Construction begins on long-delayed Smyrna waterfront

Local industrial business owners continue to voice concern about location
The Georgia Tech rowing team uses a portion of the river in Smyrna for practice. BOB ANDRES  /BANDRES@AJC.COM

The Georgia Tech rowing team uses a portion of the river in Smyrna for practice. BOB ANDRES /BANDRES@AJC.COM

After a decade of delays, construction has begun on hundreds of apartments overlooking the Chattahoochee River in Smyrna.

The developers behind Riverview Landing promise waterfront living for residents and increased public access to the river, with plans to deed a 12-acre park and boat launch to the city after completion. In addition to luxury apartments, the site plan includes homes for sale as well as commercial space.

But the area is also home to many industrial businesses, including recycling, trucking, dredging, cranes and timber companies.

“I just hope that they realize they’re the ones buying into an industrial park and not the other way around,” said Clint Stamps, president of the Chattahoochee Business Industrial Association.

Chuck Young, senior vice president of development with Prestwick Companies, which is developing the apartment component of the project, said his company has worked to ensure that the project aligns with the established standards for new residential developments in Smyrna.

“We are pleased to see that the approved plan addresses previous concerns, and creates a responsible vision for the community moving forward,” Young said through a spokesperson.

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