Georgia State University owns the long-empty Bell Building. They have plans to demolish it, but we think they should preserve it instead. GSU has not announced any plans for what might happen to the property after demolition (UPDATE: a local reporter has gotten confirmation from the GSU communications department that this property will be used for parking after the building is demolished -- read about it in this Creative Loafing piece).

Old structures like this add authenticity to city streets -- something that has been lost in much of Downtown Atlanta due to rampant demolition over the years. We can't afford to lose anymore.

A Call for Reuse

With its face on Auburn Avenue alongside the new streetcar route, reuse of the Bell makes good sense. This is a perfect opportunity to allow the streetcar to enable investment in blighted buildings.

There is potential here for an adaptive reuse project that would compliment other projects nearby such as the Atlanta Daily World building (once slated for demolition, now apartments and shops), the Flatiron Building (currently undergoing renovation), the Candler Building (set to become either hotel or residences), and the Olympia Building (undergoing a major restoration project, to become a Walgreens).

The current trend of giving new life to Downtown Atlanta’s precious remaining old buildings -- and of cherishing the authenticity they provide to the city's historic center -- should be continued with the Bell Building. Let GSU know that we want this one saved, not destroyed!

savethebell.org