ivy again and continue to learn that what we plant in our yards and landscapes affects the entire web of life around us, impacting future generations.

April is a great time to start talking about gardens. The explosion of spring leaves and flowers is at a pinnacle of color and growth. Early spring is an excellent time to find unusual perennials at local nurseries and plant sales. Perennials’ size affords almost instant gratification within the first season of planting.

Choosing native plants for your garden has become a much more viable option over the past 20 years. If possible, always check for the Latin name of a plant to assure you’re getting the proper species. Varieties and cultivars of our favorite natives have helped to grow the appeal for those needing a bit bigger plant, uniquely colored flowers,

or some other attribute. Echinacea, commonly known as purple cone flower, is an example of a plant with dozens of beautiful cultivars created to satisfy anyone’s color palette.

The latest studies show that landscapes with 70% native species will help support pollinators’ healthy populations, so it may be a goal that we should all set for our gardens. One can still keep their favorite camellias and peonies but have a landscape that serves very important ecological functions like feeding our local pollinators, birds and other wildlife.

A few of my favorite April bloomers include: Coreopsis species — There are many varieties that range from gold, orange to a burnt red. An older yellow variety called ‘Moonbeam’ is a full, compact plant with abundant flowers, a long blooming time and a great ability to re-seed. It needs full sun and will perform in average soil and with minimal effort. There are so many cultivars of Coreopsis that you should be able to find them almost anywhere.

Stylophorum diphyllum, or woodland poppy — It is another yellow flowering perennial that thrives in deep shade and moist soils with plenty of organic

matter. This poppy is more challenging to find and grow, but the payback in early April is great, especially if you are looking for color in a woodland garden.

Cornus species, dogwoods – Everyone wants to plant this tree when they see one blooming in early April. While it’s not an ideal time to plant trees, you can certainly do it successfully with proper watering and care. Dogwoods have become more susceptible to diseases over the last 30 years, so many people prefer cultivars resistant to disease like anthracnose and powdery mildew. Cherokee Princess is a lovely large white flowering dogwood, while Cherokee Brave is a dark pink selection, both cultivated for disease resistance. Alternate leaf dogwood is an under- planted favorite of mine. The flowers are less showy, but still beautiful and loved by pollinators.

Native plants are often difficult to find, but worth the chase. Mail order is one solution for finding rare selections, but the size and accessibility can be a downside. Opening a box of plants can be exciting, even exhilarating. Non-profit plant sales are another way to get natives that are hard to find, while supporting a cause that you believe in.

At l a n t a I n t o w n Pa p e r. c o m

Your Next Home Could Be In… Trilith Where is it? Just outside Fayetteville, GA in Fayette County. It’s about a 35 minute drive from Downtown.

What’s a Trilith? The name was inspired by Stonehenge in England, which forms a trilith – or doorway – with its two vertical stones supporting a third.

What are the homes like? The community is designed like a walkable European village with apartments, townhomes, microhomes, and single-family homes. The homes, which are being marketed by Berkshire Hathaway, range in price from the $400s to $2+ million and feature fanciful architecture – think English stone cottage to Scandinavia modern. There’s a waiting list for the 263 existing apartments, with 300 more breaking ground in the fall. Tree house-inspired homes are also on the way.

What’s The Avengers connection? Trilith is also the new name of the former Pinewood Studios where the Marvel Cinematic Universe films and tv shows are made, including the recent hit WandaVision. Five new soundstages are being built now, along with a live audience television studio.

What are the amenities? Every home is adjacent to a landscaped park or pocket park, plus there’s a dog park, tennis, swimming, basketball courts, ping-pong court, playground, a 15-mile walking trail and more. A nine-screen luxury cinema and four-star boutique hotel are on the way, too.

What about shopping, dining and necessities? You already can’t get a seat at Hop City and Barleygarden Kitchen & Bar in Trilith Town Centre with more restaurants and retailers set to open starting in May. The 54,000 square foot Piedmont Wellness Center is also open for your healthcare needs. Supermarkets, shops and more dining are less than 15 minutes away in Fayetteville.

Who are my neighbors? According to Trilith president Rob Parker, there’s a mix of film industry folks from the West Coast, NYC, and London, art patrons, movie fans who want to be close to the action, millennials, empty-nesters and young couples pushing strollers. And, yes, you might even spot a movie star or two.

Parker said demand for homes has been strong and more will be built starting this summer. “We’re building as fast as we can,” Parker said.

For more information, visit trilith.com.

Working with the Intown Community for 10+ years.

We are proud to be recognized by the ARA as Top Producers in 2020. In this unique market, it’s more important than ever to be working with Realtors who understand the ever changing dynamics of the Atlanta market. We are always available to you and here to help.

F E AT U R E D L I S T I N G S

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McGlynn + Johnson Kevin M 404.285.5674 David M 404.431.5159 O 404.668.6621 2020 ARA Top Producing Team, Top 5% by Volume

Compass is a licensed real estate broker and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdrawal without notice. No statement is made as to the accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footages are approximate. This is not intended to solicit property already listed. Nothing herein shall be construed as legal, accounting or other professional advice outside the realm of real estate brokerage.

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April 2021 | INTOWN

31

Crafting great experiences in Summerhill Perspectives in Architecture Melody Harclerode

Melody Harclerode, FAIA enjoys connecting the public to wondrous places as an award-winning architect, author, and executive director of Blue Heron Nature Preserve.

One of the oldest neighborhoods in Atlanta, former enslaved people made Summerhill their home in the late 1800s. This community thrived with retail activity and diversity from early 1900s to the 1950s. Numerous grocery stores, general merchandise establishments, and dry-cleaning stores, served Black and Jewish residents.

In subsequent years, construction of the Interstate 20 interchange, public housing, and the Atlanta Braves stadium spurred displacement of thousands of Black residents, exodus of white residents, and neighborhood decline.

Real estate developer Carter is supporting longtime community efforts for the revitalization of Summerhill through their new multiuse development. The project includes that renovation of existing storefront buildings along Georgia Avenue, a main thoroughfare in Summerhill.

Carter Executive Vice President David Nelson notes, “As a longtime developer in Atlanta, we work to build trust in the communities for our developments. We

are invested in contributing projects that are meaningful and beneficial to neighborhoods.”

One of the most successful rehabilitation projects with the Carter development can be found at Halfway Crooks Beer. Design firm Square Feet Studio has activated an abandoned two-story, red brick building with an astute design for the Belgium-inspired brewery.

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Project Architect and Designer Holden Spaht recalls his initial tour inside the building: humbled by the vibrant colors, rich wall textures, and impression of the people, who once lavished the spaces with attention and love. “I immediately wanted to integrate the intimacy of these rooms into our design.”

