Construction will start on the Georgia Square Mall redevelopment project this summer, developer Mark Jennings and designer Jon Williams told an Athens-Clarke County committee overseeing the project.
Williams said his firm, W&A Engineering, has filed plans for the first phase of the project, which involves tearing down most of the existing mall except Belk and the central portion, and replacing the wings with new commercial and residential buildings. Phase one also includes roads, stormwater infrastructure and greenspace. Williams said he expects to pull land disturbance permits July 1 and begin demolition by the end of the summer. Construction will take 18–24 months.
About 80% of the mall’s current tenants want to stay during construction and beyond, Jennings said. Some may have to relocate within the remaining portion of the mall. Their rents may increase, but the new development will also bring them more customers. “It’s business,” he said. “Anytime you make an investment this substantial, things have to change. But we’re working with them.”
Subsequent phases will include more commercial and office space and apartments, senior living units, single-family homes and a transfer station for Athens Transit. All told, the $650 million development will include 1,200 housing units and 70,000 square feet of new commercial space.
The project is being subsidized by $189 million in future tax revenue that will be generated by new development over the next 20 years. In return, Jennings agreed to build the transfer station and provide space for child care and the Boys & Girls Club in the new development, as well as include more amenities like bike lanes and greenspace that were not included in previous plans but residents and officials asked for. In addition, 10% of the rental units will be reserved for low-income residents at below-market rates.
Because tax dollars are involved, Jennings and Williams are reporting regularly to the ACC Economic Development Department and a group of Westside residents and business owners appointed by Mayor Kelly Girtz called the Tax Allocation District Advisory Committee-Mall Area.
Williams also provided an update on the child care space: It will be occupied by Extra Special People, an Oconee County nonprofit for children with developmental disabilities. There is a need for a location in Clarke County because some parents are unable to transport their children to Watkinsville, Williams said. He said the Clarke County School District has signed off on the deal.
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