Is Georgia Square Mall redevelopment project dead? PART 2

By Michael H. McClendon

Over 200 citizens gathered at the mall on the evening of 27 March for an information meeting organized by District 6 Commissioner Stephanie Johnson to hear about the status of the project. A shout out to Commissioner Johnson! The size of the crowd was impressive and also diverse with citizens people from across many communities and districts represented. It was encouraging to see citizens go to the mic and speak on a number of issues demonstrating their keen interests and concerns.

Obviously, Mark Jennings, the developer of the project, was there with a story and perhaps he was surprised at the size of the crowd and theirquestions. Peeling back his spin, the bottom lineis ...he kept using the term “fluidity” to describe the state of the multi-phase project that he sold to ACC with great confidence. He shared that the demo of small out buildings had begun although one might suspect this work was started to be able to say work was started! His “fluidity” explanation confirmed that the project still faceschallenges in gaining long-term financing and that there is no firm timeline. He also hinted at the need for ACC to make changes in the Community Benefits Agreement he signed as if to say he cannot move forward with the project unless the agreement is changed.

As Commissioner Johnson was closing the meeting, a citizen shouted out...”that’s a no to bonds”.... signaling to ACC officials they should not even think about bailing out the developer with a financial lifeline.

The Meeting

Mark Jennings and Jon Williams (President of W&A Engineering responsible for project planning and engineering) should be commended for participating in the meeting as well as City Manager Brad Griffin who made a few brief comments. Commissioner Dexter Fisher was in the audience for a brief time, but none of the other commissioners beside Commissioner Johnson attended.

Citizen questions and comments were far-rangingfrom expressing concerns about the impacts of traffic due to the project and the GDOT widening project, fencing, details and amenities of the project, affordable housing, and other varied topics. Some people expressed skepticism, and others were hopeful that something positive would be done with the mall site.

It appeared that this was the first time many citizens had actually focused on the project to try to understand it, the Mall Tax Allocation District, and the Community Benefits Agreement between the developer and ACC. This is understandable. There has been dead silence about the project from the mayor and commission since the mayor was the advocate for the project and the commission approved it in 2023 after a process that limited public engagement.

One might wonder how this project could get to this point as described by Mark Jennings without City Hall informing the public. But we should not be surprised because the mayor and commissionhave not exercised on-going due diligence of the project to protect the equities of the public in what is a massive public-private partnership. The question...what are they trying to hide...just hangs in the air.

One of Mark Jenning’s responses to a question created an image that likely irritated some citizensand that may stick as a symbol of the project. In spinning the wonderful features of the project,Jennings described in grandiose terms the 6-story apartment buildings and their adjoining parking garages arising from the back parking lot of the mall comparing them to high-end apartment living in Atlanta, like Avalon in Alpharetta. After all, part of the original sales pitch was to create a vision of Avalon-like community at the mall site.

His imagery was in contrast to several speakers who wanted to talk about affordable housing options in the project. To his credit, Jennings tried to address the projects housing options, but it was hard to get past his vivid imagery of high-end apartments which left a lasting impression challenging the value ACC’s $189M TAD investment.

To The Mayor and Commission

In a February 6, 2023, article in Flagpole, Jon Williams was quoted as stating that “without the TAD funding, the project won’t happen.” You ignored the red flags about the project, caved to the sales pitch, and approved the developer’s request for $189M in future TAD revenue.

Now the excuse is “fluidity.” You need to come clean about your behind-the-door discussions with Mark Jennings over these past months. What did you know, when did you know it, what didJennings ask, what did you say, and what are you planning?

It is obvious from the meeting on the 27th that the Community Benefits Agreement, as signed with all terms and conditions, cannot be executed. If it could be executed, then there would be no need for you to be engaged in backroom discussions. If you think you can ride this out and not publicly address the “elephant in the room” you are mistaken. Citizens have had enough of your backdoor dealings not just on the mall but other important issues facing our community. The list is long.

If Mark Jennings and his partners cannot execute the agreement they signed, then they need to come to the mayor and commission in a public forum to own up to the facts-of-life, not spin another yarn. Then mutually terminate the agreement so he and his partners can move on to develop their property. Avalon in Athens was and is a bridge to far, but other options on their property may have value. Then you will be free to revisit the Mall TAD and make better use of any future TAD revenue to benefit the West Side community.

The point is you cannot continue to engage in this fantasy with the developer because you do not want to have to go on the public record. Bad news does not get better with age.

You have a responsibility to represent the interests of taxpayers not the developer. In 2026, five commissioner seats will be up for election and Athens will select a new mayor. You should remember that.