Losing History – Old Dairy Queen Building

November 25, 2014

Westview has lost a historic landmark – an old Dairy Queen building at the corner of Ralph David Abernathy Blvd and Laurel Ave across from the Westview Cemetery. The 1956* building, which had been neglected and uninhabited for many years, was most recently sold in 2009 before being demolished over the past week. While further research is necessary to validate this information, it has been said that the building was one of the first Dairy Queen’s in Atlanta.

Former neighbors who grew up in Westview and its vicinity in the 1960s had the following memories about the historic Dairy Queen building:

“Dairy Queen near West View. Had sign on top cone with curl on top.” – L. Bradley

“B. Denson worked at this Dairy Queen after school. (1956-1960). He never could linger after school, always had to go to work. Some years later he bought it. Over time he added other Dairy Queen restaurants around metro Atlanta to his holdings.” – C. Strickland

“It was a Dairy Queen. Went there many times after visiting Westview.” – D. Butler

: Before demolition, February 2014

: During demolition, November 2014

*Date is based on unverified tax information.

Westview Pizza Cafe Anniversary

November 20, 2014

Neighbors came out in numbers for this month’s “Third Thursday Pizza” to support Westview Pizza Café on their special one-year anniversary night.

On behalf of all the Westview residents we’d like to say “THANK YOU” Westview Pizza Café for providing neighbors with a place to gather and eat!

To see photos of the Westview Pizza Cafe Anniversary event view the photo gallery below (click “continue reading”) or visit the Westview Facebook page.

Continue reading →

Meet the Contractor BeltLine Meeting

November 18, 2014

Please join the Atlanta BeltLine to meet the contractor and have a community conversation to discuss:

Safety
Construction Sequencing and Schedule
Construction Access Points
General Questions

For more information, contact Nathan Soldat: NSoldat@atlbeltline.org

Westview Little Free Library

November 16, 2014

You’ve probably heard of them before – the “Little Free Library.” It is a movement that started in 2009 of little houses that are placed in front yards and neighborhood entry points throughout the country (even the world!). Neighbors can come and check out books for free with the concept “take a book, return a book.”

As of September a Westview neighbor started her very own “Westview Little Free Library” on South Gordon Street at the corner of Ontario Avenue. A whole spectrum of rotating books can be found at the little library, which is a replica of the owner’s house. The children’s books have been especially popular, so bring the kids to come check out a book. If they write down their thoughts in the “Book Blurbs” the book fairy will even write them a personal response!

The project has been such a success that other neighbors plan to place Little Free Libraries at their houses across the neighborhood.

Stay up-to-date about happenings at the Westview Little Free Library via the website: http://westviewlittlelibrary.tumblr.com

BeltLine Westside Trail Groundbreaking

November 12, 2014

Wednesday, November 12, 2014, marked a historic milestone for Westview and southwest Atlanta as the Atlanta BeltLine broke ground on the Westside Trail. The event brought out the Atlanta BeltLine staff, Mayor Kasim Reed and city and state officials, neighborhood residents, and a whole lot of press.

The Westside Trail will be under construction for the next two years. Once complete the 3-mile path, featuring 14-foot wide concrete multi-use trail, pedestrian lighting, security cameras, landscaping, retaining walls, and 16 access points, will run from Washington Park through Westview to Adair Park.

To see photos of the BeltLine Westside Trail Groundbreaking view the photo gallery below (click “continue reading”) or visit the Westview Facebook page.

Continue reading →

Westside Trail Groundbreaking

November 11, 2014

Mayor Kasim Reed, Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. and the Atlanta BeltLine Partnership invite you to the groundbreaking of the Westside Trail.

Join the Atlanta BeltLine for a celebration as they break ground on the next significant milestone: the Westside Trail. The ceremony will take place on the Westside Trail where it intersects Allene Avenue (between Catherine Street and the Urban Farm) in historic Adair Park.

TRANSIT
The ceremony site is accessible from the West End and Oakland City MARTA stations on the red / gold lines. From the West End station, take the 95 bus down Metropolitan. From the Oakland City station, take the 193 bus to Sylvan Road.

BIKING / WALKING
Biking and walking to the ceremony is encouraged and is an opportunity to use the interim hiking trail before it goes into construction. Bike racks will be available for locking up your bike at the event. Riding a bike in the corridor requires a suitable all-terrain bike.

PARKING
On-street parking is available on Allene Avenue, Catherine Street, and Lexington Avenue. For navigation purposes, enter 1076 Allene Avenue SW, Atlanta, GA 30310.

ABOUT THE WESTSIDE TRAIL
The Westside Trail is a three-mile multi-use trail that will connect Washington Park in the north to Adair Park in the south with connectivity to multiple neighborhoods in between. This historic investment in southwest Atlanta will create a bicycle-and pedestrian-safe corridor with connections to four schools, four parks, and the future Urban Farm. It will stitch together economic nodes via shared-use trails, trailheads, and access points all while preserving the corridor for future streetcar transit. The design includes lighting, cameras, and ADA-accessible entry points. Visit our Westside Trail construction page for more information.

