Clifton Community Partnership

Five Questions article:
Five Questions: Lyle Green, lead architect with Cooper Carry, the firm designing Emory's mixed use project
May 29, 2008
Source: Community Partnership Update/February 2008

1.Emory is planning a new mixed use project on Clifton Road, across from the CDC. Tell me why this project is unique.

This project is unique for the Clifton Road area because it’s going to provide retail, restaurants and services for local residents – especially the thousands of people who work and study on Clifton Road. But it’s also going to provide homes for Emory employees and others who don’t live nearby but would like to. Local employees will be able to walk and bike to work and lunch. Most people cannot do that now because there are no other comprehensive projects like this in the area.

2.What’s currently on the site for this project?

Phase one of the project will be developed where the former Protestant radio station was located and where the current Turner graduate housing sits. Phase two will be adjacent to the first phase on what is currently the Emory Inn site.

3.How will the design of this project fit with the properties around it?

We’ve been encouraged to look at the broader adjacent properties on Clifton Road, some of which are under Emory’s control, to develop a synergy between the retail, transportation and employment needs, as well as the new housing. The “urban fabric” for this project – pedestrian and transit connections like streets and walkways – will connect with local existing properties like the Emory Conference Center Hotel and the American Cancer Society building. This will also help the thousands of employees and students in the area to access the project without getting into a vehicle.

4.Will this project be integrated with the urban design guidelines for the Clifton corridor that are currently are under development by the CCP and Emory?

My Cooper Carry team is working closely with Goody Clancy, the urban design firm leading that effort, to assure a seamless fit between this project and the emerging design guidelines.

5.What excites you about this project?

Professionally, this is a true mixed use project that is ideal to work on from a creative standpoint. On a personal level, I’m a native Atlantan and have many friends in the Emory community. I want this project to be something they are proud of and for it to be a first-class model for mixed use projects in Atlanta.