Photo I took on my way to Olympic Park for my project. As I turned off of Ellis Street, this is what was beheld in front of me. Complete urban serenity.
I departed from the Commons and casually followed Google to Centennial Olympic Park. I passed through alley ways, crossed dirty streets and hopped over large rain puddles. Suddenly as I turned from Ellis St NE onto Peachtree St, the mood changed. The air was cool from the overcasting shadows of high buildings, women with short dresses and curled hair filled the streets, briefcases clutched by men in suits sped by, hotel lobby chandeliers gleamed through the large glass windows paralleling the sidewalk, I wasn’t in Kansas anymore. It startled me as the whole atmosphere of Atlanta changed in just one corner, how wealth can border so closely with poverty. I realized that this was a rich district as I felt out of place with my hippie t-shirt, khaki shorts, and worn Toms. The streets were spotless and concrete was freshly paved. How did all of this came about and where had the homeless, local shops and pavement cracks gone? The area reminded me of the Schindler’s piece. Could redistricting, and city planning have driven the impoverished and unlucky out of the area to stem wealth, business, and fancy tuxedo stores?Just imagine the impact that these factors can have on the enrichment of this short street and could it be intentional? Just stuff to think about.
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