Downtown Atlanta's rebirth:
the clock is ticking

The idea of a 24-hour city is gaining strength, but some fear it could fall victim to a fear of crime and lack of leadership.

    If Atlanta is to become the vibrant 24-hour downtown many city planners envision, urban pioneers like Cole Walker will create it. Walker, president of the private Atlanta New Century School in the historic Healey Building, lives on the 15th floor of a renovated apartment building overlooking Woodruff park, where he can watch the sunrise reflect off the gold dome of the state Capitol as well as witness a neighborhood renaissance. He gave up a house in Buckhead to be part of the rebirth. "I like the noise, the hubbub, the energy in the city, plus the idea of being a block away from where I work," he says.
    The Olympics was the catalyst for downtown to change its course. New streets, sidewalks, parks and plazas and, most importantly, residents infused the core with a new vibrancy. Now city planners want to leverage that new infrastructure and enthusiasm to accomplish nothing less than a multibillion- dollar reconstruction of the city center. Skeptics see many obstacles, including land prices, the perception of crime, local politics and a lack of leadership. "Those that doubt," says Mayor Bill Campbell, "are the same ones who doubted Atlanta would win the Olympic Games. We have been on such an incredible roll for such a long time, people are fearful it cannot be sustained." There's no doubt in Walker's mind that the momentum won't be lost. From his perspective, "It's like watching a thunderstorm rolling in off in the distance. There's no doubt it is coming; you just don't know when it is going to hit."