City growing smartly

Following the new urbanism trend taking place in the Atlanta metropolitan area, Fayetteville, Ga., is seeking to harness its growth with a 110-acre development near the city's town square. The development, called The Village, will contain a mixed residential neighborhood with commercial development in an urban setting. Green space will be emphasized.

One of the nation's fastest growing areas, the population of Fayetteville's Fayette County increased 46 percent from 1990 to 2000.

Don Easterbrook, city engineer, says The Village will be in the neotraditional style. "It is intended to be pedestrian friendly with narrow streets and alleyways. The commercial section includes a proposed hotel, conference center, restaurants and office areas."

The project's developer is Fayetteville Village LLC, a joint venture of Eagle Real Estate Advisers Inc. and Jebco Ventures Inc., both of Atlanta. According to Al Nash, executive vice president of Eagle, the residential portions of the development have been committed to a team of builders. Work has not yet begun on the commercial section. "The city designated the area as an extension of the downtown area," says Nash. "We saw an opportunity to create a live/work/play environment close to the square."

The Atlanta architecture firm of Cooper Carry provided the original master planning of the development for the city. According to Richard Flierl, principal in charge of the project, the firm led a public process to redefine the development as a quasiurban neighborhood for the small city. Stephen Fuller Inc., Duluth, Ga., embellished the footprint design, prototyped the community and developed elevations for a version of the planned urban development for the developer, according to Joe Dickerson, president of Stephen Fuller Enterprises, the firm's marketing branch.