Interior spaces at Halfway Crooks Beer reflect distant, yet deeply personal experiences of brewery owners, Joran Van Ginderachter and Shawn Bainbridge. Vintage wall coverings from the 1970s and quirky furniture seen in Belgian cafes by Van Ginderachter inspired finely tailored rooms with exposed brick and plaster wall surfaces.

Colors found in the original interior walls are integrated into botanical tile motifs. Hi-tech equipment and lighting convey Banbridge’s computer engineering background.

Square Feet Studio converted the second-story of the building into a rooftop deck. This well-ventilated space ideally suits customers with affinity for outdoor dining and a palate for wellcrafted beers and food. Replacement of second floor windows with guardrails adds visual depth along the street elevation of the building.

Bainbridge says, “Atlanta has really great little buildings, special places with history that have been lived in. In Summerhill, we found a perfect place for our Belgian-inspired brewery.”

Thoughtful rehabilitation of these modest structures is significant in evoking connections to history and community pride.

For more real estate stories and briefs, visit AtlantaIntownPaper.com At l a n t a I n t o w n Pa p e r. c o m

THE SPRING MARKET IS IN FULL BLOOM MICHAEL HOSKIN

CARRIE CALA

770-833-1635

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JUST SO LD

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PAULA HEER

LINWOOD

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INMAN PARK

3 Bedrooms | 2 Full Bathrooms Listed for: $675,000 | FMLS #6849524

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IGHT

Information is believed to be accurate, but is not warranted. Offers subject to errors, changes, omissions, prior sales, and withdrawals without notice.

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You will notice something different straight away when you speak with Annette Ross, her accent is not from this neck of the woods! Originally from Scotland, Great Britain, Annette knows what it’s like to relocate to a Metro City, like Atlanta.

She has served the Atlanta Intown Real Estate Markets for the last 14 years and has been recognized for numerous awards. In 2019, she received the Phoenix Award for 10 consecutive years of being an Atlanta REALTORS® Association Top Producer.

In addition to being recognized at the Association level, for the past two years in a row, she has been the #1 Individual Sales Associate at the Harry Norman, REALTORS® Intown Office for Closed Volume. She is a well-established REALTOR® who thrives on professionalism and knows exactly how to guide you through the fast pace of buying and selling real estate in a very competitive market.

At l a n t a I n t o w n Pa p e r. c o m

Cell: 404-683-5798 | Office: 404-897-5558 | Annette.Ross@HarryNorman.com April 2021 | INTOWN

33

NEWS YOU CAN EAT

Atlanta Coffee Roasters

Restaurants � Wine � Events

Damn Fine Coffee projected to open later this spring, will house a coffee shop and market that opens to the courtyard of the Cortland Decatur East building on College Avenue. The shop will have convenient access to the Avondale MARTA station plus a number of covered parking spots. Pedestrians can stop in from the East Decatur Greenway and Stone Mountain Parkway to grab a coffee, pastry, or locally sourced market goods.

Sure to please neighbors and the residents of the attached apartment building, founder and CEO Krystle Rodriguez is optimistic about this new location.

“We heard that the area around

By Isadora Pennington Properly cooked, perfectly aged, thoughtfully produced. Those are just some of the benefits to buying locally roasted coffee instead of mass produced beans available at the local grocery store. By working with local roasters, coffee connoisseurs benefit from a tastier brew and help to support their community’s economy. Local roasters are also more likely to utilize fair trade or direct trade practices that are better for coffee farmers.

Apotheos Roastery * 1660 DeKalb Ave. Apotheosroastery.com Batdorf & Bronson * 650 North Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30308 batdorfcoffee.com Bellwood Coffee 2011 Bolton Rd NW #109, Atlanta, GA 30318 bellwoodcoffee.com Brash Coffee * 1168 Howell Mill Road NW, Atlanta, GA 30318 brashcoffee.com Docent Coffee 381 Edgewood Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30312 Docentcoffee.com East Pole Coffee Co. 255 Ottley Dr NE #105, Atlanta, GA 30324 eastpole.coffee PERC 2380 Hosea L Williams Dr NE, Atlanta, GA 30317 Perccoffee.com Portrait Coffee 1065 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd SW, Atlanta, GA 30310 Portrait.coffee Radio Roasters Coffee 2969 E Ponce de Leon Ave Suite 320, Decatur, GA 30030 Radioroasters.com Terminus Coffee 3172 E Ponce de Leon Ave, Scottdale, GA 30079 www.terminuscoffeeatl.com Three Heart Coffee Roastery 716 Ponce De Leon Pl NE, Atlanta, GA 30306 Threeheartcoffee.com (* indicates multiple locations)

34 April 2021 |

Atlanta used to be a sweet tea town, but our love affair with coffee has been going strong for more than 30 years as an eclectic array of coffee houses and roasters have opened their doors around the city.

We’ve rounded up an extensive guide on where to find a damn fine cup of coffee, as Twin Peak’s FBI Agent Dale Cooper might say, which you can find on our website at AtlantaIntownPaper. com. For our print edition, we wanted to highlight three local java shops that are worth your time.

Apotheos Roastery: A new look for San Francisco Coffee Coffee pioneers Doug and Tanya Bond are reaching new heights as Apotheos Roastery. Everything you loved about San Francisco Coffee for the past 30 years is still there along with new offerings.

“It’s the same owners, staff, and fresh roasted coffees. And now we are focusing more on ready-to-drink cold brew coffee,” Tanya said. “We wanted a rebrand to reflect our dedication to the craft of coffee. This is just part of our growth.”

Old favorite blends have been renamed, for example, Morningside Blend is now Halo.

“Apotheos [derived from “apotheosis” or achieving a divine-like status] is about reaching the height of your craft,” Tanya said.

In that spirit, the Bonds and partner Dale Hughes refurbished a historic church in Kennesaw to house Atlanta’s

first cold brew production facility.

Completed in June 2020, the facility roasts, brews and packages all of their coffee products and also offers tours and coffee education classes.

“We went all in on our coffee production,” Doug said. “We have an entire system where we roast our coffee and then bag it for wholesale/retail, or grind and brew the cold brew in our 3 Brite tank brewing system. From there we sleeve and can or keg the cold brew coffee. This system gives us a lot of flexibility.”

The canned cold brew comes in four flavors nitro-infused for a smoother taste: The Purist (unsweetened cold brew), The Maverick (unsweetened extra intense), The Adventurer (Georgia chocolate) and an organic infused Purist.

Looking forward, Apotheos Roastery is also looking to open more coffeehouses, including a few in-town locations.

“We have a new slogan - Bolder, Brighter, Better Together,” said Doug. It’s about coffee; it’s about community; it’s about everyone working together.”

Visit ApotheosRoastery.com or @ apotheosatlanta and @apotheosroastery on social media.

