Keely Hallinan
Public Relations Professional
Athens mayor speaks about Georgia Square mall redevelopment
By Keely Hallinan
February 2023
Why I Wrote the Story
The Athens housing crisis is an important issue in my community and the opportunity to hear the mayor of Athens discuss how his mall redevelopment plans can help the issue makes it a prominent and timely article. I learned how to use direct quotes versus partial quotes in my event coverage assignment, as well as how to include relevant outside information.
Athens-Clarke County Mayor Kelly Girtz said he is positive about the redevelopment of the Georgia Square Mall passing at the commissioner meeting March 7.
Girtz said “I feel good” when sharing his mall proposal and its benefits to Athens citizens at the news conference on the University of Georgia’s campus. The mayor said how the plan will help with community housing needs and create a magnetic outdoor space.
Mayor Kelly Girtz presents his proposal about the Georgia Square Mall to a room of more than 150 students and professors at UGA’s campus. (Photo/Keely Hallinan)
Girtz began his presentation by saying the six Tax Allocation Districts established in the county, one of which is specific to the Georgia Square Mall redevelopment plan. The mayor is estimating the project will cost $400 million plus $189 million funded by the government for a total of $589 million. The project encompasses multiple housing options, a retrofitted portion of the Georgia Square Mall with retail and office, a new retail village and a central green space.
Ten percent of the mall’s 1,200 rental units will be attainable for households earning 80% Area Median Income, according to the Georgia Square Mall Redevelopment TAD Funding Application. The housing efforts included in the redevelopment are a part of the mall’s integrated environment that grants opportunities for low-income citizens to have housing while also providing a range of expensive and inexpensive retailers.
The Athens housing crisis is one of the local government’s concerns. The Housing Shortage Isn't Just a Coastal Crisis Anymore illustrates how the housing surplus percentage dropped 14.4% of housing units between 2012 and 2019. The mall redevelopment plan will help the housing shortage by providing more residential units for citizens from mixed incomes.
A UGA student stands up to ask Mayor Girtz a question regarding his redevelopment plan. (Photo/Keely Hallinan)
Girtz mentioned the tension surrounding the phasing aspect of the plan. He is meeting daily with the county commission, school board members and the developer to ensure the plan to help housing concerns flow predictably. Belk is the last of four anchor stores to remain operating at the mall.
“You can't just feel positive though,” Girtz said. “You have to do the things that get you to feel positive.”
A group of more than 150 students and professors were at Friday’s news conference. This was the first time he spoke publicly since Tuesday to table the vote.
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