This is a series that will bring to life the serious issues going on upon and around "Martin Luther King Jr Drive" In Atlanta and the various communities that it passes though on the west side of the ATL. There have been so many news reports recently detailing the drama that goes on in these communities. I decided to take a drive down this strip which as been named after a great American to see if his question "Where Do We Go From Here?" has been adequately acted upon.
Today the wife told me that she would pick up the kids from school and take the to practice. Thus I got my opportunity to do my exploration during the daylight hours. Perfect for picture taking. (Unfortunately I had my camera phone rather than my 70x zoom camera.)
I decided to break up the pictures that I took into separate posts.
The Paschal Motor Lodge
This requires a setup.
This requires a setup.These pictures actually angered me upon seeing the present condition of this property.
The Paschal Hotel and Restaurant is a landmark on the civil rights trail. During the time when Dr King was alive the original restaurant that was a building across the street hosted many breakfast and lunchtime strategy sessions.
When I first moved to Atlanta 20 years ago the hotel and the restaurant were still operating. I attended several fraternity events in the building and ate the famous fried chicken from the restaurant.
Some time since this time and 6 years ago - Clark Atlanta University purchased the property.
About 6 years ago the university fielded a plan to raze the property and construct a new student dormitory building.
This plan drew outrage from the Atlanta Civil Rights Establishment. They told of how such a plan was insensitive to the Black Civil Rights History in Atlanta. This symbol of our freedom struggle was going to be taken away for the sake of housing young people seeking an education for their future. The audacity of it all!!!
Various "elected activists" promised to block the demolition permit. At some point our great leader - Rep John Lewis swept in to the rescue. He was able to grab some funding that would allow a neighboring restaurant - "The Busy Bee" to take over the restaurant and thus keep this civil rights monument a viable going concern.
The abandoned state of this property today is symbolic of my view about the state of the "Civil Rights Establishment" today. They focused more about retaining the hollow shell of the past instead of incubating the future "professional service providers" who will assume important roles in our community in the future.
Fast forward to today. The fiscal position of Clark Atlanta University, per the current state of the economy, means that they likely don't have the resources to resume their progressive plans for the land that was once upon the table.
I was happy to see that the original "Busy Bee" restaurant was still in operation a few doors east of Paschals.
My frustration with "the Black Press" is also evident in this fiasco. Those who stood behind the Civil Rights Establishment to defend this important landmark as they were sold on the new restaurant taking over the place - they never seem to follow up years later to check to see if what they were promised actually was delivered.
Yes there was an effective block that was made. The real question that must be asked is "Was the community's best interests served? As now you have plywood over the windows and an eyesore of an edifice that is not being used and not generating property taxes for their fair city.
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