— Clare S. Richie

Hodgepodge Coffee: Black, woman-owned shop coming to Decatur Hodgepodge, one of Atlanta’s most treasured coffee institutions, will soon have a new shop in Decatur. The space,

the Avondale Estates MARTA station was starting a revitalization project, and we really wanted to be a part of its fresh start,” said Rodriguez, who considers Decatur “a place full of opportunity.” She hopes that this new location will not only facilitate connections among the local community but also encourage people to ride public transportation thanks to its convenient train access.

Despite the hardships of 2020 and the economic impact of the pandemic, Hodgepodge has not only survived but proven to be a beacon of hope for those suffering in difficult times.

“Community has always been my passion,” explained Rodriguez, who facilitated free bagged lunches during At l a n t a I n t o w n Pa p e r. c o m

the early days of the shutdowns, has provided a home for the Breonna Taylor Free99Fridge communal food donation center, implemented COVID discounts, and has ensured continued benefits for employees during uncertain times.

“Before Hodgepodge I worked in the non-profit sector.

However, as early as college I have had the dream of opening a true community space,” said Rodriguez. The first Hodgepodge opened in East Atlanta in 2012, and the Decatur shop will be the company’s third location.

A fourth location is planned in Summerhill in 2022, Rodriguez says she aims to continue to respond to the needs Krystle Rodriquez of the communities where her shops are located. “We are on a quest to fill each community we enter with delicious coffee, homemade goodness, and a whole lot of love.”

— Isadora Pennington

Artifex Coffee: Coffee in your mailbox and the burbs David Frame has been a resident of the north Atlanta suburbs for over 25 years, so establishing Artifex Coffee was a no-brainer. His kids helped pick the name, which

is based upon the Latin word artific, meaning expert practitioner, skilled workman or craftsman.

“We wanted to celebrate talented and dedicated craftsmen, who are known for skill, dedication and quality workmanship,” Frame said. “We have a lot of respect for those traits and we apply those in producing our coffee.”

Frame procures green Arabica beans from Ally Coffee and he is currently roasting South and Central American varieties. The most popular blends are two medium roasts, Foundation and Forge. Foundation “leans towards a richer taste, with notes of dark chocolate and praline.”

If artisanal talk of tasting notes is not your thing, Frame offers a sweet smile and down to earth connection: “What has surprised me the most has been how much coffee brings people together. […] It is as much of a culture as it is a drink. There are so many ways to consume coffee that practically everyone can enjoy it. I think that there is so much that can be done over a cup of coffee. It’s a community in itself.”

Customers can order bags of coffee online at atrifexcoffee.com and be sure to visit them @artifexcoffee on Instagram. If you happen to be in Alpharetta, stop by the roasting house at 185 Hembree Road to pick up a bag or sample a free cup.

— Megan Volpert

Check out our guide to the Intown coffee scene at atlantaintownpaper.com

Market Guide

Intown’s farmers markets offering fresh produce, homemade goods

By Collin Kelley Intown’s farmers markets have reopened for the season, offering produce, fresh food, and other handmade good from local vendors.

Check out our handy guide to this year’s markets and be sure to follow social distancing guidelines while you shop.

Avondale Estates Farmers Market

Community Farmers Markets Group After operating its markets as pick-up only during 2020, CFM has reopened its markets in Ponce City Market, East Atlanta Village, Decatur, and will open Virginia-Highland April 22. CFM also operates year-round markets in Grant Park and Oakhurst Markets, as well as partnering with MARTA to operate markets at Bankhead, West End, Five Points, College Park, and H.E. Holmes stations. To see the full schedule, visit cfmatl.org.

Freedom Farmers’ Market The market is open every Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon. year round at the Carter Center in Poncey-Highland. You’ll find fresh produce, grass fed meats, dairy including cheeses, yogurt, butter, milk, farm fresh eggs, handmade pasta and preserves, baked goods, coffee and more.

For more information, visit freedomfarmersmkt.com.

Green Market at Piedmont Park The annual Green Market at Piedmont Market continues every Saturday through Dec. 11 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. near the 12th Street gate. More than 40 vendors offer fresh goods and there are also chef demonstrations, food prep demonstration, children’s activities and history tours. For more details, visit piedmontpark.org/green-market.

Morningside Farmers’ Market Open year-round, this neighborhood market has moved to the Morningside Presbyterian Church parking lot at 1411 N. Morningside Drive has been a Saturday morning favorite for more than 20 years. All produce sold at the market is certified organic and you’ll also find freshly prepared foods, baked goods, artisan crafts, flowers and more. Market hours are 8 to 11:30 a.m. For more information, visit morningsidemarket.com.

Peachtree Road Farmers Market Located in the parking lot at Cathedral of St. Phillip, 2744 Peachtree Road in Buckhead, the market is open from 8:30 a.m. to noon every Saturday through mid-December. Fresh produce, artisan crafts and more are on offer. The market is encouraging shoppers to pre-order from vendors and pick up their produce on market day to help with social distancing. For more details, visit peachtreeroadfarmersmarket.com.

Avondale Estates Farmers Market Located at 22 N. Avondale Road, the market is open year-round on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. offering produce, freshly prepared food, baked goods, flowers, plants, and more. Visit avondaleestatesfarmersmarket.org.

NEW RESTAURANT RADAR Chef Gerry “G” Garven has opened LowCountry Steak at 1010 West Peachtree in Midtown serving up prime cuts of beef, seafood, burgers and more. Visit lowcountry-restaurants.com for the full menu.

Dive in for lobster, shrimp, crab cakes and more at Sea Salt Seafood Lounge at 1044 Greenwood Ave. in Virginia-Highland.

There’s cocktails and hookah, too. More info at seasaltatl.com.

Pinky Cole

Eric Arillo and Dale Ralston closed their Mexican bakery at 1696 Memorial Drive in Kirkwood last year but have reopened as La Calavera Pizza offering takeout pies.

Visit facebook.com/ lacalaverabakery for more details.

HOBNOB has opened its new outpost in Atlantic Station at 245 18th St. cooking up favorites like shrimp and grits, short ribs, burgers, and its pork belly double-decker BLT to be washed down with signature frozen drinks and cocktails. Visit hobnobatlanta.com for the menu.

Incoming Grant Park Eats and Zoo Bar: Bistro fare by day, charcuterie and cocktails by night at The Beacon. (Late Spring) Painted Park: The duo behind Painted Pin and Painted Duck will open a new concept in former Parish space in Inman Park. (Summer) Red Phone Booth: A second outpost of the Downtown speakeasy will open in Buckhead. (Summer) A Mano: Popular O4W Italian eatery will open second location on Sylvan Road in Capitol View. (Summer) April 2021 | INTOWN

35

Dine-in Or Take-out

What is Wine?

