A Square of Unequal sides
A square may have all equal sides, but in Decatur, some sides of the square are more equal than others. The Decatur Square is undergoing changes, but some businesses are suffering disproportionately. If you’re on the southeast side of the square, your business is in trouble. Some businesses have already left the square. Others that have long anchored that part of the square, such as Sage, are faultering.
Many of these businesses are complaining that the project is taking longer than promised and that no support is coming to offset the losses the construction has created. Both MARTA and the City could help here. MARTA could give them free advertising on the system to help strengthen these establishments. Once construction is completed, they might also have new ad clients. The City could relieve them of some of their sales tax burdens until the new plaza has been completed and life returns to normal.
In the meantime, folks can support good places such as Sage & Raging Burrito to keep them going. Nothing better than altruistic dining.
April 2nd, 2006 at 10:41 pm
Just watch out for the foul gas you’ll have after a meal at Raging Burrito.
April 3rd, 2006 at 10:15 am
So what’s the new estimated date of completion? And what’s taking so long? I peeked in recently, it’s a mess.
April 3rd, 2006 at 2:20 pm
I go to the Thai place and Sushi Avenue all the time on that part of the Square and they seem to be doing just fine. Sage was never too impressive to me anyway.
April 3rd, 2006 at 2:26 pm
The city is trying to do something:
http://www.decaturga.com/bsr_martaplaza.aspx
But, hey, there is no question that it will be better when it is finished. And if a business cannot make it through this period then maybe it doesn’t deserve to stay in business. If a business closes, it will most definately be replaced with something better.
April 4th, 2006 at 12:13 am
The last time I went to Sage (a year or so ago), they had changed their menu, raised their prices, and apparently lowered the quality of their food and service. So it may not just be construction keeping folks out.
April 4th, 2006 at 8:01 pm
Sage has reduced the hours they’re open - that may be in response to the decreased business, but I wouldn’t be so sure. I was pretty frustrated to discover they were closed, but we managed to snag a table at Sweet Melissa’s, which was PACKED.
April 5th, 2006 at 9:31 am
The Georgia Constitution forbids public entities from giving away things of value for free to private parties. Additionally, local governments do not have the authority to waive sales tax collection for some and not for others. Only state law can determine sales tax exemptions. Besides, the City of Decatur does not impose sales taxes anyway, they are imposed by the State of Georgia. Do I hear another advocate for real home rule in georgia?
April 6th, 2006 at 10:36 pm
My less-than-official understanding is that Decatur is a lot more gung-ho about this station renovation than MARTA is.
And second Matt’s comments about the quality of Sage’s food going down in a hurry.
April 18th, 2006 at 4:50 pm
Sage has never been the same since my sister married the chef and took him off to Chicago!
April 19th, 2006 at 10:06 am
i second Jessica’s comment - this is more of a City of Decatur project than a MARTA project. Decatur was unhappy with how the MARTA station fit in (or rather, didn’t) with the downtown they’ve been working on, so they wanted to redesign it. MARTA was fine with the old entrance, but who’s going to turn down a cheap (or maybe even free, i’m not sure how much MARTA’s pitching in) new facade?