Friday, November 10, 2000
Friday, November 10, 2000 |
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Original plan for PTC predicted retail domination with huge shopping center
By JOHN
MUNFORD
Last week's approval of a concept plan for a Wal-Mart Superstore on Ga. Highway 54 West drew the ire of many local residents who came to observe the City Council handle the matter. But if things had worked out according to Peachtree City's original master plan, developed in 1972, that area of town could have been a lot worse off. A massive regional shopping center and office building complex was planned near the intersection of Hwys. 54 and 74. Ironically, one of the stores planned for that shopping center was "a high-volume discount store," a phrase that could be used to describe Wal-Mart stores. "While this is not the traditional type of store included in most new town planning, it is important that the modest income residents have the opportunity of purchasing low-cost goods in the city," the plan states. The regional shopping center was a major part of the master plan, which predicted that Peachtree City would have many retail shopping opportunities. "Peachtree City is expected to be the focal point for trade and services in Fayette County beginning in the mid-1970s," according to the 1972 master plan, which was prepared by Arthur D. Little, Inc. "Its regional center will dominate the county." The regional shopping center would encompass 600,000 square feet and a nearby office building would be 300,000 square feet, the plan predicted. The regional center was to be built near the intersections of Hwy. 54 and Hwy. 74 by 1992, serving a projected 100,000 people. The regional shopping center was expected to draw customers heavily from Coweta County and south Clayton County, along with Spalding, Fulton and Henry counties to a lesser extent. Such outside shoppers were supposed to account for about 40 percent of the money spent at the regional shopping center. Granted, Peachtree City has no such massive retail development today. Then again, the master plan also predicted Peachtree City would be home to over 80,000 residents instead of the current level near 40,000 people. But at the time the master plan was developed, Peachtree City's population was just over 1,000, with at least that many people working in the city's industrial park. The regional shopping center would have had a department store, or two, consisting of about 350,000 square feet, according to the 1972 master plan. The plan called for it to be built in phases with the first phase having supermarkets, gas stations and other small stores. Later, specialty stores to sell shoes and apparel would be added along with specialty restaurants such as luncheonettes, bakeries, and a delicatessen, the plan states. The master plan called for the largest part of the regional center to be developed once Hwy. 54 was widened or if a outer loop highway was established around the metro Atlanta area. Almost 20 years later, neither project has been accomplished, although DOT officials are prepared to widen the highway to four lanes once the dispute is settled over alleged violations of the Clean Air Act that has stifled highway expansion in the metro Atlanta area. Alternate locations both inside and outside Peachtree City were also considered for the regional shopping center, according to the plan. Retail development was such a driving force behind the original master plan that it was predicted over 5,000 people would be employed at retail and service businesses in the city. The master plan also predicted that "mini centers" throughout the city would have vending machines stocked with milk, eggs, frozen foods and other items. Other planned "maxi centers" would have convenience grocery stores and other related services such as drug stores and beauty
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