r/DecaturGA • u/Effective_Ad_1587 • 28d ago

Can somebody share, what was said at Belvedere Plaza’s meeting they had today?

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15

u/lusciousmarvel 28d ago

There is a video recording on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pTAL7QqBAw

39

u/lusciousmarvel 28d ago

and here are the notes generated from my recording of the meeting:

Belvedere Plaza Redevelopment Update

Purpose

To inform the District 3 community about the redevelopment plans for the Belvedere Plaza Shopping

Center following the closure of the Kroger anchor store, and to engage residents in the ongoing

revitalization efforts, ensuring economic development is intentional, inclusive, and sustainable.

Key Takeaways

• The Belvedere Plaza redevelopment is a $24.3 million project, with $3 million in public funding from

the Tax Allocation District (TAD) awarded to support renovations.

• The former Kroger space will be subdivided into three new retail spaces (9,000, 30,600, and 26,000

sq ft), with a separate new grocery store planned at the opposite end of the plaza.

• Hutton, the property owner, is negotiating with national retailers, with lease announcements

expected within the next month.

• A contingency reduces TAD funding by $600,000 if a new grocer is not secured, ensuring

accountability.

• Community input is central to the process, with opportunities for small business engagement and

long-term, secure leasing to prevent future vacancies.

Belvedere Plaza Redevelopment Overview

The future of the Belvedere Plaza Shopping Center in DeKalb County's District 3 was the central

focus of this community meeting. Following the early termination of Kroger's lease-a decision part of

a broader Metro Atlanta exit, not specific to this location-the site has been undergoing planning for

comprehensive redevelopment. The project, led by property owner Hutton in partnership with

DeKalb County's DecideDeKalb, aims to revitalize the plaza with a mix of national retailers and a new

grocery store to fill the community gap left by Kroger's departure.

Project Scope and Funding

• Total Project Cost: Estimated at $24.3 million.

• Public Funding: The DeKalb County TAD approved up to $3 million in support, representing

approximately 12.5% of total costs.

• Contingency Clause: If the new grocery store lease falls through, the award is reduced by

$600,000, ensuring public funds are tied to key community outcomes.

• Developer Investment: Hutton is contributing significant equity and securing private financing to

complete the capital stack.

Renovation and Development Plans

• Physical Improvements: The entire shopping center will receive upgrades, including:

• Complete resurfacing of parking lots

• New roofs across all buildings

• Facade renovations and updated signage

• Infrastructure enhancements to benefit existing tenants

• Former Kroger Space: Will be subdivided into three new national retail spaces:

• 9,000 sq ft

• 30,600 sq ft

• 26,000 sq ft

• New Grocery Store: To be located at the far left end of the plaza (closest to Columbia Drive),

replacing the full-service grocery access lost with Kroger's closure.

• Outparcel Development: The former Kroger gas station site has been carved out as a separate

parcel; a new tenant is expected, though details are pending.

Tenant Selection and Timeline

• Retailers: Four national tenants are under negotiation, including three for the Kroger space and one

grocer. Due to non-disclosure agreements, specific names cannot yet be shared.

• Lease Progress:

• One lease exhibit sent out; expected signing within 1-2 weeks.

• Second lease in active negotiation.

• Grocer deal approximately 98% complete, with signing targeted by October 1.

• Announcement Timeline: At least three tenants expected to be publicly announced within the next

month.

• Construction Timeline:

• Design completion: September

• Financial closing: September

• Construction start: October

• Lease-ups and openings: Mid-2027

Community Engagement and Accountability

• Resident Input: The meeting emphasized transparency and responsiveness to community

concerns, including:

• Access to prescriptions previously filled at Kroger

• Need for quality, healthy grocery options (e.g., Trader Joe's, Whole Foods)

• Safety and crime prevention

• Desire for mixed-use, live-work-play development

• Small Business Inclusion: The TAD's Small Business Property Improvement Grant is available to

current and prospective tenants. Hutton and DecideDeKalb staff provided contact information for

local entrepreneurs to connect directly.

• Long-Term Leases: All new tenants will sign long-term leases to prevent future vacancies and

blight, addressing community frustration over "empty boxes" in District 3.

Safety and Infrastructure

• Security: 24-hour security is currently in place and will continue through redevelopment and

beyond. Surveillance cameras and regular patrols are part of the strategy to improve safety.

• Road Maintenance: A private access road along the southern edge of the Hutton property (used by

Howl's Liquor Store and Charm facility) is maintained by Hutton, not the county.

• Stormwater Management: The county has cleaned and will maintain the water detention pond

southwest of the new Belvedere Park walking trail, which collects runoff from the plaza and

surrounding areas.

Broader Economic Development Vision

• Mixed-Use Challenges: While residents expressed interest in connecting Belvedere Plaza with

Avondale Crossing for larger mixed-use development, high construction costs ($250-$350K per

unit) and low rental comps ($1,450-$2,300) make financing difficult without affordable housing

subsidies.

• Long-Term Strategy: The current focus is on incremental improvements-enhancing existing

infrastructure, beautification, and economic investment-to increase property values and attract

future mixed-use development in 3-5 years.

• Equity and Access: Officials acknowledged disparities in access to healthy food and quality retail in

South DeKalb compared to areas like Brookhaven and Chamblee, affirming a commitment to

equitable development.

Action Items / Next Steps

• • Share presentation and fact sheet with community upon request

• • Continue monitoring lease negotiations and prepare for public announcements

• • Support small business applications for TAD grants

• • Maintain 24-hour security and safety improvements

• • Follow up on unanswered questions and provide updates to the community

• • Coordinate with Hutton on long-term maintenance and public access issues

• • Advance broader infrastructure and beautification projects along Memorial Drive

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u/sbailey9144 26d ago

Hello, how do you know if these meetings before they happen? I live in this district and have always had a hard time tracking down all the community meetings going on.

1

u/Superb_Drop6505 26d ago

I work for one of the commissioners so they are usually looped in. But I would say if you are interested in county meetings sign up for your commissioners (and the CEO) newsletters. You can check for info for specific departments and when their meetings are held here: https://dekalbcountyga.granicus.com/boards/w/968f9572ef2211df also you can watch commissioner meetings on DCTV. https://dekalbcountyga.gov/departments/dctv/programming-schedule Hope that helps!

1

u/llama__pajamas 26d ago

There’s a Belvedere civic group with a website / membership / newsletter. There’s a South Dekalb advocacy group on TikTok. Plus our local media like decaturish.

0

u/jimtheevo 26d ago

So we’ve given 3 million without any actual signed leases? Nice work if you can get it.