Last year the Douglas County Economic Development Authority hired Council for Quality Growth Member Kimley-Horn to embark on a Master Planning effort along Thornton Road South of I-20. The area saw significant growth starting in 2003 with new residential, industrial and hotel development. This employment center, with direct access to I-20 and Hartsfield Jackson, it’s proximity to Georgia’s most visited State Park – Sweetwater Creek, favorable land prices and utilities, is still prime for development. With 1400 acres of undeveloped land in the study area, and the converging of residential and industrial development, we worked with our elected leaders to press the pause button and allow this planning to take place. Our businesses, which include Medline, Google, Pepsico, Gordon Food Service, have been vocal about their concerns with workforce attraction and retention. Much of that is centered around transit options, transportation infrastructure, dining, shopping and recreational options. Along with that, our residents in the area have voiced the same concerns.
Kimley-Horn has led a very open planning process where they have engaged local Douglas County employers, residents, developers and our state park. They have studied the current market trends and projections for new development, analyzed the land suitability and the current infrastructure to support it. The county recognized the importance of this effort and with the vote by the public, have earmarked SPLOST funds for transportation to support economic development in the master plan.
Kimley-Horn will be presenting their findings and recommendations to the Douglas County Board of Commissioners, Douglasville City Council and P&Z boards of both jurisdictions in a joint meeting on Tuesday, May 16th at 4:00 in Citizens Hall at the Douglas County Courthouse.
The meeting is open to the public and is for education purposes only, no decisions will be made.
To see what’s been done so far, please see the link below.
http://www.developdouglas.com/southwest-thornton-activity-center-information