Provided by S.J. Collins Enterprises

The developer behind North Decatur Square, a mixed-use development that will include a 365 by Whole Foods store just outside of Decatur, invited the community’s input on a one-and-a-third acre “public space.”

On Monday, Sept. 19, the first renderings of what that public space will look like will be revealed.

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The Sizemore Group has been handling the community engagement process for developer S.J. Collins Enterprises. An email about the Sept. 19 meeting says, “After the feedback, we are excited to see the design concepts and hope you will join us. The meeting will take place Monday, Sept. 19 at 6 p.m.”

The meeting will be held at North Decatur United Methodist Church, located at 1523 Church Street, Decatur.

The meeting announcement says, “Help us prioritize landscaping and tree types that will best suit the space. Provide your opinion on benches, pavers, and other finishes to make this a space you will enjoy.”

The DeKalb County Planning Commission recently approved zoning applications for the project, which will be located at North Decatur Road and Church Street.  A special land use permit would allow for a bank with a drive-through. The developer has dropped a request for a restaurant with a catering drive through. North Decatur Square will also have 200 to 300 apartment units.

A certain percentage of those units will be “workforce housing” geared to lower income residents – like teachers, police officers and firefighters – who might not otherwise be able to afford to live in the area. S.J. Collins did receive $1.8 million in tax breaks from the Decide DeKalb Development Authority to support the project. Most of the taxes abated will be property taxes, according to a fiscal impact analysis of the project.

If the County Commission approves the project, the shopping center is expected to be open by spring of 2018.

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