Covington Town Center beginning to show cutting-edge promise

By Tom Spigolon tspigolon@covnews.com

Covington Town Center saw the opening of a supermarket and its first hotel and restaurants this year as its long-sought promise of nationally-known places to eat and shop closer to most Newton County-area residents begins to come to fruition.

A number of regionally and nationally known food chains and retailers also are planning locations in the $300 million, mixed-use development that spans 180 acres between Alcovy and City Pond roads and Georgia Hwy. 142 near I-20 in Covington.

South Carolina-based, The Foxfield Co. is the master developer and anchors for the project are three national chain hotels and a 63,000-square-foot Publix supermarket.

In addition to Residence Inn, which opened earlier this year, other hotels planning locations are Staybridge Suites and Courtyard by Marriott.

A 350-unit apartment complex has opened with an additional 625 townhomes on the drawing boards.

Harry Kitchen of The Foxfield Co. originated the plan for the project. He said Foxfield is developing something others in Metro Atlanta are trying to achieve — a true “live-work-play” development that is filled with “best in class” companies in the lodging, housing and retail industries.

“What makes it unique is the mix of tenants that we have,” Kitchen said. “It is a one of a kind project.”

At buildout, the area around I-20 and Alcovy Road will see more than 34,000 vehicle trips per day to Covington Town Center, Kitchen said.

He estimated about 1,800 jobs will be created amid its final development cost of $350 million.

More than four miles of sidewalks and walking trails are slated to be available for residents and visitors to access shopping and other amenities, he said. About 29 acres of common area will feature natural woodland and lakes.

‘UNDEVELOPABLE’ SITE

Years of planning and development of a site formerly deemed “undevelopable” by some preceded the start of construction.

Foxfield bought the site in 2016 and has been actively planning and developing the project for almost six years since mid-2017.

It moved just under 1 million yards of dirt, including 160,000 yards of rock, in completing the grading for the previously vacant site, Kitchen said.

The city of Covington spent more than $1 million on such infrastructure as gas mains and lighting for the project by early 2020. Covington City Council also voted in early 2020 to waive $1 million in permitting costs and water and sewer tap fees along with $456,000 electric infrastructure costs to spur construction of the complex. Kitchen said

The company had originally planned office space in the area and considered a movie theater, as well. But Kitchen said he added more residential uses after demand subsided for public movie-going and new office space in the midst of the pandemic.

Apartments

Landmark Properties’ The Cove at Covington Town Center apartment community opened in mid-2022. The 350-unit, market-rate property at 12301 Town Center Blvd. helps fill a serious need for more housing for area industrial employees — many of whom commute from as far away as Augusta, according to local industrial recruiters.

Residence Inn by Marriott officially opened its new hotel at 12120 Town Center Blvd. on March 23 with a ribbon cutting. The hotel, which opened for business in January, includes six floors and encourages weeklong stays. It offers 123 suites for about $185 a night with full kitchens; outdoor swimming pool and patio with grills; and a putting green and fitness center.

General Manager Randy Money said earlier this year, “We look forward to developing long-term relationships with the many businesses in the area and are excited to welcome guests from all over the world who wish to explore Covington’s parks, natural scenery and movie production world.”

Batteries Plus, Metro Brokers real estate office, Avalon Nails and SportsClips are some other service providers and retailers that have opened since the first of this year.

National Chinese fast-food chain Panda Express opened earlier this year as the first restaurant to operate along the half-mile strip of outparcels fronting Alcovy Road.

WNB Factory also recently opened in the 14,000-square-foot retail center adjacent to Publix supermarket. The new location at 12651 Town Center Drive, Suite 113, is the chain’s 64th store in Georgia and 82nd overall, said Robert Bales of WNB Factory.

Looking Ahead

A wide variety of dining options are planned along Alcovy Road where eight other restaurant companies have closed deals to open locations, Kitchen said.

The restaurants include Whataburger, which is planning a 24-hour location. The popular chain has caused traffic jams whenever it opens.

Others include Jim ‘N Nick’s Community Bar-B-Q; Zaxby’s; Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers; Dunkin Donuts; Arby’s; Huey Magoo’s Chicken Tenders; and Amici.

Nationally known convenience store chain QuikTrip plans to open a new store near the corner of Alcovy and City Pond roads by early 2024, said Aisha Jefferson-Smith, QuikTrip’s corporate communications manager.

“QuikTrip is excited to bring our signature commitment to quality and friendly customer service, and 20 new, good-paying jobs, to Covington,” she said.

The complex already has spawned additional nearby development unrelated to Covington Town Center, including a 395-unit apartment complex on City Pond Road. Developer Emory Equity LLC is the developer and said the 39-acre complex would connect via roadways, sidewalks and trails to Covington Town Center.