Amsterdam Walk controversy reveals rift over Atlanta's urban-planning identity

Amsterdam Walk controversy reveals rift over Atlanta's urban-planning identity

A plan to transform a low-rise retail strip just east of Piedmont Park into a dense, mixed-use complex with 1,100 apartments and about 150,000 square feet of new shops and offices has become the latest flashpoint in Atlanta’s ongoing debate over growth, transit, and housing affordability. Tensions came to a head last week, when the Atlanta City Council, by a narrow 8-6 vote, approved Portman Holding’s application to rezone the Amsterdam Walk pro…