By: Audrey Pfitzner
On March 7, Athens-Clarke County Commission will vote on Mayor Kelly Girtz’s 400-million-dollar proposal for the redevelopment of Georgia Square Mall, which aims to bring affordable housing and various retail opportunities to the community.
The proposal to redevelop the 75-acre establishment includes the addition of multi-use trails, central green space, a new transit station, and a dense approach to residential buildings, including approximately 1200 homes. This renovation aims to revitalize and attract more positive attention to the west side of Athens
“What I really want to emphasize is that this is going to create a new west side town center environment that is going to stand the test of time for a century,” Girtz said.
At a press conference held on the University of Georgia’s campus, Girtz recognized that Athens is “clearly a housing challenged community” and the redevelopment project plans to address the issue.
The Athens-Clarke County metro area has experienced the greatest shift from housing availability to housing shortage between 2012 and 2019, according to the national group “Up for Growth”. Athens saw the surplus housing cushion that it once held diminish rapidly. The redevelopment plan is slated to provide housing to low-income families with 10% of the rentals permanently affordable at 80% of area median income.
Girtz acknowledged that there is no single solution to the housing dilemma facing the community. “No one project is going to get you everything you need,” Girtz said when asked about how he would ensure affordable housing options.
Along with housing, the proposal targets the revival of retail and attraction at Georgia Square Mall. In recent years the mall has suffered from the influx of online retailers and lack of in person consumerism. Three out of the four anchor tenants are now vacant, only Belk remains.
The development team is inviting back all current existing businesses to stay throughout the redevelopment but will also be curating small businesses owned by minorities and women. Most of the businesses that are going to be on the property will be privately owned, with the exception being the public owned transit station.
The proposal aims to bring a new life to the westside of Athens, and to get optimal usage out of the space to benefit the community.
The vote, regarding $189 million in tax revenues, is quickly approaching, but Girtz remains positive about its approval. Girtz said, “I remain positive and that’s how I get things done”.
Girtz has remained transparent with the community throughout the process. A public input session will be held Thursday, March 2, to ensure the community’s understanding of the proposal.
Why I Wrote the Story:
The redevelopment of Georgia Square Mall is set to revitalize the west side of Athens, bringing affordable housing and retail opportunities to the community. When Mayor Kelly Girtz came to the University of Georgia campus to discuss the redevelopment proposal, it was very timely for the story and prominent to the Athens community. Through my work on this story, I was able to develop skills such as learning how press conference’s function and how to ask questions in a professional environment. I also gained a better understanding on observing mannerisms and note-taking.