SunTrust Parking Lot Owner Explains the Booting Situation

by Chris Fogg

It's been a bit difficult for me since I took over the slightly worn out SunTrust building in East Atlanta. I feel a lot of people think we are the evil parking empire and I want to clear the air of a couple things.

At the moment the parking is for 514 Flat Shoals Ave. only and for customers, employees or clients of 514 Flat Shoals Ave. We have something like 30-38 parking spots. We have over 40 employees upstairs every day not including SunTrust, LIT Realty or any of our respective clients and customers. If you add it up there isn't enough room in the parking lot for the building employees.

I have been in the process of fixing up an old, unmanaged building, renovations, growing a company, moving and raising a nine-month-old daughter. We have yet to see a year pass and we are just now finished with the renovation on the inside. Now we need to take a look at the outside. The parking is for the tenants of 514 Flat Shoals Ave. I wasn't and never really thought about trying to run or manage a parking lot. Having said that, I'm trying to work out something with Joe's East Atlanta Coffee Shop so they can get some short term parking. Not sure how that will work out yet.

I'm giving David his $75 back out of my own pocket. The booting company gets paid. I do not. Also, I hate booting and I thought it a bit unreasonable that the guy couldn't see he was just there for a few minutes using the ATM and grabbing a coffee. Having said that, there are numerous signs stating that it's for patrons of 514 Flat Shoals only and I haven't worked out anything with the booting company in regards to how long someone can go into Joe's before it's a problem.

Again, I don't run a parking lot.

Lastly, if there is a way we can help out the community besides the large amount of taxes we pay,  the 15 employees and 90+ contractors who come in every month and the dozens that have moved here from other parts of Atlanta to be closer to work, who also use the restaurants, shops, bars and everything else here in East Atlanta, I'm more than open for suggestions. I live in the community, work in the community, eat here, play here.  I'm raising a family here and paying taxes here.

I want the other businesses in East Atlanta to survive, too.

Mr. Fogg, who lives in Glenwood Park, runs an audiobook and audio post production company in East Atlanta Village.