The new Decatur development on the old Avondale MARTA parking lot has nearly completed its first phase and should begin taking residents in August.
The joint project between MARTA, Decatur and developer Columbia Ventures, covers 7.7 acres south of East College Avenue and is now being called “East Decatur” (it was formerly E.co East).
The first phase includes 23,000 square feet of retail and 378 market-rate apartments and 92 senior apartments. The lone retail tenant, the Association Credit Union, was announced months ago. But Columbia Ventures Managing Partner Dillon Baynes said recently that a tavern, a breakfast/lunch restaurant and coffee shop should sign on by June.
Baynes added that the 1.2-mile bicycle/pedestrian trail will get tied into the bridge spanning East College in early fall. The trail, developed by PATH, emanates from 890 Columbia Drive, will wind into East Decatur’s pedestrian/cycling plaza and after crossing the bridge will connect with the Atlanta-Stone Mountain PATH trail.
The second phase includes more ground floor retail and an undetermined number of condominiums, with construction beginning sometime next year.
Baynes said he doesn’t know how many school-aged children the project will produce. The first-phase breakdown is roughly one-third two-bedroom apartments, two-thirds one bed and studios, and 10 three bedrooms.
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