For our first column, we want to start with the basics or, as Prince once said, K.I.S.S. – keep it simple, silly (that’s what he meant, right?). Let’s talk about what exactly wine is.

First of all, it is two things: grape juice and yeast. But where does it come from, how is it made? As we do with our shop guests, the goal is to use our passion about wine to educate and establish confidence to help expand your palate.

Let’s start from the source – the vine!

There are two species of grapes: Vitis Vinifera (wine grapes) and Vitis Labrusca (not wine grapes.) Vitis Labrusca is the North American species of grapes – think concord, muscadine or scuppernong as well as your Katie Rice & Sarah Pierre basic table grapes. While some ‘wines’ Rice owns VinoTeca in Inman Park are made from these grapes, it is not the and Pierre owns 3 Parks Wine Shop in traditional drink that we will be focused on, Glenwood Park.. although we may have a future column here.

Vitis Vinifera comes from the other side of the globe, and archaeologists dated wine back to 6000 BCE in Georgia – the country not the state – where grapes were buried in clay pots and fingers were crossed.

All grapes that make wine come from Europe, also known as the “Old World.” They have been planted in the “New World,” which encompasses North America, South America, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand. Modern production has become much more sophisticated, but the same general premise remains – grape juice and yeast.

There are over 10,000 different types of grapes that make wine. Most of these have been mutations that have naturally occurred over time (Pinot Noir is daddy to Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Meunier) or through human propagation, like Alicante Bouchet.

Despite this diverse set, most of the top grapes are ones we all know: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Tempranillo, Chardonnay and Syrah. It is in small areas, especially in the Old World, that the unheard of varietals are grown like Schiava and Treixudura.

These vines are carefully tended to, grapes are harvested, yeast is added or the already existing yeast begins to consume the sugars within the grapes and the fermentation process begins. White wine is made by removing the skin of the grape, while the skin remains when making red. Rosé is made from red grapes, with only a minimal amount of skin contact occurring – think hours not days. Everyone’s favorite, orange wine, is made when white wine is fermented with skin giving the wine a richer, orangish hue.

After fermentation, the winemaking part begins. This is where the winemaker becomes the artist. Think of it like a chef in a kitchen: What style of wine are they trying to produce? Are the grapes shining through? What does the terroir, or the land, give to the wine? Is oak a factor and if so for what effect? There are regions that have rules to dictate, for instance in Rioja, Crianza wine needs to be aged for a minimum of one year in oak and one year in bottle. These standards are appropriate for mostly the traditional expressions of the region; however, winemakers still elaborate to allow for uniqueness in their own wineries.

Now that we have some basic principles, we can begin to dive into the specifics of what draws us and other professionals into this business. Like we said ¬– it’s all just grapes and yeast, but there is always a story and that’s what keeps us coming back for more.

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When I’m helping people navigate their new wine journey, I always suggest drinking the classic grape varietals in order to learn the foundations.

When I first started drinking wine, I found myself drinking quite a bit of Sauvignon Blanc. It started with Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand, Cakebread Sauvignon Blanc from Napa Valley, and over the last decade I almost exclusively drink French Sauvignon Blanc. I have recently fallen back in love with Claude Riffault Sancerre Les Boucauds from Loire Valley, France. Stéphane and Benedicte Riffault farm organically and biodynamically, using no chemicals or synthetic materials. There is so much energy in this wine! This Sauvignon Blanc sees a touch of neutral French oak barrel adding a bit of richness, but overall, the wine has an electric minerality with notes of citrus, white peach, and pineapple. A bottle retails for around $36.99.

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Spring is in the air REALTOR®

F E AT U R E D H O M E S

We reported in last month’s New Restaurant Radar that Bar Vegan is now open at Ponce City Market, but it also has another restaurant concept inside: Dinkies. The partnership between Slutty Vegan’s Pinky Cole and Big Dave Cheesesteak’s Derrick Hayes offers Slutty Vegan favorites alongside vegan cheesesteaks, cauliflower wings, egg rolls, tots and more. Dinkies is open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. inside Bar Vegan.

The Hungry Peach, located in the Atlanta Decorative Arts Center (ADAC) in Peachtree Hills has reopened after being shuttered during the pandemic. Co-owned by husband-and-wife team Kelly and Andrew Moore, who took ownership in March 2020, the café serves Southern southern style food, including its signature chicken salad plate, sandwiches, soups, salads and fresh baked goods.

p.m.), and an Online Auction, which runs April 25 through May 9. For more, visit givingkitchen.org.

Neighborhood market Savi Provisions has opened its 9th location in AMLI Lenox, 3478 Lakeside Drive. The new location will focus on groceries, wine, cheese, and beer, with an option for grab and go meals. On an expansive outdoor patio, there will be a unique self-pour 14 beer tap wall, 16 wine options with wine dispensing equipment, and a variety of spirits. Visit saviprovisions.com for more information.

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Insomnia Cookies has opened it fourth store in Atlanta at 619 Edgewood Ave. The shop will deliver hot cookies until 1 a.m. or later to the neighborhood and surrounding communities. Visit insomniacookies.com for more.

Giving Kitchen, the nonprofit that helps food workers in need of assistance, will host a fundraising event, Team Hidi Spring Training, consisting of a series of curated virtual beverage and food events, each with its own theme, tasting menu and local talent. The events will include Beer Night (April 28, 7 p.m.), Spirits Night (May 2, 6 p.m.), Wine Night (May 6, 7 p.m.), GK Anniversary Party (May 13, 7 At l a n t a I n t o w n Pa p e r. c o m

April 2021 | INTOWN

37

THE STUDIO

Arts � Culture � Music

Immersive Art Tickets available for big Michelangelo and Van Gogh exhibitions Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel

By Collin Kelley

I

f you want to get up close and personal with Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel frescoes or become part of Van Gogh’s impressionist masterpieces, then two Intown exhibitions will grant your wish.

The international touring exhibition “Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel,” is on

show now at the Westside Cultural Arts Center. 760 10th Street, through May 23.

The exhibit features 34-reproductions in scale of Michelangelo’s ceiling frescoes displayed in the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City. But instead of standing on the ground, you’ll be able to get an eye-level look at “The Creation of Adam” and “The Last Judgement.”

Tickets are $`18 for adults, $14 for

Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience

seniors, military and college students, $12 for ages 17 and under, and free for ages 5 and under. Tickets are available at westsideartscenter.com.

Coming May 19, “Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience” will be held at Pullman Yards in Kirkwood.

Using cutting-edge digital projections, visitors will be surrounded 360 degrees

by Vincent Van Gogh’s most famous

impressionist paintings like “The Starry Night,” “The Bedroom,” “The Potato Eaters,” and “Sunflowers.” The projections will be accompanied by music, sound effects, and a virtual reality experience will also be available.

