Sandy McGrew

COMING SOON!

Crystal Lagoon Brings Recreation, Entertainment Options to Canton

BY SANDY MCGREW

Crystal Lagoon is bringing a 2.5-acre artificial lagoon, featuring crystal-clear freshwater and sandy beaches, to Canton. The location will be in the Riverstone area, and bound on three sides by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Reinhardt College Parkway and Riverstone Boulevard. The projected opening is 2023.

The lagoon is part of a 22-acre project that will beckon families to relax, play, meet with friends, shop, dine and get some exercise. The opportunities will include attending concerts, outdoor markets, festivals and seasonal light displays.

More than a summer destination, the development will include restaurants, retail, a wedding peninsula, an amphitheater, corporate meeting space and office suites, as well as residential options: approximately 200 owner-occupied upscale condominiums. The condos will range from 1,200 to 2,500 square feet, with prices starting at $300,000. This project truly is the first of its kind for Cherokee County. The developer estimates nearly 300 new jobs will be created for the area. Some will be seasonal, but most will be year-round, full-time positions.

Many people wonder how the water will be kept pristine. It’s done through a patented technology that uses a system of pulses of disinfectant that decrease the amounts of chemicals needed, compared with a conventional pool. The specific patterns of released disinfectant are determined by algorithms.This

also should decrease the amounts of harmful chemicals that dissipate into the atmosphere.

The property will have 24hour security, along with constant monitoring of general maintenance and property cleaning needs. The parking will circle the venue, rather than having one huge rectangle of pavement that contributes to run-off issues and heat absorption.

The Riverstone properties have been zoned PD-MU (Planned Development-Mixed Use) for more than 20 years, which allows commercial and residential development. The property owners needed a master plan amendment approval, because the residential component had not been included in the original approved submission.

Just north of Crystal Lagoon, on the same site, will be a separate 28acre development of 270 detached rental cottages and rental townhomes. A variety of one-story one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom cottages will be a unique product for our market.

The cottage community developer, Avanta, a Hunt company, is designed to provide options for people who want a home, but don’t want to buy, crossing generations and income levels. Amenities will include a pool, exercise room, clubhouse, dog park, trails, playgrounds, fire pits and greens for lawn games. A walkway will connect the community to Crystal Lagoon.

At this writing, the price points have not been determined, but the developer suggests that it will be within the means of our workforce residents, and rents will be comparable to Canton’s affordable median income (AMI).

In January, Canton City Council approved a road map to guide growth and development. These two projects tick 21 boxes in the plan. We will continue to compare projects to the road map to make sure they fit our vision for the future. For more details of the road map, visit www.cantonga. gov/government/city-council/city-ofcanton-roadmap

When the development is open for business, Canton, Cherokee County and surrounding areas will have a unique venue for exercise, recreation, entertainment, dining, shopping and professional opportunities.

The lagoon is part of a 22-acre project that will beckon families to relax, play, meet with friends, shop, dine and get some exercise.

Sandy McGrew served on the Cherokee Arts Council board for five years and currently serves on the Canton City Council.