SPECIAL THANKS
The Westside Trail is made possible through a U.S. DOT TIGER V grant of $18 million, a local match from the Georgia Department of Transportation for $9.5 million, funding from the Atlanta Regional Commission’s Transportation Improvement Plan, and the generous support of the following:

> James M. Cox Foundation / PATH Foundation
> Kaiser Permanente
> Susan and Richard Anderson
> Wells Fargo
> Georgia Power Foundation, Inc.
> AGL Resources
> Ray Weeks, Jr.
> Cousins Properties
> Richard and Susan Dugas Family Foundation
> Georgia-Pacific Foundation
> SunTrust Trusteed Foundations:
Harriet McDaniel Marshall Trust and Walter H. and Marjory M. Rich Memorial Fund
> Jamestown
> John W. Somerhalder II
> Philip I. Kent
> Mr. and Mrs. R. Charles Shufeldt
> Carter

Party with the Past at Westview Cemetery

November 3, 2014

The Atlanta History Center has facilitated a series of events scattered throughout the city to highlight historic Atlanta landmarks. The events are called “Party with the Past” and are designed to get young professionals interested in history. So what better way to get these young people out than to entice them to the historic landmarks by offering them a cash bar where they can mingle with their friends and at some point listen to a speaker inform them about the history of the location?

The event series has been a huge success, and Westview residents were lucky enough to finally have a Party with the Past event held in their own neighborhood at the Westview Cemetery. On Halloween eve no less! Fittingly attendees were encouraged to dress up in Halloween costumes.

Westview Cemetery President, Charles Bowen, and Public Relations Manager, Grant Myers, talked about the 130 year history of the cemetery and the individuals that are buried there. Attendees were additionally surprised by an impromptu concert by violinist Paul Mercer in the Mausoleum’s Abbey.

To view additional photos of the “Party with the Past” event at the Westview Cemetery visit the Atlanta History Center Facebook page.

Westview Business District Candy Stroll

October 31, 2014

Bring the kids out to the Westview Business Candy Stroll from 2:00-6:00pm on Halloween (October 31st) between 1516 to 1541 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd. Dress up in your costumes, bring your trick or treat bags and enjoy snacks, candy, games, face painting, music, and dancing.

Sponsored by Hair Nirvana Salon and Spa, Westview Pizza Café, A&L Barber/Beauty Salon, Rhythm of Ink, Big Apple Inn, D Café, V+S Salon Studio, The Barber Loft, Top O’ The Line, Secrets, Law Office, We Rent Houses, and Keep It Wet Carwash.

BeltLine Westside Transit Meetings

October 9, 2014

The Atlanta BeltLine hosted two meetings at Fulton County Central Training on Langhorn Street to discuss transit options for the Westside.

During the first meeting, held on September 25, 2014, residents were presented with a variety of transit options. Residents were then asked to provide their input by rating their favorite and least favorite options for various portions of the proposed transit line with colored green and orange dots.

During the second meeting, held on October 9, 2014, residents were presented with narrowed down options based on the feedback that had been provided at the previous meeting. After the presentation residents were encouraged to leave sticky notes with comments.

September 25th Presentation: Atlanta BeltLine/Atlanta Streetcar West Transit Route Options and MARTA Connectivity Study Group Presentation I (PDF)

October 9th Presentation: Atlanta BeltLine/Atlanta Streetcar West Transit Route Options and MARTA Connectivity Study Group Presentation II (PDF)

To see photos of the BeltLine Westside Transit meetings view the photo gallery below or visit the Westview Facebook page.

Sheep at Enota Park

October 9, 2014

2014 Kudzu Removal Program

Each year the Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. teams up with Trees Atlanta to complete invasive plant removals around the Atlanta BeltLine Corridor and in future Atlanta BeltLine park land. Invasive plant removal is vital to creating and maintaining healthy urban forests in the City of Atlanta.

This year, Trees Atlanta has hired a herd of sheep to eat acres of kudzu growing in Atlanta’s greenspaces, and the herd will be working in Enota Park in Westview.

In order to keep all of the surrounding neighbors informed, Trees Atlanta has provided several sheep FAQs:

Q: Do the sheep stay onsite all night?
A: Yes. The sheep stay onsite 24 hours a day and will eat weeds even at night.

Q: Why are the dogs in with the sheep?
A: The dogs are guardian dogs and are there to protect the sheep from stray dogs, coyotes, and other threats. The guardian dog is not particularly friendly toward pet dogs, so please keep leashed dogs away from the fence.

Q: How often does the shepherd check on the herd?
A: The shepherd checks on the herd at least once a day to make sure that none have escaped, that there is adequate water and food, and to feed the dogs.

Q: How long will it take the sheep?
A: The sheep should be onsite for no more than a week at Enota Park and three to four weeks at Boulevard Crossing Park.

Q: What are the sheep eating?
A: On this particular site they are eating Japanese hops and kudzu.

Q: How do you keep the sheep in one place?
A: The white fencing is a temporary, moveable electric fence. It keeps the sheep on task and out of harm’s way.

Q: How quickly do the sheep eat invasives?
A: The general rule of thumb is that 30 sheep can consume 1 acre of invasives in 2 weeks, depending on the weather and the type of vegetation being eaten.

For any questions or in case of emergency please contact either:
Brian Williams
Trees Atlanta
O: 404-681-4901
M: 912-856-1600

Jennifer Chandler
Shady Brook Sheep
M: 706-248-3745

Invasive Plants
The United States Department of Agriculture defines an invasive species as non-native (or alien) to the ecosystem under consideration and whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health.

[Source: Atlanta BeltLine]

To see photos of the sheep at Enota Park view the photo gallery below or visit the Westview Facebook page.