Tickets will range in price from $20 to $30 and can be purchased at vangoghexpo. com.

In the Mix

Atlanta United defender Miles Robinson on how he unwinds

By Collin Kelley Atlanta United kicks off its new season on April 6, but defender Miles Robinson has been working hard at training camp and in a round of pre-season games. We caught up with the outfielder and PonceyHighland resident, who recently celebrated his 24th birthday, to talk about how he spends his downtime in the ATL and what’s on his Spotify playlist.

Q. With the new Atlanta United season opening in April, we know you’ve been in serious training mode. How do you relax and unwind when you’re not on the pitch?

A. When I am not training, I like to go

38 April 2021 |

on long bike rides while listening to music and go out to eat with friends. I also like to read and play FIFA ’21.

Q. What are some of your favorite restaurants in ATL and what do you recommend from the menu?

A. Some of my favorite restaurants are Char Korean Bar & Grill in Inman Park. I would recommend the corn and fried rice.

I also enjoy Superica at Krog Street Market for their tasty cuisine. And if I am trying to go to brunch, I enjoy going to Pancake Social at Ponce City Market for their delicious pancakes.

Q. When friends and family come to visit, where do you take them to give them an authentic look at the city?

A. I take them to The Roof at Ponce City Market to get a look at the skyline of the city. On a sunny day, I will take them out to the BeltLine and Piedmont Park. On a rainy day, I might take them to Lenox Mall.

Q. When you have time to travel, what’s one of your favorite destinations?

A. I love to go back home to Boston, Massachusetts where I was born and raised to see my family and friends. I soon hope to travel to the Caribbean.

Q. What album or song has been on repeat lately?

A. “SHELTER” by VIC MENSA, Wyclef Jean, and Chance the Rapper.

At l a n t a I n t o w n Pa p e r. c o m

Unlikely Partners: Pandemic has spurred artful collaborations an actor, and Jesse Allard, a film location assistant, worked with ASC staff to create hybrid productions – filmed “live” productions. For these productions, they Camille did not just stick a camera in the back Russell Love of the theater and press record. Instead, Camille Russell Love they quarantined actors in safe “bubbles” Love has been (think NBA and NFL), and then executive director of filmed the piece as if it were a featurethe City of Atlanta length Hollywood movie. The first Mayor’s Office of performances to receive this treatment Cultural Affairs (@ were Macbeth and Romeo and Juliet atlantaoca) for more – 60-minute shows that would have than two decades. traveled to schools during the 20202021 academic year. Those successes inspired them to do more. Thus, ASC For more than a year, many of us rehearsed and filmed Othello and All’s who work in the arts, culture, and Well That Ends Well, 90 minutes each. nonprofit fields have become familiar Perhaps what is ASC’s most with the term collaboration, perhaps ambitious collaboration is now more now than at any other time in our underway.

From May 13Atlanta Shakespeare Company 16, the Atlanta Shakespeare Company will work with the Atlanta Contemporary museum to produce A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

The production will feature an all-female cast and be staged in the museum’s outdoor pavilion. With COVID precautions professional lives. The health pandemic in mind, the Contemporary hired an did not leave us, or the ways in which outside vendor to recommend and we traditionally carry out our duties, manage appropriate distancing and other out of its line of sight. To stay alive, safety protocols. organizations reduced budgets, staff and Additionally, each actor will have a creative and other offerings. Audiences costume-coordinated mask she can put vanished and the excitement all but on when a part calls for her to approach disappeared. a member of the audience. And, not to However, true to the city’s symbol, leave out the romantic elements of the the Phoenix, Atlanta’s institutions production, actors will employ “stylized regained their footing. Out of intimacy” techniques used by Bollywood COVID’s ashes, the community rose. actors. Finally, to quench thirsts, In other times, we simply thought of children and adults alike will enjoy collaboration as working with others to Capri Sun beverages. The kids, the real accomplish a common goal – perhaps thing, and the adults, well, ones that are something for a greater good. More somewhat modified. recently, though, it is one of the word’s COVID-19 may have stripped us alternative meanings that better reflects of a lot over the course of the past year, the community’s impulse to survive but The Atlanta Shakespeare Company – working with those with whom is forging ahead—exploring new we otherwise would have little or no horizons and engaging in meaningful connection. collaborations. A bonus of this Among many such outstanding collaboration is that audience members partnerships, one organization’s will have an opportunity to see Atlanta work deserves mention--The Atlanta Contemporary’s 2021 Atlanta Biennial, Shakespeare Company (ASC). In August Of Care and Destruction.

2020, ASC began working with local production company Up The Hills Productions. Co-owners Corey Phelps,

Inside the Arts

At l a n t a I n t o w n Pa p e r. c o m

22nd annual ART PAPERS Art Auction transitions to a hybrid model this year

By Saskia Benjamin It’s no small feat to transform what is arguably Atlanta’s largest contemporary art auction and the city’s most highly anticipated art party of the year into a virtual event, but count on Art Papers to bring the fun, a bit of irreverence, and great art. This year’s theme nods to The Wizard of Oz, because lately it seems that there’s no place like home and things definitely aren’t as they appear.

In its 22nd year, we’ve transitioned the ART PAPERS Auction into a hybrid experience with 190 artworks on view by appointment from April 5-16 at Indie Studios in the Armour Ottley Loop, and an interactive virtual event on April 17, the same night the Auction closes.

The virtual program will be emceed by Ella/Saurus/Rex and Brigitte Bidet – hosts of the Wussy Magazine podcast “Good Judy.” The evening’s signature cocktail will be designed and presented by Elizabeth Ingram and Alton Brown from their Quarantine Quitchen. The program features familiar faces and friends of Art Papers including artists Cosmo Whyte and Tori Tinsley, members of our editorial team, and former program participants such as Laura Raicovich, author and interim director of the Leslie Lohman Museum of Art in NYC, all of whom will share how Art Papers has impacted their lives and enriches the lives of others.

We will miss the enormous party this year, but we are thrilled by the opportunity to pull back the curtain and share what Art Papers does during the other 364 days of the year: publishing crucial writing about art and culture, producing engaging educational programs, and supporting the careers of artists and writers.

Registration for the Auction is free with a suggested donation. There are Host Committee levels that come with a fun Party Box for the evening plus this year’s artist edition: a stereoscopic viewfinder with reels by ART PAPERS cover artists Dawit L. Petros, Jill Frank, and Daniel Rich. Upper-level patron hosts also receive an original artwork by Tori Tinsley.

To register, make an appointment to view artwork, bid, and watch the program, visit APAuction2021.givesmart.com.

