Details emerging about the proposed mixed use development at the corner of Hugh Howell Road and Mountain Industrial Boulevard (known locally as “the old Sears property,”) are creating excitement and a sense of anticipation among nearby neighbors and area residents. Developer Stephen Macauley of Macauley and Schmit has proposed a redevelopment of the former Sears warehouse in the City of Tucker that would become more than 600,000 square feet of mixed-use, including retail, senior living, apartments, townhouses and a movie production facility. The project is tentatively called “Tucker Town Center.”

Technically, a “mixed-use” development incorporates two or more land uses, buildings or structures and can include both primary residential and primary nonresidential uses within the same development. By combining (for example) residential, office, commercial, institutional, recreational or public open space in a compact setting, a mixed-used development can encourage pedestrian oriented development and result in measurable reductions in traffic impacts.

Jerry Silvio, project manager for Macauley Investments, said only about 75% of the 90 acres would be developed, with roughly 15 acres devoted to retail, hotel and office space; approximately 20 acres of multi-family and townhouse; slightly more than three acres of senior living; a four-acre amphitheater; more than 15 acres of parks, trails, water features, arts and gardens; and a film production facility of approximately 12-15 acres.

“The film studio will be a facility for medium budget ($30 million budgets) film production, with a lot of post-production services,” Silvio said. “But the entire project, based on 616 multi-family, 60 townhomes and 360 senior care units would be approximately 2,000 residents and bring in an estimated 500 new jobs.”

The permitting process is underway, and Silvio said he anticipates ground breaking (demolition and site preparation) in early spring of 2017 and vertical construction to begin in late 2017 or early 2018.

The intended regional model for a live-work- play community has generated interest -and local officials are committed to keeping residents and stakeholders informed about the progress of Tucker Town Center.

“I know that the people of Tucker are excited to hear about proposed development plans for the old Sears site, and I can assure you that Mayor and council are just as excited,” said Tucker Mayor Frank Auman. “But we’ll proceed cautiously and carefully as there are many moving parts to a development this complicated. We’ll need to review all the plans as process moves forward and do our best to keep everyone up to date with the latest information.”

Tucker Summit CID