The Avenue East Cobb redevelopment construction work begins

The Avenue East Cobb construction work — *Fencing around the back portion of The Avenue East Cobb has prompted some significant traffic detours.*

Right before the holiday shopping season got underway, a sizable portion of the back parking lot at The Avenue East Cobb was being fenced off.

It’s the start of a redevelopment plan we’ve been following for some months, to include a public plaza and two “jewel box” buildings with restaurants and retail, as well as optional valet parking.

“Our intention is to transform AEC into a more walkable and pedestrian-friendly destination, so the current, short-term disruption to traffic flow is required to reach that goal,” said Britni Johnson, a spokeswoman for North American Properties, which manages the retail center on Roswell Road.

The groundbreaking was in August, but nothing further has happened until now to begin work on the “Central Boulevard” plan that’s scheduled to be completed early next year.

The barricades and fencing went up earlier this month, and the loss of a few dozen parking places and detours caused some traffic issues on Black Friday and over the weekend.

What you can’t do any longer—and this change is permanent—is use the traffic lane closest to the back of the main building, between the former Bravura store and what was Stockyard Burgers and Bones.

That’s where Central Boulevard will be located, featuring the public plaza and the valet service.

The jewel boxes will be constructed in the parking lot area between that building and the Michael’s craft store.

For the time being, there is no access along the back traffic lane between the Pottery Barn and Williams-Sonoma.

There is some limited parking in that area, including access to Michael’s, with detour signs and arrows on the pavement directing motorists around the fencing.

There were some complaints on social media about the construction work, especially the timing given the holidays.

North American Properties said in response to questions from East Cobb News that 88 parking spaces have been fenced off for the construction, with all but 20 to reopen when the project is.complete.

Johnson said construction is beginning late due to delays in getting necessary permits.

She said the building permit took longer than expected, and that while construction could have begun in September, when a civil permit was issued, “we chose to wait until building construction could officially get underway to reduce the amount of disturbance time for locals.”

She said the decision to begin work now, at the start of the holidays, was necessary “to keep the project on track for a summer 2023 delivery.”

Johnson said the “no thru traffic section” was opened on Black Friday and it is open again now.

The Avenue has scheduled a number of holiday events, including caroling this Friday, a live music concert next week and a Menorah lighting on Dec. 18.

When asked how extra traffic for weekend shopping and holiday events would be handled, Johnson said that “We are actively working with our general contractor to determine a low-impact solution for keeping the drive aisle open throughout the project while also moving construction forward in a timely manner.”

The Avenue East Cobb construction work A public plaza will be built at the former Bravura store.

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2 thoughts on “The Avenue East Cobb redevelopment construction work begins”

I am sorry to see this happening, always enjoyed shopping there, especially Michales. Pottery Barn and William Sonoma. Sounds now like that is compromised. I use a handicap space if I have to walk further it will not be conducive to go there. What are Jewel buildings.?