Tuesday, June 19, 2012
© Copyright 2013
Rockdale Citizen
Special to the Citizen This map shows the tract of land that will be developed as a healthy-living, mixed-use community, complete with YMCA, in Conyers.
CONYERS -- A 300-plus-acre mixed-used development billed as "New Choices for Conyers" was announced at a meeting of developers, architects and community leaders Monday night at the Corner Market.
The as-yet-unnamed development will be designed to promote healthy living and is expected to have the metro area's "Taj Mahal" of YMCAs as its centerpiece.
The development is under the auspices of 4 A International, which owns the property that lies south of Interstate 20 eastbound between Johnson and Parker roads. The development firm, which has owned the property for three decades, has put together a team of designers, engineers, marketing professionals and others to "explore ways to make the most of the property's unique natural assets and to provide a range of choices for healthy community living not currently available in this area," according to the project website at www.newchoicesforconyers.com.
Conyers Mayor Randy Mills, who gave opening remarks at Monday's meeting, said the tract of land for the project was considered one of three potential mall location sites in the 1980s. "We've been studying this site for about 25 years," he said.
Mills said the property lies at the core of the Conyers/Rockdale community.
"This truly is the heart of this community, and how it builds out will foretell the future of this community," he said.
In the two days following Monday's meeting, Bill de St. Aubin, an architect with the Sizemore Group in Atlanta, said he would lead a planning charrette in which 20 professionals with diverse backgrounds in engineering, environmental issues and other disciplines would meet to come up with a plan for the development. De St. Aubin said walkability and sustainability will be two of the guiding principles for the project.
The mixed-use community will have a town center, most likely located near Long Horn restaurant on Iris Drive, that will encompass about 40 acres. The proposed YMCA will require about 10 to 12 acres, and the remainder will be in green space and single-family housing.
De St. Aubin said the project will incorporate a mix of income levels and a variety of architectural styles in order to create an "authentic place."
The development is expected to generate approximately $600 million in construction industry dollars, de St. Aubin said. He noted that the project will benefit from the spinoff effect of the development of Baxter International, a pharmaceutical company planned for Newton County, and the expansion of the ports in Savannah.
Following the planning charrette, de St. Aubin said the project will be refined over the next month, followed by the Development of Regional Impact permitting process and the rezoning process. He said development could begin within four to six months.
Estin Hood, chief operating officer for the YMCA of Metro Atlanta, said a recent market study in Rockdale County showed a market penetration of 9.1 percent, compared to a 3 or 4 percent penetration rate in other communities, which he said is generally considered to be good. Hood said the study showed 6,000 potential YMCA members in Rockdale County.
"Given this study there is only one choice, and that is to go forward and build a YMCA for this community," he said.
Hood said he expected the YMCA to be built through a typical public/private partnership on land donated by 4 A or leased under a long-term agreement. In addition, Hood said the facility would likely be 60,000 to 65,000 square feet.
"Anything smaller than that and we are going to have people say 'let's build Phase II,'" he said.
Hood said he expected the YMCA project to take two years total, including fund-raising and construction.
More like this story
- Rockdale Citizen: Top 10 most viewed web stories in 2012 ( December 31, 2012 )
- Locals invited to help with charrette<br/> ARC heads regional planning for senior housing communities ( October 26, 2008 )
- Planners defer vote on large mixed-use development ( May 13, 2013 )
- Conyers to discuss proposed ordinance ( March 7, 2011 )
- Corner Market rezoning approved ( February 18, 2010 )
Comments
Rob 11 months ago
We have lost the battle for Rockdale County. I give up. Time to move! This all sounds like roses and sunshine but you MUST read between the lines with this "mixed-use" talk. These guys simply won't quit until Rockdale is officially an expansion of DeKalb. Gang, we have lost the battle!
Rob 11 months ago
I understand that most of you think I'm nuts. I just beg you do to your own research on these projects. How much of this land is owned by Mills or Marty Jones?, how many of these contracts will be filled by their buddies in the Rotary Club?. "Mixed Use" aka low income/government housing. Research Agenda 21. Research "sustainable development". The elite in Conyers and Rockdale have been pushing for these huge projects for years. The last time around it was discovered (but not proven) that friends of the politicians were going to get all the contracts. One council member even owned some of the property it was going to be built on! But besides all the corruption, just think of what will have to come next. Once you build this huge complex of "single family homes" so close to the Dekalb border just think of the next logical step, yep you guessed it MARTA! Things are never as they seem guys. This really isn't rocket science. First were fed carrots, then we are poked with the sticks!
martinbjones 11 months ago
Wish you would do some research of your own before trashing someone. Guess a couple minutes of your time is to much. I do not own any of the land. All of it is owned by 4A, which if you read the article you would understand. They also built and own The Corner Market Development, which anyone of average intellect would recognize as the best looking Commercial Development in the County. So, logic would suggest that any development that the owners of the property, 4A in this case, would mirror in Quality what is already there. That is how development works on the private side. And this is a private development. My number is in the book and I use my name when I post. Marty
wayne 11 months ago
Sic 'em
MsKito 11 months ago
"They also built and own The Corner Market Development," which has been practically empty since being built. When people see more buildings being built when so many other buildings are sitting empty, when house sales are as dismal as they are, they are going to be suspicious of the reasons for building such a complex.
heresyafacts 11 months ago
This isn't a private development if the YMCA is expecting the taxpayers to foot the construction bill.
