The project, an extension of the city's historic Downtown, expands the riverfront and riverwalk by nearly 2,000 feet. Part of this aspect of the project will be funded by an $8-million investment from the state. A riverfront plaza, public squares and street-level retail will help integrate the new construction with existing downtown structures.

Ambling assistant vice president Wes Taubel tells GlobeSt.com that developers hope to break ground on the project by the end of the year. The expected build-out of the project is seven to 10 years. "The goal is to create a combination of uses that complement each other," Taubel says. Marketing efforts for both the commercial and residential space will begin in approximately one month, he adds.

The project plans are consistent with the original six-square city plan designed by General James Oglethorpe in 1733. The project is also designed to be consistent with the city's master plan. Building heights will range from four to 10 stories. This is the first major development of Downtown in recent history.

"The major challenge with this project was that the Downtown area hasn't been added to in 150 years," says Sottile Urban Design principal Christian Sottile, who assisted Ambling and the city with developing a civic master plan for the site.

The project is in a low-lying area that has never been developed. To bring the site's grade up to levels sufficient for development, Ambling will transport more than 450,000 cubic yards of dirt, equivalent to 50,000 dump truck loads, to the site.