Time to Grow

from ATL Summer/Fall 2021

by Atlanta Airport Publications, LLC

Time to Tango

By Bill Baldowski

The Dwarf House

In his book, “The Little Black Book of Economic Development,” author Don Allen Holbrook said local leadership remains the key element to such progress within their communities. “World class communities come in all shapes and sizes,” he said. “They are not determined by geography or natural resources so much as by the mindset of local leadership.” Municipalities within the Hartsfi eld Jackson Atlanta International Airport area are continuing to lead the way in their communities’ quest for economic development with such projects as single-family residential homes, large scale apartment complexes and small and large business expansion. In College Park, Economic Development Program Manager Tasha Hall-Garrison said economic development allows what she described as a liaison between the city and businesses or corporations, a liasion which will help the city grow. The city’s Six West development continues to be the main project as it has sold out its fi rst and second phases, Hall-Garrison said. In addition, the city and the project developer are working to complete the infrastructure for entrance to Six West. College Park First United Methodist Church, in partnership with the city and the Industrial Development Authority, is redeveloping its property to create “Diamond at College Park,” a project which will include art studios and art spaces as well as owneroccupied housing located behind the College Park MARTA station. In addition, College Park, through an EPA Brownfi eld grant, is acquiring property at the head waters of the Flint River to develop as a nature preserve. East Point Economic Development Director Maceo Rogers said the reason that economic development is so important is that it re-enforces the quality of living by creating jobs and investments in that community, “which enhances the community’s tax base and allows a community to develop sidewalks, parks, lighting, water and sewer improvements plus other amenities.” East Point is working on a $7 million investment, scheduled for completion this fall-a Home Depot fulfi llment center in the Camp Creek business center that will create 348 jobs, Rogers said.

In ad-

dition, the city is also working to bring a 250,000 square foot Microsoft data center into the Camp Creek Market Place off Ben Hill Road. This would not only be good for the city’s economy as East

925 Virginia Ave/Hapeville In

Time To Grow Continued from p 38 Point would be the power source for the center but it would also bring worldwide recognition to the city due to Microsoft’s worldwide notoriety, Rogers said. The city has also developed an agricultural plan that, according to Rogers, will allow residents to not only grow their own fruits and vegetables but would

The Home Depot in East Point

create an ecosystem, bringing people together while providing greater nutrition for city residents. Hapeville is likely best known as the home of the Hapeville Dwarf House which was opened in 1946 by the late Truett Cathy. The restaurant closed this past April to undergo a complete remodeling with plans to reopen later this year under the same name-with a look and design that not only honors its past but elevates it into the future. David Burt, economic development consultant with Hapeville, said two other developments are also on the horizon. One is a planned town-home development

Six West/College Park

with plenty of greenspace along Willingham Drive. The second project is being done in conjunction with the company South City Partners, who are looking to build a luxury apartment complex on North Central Ave. with domed retail space in the development near the I-75 corridor. Union City’s economic development department deems the city as one of Atlanta’s fastest growing business communities and the department aspires to do its part in continuing this trend. In the past three years, a total of $800 million in new valuation was permitted and approximately 2,300 commercial and residential permits were issued in Union City. Some of the residential developments taking place include three subdivisions: Stonewall Station, Chatteron Place and Bentley Ridge. Other residential developments include Parks at Pine Valley, Enclave Parkway Villages, Union Station and more.

Commercial development activity includes ASOS, Atlanta Metro Studios, Amazon, Coca Cola, DHL, Kraft, Proctor & Gamble, Walmart E-Commerce and other major corporations, bringing an estimated $600 million dollars in investment and approximately 7,000-8,000 jobs to the local economy. New automotive dealerships such as Audi and Jaguar and the addition of Aldi’s, a new grocery store, also enhance the city’s economy.

Village Walk/Hapeville

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As you can see, all the cities are encouraging a strong balance of attractive and safe residential neighborhoods, thriving commercial centers and diverse manufacturing and employment opportunities. Outside the ATL Airport District, the City of South Fulton has several developments-the opening of a Publix grocery store, a city town center located in an 800-acre location off Camp Creek Parkway and a planned “Avalon type” project, encompassing a Before being shuttered by Ford in 2006, the 200-acre site along the Chattahoochee River which Atlanta Assembly operated for 59 years on includes residential housing and 100,000 square the Hapeville site where Porsche’s HQ and feet of commercial space with restaurants and other test track now stands. businesses along the river.