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An artist's rendering of the proposed Wayne Street condos project. Contributed image

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August 12, 2010

Condos signal new downtown trend

Jonathan Jackson The Union-Recorder The Union-Recorder Thu Aug 12, 2010, 08:00 AM EDT

MILLEDGEVILLE — The Milledgeville City Council voted Tuesday night to help a developer who is working to bring living space to downtown Milledgeville.

Forbin Partners LP plan to construct a second and third level over three existing businesses on South Wayne Street to create six new living spaces. The condominiums will be two bedroom, two bathroom units located in the 100 block just across the street from Ryal’s Bakery.

Milledgeville Mainstreet Downtown Development Director Belinda Washlesky said the investment in downtown is likely the beginning of a trend that will ultimately lead to a large increase in downtown dwellers.

“Downtown residential space is a commodity we don’t currently have,” she said. “Many Mainstreet programs across the state are advocates of people living downtown 24-7.”

Washlesky said one of the Forbin developers in the Binion family started thinking about the idea of condominiums while he was looking for residential space for his children who were attending college here. From there, the idea of utilizing the space above the building they already owned was born.

The Binion family once owned the Binion House in downtown’s historic district and consider Milledgeville a home base of sorts, Washlesky said.

“They area great team to work with,” she said. “We all work well together, and I think this project, along with a couple of others, marks the beginning of a trend in downtown.”

The Bishop Group is the development team that is renovating the southwest corner building at the intersection of Hancock and Wayne streets. Washlesky said the group is almost ready to proceed with the renovation project that will also add residential space in downtown.

Developer Frank Pendergast is also readying a project to bring residential space to Hancock Street, likely in the old Belk Building. Washlesky said the residential projects will strengthen the diversity of business offerings in downtown Milledgeville.

The Wayne Street condominiums will range in price from $250,000 to $300,000 Washlesky said. If the project is completely approved by all agencies involved, construction would begin in October and be completed in July 2011.

The condominiums will feature balconies open to Wayne Street below. The walls will be covered by red Georgia Brick. The condos will feature two parking spaces per unit. Ten of the spaces will be located behind the building while two more will be less than one block away in the lot behind Sonny’s Brew and Cue.

The construction of the condominiums will not affect the businesses located in the existing structure.

An added bonus to having a stronger residential presence in downtown, Washlesky said, is that the presence of residents could discourage property crime.

Washlesky said Ron Thompson and Perry Hoyt from the Georgia Department of Community Affairs and the Georgia Cities Fund have worked to help secure low-interest loans available to Forbin and other downtown development.

“They are all-for this project,” Washlesky said. “They have been wonderful.”

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