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Avondale Estates announces major Western Gateway plan

Avondale Estates Business Decatur

Avondale Estates announces major Western Gateway plan

South City Partners rendering
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South City Partners rendering

South City Partners rendering

By Dena Mellick, Associate editor

Avondale Estates has announced a major redevelopment project at the western entrance to the city which borders Decatur.

A city email said award-winning South City Partners approached the city with a plan to redevelop the 3.17-acre parcel of East College Ave. between Hillyer Ave. and Sams Crossing. The city of Avondale Estates annexed the Western Gateway area from Maple Street to Sams Crossing to extend the city limits.

“This is a big project. Probably the biggest we’ve seen in a while,” Mayor Jonathan Elmore told Decaturish.

The city email said, “The draft project proposal features a vertical mixed-use project with approximately 10,000 square feet of podium retail/restaurant space on the ground floor, approximately 175 residential units in four stories above, over one acre of open space, including a gateway park, which will preserve the mature trees, a rear parking deck with additional on-street parking and generous sidewalks and street trees to enhance the pedestrian experience. If approved, the project could serve as an economic catalyst for the area signaling the start of new investment in the City.

“It’s great news for the city,” Mayor Jonathan Elmore said. “Architecturally it’s a really good-looking building. It’s mixed-use. We’re really excited about it.”

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A rendering of the Western Gateway Development Plan by South City Partners.

A rendering of the Western Gateway Development Plan by South City Partners.

Draft renderings and a site layout are on the city’s website. South City Partners will be presenting the plan at the Board of Mayor and Commissioners Work Session on Wednesday, Feb. 24, at 5:30 p.m.

“My whole thing is responsible growth,” Elmore said. “From what I can see of their drawings, this is what we’re talking about: more urban, a mixed-use development. The buildings are kind of up tight on the street to create that edge. The parking is concealed for the most part. It’s very contemporary, and I think it will be very appealing to a broad range of folks. As an architect, I can say it’s a really good-looking building. It’s contemporary which I like, and it will be a good addition.”

Elmore said there will be time for public comment and review but added, “Hopefully they can get started before the development at Avondale MARTA. It may just be symbolic, but we’d like to break ground before they do.”

Elmore said he hoped the major project was the first of many in Avondale Estates. “It will be a clear indicator that we’re growing and open for business and we’re looking for good development. It sends a message,” Elmore said.

The city email said, “The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) awarded South City Partners two out of three project specific 2015 Development of Excellence Awards. The first is for Revival on Main in Kennesaw for the Livable Centers Initiative (LCI) Achievement Award and the second features Inman Quarters in Atlanta for Exceptional Merit for Context-Sensitive Urban Infill Development.”

Here is the full press release:

South City Partners Approaches City of Avondale Estates with Western Gateway Development Plans

The City of Avondale Estates strives to promote and implement high-quality redevelopment in the Central Business District and Citywide. The Western Gateway area from Maple Street to Sams Crossing was annexed into the City to extend this effort to the logical City limits. The 2014 Downtown Master Plan community planning activities and the final Downtown Master Plan document approved by the Board of Mayor and Commissioners included plans for the redevelopment and enhancement of the entrance to the City.

Award winning South City Partners has approached the City with the intent of redeveloping the 3.17-acre parcel on the north side of East College Avenue between Hillyer Street and Sams Crossing. The draft project proposal features a vertical mixed use project with approximately 10,000 square feet of podium retail/restaurant space on the ground floor, approximately 175 residential units in four stories above, over one acre of open space, including a gateway park, which will preserve the mature trees, a rear parking deck with additional on-street parking and generous sidewalks and street trees to enhance the pedestrian experience. If approved, the project could serve as an economic catalyst for the area signaling the start of new investment in the City. The draft renderings and site layout can be found on the City website. South City Partners will be presenting at the Board of Mayor and Commissioners Work Session on Wednesday, February 24, at 5:30 p.m.

The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) awarded South City Partners two out of three project specific 2015 Development of Excellence Awards. The first is for Revival on Main in Kennesaw for the Livable Centers Initiative (LCI) Achievement Award and the second features Inman Quarters in Atlanta for Exceptional Merit for Context-Sensitive Urban Infill Development. Read more about these awards on the ARC website. ARC’s Development of Excellence awards recognizes projects that exemplify cutting-edge, livable design that enhances the surrounding community.

About the City of Avondale Estates
Located just seven miles east of Atlanta, Avondale Estates is a dynamic and growing city, and a community of good neighbors who embrace local businesses, great ideas and big opportunities.

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Dena Mellick

Dena Mellick is the Associate Editor of Decaturish.com.

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