A professional architect shared several visions he has for the mostly-vacant mixed-use Lexington Circle development at the intersection of Ga. Highway 54 East and Banks Road Monday afternoon.

Roberto Paredes of ASD Inc. has been contracted by the Development Authority of Peachtree City to design plans in an effort to get several landowners of the project convinced to go ahead with development of the vacant land that is viewed by many neighbors as an eyesore. The land sits behind a passel of several stores including a Zaxby’s, Bruster’s Ice Cream, CVS Pharmacy and Newnan Community Bank.

One of the main problems is that the landowners are holding out for $400,000 an acre, which would be a record in Peachtree City according to those familiar with the local real estate industry. Another problem is the tracts closest to the intersection is so close to the Holy Trinity Catholic Church just across Walt Banks Road that alcohol could not be served at any establishment there under city ordinance.

The DAPC recently held a meeting of property owners and residents who live in the area who indicated they would like to see the eyesore vacant land developed. A number of homeowners also asked the city to annex the Peachtree East shopping center across the highway from Lexington Park so the city can build a golf cart bridge linking to the shopping center.

At Monday’s DAPC meeting, Paredes suggested putting office-condominiums on the corner of the intersection and live-work units further to the north along Walt Banks. The office theme could be extended further into the property with either more live-work space or perhaps townhomes, Paredes added. Commercial usage hasn’t proven viable at the site, since the property has been on the market since about 2000, Paredes noted.

Paredes presented a number of proposals, but said more research is needed before a final plan can be devised. To create a more urban atmosphere, Paredes is proposing bringing a number of lower-level storefronts right up to the property line, but he is unsure if the city’s ordinances will allow such a concept.

Paredes also is suggesting that on those buildings awnings, balconies and shallow porches could be used on the upper office and residential units on the second and third floor to create character along with architectural elements such as bay windows on the street-level shops.

Paredes said the main access road that has been built is unappealing and needs to have landscaped medians featuring trees separating traffic in both directions.

Another problem in the area is the recently built townhomes that have unscreened mechanical units on the bottom floor facing into the future mixed-use development, Paredes said, adding that the rear of the buildings is better from an architectural standpoint than the front.

Paredes said he has some clients who develop office condominiums who might be interested in the parcels.