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Growth Spurt in Progress; Opportunity or Disaster? (1986)

MLPA Newsletter, Spring, 1986

Surrounding the homes and parks we all know as Morningside is a thriving metropolis that both nurtures and threatens us. Typical is the kind of development that is occurring on the outskirts of our community near Sage Hill.  In less than a square mile are the beginnings of an all-adult condominium project, a geriatric hospital, and a university warehouse.

Summit Point is being constructed on approximately 17 acres of land on the east side of Briarcliff just beyond Clifton.  Twenty-four buildings will contain 214 units that will be leased beginning in June or July.  A spokesman for the project voiced concern about saving as many trees as possible and bringing to the area a development along the lines of Summit Oaks in Clarkston and Summit Crossing on North Druid Hills Road.

There is some uncertainty about the plans for entry and exit for the development.  An employee on the construction site said that Briarcliff Road will be the only access; a representative of Summit thought there was some plan for access along one of the side streets.

Planned for Wesley Woods is a unique teaching and research hospital for geriatric patients.  One hundred beds will be housed in four treatment units; a medical unit; an evaluation unit; and an Alzheimer's Disease unit. A spokesman claimed that this facility will be the only one of its kind in the country.  The project is being constructed adjacent to the present Wesley Woods facility.

Nearby on the south side of Clifton is the site of a new 120,000 square foot warehouse for the Emory community. Some 40,000 square feet will be for the Emory Medical Center.  Other big users will be the physical plant (bulk storage), the library (books on call), and administrative services (including university printing).  Advantages of the new building include the ability to purchase in larger quantities, centralized receiving, and easier storage and sale of surplus equipment.

What does all this mean for our neighborhood?  The answer depends on one's perspective.  More cars and the eventual widening of Briarcliff Road seem likely; more through traffic seems likely.  Most would agree that this is not what Morningside is about. But more jobs, more interest in the area and easier access might seem attractive to some.

More is clearly in store for the Morningside area.  The question of what this all means boils down to this: Is more more? or is it less?

by Bob Daniell

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