Avondale Master Plan Conceived by TSW Moves Forward

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution once again featured the downtown revitialization plan Tunnell-Spangler-Walsh & Associates worked on for Avondale Estates, a small city east of Atlanta, Georgia. The plan is on the way to becoming reality.

Avondale Estates plan almost set 
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
April Hunt
July 8, 2008

A plan to remake nearly four square blocks of Avondale Estates is expected to be ready by month’s end.

A developer wants to bring in condos, shops and a Publix grocery store.

Sticking points that have held up the long-planned redevelopment —- ranging from how the city will sell Lake Street to the height of the proposed project —- appear to finally be ironed out.

“We have agreed what we want and will accept and are trying to move this thing along as quickly as possible,” said City Manager Clai Brown.

Century Retail’s plan calls for leveling and rebuilding the area between Franklin Street and North Avondale Road, just west of Avondale’s Tudor Village downtown. The first phase calls for a 28,800-square-foot Publix to be built above shops.

But for the boutique grocery to open as planned in July 2009, the city and development must make their deals so DeKalb County can begin issuing the necessary permits.

Officials have been meeting since March, trying to get on the same page. A development agreement between the city and the developer is in a final draft between the city attorney and Brown.

“It is very critical to get everything worked out this month, and I do believe it will get done,” said Century Retail Vice President Nayef Haddad.

City officials see the project as a needed boost. Fees from the building permits alone could put tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of dollars into city coffers.

The City Commission next meets July 23 in a workshop session, though a special meeting on the agreement may be held earlier that week. The commission holds its regular meeting July 28.


Site plan by Century Retail / AG Armstrong

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