DEAR CHRISSY: I’m curious as to what the development taking place is going to be on interstate 75 west side between Howell Mill and Northside exit... Old Castlegate hotel location.

I've heard the budget inn at the howell mill / 75 exit has been sold as well. any ideas as to what will take place in that location? ~ Eric in Atlanta

DEAR ERIC: Sources say a Wal-mart is planned to go in place of the Old Castlegate Hotel. The Wal-Mart will anchor a 300,000-square-foot Selig Enterprises shopping center -- the 17-acre development also will feature 280 apartment units. Selig tried to get Costco, Sams and Home Depot all to lease space, however they shied away.

Instead, a compact, 150,000-square-foot Wal-Mart will take up one level of the shopping center. More retailers and parking will be on levels above.

As for the Budget Inn, Sembler a group out of Florida has assembled a total of 3 acres (including the tire store). It will be another mixed use development and sources say that a major national restaurant chain, owned by McDonald’s Corporation is looking at the site....nothing is firmed up yet though.

I will keep you posted!

DEAR CHRISSY: I am curious about all the Development on Atlanta Road at 285 and Atlanta Road (retail and commercial) and the East West Connector (John Wieland development).

DEAR ELIZABETH: Can you believe all the land they are clearing over there -- its actually a total of 50 acres and its called West Village, here are some stats below:

ABOUT WEST VILLAGE

• West Village will be built in three phases. Phase 1 will have 63,000 square feet of retail on 44 acres plus 550 residences of condos, townhouses and detached single-family homes. Phase 2, consisting of 400 condos near I-285, will be built as market demands. Phase 3 will consist of 20 townhouses and 80,000 square feet of retail.
• Partners are the Pacific Group of Atlanta, which negotiated with 46 property owners to assemble the tract; Branch Properties of Atlanta; and the Highlands Companies of Alpharetta.
• Developers spent $1 million on demolition and site cleanup and plan to spend $1.3 million on landscaping.
• Starting prices are $200,000 for condos, $400,000 for townhomes and $600,000 for detached homes.
• Cobb County waived $800,000 in permitting fees as an incentive. It will get $300,000 in fees.

the john weiland development is townhomes from the $300's to $600's, complete with their own elevators. As far as the retail, shops are already opening up - from Vinings own eye doctor and chiropractor, to our very own authentic North Deli shop! Stop by today to check it out :)

It should spell some great things for our area - basically it’s like another vinings jubilee! Keep the questions coming!

DEAR CHRISSY: Can you tell me about the new Pulte Development at Cumberland Parkway and Orchard Road.

DEAR ELIZABETH: This is one of Pulte’s newest developments boasting 3 story- 3 car garage townhomes in the heart of the highly sought after Vinings area. The name of the community is James Creek, starting in the mid $300’s and will offer:

• Very exclusive and private with only 28 homesites.
• 4 sided brick and stone townhomes.
• 7 miles from the heart of Buckhead and only minutes from Vinings Jubilee.
• Never before seen floor plans and luxury options.
• Just minutes from I-285, East-West Connector, and Paces Ferry Road.

DEAR CHRISSY: I was wondering what is happening to Jonquil Plaza in Smyrna.

DEAR SMYRNA ADVOCATE: Smyrna is ready to redevelop areas flanking its town center. This time, it will use public money to lure private developers. The targeted area covers 140 acres along Atlanta Road, the north-south highway that bisects the city. City Administrator Wayne Wright said the goal is to expand Smyrna's village concept by replacing aging 1950s-era shopping centers (i.e Jonquil Plaza) and adding single-family houses. The designated area extends from Concord Road to Windy Hill Road.

To fund the redevelopment, Smyrna has the approval of local taxing bodies to designate the 140 acres as a tax allocation district and raise $30 million. The concept freezes all real estate taxes for homes and businesses in the specified area. Bonds are issued to raise money for construction preparation, then theoretically are paid off by the higher taxes from the redeveloped portion of the district.

Belmont Hills and Jonquil Plaza, bookend the area now marked for redevelopment.

"When [the city] got started, Smyrna along Atlanta Road was in really bad shape," said Commissioner Thompson. "The buildings were very small and run-down. There was no parking, and the buildings were right out on the street. Most of the time when you have old buildings, some groups want to save them for historical preservation, but no one considered any of those buildings historical."

DEAR CHRISSY: I’ve heard rumors about new streetscape projects near Buford Highway – do you know anything about this?

DEAR RACHEL: Yes, DeKalb County has chipped in for 3 streetscape projects. The massive streetscape projects on Buford Highway, Candler Road and Glenwood -- estimated to cost a combined $5 million -- are continuing, with the DeKalb County Commission's approval of $140,760 in purchases of rights of way, easements and driveways on the corridors.

The county will install sidewalks, crosswalks, median strips, decorative lighting and landscaping. The projects are designed as safety measures for pedestrians on the high-traffic thoroughfares. For Candler and Glenwood roads, the improvements are intended to beautify the corridors and attract commercial redevelopment.

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