Business
Building a Thriving Community through the Peachtree Corners Redevelopment Authority
Driving along the Holcomb Bridge corridor in Peachtree Corners brings one up against a medley of sights.
Condos. Offices. Strip shopping centers. Apartments built well before the turn of the century, some showing their age. But not much freshly turned earth, construction equipment or framed skeletons of buildings.
City officials would like to see more of the last — quite a bit more in fact.
Why the Redevelopment Authority?
Superimposed on present reality is their vision of how the area could one day look — provided that a newly created quasi-independent authority can forge multiparty development deals involving itself, developers, landowners and city government.
That’s why the Peachtree Corners Redevelopment Authority was created. Working within a general framework created by the state of Georgia, the mayor, city manager, planning staffers and council members spent months in meetings working to establish a local entity. The final step was appointment of nine members to the authority board at a Dec. 12 council meeting. Now it’s time to turn what’s been on paper up until now into a reality.
Look for a laser focus on the authority’s zone of responsibility, encompassing roughly one-third of the city’s footprint and centering along the Holcomb Bridge corridor.
City Manager Brian Johnson says zeroing in on that area simply makes sense.
As he explained, “The southern portion of Peachtree Corners was developed first so the area we put into the redevelopment zone is the oldest part of the city. A parcel can be developed and over time the surrounding area can change its character.”
That argues that the current best use of a property might be something different than how it was imagined decades ago.
One example: a commercial development such as a strip shopping center built with large parking lots and stores set well back from the street. Contrast that with the more modern approach to such commercial space — buildings set closer to the road and parking somewhat hidden. Another: a residential neighborhood where the surrounding turf has gone industrial.
Either of those, or other instances, could get a new lease on life.
How the Authority helps development
Community Development Director Diana Wheeler said creation of an initial citywide usage/development plan after incorporation in 2012 and a package of existing incentives (such as allowing variances on density) lured investment in other parts of the city — the Town Center development being a prime example.
But that didn’t fly along the Holcomb Bridge Corridor.
“We actually had a developer run some numbers for us to see what the issues were,” she said. “We found those numbers didn’t work.
“From a developer’s point of view, they’d approach a property owner and say they were interested in purchasing. The apartment owner would say it’ll cost you such-and-such because we’re making so much right now (due to high occupancy levels). So the developer is not only paying for the land but also buying out an existing business.”
Enter the redevelopment authority, which has both some unique powers and more flexibility in making deals than the city at large.
“For one thing,” said Johnson, “They can sole source and not have to bid out projects.” With a city, for example, if it’s a project above $50,000, they have to let it out for competitive bidding. That means an authority can go the distance with a private developer in consummating a development.
A redevelopment authority also has the power of eminent domain, can condemn property and abate nuisances. And it can cut breaks on property taxes.
“We’re looking at a domino effect,” said Wheeler. “If we get one or two under our belt, then the motivation will be to have things happen organically after that.”
Not only will the authority be able to plan and implement brick-and-mortar projects, it can also have a hand in various community improvement initiatives, such as reducing crime and preserving open space, said city officials.
Challenges and assets
One possible hitch involves the authority’s ability to get its hands on sufficient revenue to jumpstart development.
Johnson said such entities typically start out without revenue, so the city would have to pony up dollars up front. And since Peachtree Corners has no property tax, that shuts off one potential source of financing. Johnson said somewhat down the road, the authority could derive revenue in a number of ways, such as buying a building and leasing it out to tenants for steady rental income. In the early going, city officials said, selling bonds might well supply operating funds.
Shaun Adams, an attorney who has served with the United Peachtree Corners Civic Association, was among those appointed to the board in mid-December. He looks forward to delving into such details.
“I will want to dig into (the city’s existing) plan in more detail and see if I can identify additional opportunities,” he said. “I’m honestly excited to serve in this capacity.”
Other board members include real estate, education and engineering professionals from different parts of the city who represent a variety of ethnicities, ages and genders.
City Council member Weare Gratwick said whatever happens in coming months, the recently constituted board is well up to the task. He’s one of two council members who will exercise ex-officio oversight over the semi-independent entity.
“We had over 30 applications from citizens to be on this board and all were good and well qualified. It was very difficult to choose,” he said. He said the final compliment is a diverse mix that represents “the best and the brightest.”
Johnson thinks the deals that emerge from the work of those bright minds will likely take one recurring form. “Mixed-use developments are mentioned more in connection with this because they work,” he said. “You can prevent having too much of one thing in a small area by mixing uses and those uses can feed off each other. They are symbiotic.”
Blending various types of housing with nearby restaurants such as a coffee shop is but one example, he said. But “what is more important is the highest and best use of a property,” Johnson added. “Maybe a big industrial development could be in the works for the area or Amazon may want to create a distribution center.”
Time to get moving
Now that the mechanism and its people complement are in place, he has a definite timeline in mind moving forward.
Johnson foresees the board taking three to six months to get comfortable in its role and become educated on the area within their jurisdiction and spending the second half of the year vetting details and doing due diligence.
“Just because something looks good from 30,000 feet doesn’t mean it looks as good from 10,000 feet,” Johnson warned.
He added, “Maybe by the end of this year, there’s a vetted opportunity with a developer who would step forward and say, ‘I’m interested in a certain location and want to do a specific deal. And I’m going to need help to make that happen.’”
The city manager hopes that would lead quickly to working on the hard-core details of turning a set of plans into brick and mortar. He said here are many combinations under which a development could come together, including dealmakers employing sub-developers who specialize in one specific aspect of design or construction.