Elmo 11 months ago
"Running" isn't the answer. Where the producers go, so follows the takers. If you have roaches you have two options: 1) take away the food, or (2) begin vigorous pest control. It won't stop if we run, that's what destroyed DeKalb county.
jshack 11 months ago
I have to agee with you on the runing part all it makes is the county weaker and the drive to work longer
heresyafacts 11 months ago
"De St. Aubin said the project will incorporate a mix of income levels and a variety of architectural styles in order to create an "authentic place."" Are there conceptualized drawings of this? I'm having trouble picturing what the ""Taj Mahal" of YMCAs" would look like. Also, are there plans to change that stretch of Iris Drive, Klondike Road, etc., from 2 to 4 lane or otherwise accomodate for increased traffic? If there's to be a major development put in that area, there needs to be ample roadway to prevent the kind of tie-ups seen at the Dogwood Drive/138 and other spots. I'm not against development that will grow and improve the West Avenue corridor --- but neither am I going to jump up and down about more housing and developments going up in Rockdale, where homes are already sitting empty and where we already have the blight of half-empty and shuttered buildings -- nor can I get excited about "a mix of income levels" which, quite frankly, being walking distance from the projects and other surrounding low-income areas, you're already going to have. Not so long ago, we were all supposed to be excited about the sharp increase in the number of car dealerships in Rockdale -- all that tax money!! -- now we have a nice little row of deteriorating buildings sitting in seas of cracking pavement greeting those entering Rockdale from the West. Again, yes some kind of development is needed -- but I hope those in charge are being far more wary than their predecessors. Rockdale needs industry and jobs far far more than housing and community centers.
heresyafacts 11 months ago
And another thing..."New Choices for Conyers"? As opposed to what?
buck 11 months ago
"but I hope those in charge are being far more wary than their predecessors. Rockdale needs industry and jobs far far more than housing and community centers."
These are the same people who made those decisions so expect more of the same!
maryinga 11 months ago
YMCA--Maybe......more housing--NO!
Sundance 11 months ago
I dont quite understand this. Is it mostly housing? if so, is it apartments, houses, or condos? will it be rentals? If so I vote against any new rental developments. If they are rentals, will it be eligible for government subsidization? We already have enough of that here. Also, I may be getting confused with another project, but didn't I read that they wanted to use this for a college or business incubator or something. I agree with Heresy. These guys need to spell it out with pictures. What is this piece of property going to be? Part housing part shopping center? Please have your reporters pretend that we have no clue what this is and explain it like we are small children. Right now if feels like we are being tricked.
noisewater4059 11 months ago
Does anyone find it a little ironic that a meeting about a huge new development was held in another development that's stood nearly empty for the past five years?
Mayor Mills, Highway 138 is littered with empty stores and shops: The movie theater/church, the DirectBuy, the "old" Publix in a few weeks, and dozens of smaller properties. It's not "healthy" development to drive more business away from 138 and Olde Towne. You're not doing your job by cheerleading for this without asking questions. And the newspaper needs to do what newspapers are supposed to do: Ask who will make money on this.... who might suffer.... why we're bulldozing open space and not filling vacant buildings.
Staci_Trebarwith 11 months ago
Put a Trader Joes there!
laburgess9 11 months ago
The last thing Conyers needs is another "development" that will attract the thugs from DeKalb County, and we certainly don't need any more housing. We're already overrun with vacant houses and ghetto-like complexes. West Avenue is depressing enough already with it's title pawn shops, liquor stores and used car dealerships. Imagine if you add a new development that will end up partially vacant or falling apart in 10 years.
Why not concentrate on making better use of the Parker Road complex, or filling the spaces in Corner Market first before adding any new projects? I'd also like to know more about 4 A International and exactly who it's investor-owners are. Why have they been sitting on this land for 30 years and just now decided to develop it?