Saskia Benjamin is the executive director of ART PAPERS (artpapers.org) an Atlanta-based and globally engaged arts nonprofit that for 45 years has published and presented diverse voices and critical perspectives on the cultural moments and urgent conversations happening in and beyond the art world.

April 2021 | INTOWN

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Variety Playhouse became a mainstay of Little Five Points From the Crates Kelly McCoy

Kelly McCoy is a veteran Atlanta broadcaster who writes about the days popular music only came on vinyl records, which often were stored in crates.

There are parts of Atlanta that we cherish maybe a bit more than others. When you’re in the city and find some of these older sections and learn a bit about the history, you really can begin to appreciate and understand some of the culture.

For some reason, I’ve always been drawn to Little Five Points. Maybe it’s a vibe. The area reminds me of college days in Athens in 1971. The aromas from the various businesses fill the streets. Street vendors and performers add flavor, and color. The restaurants, bars and unique boutiques add to the L5P makeup. It’s eclectic. It’s hip. It’s cool. It’s old, and funky…

like me.

And there was the Variety Playhouse, one of the mainstays in this part of town. Built in 1940, it was originally the Euclid Theatre, a sister to the Fabulous Fox, the movie palace in Midtown. A third theater was The Gordon Theatre. The Gordon was located in the West End and its former home now is out of the entertainment business. I think you’re aware of what’s happening with the Fox. The Euclid Theatre closed in the early 60’s. Other than being used as a storage warehouse for a brief period, it sat empty for 20 years. It was scheduled for destruction until City Hall came to the rescue. Aren’t we glad they did?

I cannot imagine Atlanta’s music scene without this rich venue. There could be a more fitting name, but I doubt it. Variety is known for its mixture of artists from punk to funk, outrageous acts, and performers representing pretty much every genre of music. Everyone from cutting edge current, to obscure acts you thought were dead or had broken up have reappeared there.

The Variety does balance things out with mainstream players who are not necessarily looking for a big venue. Do a little snooping around on the internet, and you’ll be amazed at the performers who have done their thing on the Variety’s stage.

These performers have made Variety the perfect “music melting pot,” perfect for Little Five Points. There have been nearly 500 shows at Variety Playhouse. A good sound crew always has the room sounding tight, and right within a few songs after a show begins. Old theaters were built with sound and acoustics in mind, along with what we’re supposed to watch on the big screen.

I would be remiss if I didn’t tell you about a few up close and personal nights there. One particular artist comes to visit at least once a year: Delbert McClinton. He’s been a regular there for years. Fans come to the “House of Delbert” to party together. This is achieved by soaking up few adult beverages while soaking up one of this country’s song-writing treasures who always fronts a band that “destroys” the room.

I truly hope you are lucky enough to be a fan of the band Little Feat. Hearing them perform, “Oh Atlanta,” in Atlanta is a religious musical experience. I witnessed their close friends, Tower of Power, there one evening. They had the house in such a state of funk, the building was probably still moving for many days afterward.

In 2015, this old beauty got a “face lift” from new owners. Enhancements were made throughout without losing any of the character of the place. It’s still one of the few rooms where you can go down front and give the musicians onstage a high five if they allow you to do so.

Quite often the artists will sign and sell their wares after the show. I can honestly say every time I’ve left the building, my Variety experience was more than worthwhile.

When things resume after our pandemic time, rest assured this magical, monumental and very special musical shrine will once again bring Variety fans exactly what we crave.

40 April 2021 |

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HEAD FOR THE HILLS

LAKE AND MOUNTAIN LIVING

Park Life North Georgia’s state parks have been a refuge during the pandemic

Tallulah Gorge

By Mark Woolsey

G

oing outside for exercise or just a walk around the block were some of the ways metro Atlantans broke the monotony of pandemic life during the past year. Many also swarmed to the mountains and North Georgia’s state parks. It’s an uptick that started after last spring as some COVID-19 restrictions were eased and has continued unabated across the 84-thousand-acre system.

“Crazy” is how Brad Gibson, the manager at hugely popular Cloudland Canyon State Park in Dade County, described the months since the pandemic began. Park rangers and employees worked to keep parkgoers social distanced, volunteers counted cars, and many day users were turned away.

“We never really had a slow month,“ Gibson said. As of St. Patrick’s Day, he related “I’ve had the ‘full’ sign up at the

44 April 2021 |

campground since the first weekend in March and I don’t see it slowing down until early May.” The same holds true at high-traffic Tallulah Gorge State Park near Clarksville.

Assistant manager Lieren Merz said ranger programs, guided hikes and even the park’s annual Easter Egg Hunt were canceled or curtailed last year.

They hope to inch toward normal in 2021. Still, she said, “It’s been a struggle to keep up with the crowds and litter.”

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources said for the period from July 2020 to March 15 of this year, almost 8 million guests have made their way to parks statewide. That’s up about 2.4 million visitors over last year, or around 37 percent.

That’s lot of tent stakes driven and campers and RVs backing into parking spots.

“We are happy to share the state parks with new visitors,” said Department of Natural Resources spokeswoman Kim

Hatcher. “We just want people to have a good time at the parks and socially distance.”

To that end, Hatcher said those visiting park offices, museums and other indoor areas are strongly encouraged to wear masks, while accommodations and common areas are getting thoroughly sanitized.

Boating, golf, hiking, biking, kayaking, disc golf, and most other outdoor activities are going forward this year, said officials.

In a broader sense, however, park programming has entered a new era.

Visitors will find there’s much more to do than hike or crawl into a sleeping bag as recreational options have mushroomed recently.

“We were getting people to fill out surveys a few years ago.” said Heath Carter, vice president for sales and marketing with Coral Hospitality. They operate several parks under contract with the state including Amicalola and Unicoi state parks and the Brasstown Valley Resort and Spa.

“People were telling us they loved the parks but that there was nothing to do.”

Carter said he and the staff were puzzled by that. “We found out that they wanted programmed events. They might not have a fly-fishing rod or bow and arrow, but they wanted guidance and instruction. So, we supply the gear. All they have to do is sign up.”

Ziplines are the biggest attractions at both parks, he said. Add to that a somewhat eclectic list including tomahawk throwing, survivalist camps, live fishing classes, 3D archery, paddle boarding and air rifle shooting.

In addition, some facets of the parks have seen a makeover in the past year or so, with more due to come. Cabins have been renovated at Red Top Mountain State Park.

The beach is also getting a makeover at the nearly 1,800-acre park on Lake Allatoona, as are campground facilities.

At Cloudland Canyon, a needed update to showers and restrooms is on the horizon.

Kiss those old square-block buildings goodbye. Air conditioning and heat are being added to the park’s yurts. Power capacity is being beefed up at campsites.

