An official groundbreaking ceremony for the Gainesville Renaissance project, also known as the fourth side of the square, will take place on September 16.
Following the completion of the project in winter 2021, the mixed-use development will encompass 20,000 square feet of the side of the square currently occupied by a parking lot. The parking lot will be closed to the public beginning September 13.
“We are very pleased that the time has come to announce both the groundbreaking for the much-anticipated project on the fourth side of the square and, with that, the closing of public parking on this privately owned lot,” said Gainesville Mayor Danny Dunagan in a statement released by the city. “This project not only complements the Gainesville we know today, but is a reflection of the city’s ongoing efforts to be an innovative community in which to live, work, learn and play.
The development will feature three levels. The ground level will be devoted to retail stores and restaurants, the second level to Brenau University’s new Lynn J. Darby School of Psychology and Adolescent Counseling and the third level to eight luxury apartments.
In addition to the development, another part of the project is a “pocket park” for public use between the development and the Hall County Courthouse.
“The city has anticipated this day coming to a reality with the expansion of the downtown parking deck and the inclusion of a new north downtown deck in the recently approved SPLOST VIII project list,” said City Manager Bryan Lackey. “Gainesville Renaissance serves as the epicenter of the redevelopment projects that are planned for our downtown and midtown areas.”
Doug Ivester, former chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Coca-Cola Company, purchased the lot for the development in summer 2019. Roddy Properties CEO Fred Roddy is responsible for developing the property, with Robertson Loia Roof in charge of architecture and Carroll Daniel Construction as the general contractor.