I grew up in Conyers and moved back here a few years ago because it used to be the perfect community, and that's what I remembered. I've been holding out hope that things would turn around but it looks like things are only getting worse. Time to think about leaving like all the other good folks have.
jshack 11 months ago
Not all have left but its not the same place where I grewup
Elmo 10 months, 1 week ago
I hear we're soon to build another "basketball park" as soon as they destroy the landmark swimming pool. Gosh...I wonder who that's for?
gail 11 months ago
No one is buying homes, long-time residents are leaving and now we're building a ghetto. Shaking little grey head.......
Reese 11 months ago
I would much rather have a Lenora Park type park along with a YMCA, but I will never trust a mixed use community here in Rockdale. Mayor Mills and constituents, what Conyers DOES NOT need is more housing. We do not need Section 8 or any other kind of housing that allows people who have mastered the art of living off the taxpayers' money to habitate. In fact, if we are going to have more retail space, why not fill up the vacant space in Olde Town, put a business in the vacant movie theatre, or how about in what will be the old Publix on 138 or the old Brown Package Store and all the other spaces available in that newer strip mall that stays all but vacant, as well as filling up the available spaces at the Corner Market or in that aweful eyesore of a strip mall where Office Depot and where Caddy's/Daddy's and City Slicker's used to be. But NO housing!! No more retail space!!! And certainly, NEVER EVER, EVER MARTA.
Frustrated 11 months ago
What do you think it means when they say a "mix of income levels"? Everything from low cost apartments to affordable single family homes? I cant see putting apartments in the same develpment as high end houses, can you?
ctownslimm 11 months ago
Exactly. The only people that like mixed income living is the poor ones. We need to attract hard-working stable families. If we fix the schools and crime and make it easy to but forclosed houses, we will start to improve. I like the idea of a big park by the YMCA with a shopping complex that sells good clothes(gap Jcrew banana republic) and a Trader Joes or whole foods. Pier 1. NO No No to cheap apartments. If this is an apartment complex, no no no. we have enough!
heresyafacts 11 months ago
I'd love it, too, but there's not going to be a Trader Joe's in this area, anymore than there's going to be a Banana Rep or any other high end stores. The economics and demographics do not support it. Pier 1, though - I don't know why there isn't one closer to this area, though World Market couldn't tough it out so probably the same reasons. Agree on the low income influx -- we have all we can handle, in terms of strain on services/schools and accompanying crime. No more.
ctownslimm 11 months ago
If you really want this to work, buy all the land on Irwin Bridge road between Main street and Sigman and put this nice complex on that road frontage while replacing all those apartments and duplexes. That will displace a lot of crime and school discipline issues while putting in expensive developments to draw rich folks.
ClaytonBigsby 11 months ago
AMEN! That's what REALLY needs doing. That would be like excising a tumor from our town.
Clark 11 months ago
Gotta agree with that. It's time to renovate and densify what we already have and put an end to endless, mindless expansion, and bring people back to the core of the county. Prevent the expansion, and the law of supply and demand will dictate that development will be forced back into the core.
Elmo 10 months, 1 week ago
The "rich folks" will only serve as "prey" for the takers. I no longer look for political candidates promising "progress", but for those who are for stability, and security. Rockdale's leadership has gone nuts, spending their time looking for ways to fleece the citizens and spend our money for their new toys, then, hailing it as "progress". When the wheels fall off the wagon, the first job is repairing the wagon, not upholstering the seat.
ClaytonBigsby 11 months ago
The certainly have all of the fashionable verbiage du jour in the article: "healthy", "walkablity", "sustainability", "mix of income levels". Sheesh...I kept waiting to read the ol' worn out and trite "live-work-play".
I hope we're not being sold a bill of goods, but it smells like it. The above poster was right about the Corner Market--that should have been built closer to Olde Town; it's been a flop.
NitetimeinDaytime 11 months ago
Panera, Whole Foods/Fresh Market, nice restaurants? Yes!
Beauty Supply, We-buy-gold, another Walmart? No!
ctownslimm 11 months ago
You want to bring in some business? put an outlet mall there with bass pro shop. All kind of businesses will want in on that deal. Think of the draw we will have from the east metro. All of the land on West avenue will get bought up by good businesses. ANd hopefully the hotels by Dairy Queen
mrbill 11 months ago
Again, who or what is 4 A Development? Who are the owners? Are they a U.S. or foreign entity? I googled and am coming up empty.
mrbill 11 months ago
I meant 4 A International.
ClaytonBigsby 11 months ago
You know what's the real "stretch" in this article? The notion that expanding port traffic in Savannah is going touch Conyers in any way. I-20 doesn't go to Savannah; it's a death march from I-20 to Savannah through the pine trees and speed traps once you exit. The CSX corridor (that goes to Savannah in a roundabout way) through here is so lightly used that I'm shocked they don't sell it; it's already falling apart, and the State doesn't even have the green light or the funds to deepen the port.
