Avondale Estates is considering developing the four acres of downtown property it owns along U.S. 278 instead of partnering with Euramex Management.
Originally the city thought it would combine its property with the roughly 15 downtown acres owned by Euramex, including the old Fenner-Dunlop site. But there remains a fundamental divide between the two parties regarding their vision for downtown, and Euramex doesn’t appear anywhere close to making a public presentation of its plans.
“They say that a grocery store should be the [development’s] magnet,” said Mayor Jonathan Elmore, “and for us the magnet is a public space, like a town green of about 2½ acres.”
The city owns three parcels on 278 that aren’t contiguous, including the old Credit Union lot and the old Rays Indian Originals lot. Elmore said the city could release some details for developing the four acres next month.
“We want to stipulate what we want [on the four acres], then put out a [request for proposal],” Elmore said. “Then the next step is choosing a developer. It’s hoped that when we make the first move [Euramex] will come around and begin developing their property.”
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