Page 4 - Barrow Economic Development Report 2017
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drives of new retail.
? Coming out of the Recession, Barrow has added approximately 200,000 square feet to the tax digest in new commercial
development in both 2015 and in 2016. These year over year additions equate to a combined digest value increase of $25.1
million.
? On the north side of University Parkway / Highway 316, The Gateway at University Parkway and Barrow Landing are entitled
for over 700,000 and 1.4 million square feet in retail respectively. The Gateway continues to add restaurants and office uses
at a strong pace, including such tenants as Taco Bell, Barberitos, Dunkin Donuts, Edible Arrangements, Northeast Georgia
Medical Physicians Group, The Exchange Apartment Complex and Holiday Inn Express.
? Redevelopment of historic multi-story buildings and in fill properties
continues to grow in Downtown Winder. Mr. Van Kirk's revitalization work
has created his company's corporate offices, the local Brand Bank office and
the new farm to table restaurant, The Bistro Off Broad. The Winder Barrow
Middle School was repurposed to create The Wimberly Center to support
workforce development through Lanier Technical College's Adult Education
program and provide one location for multiple health and human services.
Mr. Diaz's work on the Peskin Building has begun creating 13,000 square
feet of mixed uses development. Infill developments such as Jimmy Johns,
Dunkin Donuts and Cookout, have opened along May Street.
? Increased commercial interest is developing on the south side of University
Parkway / Highway 316 adjacent to the highly successful 400,000 square
foot Barrow Crossing, which is home to such big box retailers as Target,
Publix, Belks and Petsmart, with the development of Applebees, IHOP and
the entitlement of 40+ acres for office and institutional uses.
? Interstate 85 and Highway 211 in Braselton continues to attract interest as
a retail and commercial corridor with over one million square feet of
entitled commercial property, proposed Highway 211 access
improvements, the addition of the Chateau Elan Hampton Inn and the
widening of I-85.
? The City of Auburn's Whistlestop Shops opened to provide the City's
"micro-retailers" an incubator to grow their businesses. The shops are a
destination for visitors and residents, drawing people into downtown to
shop for popular products, such as, custom apparel, sport novelties,
coffee, ice cream, unique jewelry, hand-made quilts, wine, sweets, and
baked goods.
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