At Tallulah Gorge, dozens of parking At l a n t a I n t o w n Pa p e r. c o m

Amicalola Falls

ESCAPE TO THE NEST

Cloudland Canyon

spaces have been added at the interpretive center. In the digital space, park officials have added an online retail store and a statewide equestrian pass.

And that’s just for 2020-2021. More yurts, dog-friendly cabins, expanded mountain biking trails and expansions to park stores have all happened the last few years.

Hatcher suggests those wanting to visit the mostly-heavily used state parks come early in the day or on a weekday, so as not to be turned away from day-use areas or told to wait on entering trails.

A recent Monday visit to Amicalola Falls brought home that advice. The park had a leisurely feel, almost small-townish.

A short hike up past a reflecting pond on the approach trail quickly revealed the brawling, tumbling falls themselves, the third highest cascading falls east of the Mississippi. Moseying toward the spectacle were Larry and Carol Crewey of Gainesville.

“This is just wonderful,” said Carol Crewey, who said they’d already been to Tallulah Gorge this spring. “These little outdoor trips and adventures have been a lifesaver for us this past year.”

At l a n t a I n t o w n Pa p e r. c o m

A first-time visitor from Atlanta, Alex Nickelson, said he and his partner had just finished walking upstairs adjacent the falls, then taking another trail bending them back gradually toward the visitors’ center.

“It was strenuous,” he chuckled. “They do warn you – twice.”

Tallulah Falls also gets some aqua-love for its stair walk down into the 1,000-footdeep gorge and a half- dozen falls.

The namesake canyon at Cloudland Canyon is a dramatic wonder with rocky and tree-bedecked views into parts of Tennessee and Alabama. A staircase leads down to a stream and two gorgeous falls at the bottom.

And don’t miss the overlook.

“It gives you a sense of how big and massive things are when you get up there,” said Gibson.

Vogel State Park, established in 1931 and the second oldest in the system, is one that plays big. It sits at the foot of Blood Mountain, the highest summit on the Appalachian Trail in Georgia. It has an extensive trail system that includes a challenging 13-mile back-country route and is centered on a placid lake.

And don’t forget other North Georgia parks like Don Carter, Fort Mountain, Black Rock Mountain, and Smithgall Woods. All of them feature woodsy walks, glimpses of wildlife and breath-catching vistas and some are less visited, so you’re less likely to run into thousands of your best friends, And what’s not to like about a mere $5 parking fee to enter? (But keep in mind that some activities will require digging deeper into the wallet).

It may not be easy for park employees handling the crowds and strain on facilities, but visitors like Nickelson are quick to give them a thumbs-up.

“I’ve never been here before,” he said, “but I’ve been to a lot of state parks and I like it. It’s very clean and I didn’t feel unsafe walking up the stairs, which is a good thing.”

And he added, “I just love waterfalls.”

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April 2021 | INTOWN

45

Many Mountains

You don’t have to head north to get a taste of the hills

By Collin Kelley If you want to go visit the mountains, you don’t have to go far from metro Atlanta. You don’t even have to go north. Check out these state parks and heritage areas that lie to the south, east and west. For more, be sure to visit gastateparks.org.

SWEETWATER CREEK ◄ Only minutes west of Atlanta in Douglas County, the hills, outcrops and rolling rapids of Sweetwater Creek make for a great afternoon hike. The centerpiece of the park is the ruin of the New Manchester Textile Mill, which was burned during the Civil War. Park rangers lead informative hikes through the park and too the old mill. There’s also plenty of fishing opportunities in the 215-acre George Spark Reservoir. The park is located at 1750 Mount Vernon Road in Lithia Springs.

tree-climbing programs. A paved trail is open for biking, roller blading, jogging and dogwalking, while forested fitness trails are open for hiking and running. 2620 Highway 155 SW in Stockbridge.

ARABIA MOUNTAIN ◄ Located near Lithonia southern DeKalb County, this national heritage area is also a granite outcrop similar to nearby Stone Mountain and Panola Mountain.

The best way to see the park is on foot or by bike, and you can even get there using the PATH system of trails. The area is also dotted with historic homes and cultural buildings that have been preserved.

For more information, visit arabiaalliance.org.

PROVIDENCE CANYON

PANOLA MOUNTAIN Just 15 minutes south of Atlanta, Panola Mountain is a100-acre granite outcrop similar to Stone Mountain, but smaller and much more pristine. Park visitors will see the outcrop and its rare ecosystem just as Native Americans did centuries ago. Reservations are required for ranger-led hikes that teach about the rare plants and animals found at the park.

There’s plenty of activities in the park, too, including a playground, archery, birding and

Georgia’s “Little Grand Canyon” was created by combination of erosion and poor farming practices during the 1800s. There are now gullies 150 feet deep and the soil’s pink, orange, red and purples hues make for stunning photographs. Visitors can enjoy views of the canyons from the rim trail and also admire the beauty of the rare Plumleaf Azalea, which only grows in this region, and blooms in July and August. 8930 Canyon Road in Lumpkin.

Let's find your home in the

North Georgia Mountains Developers Dream

Highlands of Blue Ridge

509 Wisteria Lane

MLS # 303499

MLS # 303087

Lake Blue Ridge frontage

Long Range Mountain View

50 Cherokee Lane

337 Hidden Valley Lakes

MLS # 302355

MLS # 303535

Char Stacy c: 706.633.9240 | o: 706.613.HOME CHAR@ANSLEYRE.COM | CHARSTACY.COM

706.613.HOME 116 WEST MAIN STREET, UNIT 1C BLUE RIDGE, GA 30513 ANSLEYRE.COM

Christopher Burell, Principal Broker. Information believed accurate but not warranted. Equal Housing Opportunity. If you have an existing relationship with a Broker, this is not intended as a solicitation.

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Hole #6 | Par 4

Nowhere else can you enjoy a true mountain lifestyle a stone’s throw from the charm and vibe of Georgia’s favorite mountain town, Blue Ridge. Only at Old Toccoa Farm, behind the beautifully appointed Gate House, can you enjoy custom homes and residences of unparalleled quality and design alongside a magnificent mountain “links-style” golf experience. Here, People, Lifestyle & Design live together and nature stands center-stage. Home of the 2021 Georgia State Golf Association Public Links Championship.

oldtoccoafarm.com 706.946.4653

Obtain the Property Report required by Federal Law and read it before signing anything. No Federal agency has judged the merits or value, if any, of this property. This is not intended to be an offer to sell nor as a solicitation of offers to buy property in Old Toccoa Farm by residents of any state where prior registration is required.

Photographic credit: Square Frame Media

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Chasing Waterfalls

Exploring the falls and trails near Highlands-Cashiers, NC

By Collin Kelley Highlands-Cashiers is known for its easy living, great shopping and dining, and mountain views. If you’re ready to explore this part of North Carolina, which is about a 2.5 hour drive from Atlanta, check out this guide to some of the Instagram worthy waterfalls and trails.

