Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Downtown Redevelopment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Developers, DDA and county discuss property swap, sewer upgrade and affordable-housing commitments for downtown site
Summary
Developers and the Downtown Development Authority described a proposed property swap and infrastructure package that would create public parking, upgrade sewer capacity and provide an inclusionary-zoning payment to an affordable-housing fund; commissioners asked for additional public information before final agreements.
Representatives for a potential redevelopment of the former Hotel Abacus property and the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) presented an intergovernmental concept that would swap county-owned triangular parcels near Jackson Street, construct a consolidated parking facility and deliver sewer-line upgrades that proponents say are required for other nearby affordable-housing projects.
Nut graf: Developers said the transaction would generate near-term infrastructure—sewer capacity and public parking—and include a payment into the county’s affordable-housing fund under the existing inclusionary-zoning code; commissioners and public commenters asked for more detail and broader public input before finalizing any agreements.
Andy Savoy of Core Spaces spoke for the project team and described expected public outcomes: a private contribution to public infrastructure (sewer capacity), nearly $8,000,000 in inclusionary-zoning in-lieu payments under current code, tax-increment revenue accruing to a TAD, and the creation of public parking spaces. He emphasized that the current IGA and term sheet are agreements to negotiate definitive agreements and that final documents would return to the commission for approval.
Public commenters expressed support for redevelopment and infrastructure but also raised concerns about student housing concentration downtown and urged that county property be used for housing for people who live and work in Athens rather than primarily student units. Michael Ropersburg and Michael Smith asked the commission to prioritize long-term affordable and senior housing and to negotiate enforceable community benefits rather than relying on voluntary or one-time payments.
Discussion and next steps: Commissioners requested more public engagement and additional financial and program details, including how inclusionary payments would be spent and whether TAD and other public funds would be used for infrastructure. Staff and the development team said they would return with final negotiated agreements and that the proposed sewer upgrade (separate agenda item) is intended to create capacity needed by multiple projects in the area.
Ending: No final agreement was approved on May 20; the commission asked staff to provide clearer term sheets, community benefit details and schedules before bringing any intergovernmental or development agreements forward for final vote.
