The city of Marietta finalized the sale this month of the former Johnny Walker Homes housing project to Alpharetta-based Myrick Company, clearing the way for a new $45 million mixed use redevelopment off Powder Springs Street.

The project will include approximately 50,000 square feet of retail and office space and 45 residential condominiums in two mixed-use buildings. Another 58 townhomes and 18 single family detached homes will be included in the 10.68-acre site.

Myrick hopes to begin turning dirt by this June and expects the first units will be available for sale and occupied in the first quarter of 2007.

What is your vision for Marietta? Elected officials have proposed their revisions to the city’s goals, and now we need the public’s help in defining the direction of Marietta.

Take a look at the eight proposed goals and e-mail the city your comments. They will be compiled and presented to City Council, who will vote this summer on new plans for the city.

A public open house to discuss the goals will be held Tuesday, May 16 from 6-8 p.m. at the Marietta Center for Advanced Academics, 311 Aviation Road. For more information, call 770-794-5669.

It seems a local neighborhood is having an all-out war over one resident’s decision to split their lot and sell the back half. If you’ve driven through North Woodland Drive lately, you might’ve noticed signs reading, “Save Whitlock Heights!” or “This property not for sale” in the yards of some homeowners. We heard a petition is making the rounds, as well.

Neighbors have listed some reasons why they believe the lot should not be sold. Whitlock Heights has been an established Marietta community for some time now, located right off the Square and Whitlock Avenue. Many of the longtime residents appear threatened by their neighbor’s choice to split the lot and some of the yard signs’ comments come across as quite personal. Here is the Google Map of the location in question - 411 North Woodland Drive,30064:

On a “for sale” flyer for the lot, it shows the lot being approved for splitting last year by a city official. It appears that everything is legal and approved. Now all that’s left for this resident is the approval of his neighbors.

What is your take on this situation? Do you agree with this resident’s decision to split his lot and sell the remainder or do you agree with the preservation sentiments of the other neighbors? Share your opinion by clicking the icon below!

Today, we talked to one of the developers of the new retail development that is going up just west of the McDonald’s on Whitlock Avenue. A short description of the project can be summed up as “A mini version of the West Cobb Avenues”. The new development will be home to upscale boutique shops and restaurants. There is approximately 55,000 square feet of retail space available in varying sizes depending on the needs of each business.

View the PDF about Burnt Hickory Village: Page 1 | Page 2

A few well known Marietta businesses such as Gabriel’s Desserts Bakery/Cafe and the Coldwell Banker Brokerage (currently on Whitlock Avenue) will also be relocating to this new space. The old Coldwell Banker Brokerage will be going up for sale once the transition is complete.

The most unique discovery we made was there will be a trendy, new “Do-it-yourself Dog Washing” shop. Gone are the days of old when there was just a laundry mat to wash your clothes. What would our grandmothers think? Only in 2006 can you stop for a delectable pastry from Gabriel’s, do a little shopping…only to be followed by a stop to wash your dog all in the same upscale shopping center.

We are excited to keep our eye on this upscale development in Marietta as new merchants continue to commit to the spaces available. We will update you as we receive any new information from the developers. If you are a business and would like to have more information about the retail space, please contact Holli Edie at 404.303.1600.

With a public zoning hearing tomorrow night regarding the proposed senior condominiums in two Cobb locations, the question of senior care is brought to the table. The hearing is focused on high-density vs. low-density population levels for the concerned areas. The outcome will either grant Palladian, Inc. the right to build these high-density condos in surrounding low-density, single-family residential areas, or they will be denied. The zoning issue is one thing to think about, but what is your opinion on the state of senior care in our city? Many of you might have family members or parents who live in retirement communities or assisted living facilities. My grandmother resides at a local community like this. She receives good care and has a well-kept facility. What is your experience with local senior care? Do you have any concerns or ideas for improvement? Do you have any great feedback to give to the owners of these facilities? In terms of the zoning issue, what is your opinion?

We spoke this morning with Mark Kirk, one of the developers of the new Walnut Grove community of homes. This development is currently underway, with ground being prepared for 18 new homes that will sit on the corner of Whitlock Avenue and Whitlock Drive. Mark, along with his brother, grew up with their family just down Whitlock Avenue from where Walnut Grove will be situated. Obviously, he’s always had an interest in the area.

Kirk told us that the homes will be perfect for empty nesters looking for a great location and all the modern amenities they might not have in their current, older houses. The 18 houses will be spread over 7.5 total acres. This gated community will also feature some preserved areas, featuring beautiful trees and a creek. The architects of Calwell-Cline are designing the houses.

Mr. Kirk said that the lots will be ready for building by this Summer, with some houses ready for residence by the end of 2006 or early 2007.

For more information, call 770.428.7376

After watching the new West Park Government Center take shape over the past few months on top of what was once an old Kroger, I have come up with the conclusion that old complexes can indeed be turned around for the betterment of the community. I was skeptical at first when I saw they were going to just re-face the old building, but it has really turned out to be quite an aesthetically pleasing development.

Not only has the building itself been completely renovated, but the parking lot has been resurfaced and the landscaping looks great. I think there are other key ‘abandoned’ shopping centers in Marietta that could definitely learn a lesson from the outstanding job the West Park Government center has done in reshaping a previous ‘eye-sore’ in the area. Do you have any thoughts on redevelopment? If so, please share them with our readers using the link below “Share your opinion!”

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This application allows you to locate a desired parcel within the city boundaries of Marietta. Search for a parcel by the owners name, address or Tax Identification number.

About three years ago, my wife and I started looking for property in the Marietta area. The thing that took the most time for us was the fact that we had to drive all over the city to see things. This process was indeed one of the greatest parts about looking for property in the Marietta area - the local scenery and charm of the city.

As we looked around, I found myself trying to keep track of all the properties we looked at that day in a three-ring binder. At the time, we didn’t take digital pictures of the homes and I was at a loss to keep track of what the property looked like and exactly where it was located.

After doing some basic searching, I stumbled across one of those quiet, unknown tools that has saved me hours of time over the past three years when I am researching properties in the Marietta area. Enter the City of Marietta’s Parcel Query Mapping Application.

This tool is hands down the best thing since sliced bread. Every Marietta realtor needs to have this application bookmarked in their favorite browser (FireFox). If you are doing any property research this tool will provide invaluable information. Quick access to Cobb Tax records, Property/Plat info, easy search for Cobb Courthouse docs related to the property. You name it, this Parcel Mapping Application will give it to you.

Every realtor should check it out today!

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