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Authority shifts attention to retail needsFri, 03/20/2009 - 2:11pm
By: John Munford
In an update to the Peachtree City Council Thursday night, the city’s development authority outlined a variety of tasks undertaken to help industrial and retail businesses in the city. The Development Authority of Peachtree City’s highest-profile project recently has been the recruitment of Atlanta Christian College, which is hoped to locate here. Traditionally the authority has helped with industrial recruitment and retention. It has continued that goal, meeting with existing companies such as Hoshizaki, World Airways, Dolce Atlanta-Peachtree, Cooper Lighting and TDK. Those lunch meetings give the authority a chance to appreciate those industries and also get feedback from them on issues, said DAPC Chairman Todd Strickland. The authority is now treading into unchartered territory as it begins to dabble in the city’s retail needs. DAPC officials are working on proposals to fill the recently-vacated Kroger grocery store at the Peachtree Crossings shopping center, Strickland said. The DAPC’s goal for retail is to “communicate resident preferences of what we want to have in town,” Strickland said. In addition to the Kroger space, other vacant spaces are being worked on as well, he added. The authority recently hosted a meeting with business owners in the Braelinn Village area with the goal of retaining businesses, and similar meetings are planned for the city’s other four villages, Strickland said. Meanwhile DAPC is partnering with Georgia Tech for a planning study on creating a “sustainable multi-generational community” that will include a look at how the city’s village concept is working, Strickland said. Noting the buildup of retail near the intersections of Ga. Highways 74 and 54, Strickland said some of the city’s village retail centers may need retrofitting to insure long-term success. In addition to pursuing the private Atlanta Christian College, the DAPC is also working on efforts to expand the presence of Clayton State University here as well, Strickland reported. The authority is also working to help small businesses and recently published a 16-page magazine that lists a variety of businesses in the city, Strickland added. “We’re trying to help our small businesses that are just hanging on to get a few more customers in the door,” Strickland said. login to post comments |