In the context of a mature city running out of undeveloped land, city officials hope those high-fliers who make a cruise along Holcomb Bridge Road will get a much different visual experience in the months and years to come.
Think flying dirt, the roar of bulldozers and steel-framed skeletons.
The strategic acquisition strengthens TransPak’s Southeast presence and expands their capabilities in custom packaging for military, aerospace and high-value equipment.
TransPak, a global leader in logistics, packaging and crating services, recently announced the acquisition of Reid Packaging, a long-standing provider of custom packaging solutions based in Peachtree Corners. Both family-owned and operated companies share a deep-rooted commitment to quality craftsmanship, reliability and customer service, making the acquisition a natural fit.
Reid Packaging, founded in 1982, has distinguished itself as the go-to customer industrial packager in the metro Atlanta region, providing corrugated, foam and custom-engineered crating solutions, particularly in the military and aerospace industries.
Under the ownership of Ward Phillips since 2008, the company has grown to become one of the largest packaging facilities in the region, with a 60,000-square-foot site.
The acquisition will allow TransPak to expand its local manufacturing capabilities in the Southeast, while leveraging Reid Packaging’s expertise in specialized and heavy-duty custom crates.
Strategic Atlanta location and enhanced capabilities
The acquisition is part of TransPak’s strategic expansion into the Atlanta market, a critical logistics hub for both the renewable energy and semiconductor industries.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Reid Packaging into the TransPak family,” said Tomas Molet, executive vice president of East and Midwest Operations, TransPak. “With Reid Packaging’s prime location in Peachtree Corners, we are now able to serve customers throughout the Southeast, including direct routes to the Carolinas and beyond. This acquisition strengthens our ability to meet the needs of existing clients, especially those in the semiconductor and renewable energy sectors.”
In addition to the strategic location, the acquisition brings new manufacturing capabilities to TransPak’s East Coast operations. Reid Packaging’s facility is now the largest of TransPak’s locations in the region. Its offerings include enhanced services, such as heavy-duty and triple-wall corrugated packaging, which will enable TransPak to meet the growing demand for custom-designed packaging solutions for fragile, high-value equipment.
Commitment to employees and leadership appointments
A key focus of the acquisition was ensuring a smooth transition for Reid Packaging’s employees.
“We made a commitment to Ward Phillips to take care of the staff, and we’ve delivered on that promise,” said Molet. “All employees were retained, and we’ve introduced benefits they previously didn’t have as part of our commitment to making this a positive transition for everyone involved.”
Amanda Gautney, a longtime member of TransPak’s leadership team, has been appointed as the operations manager for the Peachtree Corners facility. “I’m excited to work with the team at Reid and continue the legacy of this respected company,” said Gautney.
Looking forward in Atlanta
TransPak plans to continue operating under the Reid Packaging name for the immediate future. However, the facility will gradually transition to full integration under the TransPak brand, reflecting the shared values and commitment to quality of both companies.
About TransPak
Headquartered in Silicon Valley, TransPak has been providing innovative and cost-effective design, crating, packaging and global logistics for over 70 years.
As a customer-focused, women- and family-owned company, TransPak combines the agility of a small business with the reliability of a global powerhouse. TransPak lives by the slogan, “We make it happen,” ensuring that high-value, fragile, and oversized goods reach their destinations safely and efficiently.
For more information about TransPak, visit transpak.com.
Metro Atlanta Redevelopment Visionaries Honored at 2024 MARS Summit
From Our Table to Yours: Five Cozy Dishes for Winter in Peachtree Corners
Opsys Collaborates with Curiosity Lab and City of Peachtree Corners to Launch Solid-State LiDAR Technology
AVID Products, Growing World of Esports Audio and DreamHack
Center for Puppetry Arts Shares Global Holiday Traditions Through Puppetry
Peachtree Corners and Curiosity Lab Receive ITS Georgia 2024 Outside the Construction Box Award
Holiday Glow Event Offers Chance to Give Back While Celebrating the Season
Holiday Glow Event Offers Chance to Give Back While Celebrating the Season
Center for Puppetry Arts Shares Global Holiday Traditions Through Puppetry
AVID Products, Growing World of Esports Audio and DreamHack
Peachtree Corners and Curiosity Lab Receive ITS Georgia 2024 Outside the Construction Box Award
From Our Table to Yours: Five Cozy Dishes for Winter in Peachtree Corners
Opsys Collaborates with Curiosity Lab and City of Peachtree Corners to Launch Solid-State LiDAR Technology
Metro Atlanta Redevelopment Visionaries Honored at 2024 MARS Summit
City of Peachtree Corners Awarded Health Wellness Grant
Light up the Corners [Video]
Capitalist Sage: Business Leadership in Your Community [Podcast]
Cliff Bramble: A Culinary Adventure through Italy
Top 10 Brunch Places in Gwinnett County
A Hunger for Hospitality
THE CORNERS EPISODE 3 – BLAXICAN PART 1
Top 10 Indoor Things To Do This Winter
The ED Hour: What it takes to Remove Barriers from Education
-
Food & Drink1 week agoFrom Our Table to Yours: Five Cozy Dishes for Winter in Peachtree Corners
-
Podcast7 days ago
AVID Products, Growing World of Esports Audio and DreamHack
-
Around Atlanta7 days ago
Center for Puppetry Arts Shares Global Holiday Traditions Through Puppetry
-
Roads and Transportation1 week ago
Peachtree Corners and Curiosity Lab Receive ITS Georgia 2024 Outside the Construction Box Award
