Tips from curious Atlantans have long been the lifeblood of this operation, and that’s more true than ever as development continues to explode across the ITP landscape.

Sometimes, however, tips lead to news of non-news and brick walls, so to speak.

Nonetheless, we thought the general, information-starved public might appreciate knowing where three recent tips from across the city have led. So far.

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Pipe dreams in Sweet Auburn

An enterprising tipster with an interest in a large, long-vacant Sweet Auburn parcel recently spotted surveyors on the site, approached them, and asked what was going on.

The response, per the tipster: a retail and residential mixed-use venture led by Mercy Care, a group of outreach clinics headquartered on nearby Decatur Street.

Not so fast.

Curbed Atlanta

At the southwest corner of Gartrell and Jackson streets, in the shadow of downtown Atlanta, the lot is indeed owned by Mercy Care’s parent hospital, Saint Joseph’s Health System.

But according to Mercy Care spokeswoman Diana Lewis, any work at the site is merely laying the foundation for a “dream project” the agency has just started exploring.

“We have a long road ahead of us,” Lewis wrote in an email to Curbed Atlanta. “Absolutely nothing concrete yet.”

City records indicate the wheels are turning on zoning variances at the site.

Curbed Atlanta

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Dowling at the Park

On Midtown’s 14th Street, a prime lot that’s been cleared and gated for years between Colony Square and Piedmont Park remains ... cleared and gated.

That’s despite a boutique condo proposal called Dowling at the Park, which has been applauded on these pages for its neoclassical design and restrained size that would have sacrificed an abundance of amenities for choice location.

But the eight-story concept could be D.O.A. With previously stated expectations of opening this fall, it’ll definitely be delayed, at least.

The project’s website is history, and officials with developer Kim King Associates did not return emails and calls this week asking for updates.

Another indication the proposal may have flatlined: It’s missing from Midtown Alliance’s thorough development map.

Designed by Kuo Diedrich, the Dowling promised park and city views, with heavyweight brandnames throughout the interiors, including Circa Lighting, Porcelanosa, and Kingdom Woodworks.

Condos were expected to begin at $1,650,000.

Dowling at the Park

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(More) potential self-storage near Atlantic Station

It’s still early in the process, but a project that could finally provide a walkable link between the Loring Heights neighborhood and Atlantic Station might also include a self-storage facility, a la Fuqua Development’s nearby chainfest.

The better news, per nearby residents: Development teams under contract on abandoned, postindustrial lots on Bishop Street (essentially behind Atlantic Station) are planning offices, retail, and apartments for the remaining two-thirds of acreage.

Attempts to reach project leaders in recent weeks have not been successful.