Timeline uncertain for projected development

The timeline remains uncertain for a projected development in east Decatur between North Arcadia Drive and East Ponce de Leon Avenue. Jack Wilcox, managing director for developer Alliance Realty Services, says he hopes to start “moving dirt” by the first or second quarter of next year, or “maybe sooner.”

Alliance still needs to get several variances from the city, finalize right-of-way abandonment of several on site roads while also resolving sewer issues with DeKalb County. Wilcox admitted he had no clear idea how long all that will take.

But the project was approved by the city last month after a complicated series of votes, which included changing the land use from light industrial to commercial/high density residential, and annexing about 8 acres into Decatur.

The site totals 9.7 acres (all now within city limits) and current plans call for up to 289 apartments, two retail buildings totaling 12,000 square feet (including one restaurant) and a 50,000 square foot grocery long rumored to be Publix. When interviewed this week Wilcox wouldn’t yet confirm the specific grocery.

“We’ve had several meetings with the city [since the June 4 approval],” Wilcox said. “We’ve listened to what they want and made the adjustments. We’ve created more pedestrian activity [including a sidewalk running east to west] and more green space.

“We’re also planning a sculpture garden,” he added. “We’ve added more glass [on the grocery’s rear facing Ponce] and more [variety] of materials to create a better visual effect [on the grocery] so you’re not looking at a 20-foot wall.”

Upcoming

■ Business Planning 101. 2-3:30 p.m. Friday. Free. Stone Mountain-Sue Kellogg Library, 952 Leon St., Stone Mountain. Adults, ages 18 and above, are invited to learn how to start a business. The session will be led by business consultant and local author Renee Jones. 770-413-2020, DeKalbLibrary.org

■ Salsa Fridays. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Friday and July 27 and Aug.

10. Free. Decatur Library, 215 Sycamore St., Decatur. Open to ages 21 to 35, receive salsa lessons and show off your dance skills. All experience levels are welcome. Refreshments will be served. Register: 404-508-7190 ext. 2257 or email AdultService@DeKalbLibrary.org. DeKalbLibrary.org/ events/?series=157

■ Beadweaving With the Georgia Museum of Art. 10 a.m. to noon Saturday. Free. Decatur Library, 215 Sycamore St., Decatur. Open to ages 6 to 14, participants will have the opportunity to create their own pieces to take home. The instructor will be a teaching artist from this museum. An art museum in Athens associated with The University of Georgia, this museum is both an academic museum and, since 1982, the official art museum of the state of Georgia. GeorgiaMuseum.org, DeKalbLibrary.org