Sembler development on Briarcliff in doubt

The apartment complex that was to be sold to the Sembler Co. for a controversial project at Briarcliff and North Druid Hills roads in DeKalb County no longer is for sale, according to a letter sent to tenants.

Gables Residential, manager of the Park at Briarcliff apartments, sent a letter that says: “You were previously notified during the past year that the Park at Briarcliff was under contract to a developer. We wanted to update you that the sale of the apartment complex will no longer occur as intended and that the purchase contract has been ended.”

Sembler two years ago announced plans to redevelop the 77-acre Park at Briarcliff, igniting fierce resistance from neighbors who feared heavy traffic. The Gables Residential letter casts doubt on whether the massive project will occur.

The apartments are owned by the DeKalb County Housing Authority and a family owns the land.

Sembler spokesman Nick Gold said the company does not have any comment on the status of the property.

Housing authority attorney Greg Worthy said Sembler’s option to purchase the property expires this month.

“The agreement has expired by its terms, so the purchase and sale agreement is terminated as of this month,” Worthy said.

The housing authority board would have to meet to ratify any changes to the contract, such as an extension of the termination date, he said.

Jim Smith, president of the opposition group StandUp DeKalb, saw the letter sent to Park at Briarcliff tenants. Asked if it appears the project is dead, Smith said “as far as we can tell, yeah.”