One of DeKalb County’s oldest and smallest cities gave the green light to a new mixed-use complex, welcoming redevelopment to an outdated shopping center.
The Doraville City Council on Monday night voted 3-1 to allow developers to demolish about 70% of the strip mall at The Village at Tilly Mill Crossing, located off Peachtree Industrial Boulevard just outside the Perimeter. They hope to give new life to the property through a mix of retail and more than 300 apartments.
“We’ve been waiting on something like this for a while,” Mayor Donna Pittman said during the council meeting, adding that she is “really excited” about the project.
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The aging and spacious center, coated in mustard yellow paint, is currently less than 25% occupied with only five tenants, according to a memo filed with the city.
Credit: Casey Sykes
Credit: Casey Sykes
The developers, Kaufman Capital Partners and Atlantic Realty Partners, plan to build two new buildings totaling 285,000 square feet, with a new private street running between them. Most of the three- to five-story structures will consist of apartments, with retail and office space on the ground floor facing the street.
City leaders have welcomed the fresh development in this suburb, which is known for its industrial history and immigrant-owned small business community. Residents and officials said the development boom in recent years had skipped over Doraville, while cities like Brookhaven, Chamblee and Peachtree Corners have heralded new projects.
“I don’t think there’s been an apartment built in Doraville in 50 years,” Councilwoman Stephe Koontz estimated. “We’re keeping that whole segment of the population from moving into the city.”
When the plan passed Monday night, members of the City Council clapped. Developers previously said construction could start late this year or early 2020.
There were a few concerns from nearby residents, including increased traffic and a possible jump in the cost of living, though many agreed the area was in need of revitalization. The surrounding community is mostly made up of residential neighborhoods and large fuel-supplier facilities.
Councilwoman Pam Fleming was the sole vote against the plan, arguing that the proposed plan needed more retail options and crept too close to neighboring Hightower Elementary School.
Credit: Kaufman Capital Partners / via City of Doraville
Credit: Kaufman Capital Partners / via City of Doraville
One of the existing businesses that will remain after the development is The PawStand, a beloved pet store on the southern edge of the property. Owners were initially concerned that the plans would eliminate parking directly in front of their store, but redesigns of the site added several spaces in front of the businesses.
“Our customers were very concerned, and now we can go back and tell them, ‘Hey, we've got our parking spaces back,’” Donna Raney, one of the co-owners of The PawStand, said after the meeting.
Credit: Casey Sykes
Credit: Casey Sykes
She said she hopes the apartments will increase business at the pet store, which also offers therapy to injured animals. WellPet Humane, an animal clinic located near The PawStand, is also set to remain after the construction.
Doraville officials in recent months celebrated another development at a nearby site, the former General Motors plant now known as Assembly. Serta Simmons Bedding moved its headquarters into a new building there earlier this year, and construction is continuing on the rest of the 165-acre property.
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