Tampa Developer Gets Green Light on $25M Mixed-Use Project

After five years of local government consideration on what category of development would be best for the strategic four-corner intersection, elected officials have finally approved an estimated $25-million, 170,609-sf retail, office and residential venture. The developer is Allen Goins, president of Tampa, FL-based AG/Armstrong.

Goins was turned down earlier this year by the commission on an proposed 85,033-sf, $10-million mixed-use project at the four corners site. He then partnered with local developer Ben Bass and his Providence Housing Land Co. But Bass withdrew his commitment at the last minute, leaving Goins to seek county approval alone, area brokers familiar with the project and the northwest Fulton County retail submarket tell GlobeSt.com.

To appease concerned residents that his project wouldn't disrupt their rural lifestyle and clash with existing farmhouse-like architecture, Goins told commissioners he would have his buildings designed to resemble horse barns and other similar structures in the area. Construction is expected to start in mid-2005.

The plan approved by the county allows most of the commercial development to be focused on the northeast corner where Publix plans to build a 25,000-sf store among the 82,000 sf of other commercial space. The county previously rejected Goins' plan for 70,833 sf of retail and 14,200 sf of office at the same corner.

Preliminary development plans filed with the county show Goins and Bass had planned 22,500 sf of office, 8,400 sf of retail and 45 townhomes on the southeast corner; 15,600 sf of retail, 4,200 sf of office and 42 single-family homes on the southwest corner; and 18,000 sf of office and 16,876 sf of retail on the northwest corner. Goins has reduced some of the space from the initial plans.