Atlanta Daily World building spared

Yesterday, the Atlanta Urban Design Commission voted against allowing the demolition — even partial demolition — of the Atlanta Daily World building on Auburn Avenue.

Maria Saporta published this press release issued by ADW publisher Alexis Scott and Valerie Edwards, executive vice president of the developer the Integral Group ...
The Atlanta Urban Design Commission ("UDC") denied the demolition application Integral submitted on January 31, 2012. We appropriately respect the board's research, deliberations, and decision concerning the former home of Atlanta Daily World newspaper. Neither seller nor buyer plans to appeal the UDC's decision.

As longtime residents of the Sweet Auburn community, we are especially encouraged by the recently conveyed commitment to preserve the building that formerly housed the Atlanta Daily World, as expressed by certain government leaders and historic preservationists.

As these individuals and groups bring forward practical solutions to the sale and restoration of 145 Auburn Avenue, we look forward to working with them.

Integral remains committed to its projects in the corridor and the former home of the Atlanta Daily World remains available for purchase.

The Sweet Auburn District was Atlanta's original Live, Work and Play community. It once embodied an economic vitality that we all should seek to restore.

It's a win for preservationists, particularly the Historic District Development Corporation, the group behind a petition to save the structure.

Commenters on the Saporta Report weren't quite as convinced it constitutes a victory. "atlurbanist" wrote ...
Awesome — that makes 2 deteriorating, unusable (in it's current state), former newspaper buildings downtown the old AJC building is vacant as well. I just hope this one doesn't end up with trees growing out of it as well.

I also hope that this isn't a bad omen for the promise of economic development along the streetcar route.