What's a YMCA going to attract anyway? More of what we don't need any more of, i.e. renters and transients?
An ominous sign: what was the first business in the Corner Market? A darn nail salon if I remember correctly. God save us...
mrsG 11 months ago
Ask the people in Atlantic Station how they feel about "mixed use". Great community until the Section 8 housing was completed. Now, crime is high, they don't feel safe in their homes and would move - if they could sell. This is a BAD idea for the county.
heresyafacts 11 months ago
Atlantic Station also suffered when condos when in default, thanks to generous lending practices and spend-spend rappers and other "entrepreneurs" who wanted a tony address but lacked the long-term funds. Too bad, really. That could have been a good place and great example of a successful development.
mrbill 11 months ago
Okay, so I did some searching of the property tax records and found the ownership information. Interestingly, the mailing address is that of an attorney's office located in Atlanta. So I googled them and discovered they are a global entity with branches all over the world. The following information and web sites should help you get started on the search to discover just who actually owns this land, and why it may not matter how long it sits empty. OWNERSHIP INFORMATION Name FOUR A INTERNATIONAL LTD
Mailing Address DLA PIPER, LLP, C/O J LINDSAY STRADLEY J 1201 WEST PEACHTREE STREET SUITE 2800 ATLANTA, GA 30309 DLA Piper becomes first law firm to join Abu Dhabi sustainability grouphttp://www.dlapiper.com/dla-piper-becomes-first-law-firm-to-join-abu-dhabi-sustainability-group-06-13-2012/
http://www.dlapiper.com/uae/offices/abu_dhabi/ http://www.dlapiper.com/middleeast/news/detail.aspx?news=4136
wayne 11 months ago
You sic 'em, too!
heresyafacts 11 months ago
This story has left out the best part: according to another news source, the YMCA wants this to be a "public/private partnership," with the city/county picking up the 'estimated' (read: probably much higher) $18 million construction tab!! And then just handing it over to the YMCA for them to operate! No wonder they are touting this as the "Taj Mahal" of YMCAs -- when you're spending taxpayer money, you can make it as fancy and fabulous as you like, right? It's going to be the fanciest basketball hall in the metro.
INJUSTICE_FOR_ALL 11 months ago
ITS SAD.last one to leave ROCKDALE, PLEASE BRING THE FLAG.
Sundance 11 months ago
This whole thing is probably not a bad idea if they exclude low income renting. Make this thing nice and expensive. Too expensive for poor people. If you knuckleheads are willing to bet the future of our town on it, make it very high end and exclusive. Draw rich people in. not poor ones. Poor people do not spend money, they look for free stuff or ways to cheat the system.
ClaytonBigsby 11 months ago
Didn't the City pass a moratorium on apartments a while back? Now they just need to tax the living bejesus out of the rental properties that are here! Make it more economical to knock them down.
johndoemo_ 11 months ago
After reading this, I went to the corner market complex and drove around. It really is nice. I liked it a lot. The question I have is, why is it empty? I think I know but i do not want the city building anything else until they know exactly why this thing failed and then do things that will not repeat the mistakes. That place has a lot of potential. My personal opinion is that this county went wild with development that was affordable and attractive to people who are not community minded. There was a short term spike but we lost a lot of our contributors to white flight and they were not replaced with independent-minded families. ( a lot of urban transplants who do not know about suburb culture and how to keep things nice and work together) Parker road complex was built for businesses that would market toward all the folks that left 8 years ago.
ClaytonBigsby 11 months ago
Heck, they foolishly built, you guessed it, APARTMENTS right behind the thing! I hope the new development can be something like Clark's Grove in Covington, but sheesh--a YMCA as the "centerpiece"? Years ago YMCA's were known to rent rooms to "passers through" and other types; isn't it now just sort of a charity gymnasium? I'm aghast about the whole thing, but I pray something will come forth to change my mind. Do we have the sewage treatment capacity for it? Way too much rock on that property for septic; I know--we used to rent it to graze cattle 30+ years ago.
INJUSTICE_FOR_ALL 11 months ago
JOHNDO, SPOT ON.
lakeridge 11 months ago
At least I get a chance to say no to the transportation tax. If I wanted to live in a mixed use neighborhood Id go live in Forest Villa or Country Walk. I say NO to new chioices but I guess it aint up to me. NIX the Mix and ban Middle Eastern developement in Rockdale. Theres a YMCA at Wesley Chapel so why cant folks go there? Its right in the mix. Its right by the mosque.
INJUSTICE_FOR_ALL 11 months ago
MISSING ZO, WHERE YOU AT?
no_reply_at_all 9 months, 2 weeks ago
"mixed use" equals GOVERNMENT HOUSING PROJECT, CRIME, DRUGS, WELFARE QUEENS
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