Yellow Mountain If you’re looking for a more difficult hike, the 12 mile roundtrip winds up and down the mountain and through beautiful flowers and foliage. If you make it to the summit, you’ll be rewarded with a stunning view of the Highlands Range.

Rainbow Falls Water rushes over a towering, near-vertical cliff into a deep pool full of boulders in the Nantahala National Forest. The dramatic 150 foot means the water crashes loudly and kicks up clouds of mist which create rainbows below the falls.

Whitewater Falls An easy half-mile trail leads to the 400 foot cascading falls near Cashiers. Along the way, you’ll pass wildflowers and views of Lake Jocassee.

Glen Falls A trio of waterfalls plunge through a rocky forest filled with tunnels of rhododendron and towering hardwoods at Glen Fall near Highlands. A moderately challenging hike through the Nantahala National Forest is especially beautiful in the fall.

For more details about these falls and trails, visit ashevilletrails.com/ cashiers-highlands-nc.

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Dry Falls A quarter-mile trail leads to the falls that tumble over a rocky outcropping and allows you to go behind the cascading water.

Gorges State Park Following a moderate 1.7-mile trail to check out the beautiful waterfalls on the Horsepasture River – Turtleback Falls, Drift Falls, and Hidden Falls. A just under four miles round trip, the view-filled hike is one of Western North Carolina’s most popular.

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A N SL E Y MOU N TA I N & L A K E

Your Trusted Advisor In Blue Ridge

662 EATON ROAD offered for $3,200,000

304 DEER WATCH LANE offered for $850,999

653 KENSINGTON DRIVE offered for $749,000

3794 ZION HILL ROAD offered for $2,800,000

436 GERONIMO ROAD offered for $1,575,000

174 DEER WATCH LANE offered for $1,200,000

475 TOCCOA RIVER LANE offered for $1,000,000

629 EATON ROAD offered for $730,000

401 TRAILWOOD DRIVE offered for $579,900

Kim Knutzen REALTOR®

c: 770.402.1908 o: 706.613.HOME KIM@ANSLEYRE.COM GUIDETOBLUERIDGE.COM 706.613.HOME | ANSLEYMOUNTAINS.COM | 116 WEST MAIN ST. UNIT 1C, BLUE RIDGE, GA 30513 Christopher Burell, Principal Broker. Information believed accurate but not warranted. Equal Housing Opportunity. If you have an existing relationship with a Broker, this is not intended as a solicitation. *Represented buyer

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Big Canoe thrives during pandemic, has waiting list for homes

By Collin Kelley If you need further proof that the real estate market barely blinked during the pandemic, then look no further than Big Canoe: there’s a waiting list for homes in the private mountain community.

Situated between Jasper and Dawsonville about an hour north of Atlanta, Big Canoe usually has anywhere from 200 to 250 homes on the market at any given time. As of mid-March, there were only 19 available.

“It’s so amazing,” Big Canoe’s general manager Scott Auer said. “Realtors have waiting lists. As soon as a home goes on the market, there are multiple offers in 24 hours.”

Auer said the pandemic is to blame.

“COVID-19 has changed how we live and do business,” Auer said. “The pandemic has made people rethink their priorities and they want to be somewhere that has a small town feel and offers security.”

To that end, the 8,000 acre Big Canoe now has some of the fastest internet speeds in the country, its own fire department, and round-the-clock gated security. And, of course, there’s the stunning mountain views and amenities galore. Auer said Big Canoe is spending $6 million on capital improvements in 2021, including renovations to the golf course and tennis

courts, a new bocci facility, and plans to turn older buildings in the community into meeting spaces.

Big Canoe was also serious about keeping its residents safe from COVID-19, going above and beyond the state’s recommendations. “We locked arms and said the safety of our property owners and employees was the most important issue, so we put some stringent guidelines in place including mask mandates.”

While the community might have lost some day-users of its amenities, Auer said, but safety above profits was the guiding principle during the height of the pandemic. He said a partnership with Northside Hospital and an active group of volunteers in the community also helped residents do everything from pick up groceries to taking neighbors to doctor’s appointments. He said Big Canoe residents have also been proactive about getting the

vaccine.

Auer said Big Canoe would relax its pandemic protocols slowly but was already moving toward mask-optional times at its gyms, offering more outdoor dining options

at the clubhouse, and is hopeful that the big 4th of July fireworks display will be on the calendar.

“What we really need is more houses,” a delighted Auer said.

YOUR MOUNTAIN PARADISE AWAITS, LET US WELCOME YOU HOME

470-602-9693 Grace.Battle@evrealestate.com

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O U R FEATU RED L I STI NGS

1198 MILMAR DRIVE NW Atlanta $688,000

2277 DREW VALLEY ROAD NE Atlanta $439,900

4805 IVY RIDGE DRIVE SE #103 Atlanta $350,000

2575 PEACHTREE ROAD NE #3E Atlanta $525,000

Christina Patrick 770-906-7332

JCB TEAM (Jodi, Chase & Brian) 404-490-4510

Alissa McCoy 770-510-8119

Gary Silverman 770-617-5658

870 INMAN VILLAGE PKW NE #318 Atlanta $334,900

1635 BRIARCLIFF ROAD NE #11 Atlanta $269,900

923 PEACHTREE ST NE #1731 Atlanta $489,900

600 BRICKWORKS CIR NE #6201 Atlanta $499,000

Bru Krebs 404-984-0243

Lauren Rasmussen 404-655-3273

Barbara Gilliam 404-548-8785

Kirsten Conover 404-386-1103

4055 N STRATFORD ROAD NE Atlanta $745,000

3685 PEACHTREE ROAD NE #8 Atlanta $594,999

203 SHELBY LANE Fayetteville $945,000

30 5TH STREET NE #902 Atlanta $450,000

Ryan Bowen 404-587-5961

Jeanne Morgan 404-384-4264

Marsha Bagley 770-377-9443

Bru Krebs 404-984-0243

WELCOME TO OUR M I D T O W N T E A M

Valerie Levin MANAGING BROKER

404-266-8100

Valerie.Levin@BHHSGeorgia.com

Leslie Collins

Orlando Lee

Va ler ie. Levin@ B H H S Ge o rg i a.co m

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Midtown . B H H S G e orgia.com

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1 1 63 We st Pe ac hree St, Sui te 2 0 0, Atl anta 3030 9

©2021 BHH Affiliates, LLC. An independently operated subsidiary of HomeServices of America, Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate, and a franchisee of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of Columbia Insurance Company, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate. Equal Housing Opportunity.

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